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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

With the gas price rises, what are the best (cheap) fleece suits to wear inside??

83 replies

flintstonewall · 05/02/2022 23:20

On benefits due to poor health. There is no way I can afford these rises that are about to happen. Struggling as it is.

I have a small, small buffer of savings which I have figured is better to use on some very warm clothing for me and 2 others in the household. that could last us a couple of years, whereas with the new gas prices wouldn't stretch even nearly that. We are all quite small in size.

Everything I can find is designed for outdoors or just too thin.

Any recommendations?? Stuff that will actually keep us warm, wash ok, and last..

OP posts:
Feedmepancakes · 06/02/2022 08:49

I lived in a freezing draughty tenement as a student and I lived in layers!

Long sleeved vest, t-shirt, shirt or loose top and a warm jumper or hoodie. Wrist warmers. Normal socks with fleecy ones on top and warm slippers that cover the ankle. Leggings and jogging trousers, jeans don't hold the heat.

Fleecy blankets for when you are sitting down watching TV etc. Electric blanket for your bed. Many cups of tea!

ForcingSmiles · 06/02/2022 08:51

Have a look at the Oodie, we've not had our heating on since Christmas,

Some days we've been able to see our breath in the flat and on those days we double up with a hot water bottle & Oodie and we've been fine

LubaLuca · 06/02/2022 08:52

I think you should exhaust all of the options you already have before buying extras. Try the dressing gowns, blankets, extra socks etc before spending £10+ each on something new.

Honourofgrayskull · 06/02/2022 08:56

I agree with the oodie option. Mine is a cheap version from Amazon but its so cosy, great for working from home where I would normally be very cold. The rest of my family ow have one each, they really do make all the difference.

Babynames2 · 06/02/2022 08:58

What about a thermal top or leggings? M&S do thermal leggings and tops for £12 each. Or b&m/home bargains also sell them. I bought DH them from b&m and he said they are really warm. Think they cost less than £20 for 2 tops and trousers.

The4teddybears · 06/02/2022 09:00

I’ve found knee high socks make a really big difference to keeping warm when I’m home working. Sometimes hard to find , but well worth buying when you do find them

beautifullymad · 06/02/2022 09:04

Marks and spencer do long legged thermals in twin packs and long armed thermal tops in twin pack too.

The best way is to layer up. The hot air gets trapped between the layers like it gets trapped in animal fur. Think of outdoor ponies in the highlands. They have thick layered coats.

Making sure your feet are warm and so is your head.

I use thermals under my warm clothes. Then I find a gilet for body warmth works without impeding arm function.

Use a hot water bottle on your lap when sitting and a fleece blanket around your back and knees too.

It's easier to stay warm than get warm.

daisypond · 06/02/2022 09:07

I wear four or five layers generally. Thermal vest. Long-sleeved cotton shirt. Cashmere jumper (charity shop find). Zip-up hoodie. Long, thick, big cardigan.

Ziggerty · 06/02/2022 09:09

I bought fleece lined jeans off Amazon and they're so so good!

Mabelface · 06/02/2022 09:18

Might be worth looking at warm front grants to get your home insulated. You may even get a free new boiler if yours is over a certain age.

Trawl the charity shops, I often see fleecy pyjamas or jumpers, plus fleece blankets.

psychomath · 06/02/2022 09:21

If you can find anything made from real wool it will be a lot warmer than synthetic fibres in the same thickness. You might be able to find second hand wool jumpers online, but be aware that some sellers list anything knitted as 'wool' regardless of the actual fibre, so look for ones that mention a specific type of wool or contact them to check if you're not sure. Oxfam and Etsy sometimes have them at reasonable prices.

Thelazygoat · 06/02/2022 09:32

I am in Scotland, very rural. We have thick thermal door curtains over every internal door. It really keeps the heat in a room. We also noticed a big difference putting thermal linings on the window curtains. We generally heat only one room and hang out in there.

nordica · 06/02/2022 09:39

Fleece doesn't wash very well and loses its softness. If you can get a second hand chunky wool cardigan or jumper, that will be warmer and last much longer.

Layering up definitely helps. A normal pair of tights under trousers, and extra pair of thermal socks.

Keeping your neck and head warm can help so wear a hoodie or a big scarf.

Mufflette · 06/02/2022 09:40

Ski base layers (merino if possible) really help. Aldi, Decathlon or in the sale at mountain warehouse sometimes. Also ski socks - under ugg-style boots especially - they go really far up the leg and keep heat in.

