Wearing 'layers'

[aliasname]

Everyone goes on about oodies and blankets and layers, but how does it actually work?

1. It's all very well wearing lots of clothes, but it's always the extremities which get cold: hands, feet & nose. I've got some fingerless gloves which are great because I can still knit and read. But feet - there are only so many socks you can wear before your slippers won't fit? My feet always get damp and cold, but I think it's because I'm wearing cotton socks, and should be wearing wool? And nothing can be done about cold noses - I've seen knitting patterns for nose warmers lol, but they'd interfere with my glasses...

1. Layers of clothes seem uncomfortable especially round shoulders, but maybe I can get used to it. Ditto tights under trousers, do i have to buy a bigger size?

1. Blankets on the sofa? Slight concern that every time I have to let the dogs out/pour a glass of wine/ go the loo, I have to dig myself out from layers of blankets, dogs, knitting, tablet, wine ~ I'll never get to the loo in time!

1. "Back in the old days, we didn't have central heating & just wore layers!" I keep reading, ... but really? Admittedly, my knowledge comes from tv, but fashion from the first half of the 20th century (for women) involved skirts, calf or knee length & tights or stockings. One episode of a wartime series had a character who wore (short) socks, but I don't remember seeing any adult wear longer socks. When women wore trousers, it's implied that this is for protection from dirt/machinery not for warmth.

So, any tips on how to layer, especially feet?

The main thing that my mother drummed into me was keep your kidneys warm. There's a reason why kids tucked their vests into their knickers 😉 If you bend over or move/twist does your top ride up your back? If so you are losing body heat. Get longer tops that aren't flapping around creating draughts or at least tuck your vest inside your waist band.

The other is long socks. That gap between the top of normal socks and knees is where your trousers are a bit gappy too. I wear mens instead of ladies socks as they are a bit longer but I do have some old "grandad" socks for beast from the east type weather, those are awesome.

Another vote for tucking your layers in to stop the draughts and also a lightweight scarf or a stretchy jersey snood ( the Seasalt handy bands are good), it just stops that chill round round neck and makes such a difference at keeping your core warm. I am noticeably warmer with a pashmina on inside and I often wear a fleece gilet too.

I wear layers as I get really cold when sat at home if the temperature is under about 20 degrees and unfortunately my house isn’t particularly well insulated. I find having a wool jumper as one of my middle layer makes a huge difference. I have a few I got cheap from charity shops, they’re only worn as a layer so I didn’t care about style and just looked for the 100% wool on the label. I have sheepskin slippers too which are great and I usually only need one pair of normal cotton socks on underneath.

I also have a few large teddy bear fleece onesies. I find wearing one of these over my clothing seems to really keep all the warmth inside the layers. I will sit under a blanket with a hot water bottle if I get into the house from outside and am a bit chilly and need to warm up but find usually after a short time I’m warm enough and can kick the blankets off.

Oh and slippers, always slippers! I have sheepskin ones as I live ina draughty old farmhouse and they are blissful!

@BadGranny bloody freezing old cottage, although I seem to be colder than anyone else I know. My default clothes shopping mode is ‘ooh, that looks warm’. You should have seen me last January when staying at a house with no central heating, seven layers on top topped off with a padded boiler suit!

A heated poncho!! 😀

I've never liked gilets because they feel so bulky (I'm only 5ft, so just end up wider than I am tall) and constricting round my neck. I think it's definitely a cold/damp feet issue, so will look into the merino wool possibility.

After some trial and error, I'm wearing bamboo socks for bed socks. Not too warm, and not damp/chilly like cotton ones.

When I visit my in laws in their freezing house I wear a vest, long sleeve T, medium weight polo neck jumper and another jumper over that. Sometimes a cardigan too. Knee length wool socks, dolly slippers inside furry boot slippers and jeans, I kid you not.

I don’t know how you are all wearing your blankets but I literally put mine on like a cloak so it comes with me to wherever I’m going. Makes me feel like some kind of mythical being too.

Ditto!

The point of layering is that you don't need the gloves and extra-thick socks if you do it right. Keep the torso warm enough and the hot blood from your core is all your hands and feet need to keep them warm.

I have some nice loose Jersey yoga pants that fit under wide leg jeans for extra warmth on my legs, and up to 5 light layers on top depending on how cold it is. Lots of light layers are way better than one jumper.

