How does everyone keep warm outside?

[Pizzaalover]

I remember last year actually thinking I was going to die from being so cold. I got stuck on a London tube for 2 hours and the driver turned the train off so the heating went off too... then I still had another bus journey to work. The bus wasn’t due for ages and I remember back to that time dreading the cold winter. I go out in a coat, scarf and gloves... it’s not enough 😣 waiting for that second bus is torture at 6am. It’s so cold outside during winter and I’m genuinely thinking about taking a blanket out with me 😂

How do you all avoid freezing? Obviously in the minus region, that’s when it becomes unbearable.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/kids-leather-brogue-shoes-13-small-7-large-/p/clp60106424?image=SD04T722760LN0XEC_90&color=BROWN&prevPage=srp

Padded skirts might be tricky in countries where the cold is rain tbf, they might just get sodden. Would love to see the padded skirt become the new school run scarf though 😉if they’re long you can wear pyjamas underneath 😁 Don’t really understand the short ones myself but they’re quite popular too. I get cold knees too and hate it, I start to feel as though I’ll “catch arthritis” 🙄.

Fast fashion and synthetic materials moved us away from understanding weather appropriate clothing IMO. When I was a child in the 80s no one wore wool. I remember freezing in cotton socks and acrylic mittens and scarves. Wool was old fashioned, smelly, itchy and hard to wash. Merino wool has been the real game changer here, no itchiness and easily machine washable. 👍🏻 Our hunger for cheap clothes and variety all the time means that appropriate materials aren’t used for trousers and skirts. This is esp true for women’s fashion. I’ve been spending ages looking for wool trousers and the offerings aren’t great!

@banivani

Padded skirts might be tricky in countries where the cold is rain tbf, they might just get sodden. Would love to see the padded skirt become the new school run scarf though 😉if they’re long you can wear pyjamas underneath 😁 Don’t really understand the short ones myself but they’re quite popular too. I get cold knees too and hate it, I start to feel as though I’ll “catch arthritis” 🙄.

Fast fashion and synthetic materials moved us away from understanding weather appropriate clothing IMO. When I was a child in the 80s no one wore wool. I remember freezing in cotton socks and acrylic mittens and scarves. Wool was old fashioned, smelly, itchy and hard to wash. Merino wool has been the real game changer here, no itchiness and easily machine washable. 👍🏻 Our hunger for cheap clothes and variety all the time means that appropriate materials aren’t used for trousers and skirts. This is esp true for women’s fashion. I’ve been spending ages looking for wool trousers and the offerings aren’t great!

Totally agree. Although good quality wool and other fibres should not be itchy. If they use the cheap, course, short fibres which should be used for other textiles then yes it will be itchy and rough. Looking at a certain high end company here Some people will always be allergic but longer, finer fibres give you soft, warm good quality but people want a jumper for a tenner they can wash on hot 🙈 I have lots of knitwear, some knitted by me and some bought and I just love doing my hand washing. So relaxing . NEVER use Woolite

@SewingBeeAddict care to share which company's wool we should avoid..? I think I need to invest in some.

@banivani it's the longer padded skirts I'm interested in, as I have the same knee problems as you - but the UK sites seem mostly/only to have the short ones that barely cover the thighs

I have a warm puffa jacket with a furry hood.
I wear thermal heatgen tops from M&S which look good as actual tops as well as underwear.
I have a pink hat with a fur bobble & matching fingerless gloves.
And various big woolly scarves.

[quote HBGKC]@SewingBeeAddict care to share which company's wool we should avoid..? I think I need to invest in some.

@banivani it's the longer padded skirts I'm interested in, as I have the same knee problems as you - but the UK sites seem mostly/only to have the short ones that barely cover the thighs [/quote]
Probably best if I tell you where I buy from

Brora -still the best, shop in the sales.
TurtleDoves -recycled cashmere wristwarmers, lovely, small company.
Uniqlo-good quality, reasonably priced.
Celtic and co
Any of the traditional Scottish companies.
Charity shops, have got so much cashmere, some of it new for a few pounds.
Inspect carefully , often its just a bit bobbly, use a shaver.
Always check for moth holes and put in the freezer for a few days just in case.

