Would you rather be warm and look a mess or look nice but not as warm?

[ailison55]

Basically I'm having a couple of days away next week and the temps are looking around 9-10 degrees.
I have a big puffer coat which is warm but I look awful in it (10 sizes bigger and just don't feel nice )
Or lots of nicer coats which aren't as warm but I feel nice in.
The trip will involve looking around shops ,the city,a meal out and drinks
So will involve being inside more than outside.
I know it's first world problems but would you wear something you felt comfortable in and layer up ?
Or wear the toasty coat but spend two days feeling horrible and not attractive in it?

Layers. And get rid of the horrid coat. There are warm options that aren’t also ugly.

Don't forget a hat. A hat really does stop the heat escaping from your head so will make a huge difference.

I'd boil in thermals in a UK city, they are far too warm for walking around in, they are useful if I'm standing or sitting still e.g. at a sports event or going somewhere properly cold abroad.

Honestly I'm away with DP at the minute. I have a nice woolen coat that isn't as warm as my puffer but I didn't wear it yesterday as was saving it fri and event and it's pretty light coloured so didn't want to accidentally mark it. We had a wander around the shops and I felt so out of place in my puffer coat. Wish I had just work my woolen one that went with my lovely outfit and I ended up being red hot from all the walking around it would have been perfect.

If you don't already have something, do you have time to get something?

Just to add in always warm and cosy in leggings and puffer but for a weekend away I wished I'd got something nicer.

I was freezing in Edinburgh in my nice coat this time last year!

BUT that's on me because I forgot my scarf and gloves and ended up buying some. I find I'm fine in a fine wool coat if I've got cashmere or wool underneath and a nice cosy scarf/gloves/hat. I would definitely do that rather than lug around a puffa coat for shopping and dining.

i agree hat gloves warm scarf are very important.

Thermals in 9-10 degrees?!?

I mean, I don't feel the cold much myself either, but most people coming from down south find it bitterly colder than what they're used to!

@beastlyslumber but it’s 9-10 degrees!! Set aside the southern prejudices that it’s always cold up north and you’re going to freeze to death and ask yourself how many people would be wearing thermals in London if the forecast was 9degrees!!

Warm and comfortable!

I live by the sea and the wind can be really strong and freezing...

I have learned that a big puffer coat and a woolly hat are the best way to deal with this in winter.

Everyone in town wears similar stuff.

You might get away with a warm jumper/socks and layers under a nice coat if you want to look a bit more stylish.

9 degrees in Edinburgh is definitely colder than 9 degrees in London! I don't make the rules

I was in Edinburgh Friday and yesterday- a cloudy 6 degrees according to my phone.

I went woolen coat, scarf and gloves and even then just for larger walking periods. In and out of shops etc everything was shoved in my shopping bags. John Lewis was particularly warm.

It’s not comfort at all costs, OP!

if your big coat is unflattering and unfashionable then don’t wear it

If you’re going for a walk through the moors, wear the big coat. Going in and out of shops and pubs, that would be a nightmare-you’ll be hot and uncomfortable! Layer up. Hat and scarf will do wonders

i agree

It's Edinburgh not the arctic.
I'm further north than Edinburgh & it's not really hat & gloves weather.
It's not even been that cold this winter, nice coat & just your normal clothes would be fine.
I do prefer a jacket with a hood though as umbrellas are never practical & I can't stand getting wet.

but it depends what you are used to @FannyFifer

No one needs thermals in 9-10 degrees for wandering around a city & in and out of shops & bars surely.

Layer up I made the mistake of taking the huge puffer coat. I ended up having to buy a new lighter weight coat.

Same sort of trip as you shops, city, eating out etc.

Ensure it’s waterproof though with a hood as Edinburgh can be windy and umbrellas don’t last long

but it depends what you are used to @FannyFifer

I agree, it depends. Some people feel warmer/colder than others, and if you’re from the South, it might feel colder than you’re generally used to.

Nice, and good thermal under-layers.
I actually nipped into M&S and bought a thermal top not long ago - was chilly in my ‘nice’ coat and early for an ex-colleagues lunch. I put it on in the ladies. 🙂

Unless you’re planning to sit on top of the Arthur’s Seat all day (windy) or spending a full day at Portobello beach (also windy), you really don’t need the big coat for Edinburgh atm. We were there all day yesterday, popping in and out of places but also a solid couple of hours walk, I wore a relatively thin coat over just a long sleeve cotton top, thin scarf chucked on and I can’t say I felt cold at any point.
Have a lovely time, I lived in Edinburgh for quite a few years and always love to go back!