sStay warm and in style: fashion tips and more to stay warm

Kill the Chill

Are you someone who wears wool socks to bed? Someone who has their car seat heaters on in the summer? Someone who dreads the cold winter weather, who hibernates at home while surrounded by a multitude of electric heaters.

You are not alone. First and foremost, I just so happen to be one of those people who have been cursed with the inability to stay warm. My gore-tex winter coat, scarf, mittens, and beanies all rapidly appear with the cold weather and any kind of wind chill warning that happens on a regular basis here in Alberta, Canada. We have experienced cold spells reaching as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius.

In these conditions, it is possible to obtain frostbite to exposed extremities or other body parts within minutes. I am someone who never puts away my winter wardrobe. I am known for my degrees of layering. Base layer, middle layer, and outer layer provide good insulation mostly during the colder weather months. However, there have definitely been the occasion in the warmer months that have required a lightweight insulating layer to ensure a good level of body heat is achieved.

How To Prepare For The Cold

All joking aside, I often make comparisons of being cold with other completely unrelated torturous feelings. So far, I have been able to come up with the feelings of hunger, pain, and overheating. I feel extremely confident that my preference would be to switch to any one of those feelings over my endless dosage of coldness. What would you choose?

Over the past decades living with this unfortunate condition, my three children have become extremely passionate in what one might describe as some of the coldest sporting activities to spectate. Hockey, figure skating and equestrian horse jumping have been their primary sport focuses up to now. The figure skating is slowly transitioning over to basketball, and I am thanking the high heavens for that one. Now, you may be thinking that horse jumping wouldn’t be a very cold sport to spectate. However, this sport continues throughout the entire year and the winter months in Alberta, Canada are not glorious by any stretch of the imagination. Brrrr!

The Challenges

 Being cold most of the time comes with its challenges, aside from the obvious one of being flipping cold all of the time. I would like to think that I am someone who is fairly outgoing. I try to stay in style, look decent, and dress somewhat fashionably. In order to do this and retain warmth, it can be tricky. Fashion is certainly NOT designed for warmth. For example, could we get rid of the crop top already? It’s had it’s run and it’s time to move on. Firstly, it doesn’t provide a stitch of warmth. It really isn’t designed for us middle aged cuties, and it is essentially 90% of all tops available on the market currently. Enough already! The only way around the crop top ladies, is to wear a longer tank top underneath it.

Crop Top

I love my jeans. I love my skinny jeans, boyfriend jeans, straight leg jeans, and even on occasion high cut jeans…. Jeans, jeans, jeans… I like them torn, dressy, light, dark, coloured, distressed, capri, you name it. My favourite brands would likely be, Hudson, AG, Rag & Bone, Citizens of Humanity, Paige, Joe, Frame, and some Zara styles. Some of these brands can run fairly in price, but there are other options when purchasing jeans. I often like to purchase my jeans on consignment. Quite often, the jeans you find on consignment sites have never been worn, have hardly been worn, or perhaps have been worn the perfect amount. They can be purchased for a fraction of the cost and are often more uncommon of a pair. I highly recommend Postmark as an easy to use online buy and sell clothing site.

Tips and Tricks

I have come up with a few tricks throughout the years to stay warm, while keeping some fashion sense. I am not one to find jeans overly warming for the winter months. As I have mentioned though, they are one of my staple choices for pants. I have found that if you simply throw a pair of footed fleece leggings underneath of them, it very easily transforms them into your own custom designed pair of jean sweat pants. This trick even works with ripped jeans. The fleece showing through to the rips actually creates an accent to your outfit. There are many different colours leggings to choose from and even some designs. On those extremely cold days, you can even throw an extra pair of socks over top of the leggings to keep your feet very toasty warm.

 

I am also a huge fan of the Bodysuit style tops. They are the tops that generally come with clips or snaps down below to fasten the top to your person. These tops are particularly great for high rise pants and skirts. Will never come untucked and also have a warming factor to them. These top will not allow any breeze to enter at the waistline of your outfit. They will keep all of your built up warmth within. They also pair quite nicely underneath a vest or in combination with other tops, sweater, or coats.

I have also come to really love the knee high socks. They can be worn in so many different ways. I like them over a pair of tights for a cozy, sporty look. They are great in combination with a skirt or a dress. (Your legs will be warm and you will look adorable). You can wear them hidden under a pair of pants, simply for the warmth factor. You can even wear them to accent your boots and shoes. They are a great way to keep warm and stylish all in one. My favourite thing!

