How do you stay warm AND stylish?

[BoPeeple]

I hate winter! I’m quite a cold person and I just don’t know what to wear in autumn/winter that looks good and is also warm.

For example, today I look quite nice in Oliver Bonas dungarees and a long-sleeved flowery top, but I’ve been cold all day. I had to put a big cardigan on over the top, which made me then just look awful.

What do you wear that’s warm AND stylish?

Thin Uniqlo heat-tech leggings and vests on underneath.

Thank you - will check them out.

Underneath what though?!

Under the nice clothes you want to wear that might not be warm enough for the weather. If you're into wearing wider legged trousers this winter the heattech leggings will keep your legs toastie in the face of cold winds blowing up your trouser leg!

I struggle with this too. M&S Heatgen Plus thermals are a lifesaver, I deliberately buy tops and dresses with round necks and long sleeves so that I can get my Heatgen Plus thermals underneath. When its really cold I add a Heatgen vest too. If you can get thermal layers underneath it's often possible to wear your existing clothes and still say warm.

Layers are a good bet too, and if you can stretch to wool or cashmere jumpers and cardigans that can make a difference. I have to say though that a lot of the time I have to choose my clothes based on whether I will be warm enough, and that's really frustrating.

Can’t really afford cashmere unfortunately, but I checked out the thermals. They do look warm.

The problem is the necks are always so high, especially at the back, and high-necked clothes don’t really suit me so they tend not to work under my existing clothes.

I wonder how warm the camisoles are?

Wish I didn’t feel the cold so much!

Yes definitely try some vests.

M&S and Uniqlo got great range

Normally wear one sleeveless plus one short sleeved one from Uniqlo every day. They are low scoop neck at front and back so you can't see them.

In winter I also wear a long sleeved one on top of those 2! They're all so slim they don't bulk me up at all- and I don't need to worry about feeling cold or draughts

Uniqlo do a ballet neck thermal top in several colours and a choice of warmth level. It won't show and will keep you toasty.

Any of all of the following layers depending on inside or outside activity etc:
Top half
Thermal vest either long sleeved or vest style
Lightweight long or short sleeve top (my primark ones seem indestructible)
Thin jumper (cashmere is lovely but I regularly destroy it so I'm sticking with my twenty year old Mark's acrylic and Wallis lacy jumper)
Smart hoody/sweatshirt
Long woolovers coatigan or super thin high warmth rated fleece or sleeveless packable down gillet or long sleeve packable down jacket (last three from tog 25) or a combination of these.
Smart long coat or waterproof or down coat.
Bottom half:
Thermal leggings (not needed often)
Black velvet lined leggings from primark or black opaque tights
Cotton socks + wool blend pair of socks.
Black Jersey short skirt
Lambswool insoles in shoes or sheepskin boots

@Caramellatteplease

Any of all of the following layers depending on inside or outside activity etc: Top half Thermal vest either long sleeved or vest style Lightweight long or short sleeve top (my primark ones seem indestructible) Thin jumper (cashmere is lovely but I regularly destroy it so I'm sticking with my twenty year old Mark's acrylic and Wallis lacy jumper) Smart hoody/sweatshirt Long woolovers coatigan or super thin high warmth rated fleece or sleeveless packable down gillet or long sleeve packable down jacket (last three from tog 25) or a combination of these. Smart long coat or waterproof or down coat. Bottom half: Thermal leggings (not needed often) Black velvet lined leggings from primark or black opaque tights Cotton socks + wool blend pair of socks. Black Jersey short skirt Lambswool insoles in shoes or sheepskin boots

That all does sound lovely and warm, but (if you don’t mind my saying!) not very… stylish.

I can’t quite bring myself to wear a gilet

I have the long sleeved scoop neck Heatgen tops, and they don’t show underneath things at all - maybe only if you wear a lot of v-necks? (I don’t.) I buy sheepskin insoles for trainers/boots and find that really helps outside. Indoors i wear Ugg Boots as slippers. I wear knee-high socks under trousers if it’s very cold - I buy the M&S school ones but also have colourful stripy pairs.

Depop is good for cashmere/alpaca/mohair knitwear as long as you are confident about your size in brands. I buy a lot from Arket and &OtherStories, often BNWT, at bargain prices.

I think you need jumpers and cardies you like. Accept the thin shirt / top sleeves arent enough on their own anymore. Don't bother with the idea of autumnal clothing if you feel the cold, I've gone straight into winter wear (including the big coat coming out).

No-one gets to see the gilet or and of the thermal bits!!!! People only see the nice smart layers!!!!

The gillets just there to add warmth underneath without making you feel like Michelin man with bulky layered arms!! Also frees you up to wear v-necks underneath as it covers the warmth when you need it outside.

So the layers people actually see are smart coat, the thin smart jumper, smart sweater, nice wool coatigan and black short skirt. The leggings just look like opaque tights.
Even my big warm down coat is actually dual layer so you don't see the down layer, just a nice looking smart black coat. Anything down or thermal is hidden under a nice smart top layer.

It's done Paris midwinter without looking out of place and Poland midwinter without being cold.

If you wear thermals under clothes, and you’re prone to sweat once inside like me, I recommend Odaban. It’s been my friend for years firstly for the summer, but then I realised how helpful it is in the winter too.

If your mostly inside or a lot of going in and out I've found the Mark's thermals with silk remove the sweat issue. They are not quite as warm but warm enough and dont overheat you inside.

You can't be that cold is all I'd might say.

I'm so cold in winter my hands turn blue and face. Bring stylish is a bonus tbh. Being warm is non negotiable or I cannot function or work or look after kids.

Another vote for uniglo here too. They have very reasonable priced knitwear too.

I’m actually ok outside as I have some nice warm and stylish coats. It’s inside that’s the problem. I’m even cold in pubs when I really do want to look nice!

Sorry for dissing the gilet @Caramellatteplease - I thought you were suggesting I wear one inside

I always feel the cold easily too and wrap up warm in below the knee boots and chunky knit jumpers all winter to keep as snug as possible

Uniqlo ballet neck heattech top. My absolute favourite thing ever in the winter!

I wear skinny fit jeans or cords, loads of thinner layers, topped off with a long cardigan. Usually with a scarf in a colour that suits me.

@BoPeeple haven't you seen all the current sleeveless gilets ?

Another vote for M&S heatgen plus. They save me every winter

Not sure of your budget but you can find cashmere in TK Maxx.

Fairly simple but that can mean stylish if you choose well.

Second vote for the sheepskin insoles, don't underestimate the difference toasty feet can make! Also primark do fleece lined opaque tights that are insanely warm

Pure wool/cashmere hat and gloves and scarf.
Down filled gilet/jacket from Uniqlo - the most expensive.
Thick wool socks or tights.
Windproof/wool coat.
Thermals - long sleeved tops and leggings.