Help! Desperate for Warm, Comfortable WFH Bottoms

[Caffeinatedandcold]

Hi Mumsnet fashion gurus,

I need your help with some much-needed winter wardrobe advice. I have a few chronic health conditions that make me incredibly sensitive to the cold. Once I'm cold, it's nearly impossible to warm up, and layering clothes often makes me feel even colder (I know, it sounds crazy!).

Here's what I'm looking for:

• Style: Casual-smart, like cargo trousers or jeans, but open to other suggestions.
• Fit: Size 10, long legs, petite frame (34" hips, 28" waist).
• Comfort: Super soft, stretchy, warm, natural fibers
• Function: WFH-friendly, especially for video calls and long periods of sitting/standing, nipping out to the shops, in-person meetings, etc.
• Ease of wear: Pull-on style, no buttons or zips, no ankle cuffs.
• Colour: Neutral colours to complement blue and grey tops, but honestly, colour is my last concern!

I've tried everything from thermal leggings to multiple layers (tights + thermals + trousers), but nothing keeps me warm.

Every winter, I struggle and ending up lose weight.

I'm hoping to find something comfortable, warm, and professional enough for video calls.

Any suggestions would be a lifesaver!

Thank you

Uniqlo fleece lined joggers are warmer than normal joggers, although won't be warm enough by themselves for you. The ankle is also cuffed but you could remove that. They do a long version for women:

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E472864-000/00?colorDisplayCode=01&sizeDisplayCode=003

I'd also suggest legwarmers to add to your layering but they're a bugger to find. Wool is better, not only for being warmer but it dries quicker in winter than cotton.

Insulate your wrists and neck too: wristwarmers (don't have to cover your hands) and a small silk scarf or neckerchief - I was surprised what a difference that made.

What type of chair are you sitting on? Your back will be warmer with a cushion or folded blanket behind you.

I second the idea of the heated blanket. I swear by mine for WFH.

The Uniqlo HeatTech Easy Trousers linked to above are cosy and neat fitting so not too much flapping. Maybe with thermals and/or tights underneath? They've kept me warm next to freezing cold football pitches! Good luck! x

Have you tried the Primark fur lined leggings?
I find them really cosy and great for layering, also at only £7 its no great loss if they dont work!

Would these work, the come in 2 colours and 3 lengths. https://www.cottontraders.com/leg-lengths/recycled-microfleece-trousers/AC16480022.html?src=QGL3&fix=1&source=pla&CAWELAID=320012860000023834&CAGPSPN=pla&utm_source=GoogleShoppingUK&country=uk&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7Py4BhCbARIsAMMx-_LnkrFXuugVSo1nnXIemUOxVGV9UH9zzcH44sPIKXJQH3XuED9Jm7QaAkMdEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I get where you're coming from bit I only get it in my feet

Heat Holders socks make a huge difference

Hear me out - you need hiking trousers...

Only thing that keeps me warm when WFH.

www.trangoworld.com/en/trousers-women-trx2-dura-extreme-wm-pro-pc009170

Lands' End Starfish trousers.

I'd normally recommend natural fibres all the way, but I've just bought a pair of fake leather trousers and they are boiling hot to wear. Not sure if it would work for your health conditions, but perhaps another option?

As a nurse on nights, fleece lined tights were a godsend.

I would second the suggestion of primark fleece lined leggings, they are stretchy and fitted but have enough give to go on easily enough. If you can fit in a visit to Uniqlo they have a lot of thermal stuff. I also got a pair of reasonably formal, pleat front wool mix trousers, they are lined to so slip on easily but do have a button.
Do you have any medication for cold hands and feet, I have been on a couple of different ones. Still feel like an ice block and hate being in a jumper and scarf when everyone else in the room is in pretty tops.

Sorry, I dont know how to thank everyone, for all the wonderful suggestions!

You are all really too kind.

@eatreadsleeprepeat I take a lot of medication. I have medication, to treat the side effects of other medication a lot. If you pick me I rattle from all the tablets lol. But no, not at the moment, they have tried a few things over the year but none of the medications made any difference.

@PaperRemote Those look amazing, but the price tag is ouch.....Wonder if I can find any used one. I dont mind paying if they will make me comfortable, I just need to try them out first.

I wear heatgen leggings from M and S and then cuffed navy joggers. They aren't very smart but as long as your jumper covers the top of them they're basically just navy and recede into the distance. They're fleecy inside.

