Teach me how to cold-weather

[whatsinmypockets]

Just moved to the Scottish Highlands after 15 years in a tropical country and I'm staggeringly underprepared for what's coming this winter...

I've set aside a reasonable budget for updating my wardrobe over the next few months, but I don't want to fritter it away on things I don't need or aren't the smartest investments – so I'm looking for advice!

If you were starting from scratch for a UK winter, what would be your first purchases?

Where do you look for practical, warm, weatherproof and stylish stuff?

And if you're in the Highlands, what do you know that I should know?!

I'm 5'4, size 8-10 hourglass, light spring colour palette, if any of that helps.

I think you will need to get thermal underwear with long sleeves and a polo neck and long thermal trousers too.

https://www.johnlewis.com/browse/women/womens-lingerie-underwear/womens-thermal-underwear/_/N-flk?chunk=2

It mgiht be a good idea to get an electric blanket for your bed too. The air is very humid in Scotland and it make the cold go right through you, so to speak. A lot of people have an electric blanket to lie on in bed to get the heat to go right through them and warm them through at the end of the day.

You also probably want to start shopping for coats in the hiking shops. The good waterproof, breathable coats are great because if you are walking and get sweaty in your clothes then you need the humidity to go out through your clothes so you stay dry. Otherwise you will be cold and wet just from mild exertion, which is not good.

The thing is to have lots of thin layers.

Probably a scarf and a woolly hat and good gloves too.

Are you in the sort of place where you might get snowed in? If you are then it would be a good idea to have a freezer full of food in your house too.

I grew up above the snow line in Scotland and it's very different from sunny countries. I've lived abroad and in the south of the UK too and it's a whole different thing.

You probably want to get an SAD lamp too for the winter. And a really good Christmas tree. Christmas trees are a big thing in Scotland. A lot of people use to put them up on the 1st September in a big window at the front of the house and we used to count them all as we drove to church.

Church also used to be a big thing, but I've been away for 20-odd years so I'm not sure if it still is.

Not specifically about Scotland, though it is mentioned, but generally about cold weather dressing:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/styleandbeauty/5175877-what-do-you-wear-in-winter?reply=138651712

And no, I doubt your hourglass figure or spring colour palette will be of much relevance in the hiking shop!

Practical and warm do not go with stylish.

That being said:

Warm boots. Personally I buy snow boots.
Thermals. You can wear them under other clothes
For your bedroom buy an electric blanket and a hot water bottle.

We used to always have a coat with a hood, because umbrellas don't work in Scotland.

Think layers

So thermal base wear, silk mix stuff and long vests.

Cashmere or merino jumpers/cardis.

Feather & Down body warmer and coats.

Wind and waterproof long coat if you do any standing around outside, too warm for dog walking though. Look at Lands Ends for coats.

Uniqlo extra warm thermals! Both tops and bottoms. They do a lot of good layers generally. Vinted cashmere.

Uniqlo heat tech stuff is great I wear it after seaswimming it does the job I layer go with string vest and long sleeved top under my regular stuff yep snow boots are good to keep toes warm

Açai thermal and waterproof leggings and trousers. Fleece lined hat. Ski mittens and proper wool or good thermal socks with decent walking boots

@AgainAgainAgain2 that's what I've been wondering about – I've been looking at some lovely waterproofs from Didriksons (in my colour palette AND nipped in at the waist, @ProperDeep, so I'm wildly hanging on to a tiny bit of hope! 😂) but they're not insulated.

So I've been weighing up whether to go for something like that and layer up underneath, or look for a one-jacket-does-everything option that's both waterproof AND cosy.

But from the sounds of it, I might end up sweaty that way...

Thanks for the link to the other thread, @ProperDeep - will go have a dig through that now too 😊

@ChristOnABarge I was told about Uniqlo recently, but couldn't figure out their website so I gave up.... Might be time to have another bash.

I've just been told by an OT (I've raynauds) that possum wool gloves are the warmest type you can get.
I've yet to buy some, but will be very soon.

I'm not in N Scotland but in NI, not as crisply cold but v v wet and cold. Definitely thermal layers, ugg type boots as slippers in the house.

