Winter basics for migrant

[Thirs]

I've recently moved to the UK from a very, very warm country. As a result, I only have short-sleeved tshirts, trainers and straight trousers for the most part.

It's beginning to get cold and wearing a jean jacket even over a long sleeved Tshirt is no longer quite cutting it.

I think I need appropriate clothes for the weather and would appreciate recommendations for a basic winter wardrobe. I'm not the least bit fashionable/stylish, so I prefer simple, or smart casual at the most. Would also appreciate referrals or stores to look out for. I'm also a student, so haven't got lots of money. I guess I'm curious if I can repurpose my summer clothes for winter somehow too as well.

Thanks 1

Uniqlo is great for thermal basics and other winter clothes too, at good prices.

Waterproof shoes
waterproof coat

Wool jumpers if you can wear wool, or at least jumpers with a decent proportion of wool. There tend to be a decent amount on vinted to make your budget stretch further

Get a student Unidays card for discounts!

Oh great. I know of Uniqlo. I've seen tops and leggings on their website just now. How many would you say is good for like a week? Can you wear them more than once before washing?

Okay last year, I got this very big puffer jacket from Primark. It's the only winter thing I got. Do you mean something like this?

My friend mentioned to get Chelsea shoes from Schuh, but I've found that Chelsea is the name of the shoe not the company making them. Would you agree with the recommendation for Chelseas. At the moment, I only have three trainers (I also got these from Primark when I arrived last year, as I literally only brought sandals).

I think I can wear wool. I'm not 100% sure though. I'll definitely check out vinted. Thanks so much

Yep, I've got one of these. Even Totum. Just need to figure out what items or brands I want I think. It's very overwhelming, the options

I would also suggest charity shops. They can be excellent for things like coats and jackets. You need to pop in regularly as the stock changes so much. Depending on your style you could look at menswear for something oversized in tweed.

I wear lambswool or merino jumpers I buy second hand on the Vinted app. There are lots available in men's if that would work for your body type. Men's jumpers are typically thicker and better quality with a higher neckline to keep you warm. I layer these with a long sleeved cotton top, though you could also wear a thermal top, then a puffa jacket.

On the bottom I wear jeans with thick wool blend socks and leather boots. If you are particularly cold you can wear thermal leggings under jeans.

Wrist warmers and a warm hat can also help.

Maybe look at outdoor wear shops for warm, waterproof coats etc? Trespass, mountain warehouse, blacks are common high street brands.

Primark, H&M, Uniqlo for hoodies, jumpers etc.

Don't forget really warm socks, especially if you have tiles in your home. If you have a Fair Trade shop or market stall near you they will probably sell nice woollen ones.

Have a look at the Heattech range at Uniqlo - they are really good at keeping you warm and layered up with sweatshirts and jumpers.

Definitely get a beanie hat - I grew up in a very cold country and keeping your head covered outdoors makes such a difference to how warm you feel.

Definitely invest in some leather boots (waterproof)
Can get some really nice ankle ones which will cover all eventualities, everyday wear out and about but also fine to wear on a night out

Agree about Heattech - they have a good range of thermal tops that I wear as layers in winter eg. long sleeved Heattech top, long sleeved shirt (Uniqlo do lots of flannel ones in winter which are good value) and then a wool jumper or cardigan (I work from home and am often cold!) or a sweatshirt/fleece. Layers are key to keeping you warmer. Definitely have a beanie hat and some gloves - I have a thin pair of thermal gloves that I keep in my coat pocket in winter as my hands are always cold. Uniqlo also does great lightweight down puffa coats with hoods - depending where you live in the UK, this might be sufficient for the winter

• I have one that I can fit layers under. Leather boots better than trainers, especially in the rain. Your friend meant Chelsea boots style - this sort of style - lots of them around at the moment but suggest you avoid suede as it will get ruined in the rain.

The thickness of your shoes’ soles matters. You want something fairly waterproof with a sole thick enough to insulate you from the ground. I’d recommend having a pair with lugs (grip channels) on a rubber sole. This helps if the ground gets icy. Buy some thicker socks first and try on shoes with the thicker socks - you might need a bigger size than you take in sandals for example.

Get one or two properly warm jumpers/sweaters. I find either knitted with a high wool or alpaca content works well. Or polar fleece. Two is enough, you don’t have to wash them everytime you wear them, just the layers underneath. Longer in the body and arms and higher in the neck = warmer. You can play with cropped cardigans etc but they will not be as warm. Cotton hoodies etc can work too but they aren’t as warm as wool or polar fleece.
You say you’ve got a coat already. That’s good. Is it waterproof? If not you probably need a waterproof coat of some kind. It doesn’t even have to be a warm coat. A straight up rain jacket will work. Make sure there’s room to out your warmest jumper/sweater underneath and that plus a beanie (woolly hat), gloves, scarf and decent shoes/boots will see you through any cold wet weather comfortably. All sports shops do rainjackets. Decathlon or Mountain Warehouse will probably be the most affordable options. It’s not the most fashionable look but it’s one you see a lot of anyway because it works.

I'd get to H&M and get some cheap hoodies

Also do you like jeans?

And socks! Thick socks! Gloves and a hat

Cord trousers are generally warmer than jeans

Timberland boots are my warmest shoe and keeps my feet warm all winter.

Keep my feet dry I mean!

Leather high top trainers are an alternative to Chelsea boots.

Uniqlo thermals need washing every time you wear them.

A warm, waterproof coat with a hood will be your most useful purchase. Uniqlo could be good for this too.

Primark is a good call for basics. They have fleece lined leggings which are really thick and their thermal socks are very thick. They are the only ones I wear in Winter! Also their long sleeved t-shirts, the thicker ones with a bit of stretch in, under wool jumpers. Or they have roll neck thin tops which are good for wearing under a jumper or flannel shirt.