I’m from the tropics- help me dress for cold weather

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I’m from the tropics. There was one day this winter where I had to dig out jeans and a cotton long sleeve t-shirt for a couple of hours in the morning when it was “crisp”. So that’s the extent of my cold weather dressing skills.

Taking family to the South Island of New Zealand, including Invercargill and snow fields next year in winter. It will be cold and may be wet and windy. How to I outfit myself and my 3 kids? (dS13, DD12 and DD10). I’m not worried about my DH- he’s fat and naturally insulated and has happily walked around Edinburgh and NYC in shorts in winter.

I have googled and it is terribly confusing. I have absolutely no idea what to buy. I am looking for warm waterproof boots and warm waterproof coats that we can walk around in during the day but will also get us to and fro the ski fields (we will hire ski clothes). What socks and beanies do we need? What is all this base, mid and outer layers? I am scared of being cold and my kids being cold and miserable (been in cold weather places in inappropriate clothing before and don’t want a repeat) but don’t want to spend a fortune on gear that my kids may have grown out of by the time we next go somewhere cold.

Could some wonderful person spell it out to me in really simple terms? Assume I have arrived from a hot planet and have never seen a coat before.

Also, I am stupidly tall for a woman so might need to wear men’s tops to cover my torso.

Gosh this sounds tricky and your right, this isn’t going to be cheap and particularly annoying will be the kids won’t need it again! On that basis I’d ask in your local community and look at resale sites like Vinted, Facebook market place if you have these to try and get stuff second had.

in regard to layer in its simplest term if I am wearing a t shirt, with a jumper and waterproof coat I am wearing a base, middle and waterproof outer layer. They key though in cold weather is more layers than that, thin layers are better not 1 chunky jumper as they trap layers of warm air against the body.

merino wool socks and base layers are good for keeping warm.

for the situation you are talking about waterproof coats, shoes and potentially trousers will be invaluable. Sorel do good waterproof boots, snow boots but aren’t cheap there are many brands of waterproof coat and trousers but I’m not sure where you are to suggest brands

https://heatholders.es/collections/ladies-thermal-hats?shpxid=ebe0e316-9f94-491a-b1a7-7e68e2032d85

example of a suitable hat (the full head not the band ones)

Uniqlo layers. Good value and the heattech items really work.

When I was last away somewhere cold I found base layers were my best friend.

This sort of thing:

www.mountainwarehouse.com/talus-womens-base-layer-pants-p13381.aspx/black/

www.mountainwarehouse.com/talus-womens-ls-round-neck-top-p13380.aspx/black/?rrec=true

But even just cheap fleece lined leggings / tops. Then waterproof trousers over if needed or jeans / joggers if not going to get wet. Top half base layer, t-shirt, good wool jumper (I like icelandic wool but it is heavy and a bit scratchy, merino is probably nicer to wear).

www.thenorthface.co.uk/shop/en-gb/tnf-gb/women-jackets-coats-downjackets/womens-brooklyn-parka-4m8x?variationId=1IX

I have a coat a bit like this (waterproof, windproof, down filled) that I wear anyway for dog walking in winter.

The heatholder hats linked before are nice and they do gloves and socks too, the socks are quite thick though. I've been fine trudging through snow in my waterproof Uggs with no socks but if wearing normal boots I would wear warm socks, cold feet are awful, cold wet feet are worse so avoiding water getting into shoes is important!

I will add that I am a wimp and hate getting cold so I layer up a bit even in the UK where it is really very mild. You might find you don't need to be that wrapped up!

Chunky sweaters seem to be back, I bought an ivory one in Primark on Saturday, and a satin leopard print skirt

I agree re using second hand.

In winter in the UK (so not snow fields) I usually wear a long sleeved thermal vest, often thermal leggings and then whatever next layer I want (often a dress for me), could exchange the leggings for jeans but sometimes if it's really cold I prefer to wear leggings under jeans. Then a real woolen jumper on top. Then a waterproof coat, preferably one that comes below your bottom so that the rain doesn't just pour off and drench your trousers.

Shoes/boots need to be waterproof. If you're going to be out for days at a time in the rain you may want gaiters (but that would be another expense and this won't be cheap).

You may want waterproof trousers as well if e.g. you're going to spend days hiking in the rain. Personally I would just choose to not hike if the weather is terrible.

Waterproof coats need to have a high waterproofing rating and a high breathability or they become uncomfortable if you exercise in them: https://www.snowandrock.com/expert-advice-and-inspiration/buying-guides/Waterproof-ratings-and-breathability-explained.html

I’m from the tropics. There was one day this winter where I had to dig out jeans and a cotton long sleeve t-shirt for a couple of hours in the morning when it was “crisp”. So that’s the extent of my cold weather dressing skills

lol that's "summer but raining" UK clothes.

More of those tops for layers.

Add a vest underneath if needed, so buy a few of those.

You'll need a chunky cable knit jumper on top or a polo neck. If you're just holidaying for a week you can get by with one or two because you're wearing layers underneath it anyway so it won't be getting dirty unless you drop food on it or something.

A short padded puffer jacket or long wool coat, I have both in my winter wardrobe.

A huge scarf that can double as a small thin blanket if you unfold it, for putting over your legs when you're sitting inside without your coat on.

Gloves, bobble hat/beanie hat and an umbrella. The latter because truly waterproof coats tend to be ugly AF and I care about such things. A hiking type coat with a hood, if you aren't so bothered by aesthetics or if you're actually going to be hiking.

Jeans are fine but more than one pair in case it rains and they get wet or get splashed from a puddle. If they're wide at the bottom turn up the bottom part a few times/inches when you go outside so they don't soak up wet from the ground and let them down again inside to keep your ankles cozy when your boots are off. My jeans trail on the floor when I'm not wearing shoes and that's how I like them.

If you're going to be standing around outdoors for hours you might want to buy jeans in a bigger size and wear leggings underneath them so buy a few pairs. If you're walking you should be fine in just jeans because the exercise helps you stay warm.

Regular skinny socks with thick chunky socks layered on top. With some percentage wool for the thick ones is warmest.

Boots, leather or plastic, with some fleece or a bit of padding inside will be warmer. Ensure they fit over your double socks, you might need to go up half a size.

Oh and slippers for indoors. You don't want to go barefoot in winter even with socks on.

I am scared of being cold and my kids being cold and miserable

You can add a gillet over your clothes and under your coat (may want to size up on the coat).

None of this will be cheap due to the amount if clothes you're going to need to buy. You can look for second hand but beware of the labels being inaccurate because clothing has shrunk in the wash. If you're getting a waterproof coat I'd buy new, because if they're washed inappropriately the waterproofing membrane/coating can be stripped away and you wouldn't find this out until it rains and you're soaked through in 5min.