SerendipitySunshine · 06/02/2022 10:05

Would an own brand sherpa hoodie help? Like an Oodie but cheaper?

catwomando · 06/02/2022 10:09

@flintstonewall I'm so sorry you are in this totally shit situation. I could rant on about the politics of it all, but will focus on (hopefully) helping you instead.

Wool is much warmer than synthetic fibres, needs very little washing and lasts for years. Charity shops often have good wool stuff very cheaply (We got DD a lovely pure wool jumper for £6 a couple of weeks back and it's so warm, thick and soft).

Other things that make a huge difference:
Wearing Slippers
An indoor scarf (even a light cotton one wound several times makes you much warmer as it keep draughts out
Wrist warmers - wool is better and you can easily make these out of an old holy jumper or one from a charity shop. They leave fingers free for activities but add a layer of warmth.
Blankets on the sofa to snuggle under.
If you can spend a bit, wooolsocks (with 20% man made fibre for durability) are incredibly warm and because of the lanolin in them they don't need washing every time you wear them (sounds yuk but really isn't!) . You might only need 2 pairs.
Wool headband for round your ears.

Frankly though I'm in despair that in a rich country like ours that we have threads like this. I'm so angry that people are in this situation as it's totally avoidable if the government actually gave a shit and got off its arse to manage the situation. They truly are dieckensian bastards.

OP I hope these and other ideas help you.

Sunnyday321 · 06/02/2022 10:15

I know the news is all about this £200 ' loan ' we are supposed to be getting but , so you get the £200 warm home allowance that many people can get if on certain benefit ? It is yearly and not repayable.

Inspectorslack · 06/02/2022 10:23

I have a knock off oodie and a heated throw. Also my study is the smallest room so I have a tv in there

coldfeetmama · 06/02/2022 10:31

I love my Oodie - £14 in Primark
A real Oodie was £54 online but my cheaper one has made a massive difference

TheFormidableMrsC · 06/02/2022 10:53

[quote Bluehasnoclue]What about something similar to the Oodie? The actual branded ones are quite pricey but I’m sure they must have cheaper versions in primark etc? theoodie.co.uk/[/quote]
Yes I've got an Oodie copy from Primark. If I wear joggers and warm socks, I can turn the heating off. It was £18

Vispa · 06/02/2022 11:05

OP before you buy anything, see if there is free "give away/rehoming items" facebook group in your area. Ours is very active, and if someone posts that they are need of something, they usually get a really good response from people who have items at home they don't need/use that they happily give away for free. Or try asking on a selling group, you might get some great items at very little cost Flowers

SpaghettiArmsMurderer · 06/02/2022 11:23

If you have a Go Outdoors near you they have warm clothing quite cheaply. They definitely do Heat Holders (leggings, socks etc) and fleeces etc

Susu49 · 06/02/2022 13:20

I rent and have avoided putting the heating on too much for years because of costs, preferring to find cheaper ways of staying warm.

Lots of good suggestions here but I looked to old fashioned ways as well; when my grandparents passed away I asked for their bed blankets which otherwise would have gone to recycling. Proper old fashioned bed blankets made from real wool - and a couple of acrylic ones with those little holes (name completely escapes me!)

They are brilliant for keeping warm at night - making up a bed the old fashioned way is so much warmer (still use a duvet as well) but with blankets and a top sheet. Putting blankets or throws under the duvet instead of on top is sooo much warmer!

Proper wool bed blankets are expensive to buy new but I've found a couple second hand on ebay that were really affordable.

I also use hot water bottles and invested in a couple of proper wool jumpers (instead of fleece) for layering in the winter.

Staying in all day when it's cold, the chill really gets to you, so go out for a walk and you'll feel much warmer for it you won't need to heat the house as much.

I put the heating on for an hour at a time about 3x during the day, once in the morning, once in the afternoon and before bed. It takes the chill out and with the other things I use its all I need.

I recently got an electric blanket for bed too, it was about £20 (you can put a single on a double bed too) and that's made nightimes really snug.

Keep doors closed, use curtains to retain heat, and draught excluder (easy to make yourself with old clothes you don't wear).

Don't forget wrist warmers too! I'll have a hot shower when I get home from work to help warm me up too if you can afford the few minutes of hot water it's a great idea (or sharing bath water with children).

TDCtomorrow · 06/02/2022 22:04

Check the outdoor shops for base layers and fleeces. They still have sales on. Mountain warehouse. Blacks, millets those type of places
I wfh and wear welly socks leggings. Base layer pong sleeve top a fleece and a shawl or a sleeved blanket. Lidl have them for £12 as do living social

Paperyfish · 06/02/2022 22:10

How about a selk bag type thing?