Sexist thermal underwear

[LarryVeest]

AIBU to think that it's fricking ridiculous that it's difficult (impossible?) to buy really properly thick, warm, thermal underwear for women? There's plenty of choice for industrial strength thermal vests for men, but women's stuff is almost always that "pointelle" stuff, usually with lacy edges.

Examples from M&S:

Hardcore cosy men's stuff:
www.marksandspencer.com/thermal-maximum-warmth-wool-blend-vest/p/clp60465907?color=CREAM&prevPage=srp#intid=prodColourId-60465907

Stupid flimsy womens' version:
www.marksandspencer.com/2pk-thermal-short-sleeve-tops/p/clp60474371?color=WHITE

Is it because we are keeping warm over a hot stove?

I've previously bought men's vests, but they aren't small enough (unless I buy the 14 year old boys' size, and then they're a bit too small on the bust).

It's the same with socks: lovely thick warm long-lasting men's socks, and risibly weak women's versions. However, the men's socks for me fine, so I just buy them.

I buy mine from mountain warehouse, it's unisex

I haven't noticed any difference in actual warmth between the mens m&s stuff and the womans despite the lace

I don't have any need for thermal underwear so can't comment on that but I always buy mens socks pilfer DH's sock drawer for winter. Much thicker and don't keep falling down.

I got a couple of these last year, they kept me pretty warm.

www.marksandspencer.com/heatgen-plus-thermal-long-sleeve-top/p/clp60476826?color=BLACK&prevPage=srp

I get my thermals from Decathlon.

Mountain Warehouse or similar outdoor shop, or else Heat Machine brand from various places. M&S is not the place to go for serious thermals.

Last time I tries Mountain Warehouse, they didn't have any properly hardcore thivk thermals for men or women, but looking at their website it's possible that they have upped their game.

This may be the shortest AIBU ever.

Caramella - I definitely notice the difference! The women's stuff is significantly thinner - you can see it's more see-through in the links above.

I think your problem is that you are shopping at M&S... Outdoorsy places are better, or Uniqlo is good. They have a few different styles - you can get women's ones with more scooped necks, which is handy if you wear them all winter under everything, like I do, but you can also get extra-warm ones in the women's range.

Yes, I have some base layers from decathlon, but I do acually think their men's versions are more robust. And they tend to be more the sporty wicking fabrics, whereas sometimes I just want a thick cotton/wool blend (as per the M&S men's one).

Uniqlo: www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/women/innerwear-and-loungewear/innerwear

Sorry just to third Uniqlo. I LOVE their thermals and can wear them as outdoor wear too.
When I went to Iceland in winter and temperature was in the minuses I was fine in just Uniqlo thermal joggers & roll neck with a supermarket coat over the top.
They have three different levels of warmth too.
And are fantastically priced.

I had the exact same thoughts in m&s today! I needed thermals for my ds who is too small for the men’s section but neither kids nor women’s are up to the job.

Same with briefs - why do men get nice thick ones? Socks - ditto. And why can you never get decent pockets in girls’ clothes. The difference on boys and girls uniform trousers is ridiculous. Plenty of room for collecting dead bugs, broken keys and random stones but nowhere to discreetly stash a sanitary towel.

By the boys ones and cut holes out for your boobs. Then wear an extra bra to keep you boobs warm.

Trust me: You're gonna look GREAT.

*Buy

Uniqlo. I live in them in the winter. The best value for money vs warmth I've found. Plus they are usually nice enough looking that you can just wear them alone too. I have the thinnest ones and the thickest ones and love them all.

The uniqlo ultra warm crew necks look promising! Although if I'm being pernickety, I don't necessarily want long-sleeves. Mountain Warehouse is the leading contender so far: www.mountainwarehouse.com/036364-talus-womens-ss-tee-p30909/black/

Icebreaker - New Zealand merino wool (there’s a Uk website). They are amazing.

I use their thick and thinner weight round neck tops, and same again with there quarter zip tops for running in winter. Plus their neck warmer - I must wear that 6 months of the year! I get an XS.

I haven’t found the same type of quality in a Uk brand although I like BAM clothing for autumn/spring.

The merino I throw in the wash on 20 or 30 degrees. No issues even though it’s a 100% merino (I hate synthetic fabrics).

Pricey but I’ve had my tops for years with heavy use. Saving up to replace my zip through hoodie, which I’ve had for around 6 years, also amazing for running or exercise.

You do realise that with the way fabrics are constructed now that thicker does not necessarily mean warmer? Companies have spent millions on developing fibres to make thermal garments lightweight

I love Uniqlo heat tech thermals as you can wear it as outerwear as well as underwear, so you can take layers off if you are hot.

I also love my silk thermals and merino wool vests, if you only want natural fibres. There are lots of places that sell them, plain and simple with no lacy bits:

www.patra.com/category/Women-Silk-Thermals

uk.dilling.com/Thermal-underwear/

Sorry - meant to add that obviously they work really well under other things for general day to day wear. Just trying to show how well they’ve lasted despite excessive use (they are very expensive!).

Heat tech have short sleeved t shirts too:

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-heattech-jersey-scoop-neck-thermal-top-428492.html?dwvar_428492_color=COL01&dwvar_428492_size=SMA002&cgid=IDw-t-shirts-polos&hassubcat=false

Try regatta, dare2b, base layers.

Any marketing sexism aside, I love the M and S women's ones; they're soft and clingy in exactly the right way for me, so I'm often wear them pjs. I sometimes double up outside but often they're fine on their own - layers or onesies are usually the best ways to stay warm.

Uniqlo - warmth, no bulk