Layers to keep me warm

[AdelicaArundel]

Yes I know, I know- it's still August, and too early to think about it; forgive me S&B peeps.

I am approaching 50, underachieve thyroid so prone to feeling cold. Work about 50% from home, Lots of research reading, written or typing work. So a large part of my working day is spent sitting still at a desk. I have to stay warm or I find it hard to think- and it takes ages for me to heat up again once I'm cold.
It's fine this time of year. But I will be miserable from November through to April. That's while wearing (usually) M&S Heatgen layer, merino or cashmere jumper over, Berghaus or North Face fleece over that. Feet in Ugg type slippers or wool socks and boots. While the house is not particularly cold, I don't put on heating all day just for me. Room is usually 17degrees or so.

Occasionally, I need to pop out to visit clients, so my layers must be reasonably smart or have the option of being easily swopped for neatness.

So, what I would like to ask, is, if any of you have ultra warm layer recommendations. I've been looking at the Icebreaker merino layers for instance but don't know if it's worth the investment?
Or there may be other, better options that I don't know of?
I've seen people on here recommend putting a fleecy dressing gown over everything... are there better/warmer varieties of fleece?

Many thanks for any advice oh stylish ones!

Try Uniqlo Heat Tech

Irene thanks! I've tried those, and prefer the M&S version. Have you tried both?

I know this is not what you are asking, but why would you not heat your office appropriately? 17'C is freezing for indoor temperature, particularly if you have an inactive job and a health condition. I have a very similar job in terms of activity levels and I always heat the room just for myself. Why do you think you do not deserve a warm place of work? Doing your job should not feel like torture.

Trying a dehumidifier in the office might make a difference to how warm the place feels. Failing that, there's merino undergarments I use for skiing and skating, which might work well.

Just heat your office?
A fleece blanket over your lap, another over your shoulders, or what about a slanket?
I'm a big fan of uniqlo heatech.

Sit with a blanket on your lap, hot water in the small of your back, and fingerless gloves if your hands get cold.

Make sure you tuck your bottom layer into your trousers to stop any drafts, and wear a light pashmina/scarf round your neck to also help prevent drafts.

My house is always bloody freezing and when I used to work from home doing the above used to make an enormous difference.

Plus regular hot drinks. I also often wear a gilet around the house as keeps hands and arms free but warms body.

Gosh One I've not thought of it like that.... I suppose it feels a bit indulgent to have the heating on when it's "just me" at home.
I need to have a little think about that.

Ooh Chippy, you're the second to recommend the Uniqlo ones...do you think they are better than the M&S version? I bought one (maybe 5? years ago and it was okay).

Claire thanks...I have an ageing gilet (can't remember the brand..it has down, quite puffy, DD1 has taken it).
I used to find it good actually....is there a particular gilet that you recommend?
If I've lots to get through, I plug in a heated throw and use that, but (bloody thyroid) I can get overheated easily.

I thought I had missed out on some fab cashmere top or base layers that would sort me out completely ...but perhaps not?

We had a halogen heater which was cheap to run and buy, might be worth looking into. I used to work with a hot water bottle on my lap and feet on another.
I wore uniglo heat tech leggings under trousers some days this winter. I didn't instantly swelter indoors with them on so they'd be ok when you have to do visits. I think it's worth remembering legs, they often get forgotten!

When I was based at home I used one of these under/next to my desk.

www.tesco.com/direct/delonghi-trn0505m-500w-bambino-oil-filled-radiator/208-5119.prd?source=others

Constant heating with the thermostat a degree or two lower will feel a lot warmer....

Otherwise ski trousers as an over layer!

I prefer Uniqlo heattech to the m&s version. I think they did an extra warm version last year too, maybe again this year?

I think if you are working from home with no one else there, wear whatever feels comfy. So normal layers plus a big fluffy fleece, blanket on the knees, wrist warmers, hat, thick socks etc. or just turn the heating on and the radiator valves down in the other rooms.

