Clothes for keeping warm

[plantathon]

Last winter we didn't have the heating on, and wore extra layers, culminating in oodies for all. Yesterday and earlier today, I was wearing a jumper over my t shirt and cotton trousers, which made me realise that the jumper wasn't particularly warm and no wonder I was freezing cold all winter. Even though I was covered in 17 gazillion layers they weren't particularly warm, except for the oodie.
Other than buying myself some wool and knitting vests to wear, what can I get so that I have some hope of surviving next winter? DD thinks I'm behaving like a victorian farmer, but I'm so sick of being cold and trussed up in so many layers, I have no workable elbows.

Last year I found that putting a single electric under blanket on my sofa seat cushions really helped to keep me warm . I just threw a nice throw over out to hide the hideous scratchy white ness and we were lovely and toasty with the oldies and gently background heat. It actually felt like the heating was on and if we went out or started doing chores just turned it off. It was really helpful and cost pennies

Same here - a couple of really ugly cashmere cardigans plus several cashmere jumpers (none more than £15 off eBay) over another layer so I didn’t have to wash them too often and under an oodie.

I got a thermoball type gilet from one of those camping/ outdoor places, not cheap but I bought it at discount in the summer (so now is the best time) and its soooo cosy but light and will last years

Heatgen tops underneath

Men’s woollen jumpers are often thicker and cheaper than women’s.

I bought some men’s 100% wool jumpers from M&S last year. All the women’s ones were acrylic or mixed and much more expensive.

Has anyone got any recommendations for fine knit wrist warmers like turtle doves? I knit mine but want something finer / thinner to wear underneath

I have some ancient lycra sleeves (about 18" long) that I wear as wrist warmers in bed, very thin lycra basically. I was thinking about making some out of some old shirts, too, stretchy t-shirt material might suit.

I've got some from Woolovers.

www.woolovers.com/womens/accessories/tipped-lambswool-wrist-warmers-charcoalraspberry-19607

@DuploTrain and crucially, much longer too, important for keeping your lower back covered when sitting. I'm off to raid my DH's stash when the weather turns (currently nice and sunny 🤞)

Turtle doves currently have wrist warmers / fingerless gloves in their ebay shop for £7.99. They are fine wool I think (listed as NON cashmere)

Search Turtle Doves NON cashmere and they will pop up.

Merino wool!

I'm gradually gathering quite a collection. It's warm like nothing man-made and doesn't itch like other wool. Plus easily washable. Not cheap but not expensive like cashmere and lasts and washes well. I have tights, socks, vests and a long sleeved baselayer, that can be worn as a long sleeve tshirt, plus a couple of smart cardigans. Most is from mountain equipment, the cardis are M&S.

Oh and sheepskin boot slippers were quite literally life changing.

Are merino wool thermals not itchy?

No they're really not. I avoided them for ages too because I really can't bear other wool, even cashmere, next to my skin. Even the tights are really comfortable.

That's great to now thank you, as I am the same with other wool it's just so itchy.

Heated throw
Keep your extremities warm - hat, gloves/wrist warmers, wool socks, slippers with a proper sole
Layers, thermal base layer, tuck each layer in - tops into bottoms, bottoms into socks
Neck warmer or scarf
I’ve been doing this most of my life, rarely do I feel cold.

We got some very reasonably priced merino wool ski base layers in Aldi a few years ago, still going strong after several years. Worth checking in there once they get their winter stuff.

Heated throw
Thermals from M&S (Turtlenecks)
Fingerless gloves
Fluffy socks
Fleece bedding

The men's thermals are much better

Yep I bought men’s jumpers when living in a flat with no heating. So much warmer. It’s infuriating that that’s the case.

Also wore thermals and fleece and had a hot water bottle.

Uniqlo Heattech base layers. I get too hot in them!

definitely not - otherwise cyclists wouldn't wear merino base layers.
I also have some merino long-johns I use for boosting heat of a sleeping bag when winter camping.
This thread is yet another example of the sheer battshittery of "the end of history". I'm old enough to remember when thermals were a joke - and here we are again. The age of the car and mass fired up central heating was nothing but a blip.

Important to check the labels closely on merino wool these days. It seems you are allowed to call something merino even if not 100 per cent merino. But there will be a label specifying the percentage. Some have a certain percentage of synthetic fibre mixed in - may make the stuff harder wearing but for maximum warmth you really need 100 per cent.

I can’t bear the feeling of layers around my elbows. Vests - either as underwear, or sleeveless layers can be easier to work in.

Plug up gaps with wrist warmers. A kidney warmer is great too and you can easily make one from an old jumper, or one that’s shrunk in the wash. A neck warmer or snood is great too.

I have a pair of sketchers slip ins that have seen better days but make great slippers now because of the thick sole.

If you can handle the ridicule a hat will make a considerable difference too.