These are good as you can wear them under a lot of things without them being noticeable.
www.amazon.co.uk/Allegra-Womens-Fitted-Layering-Sleeve/dp/B07SDDW5Q6

Merino wool base layers are amazing, they’re antibacterial due to the lanolin in the wool so you get a lot more wear out of them than other base layers so you save on washing and heating. Win win.

I like gilets as they still give freedom of your shoulders/ arms.

Feet are a problem because things like slippers just make them sweat and go colder. Comfortable, safe slippers are a rareity anyway.

Cold nose is really annoying because it then drips. Moving is OK as it pumps the warm blood around, but there's a limit to how much you constantly want to move around the house.

I got an electric throw last year and that's good for dealing with annoying noses and toes.

Yes, also if you keep your feet warm the rest of you stays surprisingly warm.

I WFH, I invested in wool tights, sheepskin slippers (half price in the sale) which are game changers.

Then I wear a thermal vest, comfortable day dress, close fitting wool cardigan and a fleece cardigan over the top.

I bought some 100% wool knit dresses some years ago and with those I don’t need the cardigan just the fleece cardigan.

I also have wool throws - I find them easier and more versatile than ponchos.

I like gilets as they still give freedom of your shoulders/ arms.

yes they’re great, either fleece or Uniqlo down ones are very light.

Thank you - I’ve not seen these before but have ordered a starter pack.

I have invested this year. Some things better than others:

• merino base layer - lovely
• M&S thermal base layers - tops no. Now PJ tops. Leggings - yes.
• cashmere top layer - lovely
• cotton hoodie - too bulky over other layers - saving for when it's Even Colder
• cashmere fingerless mittens - do make a difference, but not enough
• rechargeable hand warmer - love it
• walking socks - yes
• heat holder socks - yes - worn over walking socks
• Oodie - only wearing it in the evenings. No heating, but still too warm sometimes (esp with a thermal top on)
• heated throw - not needed with Oodie, but nice for that hour between work and dinner

1. I think it's because I'm wearing cotton socks, and should be wearing wool? Yes you need wool socks or if sensitive to wool, try a pair of insulated slippers like MukLuks
2. Layers of clothes- yes it’s easy to get used to. Your base layer is usually breathable and form fitting. Then on top you want wool or fleece.
3. Blankets- yep, with you there. They aren’t the best option if you’re getting up a lot.
4. Admittedly, my knowledge comes from tv, but fashion from the first half of the 20th century (for women) involved skirts, calf or knee length & tights or stockings. They’d layer their skirts. You’d be surprised how warm one winter skirt plus one winter petticoat with thick stockings is. On particularly cold days they wore multiple skirts. And they wore wool socks and boots when outdoors.

Another vote for M&S thermal layers, esp their heatgen plus range.

Long leggings and long sleeve T-shirt and a single pair of socks have been all I have needed so far. Jogger style bottoms and hoodie style top is the next layer.

Small fleece blanket kept folded up on each side/easy chair downstairs.

I agree that in the old days they'd have sat round a real fire/stove in the evenings. I expect they probably went to bed earlier as well as they weren't sitting up watching TV like we do. People more often slept with whole families in one bed and used stones heated on the fire to warm the beds.

Hiking socks and thermals - either silk or Uniqlo Heat Tech (which is much cheaper but v good). And a fleece blankets. You'll be too hot in no time 😀

@Sandunesandseashells I hope you like them! Panics
I discovered the period pain thing accidentally by wearing one but it makes a big difference to how warm I feel without adding bulk

The one place you lose most heat from is your head-stick a hat on-makes a massive difference even if it feels stupid wearing one indoors.

backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/keeping-yer-nose-warm-all-night/

My nose was cold the other night in bed and my googling led me here. Considering sacrificing a sock in need of darning!

I REALLY feel the cold! Love layers in cold weather - especially something to cover my neck and problem shoulder. I start with thin socks, followed by wool or thin fleecy socks for my otherwise icy ankles followed by long Heat-holder socks (I especially love their Wellie socks). My winter slippers are a size larger to accommodate my socks!

Then T-shirt with a lightweight wool or cotton jumper topped with feather gilet followed by "Oodi". On my legs thin fleecy joggers followed by Mens joggers lined in thick fleece. It feels wonderful and means I can delay putting on heating. Doesn't get in the way of doing my chores. On chilly early mornings/evenings I add a full length "Sherpa" lined "Oodi". It's so cozy - there've been times I've had to double check I've not put the heating on! 🌹