I also have a heat pad which is like a tiny electric blanket I sit on if I am really chilly (combined with blanket on the knees, though obviously that doesn't help if you need to stand up).

It's expensive but for the top half I usually go vest, thermal base layer, optional thin jumper and then a cashmere jumper on top. Cashmere is then so far away from my body it rarely needs washing which means they wear well.

C*affienatedandcold
*
I can recommend these from marks
-I have them in several colours and wear them to work .
https://www.marksandspencer.com/velour-drawstring-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60705219?intid=mobileappppdpshare

How about some ski pants. I have some plain black ones and they are super warm.

Do you definitely want trousers or would you consider a long skirt or dress that you could layer up with merino tights or silk long johns with it all getting too bulky?
Reason I suggest this is that I found silk inner gloves inside mittens was the best way to keep hands warm when skiing.
A long wool skirt would work. A bit like wrapping yourself in a blanket!

I know you mentioned health issues but can you force yourself to move about a bit. ( I'm the worst at this)

Haven’t read the full thread but I think what you need is a long wool maxi skirt under which you can wear trackies and or thermal long johns. That will trap a full insulating layer of air from waist pretty much to ankle on tops of your base layers.

Are you cold due to lack of heating at Home? I can recommend oil filled radiators to heat the room you're in, if you're able to work in quite a small room ..??

I'm also recommending skirts instead of trousers. You can layer up with petticoats or slips, and woolly tights or leggings. The skirt traps the air and warms up with your body heat. The cotton and cable type tights from white stuff are warm. I am living in thick knitted jersey skirts (like ponte) slips and tights. Under my desk I have one of those big single slipper things that heat up and massage your feet. Popping my slippers off and feet into that when they start getting cold does the trick. I also wear a pair of under armour wet weather golfers gloves, thin enough to type in and surprisingly warm

If it must be trousers then the craghoppers winter lined trousers are great.

Socks.
You are asking about trousers to go with your work tops ( stick an Oodie over the top when you aren't in meetings) but the problem is your feet. If your feet are cold then the whole of you will be. Put some warm socks and slippers half a size too big on. It will make a huge difference.

Another recommendation for a heated pad, they're amazing and super cheap to run. Mine was about £25 on Amazon. (although this wouldn't work for standing presentations)
Uniqlo heat tech for under layers.
I don't know if your medical condition allows for this but I do ten squats with dumbbells and ten push ups/lunges in between meetings to warm up 😅

Sorry for the delay - its been a mental couple of days.

I will check out one of those heat pads - Half of my issue, is that I cant feel temperature very well - So i have regularly scolded myself with hot water bottles., but maybe something with a regulated level of heat would be safer.

To everyone asking, I do weight train x 3 times a weak, I walk 15000 to 20000 steps a day. 5k before work. 10km over lunch, and 5k after work! I can build up a sweat, but Im still cold. Its odd to be sweating and cold at the same time and totally freaks people out.

The only way I have ever found to get properly warm is to get into the bath, and slowing drip hot water in for about an hour or two, I look like a lobster when I am done but I am warm.

I do wear dresses, with slips, etc. I love a good pencil skirt, with tights, slip etc, but it such a faff when working from home.

I've checked out all of the recommendations, I've got a few bits on order, and I will give thermal base layers another go!

Im seriously starting to get to the point that I might just have to try and invent a solution. This is a ridiculous way to live. In the summer I over heat and in the winter I shiver.

Promise, I have heating!

My family sweats like they've committed a crime. My partner walks around in boxers and a T-shirt, radiating heat like a volcano.

It's just my stupid body and its ridiculous inability to not be chronically ill. It's a miracle I'm still here. Sometimes I think I'm too stupid to just give up and die. I'm basically a real-life snowman, but without the festive cheer.

I find the fleece trousers from Damart to be soft and warm https://www.damart.co.uk/micro-fleece-pants-75936-3.html?color_filterable=42088

I know you mentioned that hot water bottles can be problematic but I am still going to mention that Dunelm have just brought out a belt hot water bottle that I am definitely buying as it will be so much easier than tucking a hwb up my jumper when wfh.
Also, have you come across Stoov? They did heated seat pads and heated seat covers. They won't be much use to you whilst you're standing up but, I'd sat down, they may be a relatively discreet source of heat and one where the temperature can be controlled