The best and warmest coat I use is a dryrobe. Yes I look like a wanker but no wind or rain can get through it.

My long lasting winter boots were a TKMaxx find of a Norwegian brand, look like fashionable black laced boots but have a snow/waterproof/grip sole and thermal insole. I got them 6 years ago and still going. Mine are no use to you as the company has gone now, but maybe a suggestion to look to other full on weather countries to see how their designers cope with making fashion fit form.

My favourite and warmest thermals are from Tesco. The “very warm” tops are a must.
Landsend hybrid coat is a good idea and snow boots as well as either country boots or wellies. M and s do decent thermal socks.
You will adjust but probably not in the first year. We moved three years ago and I would say I’ve finally got everything I need for the harsh winters here.

I highly recommend Dilling for merino base layers: uk.dilling.com/category/base-layers?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9eO3BhBNEiwAoc0-jbf7p7aFnJOWCY9DfMYP4yRMcLkMiAWWqiA61GP57nHkfDqwKHba3hoCmRAQAvD_BwE

Hijacking but anyone recommend their snow boots? Mine are battered and old. I want some new ones!

A lot of people use to put them up on the 1st September in a big window at the front of the house and we used to count them all as we drove to church.

Is that a typo for December?

Get a warm and waterproof coat with a hood. Not actually that easy to find - a lot of warm puffers are crap in wetter weather and a lot of waterproofs have no warmth. I’d look at Elvine, or go to your local outdoors shop (although those will look more ‘practical’).

Snow boots are a good shout, Sorel is where mine are from - they are comfy, waterproof and warm.

Other than that, layers!

You might be overestimating how cold it'll be, tbh. I know in comparison to the tropics it'll be cold, but last winter was reasonably mild. A Dikdrikson waterproof is like a spring/summer jacket, not your winter coat! Look at Trespass, Mountain Warehouse, Rab, Barbour etc. Outdoorsy brands. I'd aim for practical, warm and weatherproof this year, and add in stylish once you know what you're dealing with. It also depends on your lifestyle. If you're driving from home to office car park and back, you might get use out of a wool coat. If you have any outdoor commute whatsoever, warm waterproof coat with hood. Then leather boots. Fur lined Chelsea boots are practical and can be quite stylish.

Scotland in October. I'd buy

Long sleeved thermal t-shirts - I have Tesco & Sainsbury's.
Thermal or wool socks
Good waterproof walking boots
A selection of decent sweaters & fleeces - Celtic &Co or Guernsey Woollens
A couple of wool tanks
Some brushed cotton shirts
A couple of long skirts or long skirted dresses in wool challis or similar.
Several pairs of good quality jeans
A shooting jacket or ski jacket with thermal liners
I have a Cossack style Barbour hat and several ski hats
A decent pair of neoprene-lined wellies.
Sheepskin gloves & slippers from Westmorland Sheepskin

Look for suppliers of shooting clothes because they are designed to keep you warm for a whole day on a mountainside.

Sorel snow boots with the sheepskin liners and Uniqlo Heat Tech thermals. I wear both skiing.

Neoprene lined wellies.
Cashmere and merino jumpers.
Penelope Chilvers and Grensen for stylish boots.
Roll necks come in really handy
Sheepskin gloves

Lands end for silk thermals - a lovely soft base layer and not itchy. They often have sales

We did a simlar, but not as extreme, move from ME to the north of England.

Layers and extremities would be my focus.

Tights work well under trousers - tights, trousers and thick socks required. Make sure shoes are water resistant - Trainers aren't warm.

Vest (thermal) teesirt, jumper. Decent coat - you can get Dikdrikson winter coats. Just make sure it is a winter one before purchase.
Gloves, hat. I dislike them, but scarf.

The layers are key, because as soon as you go in somewhere, it's heated, so you need to strip off.

I live in the Scottish Highlands on the coast. It's really not as cold as this thread seems to think... Unless you're actually living in the mountains. Where will you be? How often are you outside?

When the rain was lashing down on Friday it was a relief to get my Didrikson jacket on. I’m in London but when it’s cold and wet that brand really comes into its own. I have no affiliation with them BTW.