Really REALLY warm work clothes

[AnnaMagnani]

So the heating is broken at work. And we aren't likely to have any heating for the foreseeable future. Building is decrepit.

Me - size 16-18, senior healthcare, usually wear colourful clothes from Thought or People Tree.

Frankly a wardrobe of ethical cotton clothing was not cutting it yesterday. I spent the whole day wearing my winter coat which turned out to be not as warm as I thought it was while I froze from the toes up.

Other colleagues who have been there longer helpfully said the heating has never worked over any winter, ever. Possibly once, about 6 years ago.

So please can I have your suggestions I how I can look work appropriate but not frozen? Yesterday I had to come home and spend 45 minutes in bed with the electric blanket before I could face the world again.

Am thinking thermals, fleecy tights, boots to start off with but anything goes.

What’s the temperature? I think 16 degrees is the legal minimum?

If the temperature is legal but you’re still freezing, then I used to just wear thermals under my blouses and smart trousers. With a wool jumper on top, you should be warm enough. Not sure what shoes you can get away with, but a pair with thick soles and big enough for proper socks should help - maybe brogues or moccasins?

I used to wear thermals to work, under my clothes. I usually had to take them off halfway through the day though, so maybe bear that in mind.

If you want warm, ethical fashion and depending on how casual you are allowed to be, the thicker dungarees and dungarees dresses from Lucy & Yak can be nice and warm. Maybe if you went for a pretty conservative colour with a brighter top underneath? I'm a size 16ish and I wear them a lot, (but I am a SAHM so no dress code)!

lucyandyak.com/collections/easton-corduroy-dungarees/products/winter-dungarees-le-org-025?variant=12878528970855

These^^, with this jumper underneath?

www.woolovers.com/womens/jumpers/womens-new-cashmere-crew-neck-jumper-green-5025?gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAiAzanuBRAZEiwA5yf4uqf7BxYIOs--sXUu6BiS1D_tAEKSrCg9wM0v5EkqdyVA1JqfJl7NxRoCh9IQAvD_BwE

I would wear it, but as I say, I'm a SAHM, so possibly not the best person to be advising on workwear... I know a lot of people who have very casual workplaces though, so, you never know.

Have a look at the clothes at Hot Squash. They have a range designed to keep you warm. Not sure if this would be enough but worth a look.

I work in a building that is like a porta cabin so it does get very cold!
In proper winter I usually have thick tights & a pair of socks, if my feet are cold I can't get the rest of me warm.
Primark do fleece lined leggings that are quite warm (especially if worn over the thick tights) I usually then wear a dress with a top underneath & a cardi over the top.
I also always have a scarf with me (not a thin wispy scarf, a proper big blanket scarf)

Heat gen from M&S or thermals for UniGlo. Make sure your feet are warm, socks and thick soled boots or shoes. Tights as well.

Moving around helps.

If you have to sit most of the day take a hot water bottle. .

I regularly use to work in a freezing cold office. We wore hats, used hot water bottles, all had thermals, fingerless gloves. Also a lot of people had those handwarmer things you buy from MOuntain Warehouse. Drink hot drinks too.

Have a look at Mountain Warehouse for warm socks, base layers, fleecy leggings and a few warm jumpers to tide you over and you can add a few more nicer pieces from elsewhere to them.

I used to have fingerless gloves that heated up via the computer’s USB and combined with warm feet and a warm back, it was ok.

Leggings under a long sleeved dress instead of tights, knee length boots, and buy a nice pashmina / cashmere shawl or a smart wool jacket.

If your feet get cold, that's it, game over. I am always cold so have experience in these matters

I recently saw insoles that heat up like the hand warmers you can buy. I was tempted but they were single-use so resisted. Maybe they do similar that can be reused.

Also can recommend the Primark fleece lined tights and leggings.

A hat is essential.

Can't you take portable electric heaters in? I can't imagine being able to concentrate at work if freezing all day.

Definitely recommend Uniqlo thermals. Really thin for layering but very cosy and last ages

Definitely M+S HeatTech tops underneath everything. They're really warm and really thin. Definitely buy the 18 though as they are clingy and you don't want to be too squashed feeling.

Yes to thermal leggings and thermal long sleeve tops.
Plus high neck tops/ polo neck or roll neck. If my neck, feet and torso were warm then I'd usually be fine.
E.g smart boots, fleece tights, skirt and polo necks and blazer or jumper dresses. All good outfits for keeping and staying warm.

Oh and if you are wearing tights under ankle boots, always wear trainer socks underneath the tights. The tights keep them in place, nobody can see them and your feet are twice as warm.

Alternatively Primark have tights with socks attached, but your boots can't be cut too low as otherwise you'd spot the join at the ankle. But theyre great.

I actually think M+S have a HeatTech top that's a polo neck.

How water bottle or wheat bag you can microwave? How miserable for you though :( Fingerless gloves and wool socks to keep your extremities warm might work.

*Hot

The temperature is not the legal minimum - however not much can be done about it, we are all there and will be until either it gets warmer or heat arrives. Sorry about being vague about where I work

There are electric heaters scattered around making a bit of difference - it depends which computer you are at whether you are getting the benefit though. And not all are aimed at feet - I was in tights and Mary-Janes, I think my bones had frozen by the end!

Also I make regular trips outside tramping about in the rain, lovely.

So definitely a vote for M+S Heatgen thank-you. Will also look at the heated fingerless gloves too, had no idea about those.

Any ideas for clothes - I don't get checked at this workplace on being bare below the elbows and all my clothes have been bought with this in mind as usually it's important. Am thinking long skirts or dresses, I don't own anything long sleeved!

Uniqlo Heattech comes in long sleeves and polo necks - brilliant for layering as it doesn't look like traditional thermals so you can have a sleeve sticking out beneath something else and it doesn't look silly. Quite clingy though so size up otherwise it rides up underneath clothes (I speak from experience!)

If they can't provide legal heating I'd not be too concerned about work appropriate, to be honest. But wool wool wool is always my answer to beating the cold! Attaching dress from Cos in pure wool.

Thermals, warm socks over tights, under boots, fingerless gloves, and a thin down body warmer. I used to have a sedentary job and a chilly office, and went out to walk the dog to get warmed up twice a day!

Definitely thermals ( M&S are good) so a thermal vest and leggings or tights. Can you add a cardigan to your normal work clothes ( with thermal,layer under) or a polo neck eg merino wool under? They will have long sleeves. Thermal liners for shoes but I suggest wearing ankle or knee length boots if you are usually in skirts rather than trousers.

I read this article recently and it has lots of tips for keeping warm! I guess you still need to provide a service so you won't stop going in even if the building is unheated but do you have a trade union rep? They may be able To help get it sorted out. My DH is NHS and he has to layer up each winter...

Am being vague but a lot of £££££ is being spent on the heating - was supposed to be in place last week. None of us believed it and we have been proved to be correct

I'm a self employed contractor so although I am in a union, not a lot of use here.

Any good shops for lovely cardigans?

Oh dear AnnaMagnani feel your pain, its hard juggling trying to look professional and stay warm enough when the heating goes down. I had had similar troubles in a former office. Some people resorted to thermals and hot water bottles. Have you got some office suitable boots to wear for a start, they'll probably keep your feet and legs warmer?

Nope, no boots, nothing. But I think I am going to buy these:

global.llbean.com/shop/Womens-Waterproof-Nordic-Casual-Boots%2C-Zip/83161.html#start=1

Heat Tech thermals from uniqlo then pure cashmere on top (buy second hand on ebay for not much) Tweed or wool trousers or skirt, fleece lined boots.