A thread for anyone who feels the cold!

[TheChosenTwo]

I’m permanently cold, always have felt the cold and can’t see that changing.
But other than dressing like the Michelin man every day in 23 layers does anyone have helpful tips of what they’re wearing to keep warm?
I appreciate lots of people don’t think it’s cold yet, fair enough, but I do and I’m struggling in the office mainly. Luckily we don’t have to be smart!
today I had thermal leggings (fleece lined, M&S) and a thermal long sleeved top (Uniqlo heat tech, absolutely shit, bought loads of it last year and will never buy it again!). Thermal socks and normal ones over the top. Trousers, a shirt and a wool jumper over the top of that and still my hands were frozen!
What am I missing?!

Actually the main problem is cold hands which then impact my ability to do my job!!
We have a choice of temperature in the office but it usually just stays off because if I put the heating on someone then opens all the windows because it’s too warm 🫣

If you feel that cold when it is objectively not cold, have you had a health check? I was always freezing except in real summer weather until I was diagnosed with coeliac disease and treated by diet change. Now I couldn't wear what you describe in the depths of winter, I'd be roasting.

Have you been to the doctor? That level of cold isn’t normal and could be a sign of a health issue.

Urgh, no I haven’t 😭 not sure I can be bothered with the hassle of getting an appointment either.
but appreciate what you’re both saying. There are a couple of others also in my office who feel it’s cold too but enough that don’t to mean we just keep the heating off to keep everyone semi-happy.

I won’t need them for a bit, but my favourites are wool and silk mix under layers from Dilling. And wool knee high socks under trousers, with proper boots.
If you can find long sleeve tops with thumb holes that might help the hands? For example I’ve been eyeing this up www.marksandspencer.com/merino-blend-lightweight-baselayer-top/p/clp60736878?color=IVORY#intid=pid_pg2pip48g4r12c2

I really feel the cold too (except when I am having a hot flush!!) but I agree with others that you should have a health check.

By the way, I personally swear by Uniqlo Heattech BUT to get the full benefit you should try one of their ultra warm range tops. I don’t wear those to work as would get too hot but I wear them constantly at home in winter.

Oh @persisted i have some long sleeved tops with thumb holes, good idea thanks. Might dig one out for tomorrow.
i have wool socks but don’t find them very warm I have to say.
i don’t know @Newmeagain i spent about £200 on various heat tech stuff from Uniqlo last year including some of the extra warm things and have found them all to be beyond useless, kind of reluctant to get anything from there again but pleased you’ve found them helpful.
gah, I really can’t see it going down well calling the doctors for a health check because I’m cold, I feel like they’ll tell me on the phone to just wear more layers!!

I used to have permanently cold hands. Turned out I had an underactive thyroid. My hands aren't cold anymore now I'm on medication. Seriously, it's worth getting it checked out OP...

It's just a simple blood test.

M&S Heatgen Maximum is your friend. Comes as a long sleeve top and leggings.

I also find uniqlo & marks heat wear useless, they are just long sleeve t shirts. You need wool base layers. I get mine from Dilling, Smartwool, Danish endurance etc, those types of stores. For your hands at work, fingerless gloves or mittens - again wool or cashmere.

I’m wondering if you have Raynaud’s. If so, it’s important to try to keep warm. Have you tried wrist warmers? That can help. I also find using hand cream regularly to stimulate my circulation can help.

fingerless gloves AND wrist warmers
fleecy neckbuff on neck AND hairband that covers the ears

Turtle Doves do great wrist warmers / fingerless gloves made from recycled cashmere.

I'm refusing to put the heating on yet and have been sitting with my sheepskin slippers on and a wool blanket over my lap while WFH this week so I get you

Wrist warmers help a bit but really you need a heated blanket you can keep sticking your hands in or under. Nothing compares.

So I am someone who feels the cold but even I am not at the point you are describing yet.

I would seriously consider contacting the doctors.

In the meantime, I do wear a million layers like the Michelin Man I am afraid!

I go for: M and S vest, M and S heatgen top, cashmere jumpers then sometimes a cardigan on top. Plus thick jogging bottoms if I am at home, with leggings underneath them if it's really chilly, plus cashmere socks plus slippers.

But given you're at the office and therefore presumably can't wear slippers, my mum absolutely swears by merino wool base layers, reckons they are way better than the M and S stuff, so maybe worth trying that? Same on the socks.

I’m the same. If it’s under 22.5 degrees in the house I’m frozen, all of me. I’ve worn thermals since 1st September including thermal leggings and long sleeve vests and knee length socks with bed socks over the top or loose cargoes (thick material), a hoodie and dressing gown over the top. When I go into the office I multi layer and wear a long winter padded coat even in summer as I can’t cope with air con and when I can’t think straight as it’s so cold I go sit in my car in the sun to defrost. There’s heated golf mittens that may help you, hot water bottle and if you can pop a heated throw and a hat and play around as to what works best on different days. Cashmere might help with thermals underneath. I’d look at sports manufacturers for thermal clothes such as golf or skiiing as they shouldn’t be bulky and allow movement. Fingerless gloves might be an option alongside the heated mitts. It’s terrible to feel so cold. I fare much better when it’s 25 degrees outside

It’s too early to be this cold and not rule out other health issues. Thyroid, raynauds, anaemia, B12 levels, even diabetes need ruled out. I also feel the cold terribly, but your description sounds like way later in the season than mid September.

Oh and my best find is the Uniqlo Puffertech compact liner jacket. Not bulky at all. And Cos cashmere jumpers.

That’s very interesting. I didn’t realise that cold was associated with gluten intolerance.

I used to have a little mini desktop heater specifically for my hands when I was office based. Otherwise I'd struggle to type. Also suggest fingerless gloves.

I'm the same. It's worse when my hb or ferritin levels are low.
Heated things are my saving grace, heated blankets, gloves with a heat pack tucked in them, hot water bottle under my feet.
Otherwise layers, merino wool thermal top, silk socks with wool socks over, down body warmers or puffa jackets. Cashmere jumpers (mine are all charity shop buys). A wool buff, wrist warmers, boots. Outside I have a North Face arctic parka and I like proper sheepskin boots.

It sounds like you have raynauds

Just remembered I bought ds a load of merino base layers for his ski trip earlier this year and we’re about the same size so I’ll dig them out.
@applegingermint I’ve got those M&S heatgen leggings and they are pretty good. I went in today to see what else I could get in the range but they said they didn’t have the stock in yet as it’s too early (couldn’t help the feeling this was very ironic considering they have festive food in stock!).
@AlexandraJJ you sound very much like me.
the hot weather we had a while ago was genuinely the most comfortable I’ve felt in a long time, my body really suffers in the cold and yes I’m aware it’s not really ‘cold’ to most people now but it is to me!
Haha @Ineffable23 we do laugh in the office as one of my fellow coldies does sometimes wear her Ugg slippers to work!
@ClaredeBear i do the handcream trick to encourage circulation but doesn’t seem to get me far.
Anyway I’m leaning towards maybe running the gauntlet and calling the gp to request a blood test, I have horrendous periods with my PCOS and it’s possible that I’m a touch anaemic or just a bit deficient somewhere.

Fingerless gloves, and a scarf. Just a thin scarf will do - one of those neck warmers from Millets or a handyband thing from Seasalt. Makes all the difference.