All my knitwear is stored,clean, in mothproof bags.
I use Lakeland Lavender wash but a squeeze of baby shampoo is fine.
No rubbing or hot water, it felts.

Thank you SewingBee.
What kind of mothproof storage bags do you use?
I mostly only shop in charity shops, so lockdown has severely cramped my style!

@HBGKC

Thank you SewingBee. What kind of mothproof storage bags do you use? I mostly only shop in charity shops, so lockdown has severely cramped my style!

I use fabric ones -make them myself or the ones that some yarn shops send their posh yarn out in. Some people use large self sealing plastic bags. Clippit to keep the moths out, although I havent seen any for a fair few years, due to my vigilance and cleaning regimes.

If one is spotted I usually yell " Moth" and all hell breaks loose

Agree layers are the keys to keeping warm, especially if commuting to work as you can peel them off as you warm up at your destination. I used to wear Uniqlo heat tech but have switched to these ZeroFit under layers. Absolute game changer. Not cheap but so worth it.

zerofit.co.uk/

Layers, hat, gloves and a scarf. And warm shoes.

Also under trousers/ jeans, make sure you have either thick tights or warm leggings, as well as extra layers on the top.

Can you add a couple of ten minute walks in to get you warmed up? Movement will help.

Those padded skirts are genius!

I helpfully tried to google a bit for you foreigners for padded skirts but it does seem like you’re only getting the high end outdoorsy brands that are all short. I’m not sure why but it’s something about it just being another layer when you’re sitting down to eat your hiking picnic or something so its all Peak Performance or something. Whereas the long one works for us office commuters and is therefore available from cheap noname brands and only in boring black.

Not great when you’re cycling mind, a bit too narrow.

Make sure every bit of you is covered and layered (other than your face lol, maybe just a face mask on there).

If you're going to work, wear a vest, woolly jumper and a thick, good quality parka-style coat. Wear a scarf, leather/suede/walking gloves and a hat. Also, try fur lined boots or use fur insoles as a pp mentioned. I know a lot of people mention thermals on here but in my experience (I am a particularly cold person and suffer greatly in the cold), a good vest tucked in with a thick jumper is just as good.

I’m immediately backtracking - found a Swedish shop that ships abroad for 10 euro. This is one of the cheap ones I have www.sportshopen.com/en-eu/article/heat-skirt_A93075?attr1_id=509

My padded skirt arrived and its too big so its going back.
However its fab, below the knee and very light and warm.
Reordered in a smaller size plus a longer waterproof skirt for rainy days.

I'm so proud, my first ever craze started! I hope it works out for you!

@banivani

I'm so proud, my first ever craze started! I hope it works out for you!

I will update when they arrive

I'm quite tempted as well...

@SewingBeeAddict did you buy the one that bani linked? If so, could you give me a steer on sizing? I'm 5"1, petite, probs size 8-10 on the bottom (depending on the shop 8 in M&S probably).

I wear long socks, sheepskin inner soles, cashmere hat and gloves. I also paid more money than I have ever spent in my life on a Canadian brand puffa (not canvas goose) which is finally, the warmest coat I’ve ever worn and it has transformed my life

Lands’End “warmest” coats are reduced at the moment.

Oh, and I’ve just bought some thermal, fleece-lined 200 denier tights from UKtights ( sound bulky, but they’re not at all).

I am fascinated by the padded skirts - do they need tumble dried like down-filled coats? (We don't have a TD and I had to spend ages trying to revive DD's coat with an iron and repeated shaking recently.)

The cheap one I have is no tumble drying even "allowed" (it would probably be fine on a low setting).It's just like a coat/jacket but for your legs, so care instructions are the same. Depends on what they're made of! I'd say most are marked line dry.