Any tips for coping with a cold office if you are someone who feels the cold easily?

[CassandraWebb]

I want to spend time in the office ,but I am struggling to stay warm enough whilst also looking professional enough

And most people dont seem to struggle with the temperature so I think it's just a "me" thing. (I struggle a lot to stay warm, it may be related to my chronic condition).

At home I have heated blankets, a heated gilet, hot water bottles etc . But I am struggling to think how to stay warm in an office that is very much still a "traditional professional office wear" type environment.

I tried looking to see if there's anything like the heated gilet I love but in a more professional style. It's good because I can change the temperature with a press of the button (I also get ill if I get too warm 😬)

Would love any tips/ideas people have found make a big difference

Get a little heater for besides you
that’s what I have
works a treat

Were your work ok to bring that into the office?

Does it a annoy other people? I think a lot of my colleagues like a cooler environment so they are cracking windows open etc even when I am too cold! (And i think it's my body that's weird not theirs!)

Lots of layers… merino wool, cashmere, all the usual, so that you can take something off if you do eventually warm up!

Layers of thermals: thin vests & leggings under trousers . Fingerless compression gloves are great. Can you have a pair of warm lined boots under your desk to pop on if you need to wear more formal footwear? I feel your pain , luckily I am able to wear heated blanket & woolly hat in the office🥶

I can't see it affecting anyone else.

They normally throw out just enough heat to warm the person they're aimed at.

Not sure if they'll insist on it being PAT tested though.

Of course they were

It’s under my desk
and warms my feet

Firstly you need to discuss the temperature with your manager. It may be that the room is cold.

To wear: thermals, second layers plus a warm cardigan over the top is good. Get a heated pad to put on your knee.

There are - or should be - strict controls about using electrical appliances in the office. So I'd be surprised if you were allowed to bring a heater in @CassandraWebb

I'd have two hot water bottles. One on your lap and one under your feet (obviously you'd need to take your shoes off, but hopefully under a desk no-one would notice!

Layers, including wool/natural materials and a nice scarf. I'm a bit scruffy, but a nice silk scarf would look smart and helps a lot with warmth. Warm drinks also help.

Ask for a space heater. Or offer to buy one and bring it in. If you think they'll refuse just bring one in on the sly. 🤣

I'd also be asking why you need to wear a suit if you are sitting at a desk all day and not seeing clients.

If you want to buy a heater for under your desk you'll need to check if your employer has any policies about bringing in your own electrical equipment - new equipment shouldn't need PAT testing, a visual check to make sure its not damaged is usually enough (but some workplaces have their own requirements over and above HSE regs).

Thermals as a base layer under a smart suit or two piece outfit shouldn't look unprofessional and will help, there are some good lightweight ones available from places like Mountain Warehouse. Keeping feet and hands warm will help - you can get USB chargeable handwarmers to use - and if you can keep your head warm that will make a difference too. How would you feel about headscarves or wraps?

Those microweave heater things, saves you having to use a kettle and clog up the kitchen area boiling a whole kettle just for you

Lots and lots of thermal layers, this is what I do. Im normally in several layers at work

I keep a scarf on too

Heated cushion. Amazing at keeping you warm and looks fine even on an office chair

I already do base layers etc , I think there's something wrong with my body, possibly it relates to my neurological condition but possibly something else. I guess I am looking for something like the heated gilet /heated blanket but that would look professional at work, but I am not sure such a thing exists!

We do see clients etc at work and I am fairly new in the office so don't want to rock the boat by objecting to the dress code etc.

Are you allowed to wear boots? I always feel colder when my feet are cold.

If yes, you could get thermal socks to wear under the boots too.

And thermal vest/thick wool jumper or cardigan to wear over the top.

Would a scarf be allowed? If not, roll neck jumper. Keeping the neck warm also helps a lot.

Oooh that might work! I didn't know you could get them

For a little heater you need to check with your site/facilities team, they might want it to be pat tested or have only certain types, and might have one in storage you can just use anyway. Ideally nothing noisy.

for clothing- as others have said, it’s all about layers! Heat tech by Uniqlo is good, they do long sleeved scoop necked super thin tops you could put under your usual work clothes as an extra warm layer.

cashmere can be very warm without being chunky. The old fashioned twin set style could look smart with work skirt or trousers, but means you have jumper and cardie on.

i always find it helps to have a warm neck, so roll neck jumper /turtlenecks are warmer than crew necks. Or add an indoor scarf. (Silk is warm.)

It sounds like you need to get this checked with your GP/consultant.

If it is linked to your neurological condition then work need to factor this in and make adjustments.

@CassandraWebb dh bought me one last year. I love it. Does not feel that hot to touch but it warms your core. It's fantastic

Is there an area where you feel the cold the most? For me, I can wear all the layers I want but if my neck is cold, I'm cold. For my DH it's his thighs and for my mum it's her upper arms.

Ive been to the GP with my coldness, they're not remotely bothered. My fingers and toes turn white and numb but painful at the same time and now one of my fingers is swollen, probably chilblains

Sounds like Reynaulds to me. Not diagnosed though.

Oh and best to check first if you plan to bring a heater. At my workplace you can't bring your own partly because everything has to be PAT tested but also because of heating bills (it's a large university)

what is the temperature of the office?