I seem to be the only one who hates the uniqlo heat tech. It just makes me sweaty and clammy. Instead, I layer up their merino jumpers as vests and their cashmere is very good value. I have fantastic sheep skin slippers I got in aldi that I wear all the time, ski or merino socks with them too. I also find silk is a good base layer. I found a heinously expensive silk hoodie that I'm thinking of investing in, but it's a bit eye watering. EBay is good for picking up warm layers. Last year I had a fleece dressing gown I threw on when I knew I wouldn't see anyone all day! I also heat just my office, a oil radiator seems best for me. I

Rogan, I have been looking into halogen vs infra-red heaters. My beautician uses a Dyson fan heater, but she's moving about, so don't know if it would work for sitting 2-3hours.

Ah Barcester, that looks like something I could keep under the desk. I had a little blow heater, but it died last winter- does it dry the air a lot, do you think?

NotaUser - salopettes? over my work gear in the office? Hmmm, I hadn't thought of that

Right Doyouthink, I shall keep an eye on the Uniqlo site and get one to try.

Kanyes- that's a worry. As I say, I did have one previously, but it went in a cull- not loved. I didn't find it particularly warm.
The fleece dressing gown is an idea I'm toying with. My DDs get Primark ones which they love and jump into as soon as they get home from evening activities.
I have a nice fleecy hoody thing (Next) which is vv soft but not marvellously warm, really. It's more lounge wear. Should I go full M&S ankle length fleece shroud to cover from tip-to-toe?

I find the fleece good as I don't like too much bulk/weight. Mine is knee length as I have a kneeling chair so ankle length gets tangled up. And go up a size or two to fit layers under!

(Dh is laughing at me posting/thinking about this. I'm the coldest creature on earth, but currently on hols and I turned on the air con this evening as it's so warm )

So a fleecy thing Kanye (As this is S&B, it may be against the rules to ask about your kneeling chair- do you find it good?)

So my shopping list is:

• oil filled radiator for under the desk
• Uniqlo base layer- extra thick if poss
• long XL fleece

Hah! I thought I was going to have lots of recommendations for super expensive underthings and beautiful cashmere jumpers from S&B.

Ooh I glossed over the super expensive silk hoodie- could I be cheeky and ask where from?
I was in a NPeal store this week and handled some lovely things...but I don't know if it's quite what I need.

Can't stand uniqlo but I like heat tech ones.

Hat.
Fleecy neck warmer snood thing.
Fingerless gloves.
Lap blanket.

Definitely oil filled radiator somewhere in room. I wouldn't put it right under the desk though maybe behind you? Unless your desk is next to a freezing wall.

Maybe think old school unheated houses- wing chairs kept the cold from your back and robes and caps worn for warmth. Heat the space you are in not the whole house!

Second pp saying heat the space you're in. I work from home and also feel awful putting the heating on just for me. I got an electric heater, worked out the running cost, substantially less than heating the whole house. It lives under my desk

I can't find the hoodie I looked at before, but thus looks good. It's a silk, merino, cotton mix.

Kneeling chair is great. I tend to hunch my shoulders, so while I don't sit perfectly all the time, I sit better note of the time. I use a very high riser for my screen as I sit quite high on my chair. I'm also more inclined to walk around my office when I'm in my phone too, which is another body temp and movement benefit.

I really need to look at the room temperature then... we have underfloor heating so it does take time to get the temperature up in that particular room. I guess it should be up around 20degrees, whether by using the central heating or combine it with an air heater.

My shopping list now is:

• oil filled radiator for under the desk
• Uniqlo base layer- extra thick if poss
• long XL fleece
• fleece neck snood thing

OP, I work from home, similar sedentary job and feel the cold too. I wear exactly what you wear - heat tech and cashmere, uggs etc. But I also add a vast thick fleecey dressing gown over the top, which can be whipped off quickly if I have to answer the door or see a client. It's the only thing that keeps me warm in winter. May not be what you want to hear, but it works. I also wear a huge cashmere wrap round my neck as that helps keep the heat in too.

Legal working temperature shouldn't drop below 19 degrees C. I try to keep our house at that but it does slip down to 17 some days.