Clothing for the cold-blooded

[RescueRangers]

I own lots of lovely summer dresses, which I can never wear (even in summer) because I'm cold all the time. In winter (ie. now - feels like winter to me!) I get up in the morning, look at nice winter dresses, and end up in trousers and a jumper because the thought of being cold at work frightens me.
I invested in a range of thermals this winter, to wear under nicer things, but almost always the sleeves mean that I can only wear jumpers on top.

What can I wear, without spending loads of money, to look nice and not freeze?

I wear these www.belladinotte.com/vests-thermals/organza-silk-vests/bella-di-notte-soft-grape-lila-lacy-organza-silk-camisole.html under everything. Or the wool and silk mix ones. It has to be a hot July before I take my vest off! Oh and maybe get your thyroid checked out? Unless you are very thin, which can also make you chilly.
I wear long sleeved nighties from Sweden to bed....!

Thank you... but it doesn't look very warm? Which is warmest, this or the wool/silk?

I did think about thyroid but it was checked a couple of years ago and fine. This year has been colder than ever in my life though. When I get in from work I keep my winter coat on and have a blanket for sitting down. the house is cold but I'm not sure it's normal.

That doesn't sound like a normal level of chillyness no! Can you up the warmth in your house? The silk vests are surprisingly warm for their size and weight. i bought one of the ones they do that has no lace, for friend who works outside and she has found it really helps as a base layer. I used to work outside too, and had a very similar vest that I then layered under a long sleeved thermal. I did the same with the one I linked to, when staying in a log cabin in the North of Sweden (in Winter).
The wool/silk is probably the warmest, but slightly less flimsy, although I have the ones with thin straps so they fit under dresses easily. I have the high waist pants too, the wool/silk ones, as having a snug core does help. (I do have a thyroid issue ). I sometimes wear two of them, the strappy one under one with short sleeves for instance, or the silk strappy under the wider strapped wool/silk one. The key to staying warm is close fitting thin layers in natural fibres, silk or wool, not cotton. So as many thin layers as you can manage! You could wear strappy thermal under a thin long sleeved one, and have a dress over that, as thin sleeves look fine under dresses. But for warmer days then just the strappy vest should be enough. Get your thyroid re-checked too, and post your levels on mumsnet as you may be borderline. I am still in my thermals today, I am typing wearing the vest I linked to, a long sleeved t-shirt and a cashmere jumper (with trousers and thick socks) and I feel a bit chilly, the heating isn't on though. I also find having really warm socks does help, so I wear wool ones or cashmere. The warmest I have are made of dog hair! From Etsy. They are really thick and fluffy, bliss.

Oh I just thought, if you want to try one rather than buy an expensive vest that isn't warm enough, you could borrow one of mine for a few days as I have a couple of new ones I haven't worn yet. pm me, I don't mind posting you one, you could try it and then pop it back in the post.

I have silk vests from Landsend. Keep an eye for sales. They're nice and thin for under stuff, and smooth, so are comfy. Silk and wool for warmth.
But I'm with SirVix, get your thyroid rechecked.

Uniqlo' heat teach long sleeved tops are great for adding a thin (but warm) extra layer. I often wear one under my work or casual dresses. I also do a thin thermal cami (sometimes even in the summer!)

Also invest in some summery cardigans or shawls if that's your thing - if you're worried about looking un-summery, try a floaty chiffon type number.

Do you have Raynaud's? I have lots of pairs of gloves including some nice thin floral/coloured ones for summery weather. I also have fingerless glove type arwarmer things for the office so the air-con doesn't seize up my circulation.

Boots will keep your feet toasty and ankle ones are okay to wear all year round.

Are you anaemic by any chance? And how is your blood pressure? Also, do you tend to sit still quite a lot? Becoming more of a fidget might help a little, if so.

It's actually really cold at the moment, even though the occasional sunshine and the longer days make it feel as if it ought not to be, so summer dresses aren't really appropriate right now anyway. However, if you do want to wear dresses, you could try wearing them with nude, coloured or lacy tights and a blazer or biker jacket, maybe?

I wear lightweight scarves a lot, except in the height of summer, as I find that my neck and collar bone seem to get cold otherwise. Alos, lots of thin layers will probably be better than one big jumper. I live in longline vests from H&M - they are not thermal but provide a nice snug layer over the chest and bum!

Thank you all so much. I have low blood pressure but no idea about anaemia. Was when pregnant, but that was a while ago. I admit to being too sedentary.

I will definitely look for some better thermal vests (but the linked ones are far too much money, didn't see the price before!) Thank you.

Silk/wool mix ones are much cheaper than the organza silk I initially linked to. And also there are sales soon. They do last years . Mine eventually wear out just where my bra wire must rub under the arm, but even then they are darnable. I usually have three that I rotate, my MIL bought me one for my birthday though, and DH bought me a red set for valentine's day, so I have ones in reserve at the moment. Also worth looking on ebay, you might get one for next to nothing.

Charlotte and co do wool/silk mix vests. I also have low blood pressure and feel the cold.