Stockholm city break - cold weather advice

[JoanDarc]

I'm off to Stockholm in February with DH, kiddie free for a special birthday celebration, am very excited! I live in Scotland and below freezing currently so used to cold weather but know to expect up to -10 on a daily basis. I feel the cold really easily (especially feet) so l am looking for recommendations for very warm but non bulky socks. Also for thermal under layers...my normal day wear is skinny jeans so not sure if base layer thermals will be too bulky?
Any advice gracefully received and any experience of dress code / typical style for Stockholm bars/Restaurant would be great also.
Thanks in advance!

Double up socks. Cotton (thin) first, then the thickest wool ones you can fit into your shoes / boots. The closest to 100% wool, the better.

When I lived in Sweden, we all had these "tinfoil" like insoles, they worked well. Can't for the life of me think what they are called though!

Dress code? Why would it be any different to the UK for a smart restaurant.

I went in 2016 and it is really boring. You can do the old town in a day and the rest is meh. Also extremely expensive. £5 for a cup of coffee. £12 for a sandwich in a cafe.

A boat trip was the highlight but I guess it may be frozen.

Tights underneath skinny jeans will help with warmth.

Sheepskin insoles are amazing. Fleece lined tights from Primark also very toasty. Marks and spencer do long sleeve thermal t shirts in lots of colors, great under a wool sweater or silk blouse.
Have a fab time, I'd love to go

I found people pretty casually dressed in restaurants and bars. These were well heated, I'd be cautious about too much thrrmal underwear as you'll cook once indoors. The norm seemed to be regular clothes under very heavy duty outerwear that is easily removed as you come inside.

You won't really notice the difference in temp from Scotland. (I'm Scottish and have been to Stockholm and recently returned
Finland). Tights under jeans, socks, hat, scarf, gloves will be fine. Fashion is laidback rather than chic. My overwhelming memory of Stockholm is that most people were tall, slim and blonde. Clothing wasn't memorable at all.
It's a city that I'd revisit.There is also a beautiful Victorian spa off the main shopping area. The old town is fab for coffee and cake. It is expensive but easy to walk everywhere. Have fun!

Thanks everyone for comments so far - tinfoil / sheepskin insoles sound perfect, perhaps I'll find a hybrid version!
Newyearniki do you normally piss on someone else's chips?...

Stockholm is my favourite city-you will love it but I agree with big outerwear except for if you are going to Skansen (which is amazing).

Stockholm is stunning, I'd go back in a heartbeat. Pack comfy shoes as you will do a lot of walking. We went to some very nice modern restaurants and people weren't too dressed up, but we didn't go anywhere especially "swanky".

it's -10c and you know that.

Why are you worried about dress code there?

Weather dictates your Dress code. Heavy duty boots, thick coats and trousers.

You might want to consider limiting your alcohol intake, mind - I was pregnant when I was there and it's the one time I was glad not to be able to have alcohol since it was so insanely expensive!

I usually wear tights under jeans for warm, but managed to get some really thin base layer leggings in mountain warehouse ....

Agree about insoles. I got some online (sorry, can't remember where) for about £2.50 which have transformed my foot comfort! They're thin and silver (kinda tinfoil) on the bottom. Thin matters so your shoes still fit

Wow, New Year, you sound like a treat of a travelling companion.

Joan- I'm also off somewhere similar temp in Feb. I bought cheap snowboots (lined with faux fur and waterproof) for walking but we'll be going between city/rural. I planned to wear fleece lined tights under trousers (cheap in tkmaxx) and a thermal vest (M&S). I'm just taking the vest top style vest as figured it will be easy to pop in a handbag if too warm in restaurants etc. I also have a HUGE scarf that is like a little picnic blanket that I will take as it's nice to tuck down inside of coat/round neck/up round ears etc.

Those shoe liners sound good, off to look on Google...

Recommend M&S thermal leggings underneath jeans & a woolly hat!

Don't wear cotton socks. You want fibres that will wick moisture away from your feet. Wool socks or looped ski socks inside boots would be better. Same goes for base layers. Fibres like cotton hold onto moisture and get cold and heavy in low temperatures, so are a no-no close to your skin.

Stayed with a friend who is from there for a weekend one January.

The first morning she said "if you wash your hair, be sure to dry it 100% otherwise it will freeze and snap off when we are out in the cold." I laughed waiting for the punchline. There was no punchline. I did not wash my hair all weekend.

I love Stockholm. Have a great trip OP

I am not sure how windswept Stockholm is, but I'd be looking for proper 'windstopper' hats and neck gaiters/scarves from outdoor clothing stores, as the wind will whistle straight through ordinary hats, scarves and gloves and it is very uncomfortable once the temperatures get much below zero.

The first morning she said "if you wash your hair, be sure to dry it 100% otherwise it will freeze and snap off when we are out in the cold." I laughed waiting for the punchline. There was no punchline. confused I did not wash my hair all weekend.

Same goes for the frost that forms on your eyelashes and facial hair. Wait for it to warm up and melt when you get indoors. Do not try to brush it off from frozen, unless you don't want any eyelashes or half a beard.

I love Sweden, it’s a beautiful country, Stockholm is stunningly beautiful.
I’ve been to about an hour north of Stockholm in February a few years ago - it was cold, but not shockingly cold - a good winter coat, good boots, hat, gloves and you will be fine.
It is quite casual there, dress smart for a restaurant, but not over the top - classic I would say.

My overwhelming memory is of the cold on my face so some headwear/face scarf essential.Also lip screen!

I found layers and skiwear jacket type fine but the cold hitting your face was uexpected.
I enjoyed it for a short break.

Heat silk ski socks are really thin and knee length and cheap !

If you fancy the Nobel museum make sure you go when there is an English tour coming up. The tour is only about 25mins and focuses on the history & nominations process.

Stockholm is just wonderful. Can’t understand the sniffy comment upthread. We've been a couple of times (so far), in October/November when it wasn’t especially cold, so can’t help much on the cold-weather gear front except to advise lots of layering up - the extra-insulating Muji Heat-Tech t-shirts are excellent. But just wanted to repeat that it’s a beautiful city and yes, Skansen is fantastic. You can easily spend a whole day there.

Off thread but the Abba museum, if you're of that age, is fab !

I have a North 66 parka which is extremely warm. I would also wear Sorel ankle boots and ski socks. The Modern Art museum is really good and their shop is great. Vasa museum is amazing well worth a visit.