.Footwear

I also love shoes and boots. Most of us gals do. But, for the most part, we tend to rely on one dominant preferred pair, specifically chosen for each season. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t racks upon racks to choose from for other occasion. For over twenty years now, when it has comes to the cold, I have depended on my Moon Boots for warmth and comfort. They aren’t for everyone, but, I think they are the top notch.

They come in every colour and multiple styles. Frankly, wearing them feels like you are walking out of your house with slippers on your feet. I literally just had to replace my black pair that I had been wearing since 2002. I likely could have glued the edge of the sole that had started to separate from the bottom of the boot, but I had felt that the boots had served their purpose. After all, they had given me a solid 20 years of wear.

When I am faced with extremely cold conditions, I need to become really imaginative. I am definitely not one who is going to suffer through the cold for fashion, but that being said… it doesn’t mean that I have to give up all together. I simply take these situations as opportunities to go vogue with my own style. One of my staple outfits in the winter months is the one piece snow suit. They are somewhat difficult to come by, but I have managed to add to my collection every year. I have several now.

They are by far the warmest option to an outfit while sitting in a rink or in a horse arena in the winter. For that matter, they are also the warmest option for participating in any winter activities. If you do some digging, you can often find them every season. I have been fortunate to find several unique and appealing ones that have kept me warm for years. I definitely get many compliments on all of them each and every time I wear them.

Sweats

There are also those days where sweat pants are calling your name. You are not overly concerned with your top because it will be masked by whatever jacket or coat you choose to wear on that particular day. Who’s saying that you can’t cover over those sweatpants as well? I have come to find several options in wind and water resistant, warm, yet thinner ski pants that are extremely versatile. I use them religiously on colder days to hide what I am actually wearing underneath. It adds an extra layer of warmth to my body and provides the image that I have actually thought out my outfit for the day. (When in actuality, I could very well be in my PJ’s underneath the whole façade.) I’m not going to lie, this happens on a regular for me.

Accessories

Other wonderful accessories I have come to depend on for some added warmth at any time of the year are hand, feet, and body warmers. You can now purchase these in a variety of options. There are the disposable ones, which are great, so long as you use them prior to their expiration dates printed on their packaging. My new favourite option are the rechargeable hand warmers. They generally come with three different heat settings and last multiple hours on a charge. I carry mine in my bag at all times.

Companies have caught on to us people who are weak and frail when it comes to the cold. They’ve figured us out and know that we will pay a premium to keep warm. They have come out with nearly every possible invention to allow us this luxury…and I must say, I’m loving them for this. They have invented the heated socks, the heated gloves, the heated coats, the heated vests, the heated hat, the heated mattress pad, and so many more products.

Heated Mattress Pad[/caption]

Finally, for the days where all you really feel like doing is curling up in your cozy bed, or onto a cozy couch to binge watch some tv. Nothing is more comforting than a little extra heat put out by an electric heater, or an electric blanket. I really love the weight of a heavy thick blanket myself. Weighted blankets have become extremely popular also. They not only keep you warm, but also have been proven to help with anxiety and depressive disorders.

Keeping warm can take some thought, but there are many options that allow us to strategically pull some ideas together. When in doubt or at a loss, a good old woollen blanket and a hot beverage will always do the trick in a hurry. Keep warm!

What is the best winter coat to buy?

The best winter coat to buy depends on a variety of factors, including your personal style, the weather conditions you will be facing, and your budget. For cold temperatures and wet weather, a waterproof jacket with a hood and insulation is recommended. If you live in an area with mild winters, a lightweight down coat may be sufficient. If you’re looking for something fashionable, there are plenty of stylish options available in various fabrics and colours.

Also consider the length of the coat – if it’s too short, it won’t provide enough warmth, while too long can be cumbersome. Additionally, make sure it fits correctly – some coats come with adjustable features such as drawstrings or cinchable waists that can help create a customized fit. Ultimately, when shopping for a winter coat, take into consideration your needs and preferences so that you can find the best jacket to keep you warm and comfortable all season long.

What are the best fashion tips and more to stay warm?

Staying warm in colder weather doesn’t mean sacrificing style. Here are some of the best fashion tips to keep you looking great while also staying cozy:

1. Layer up: Layering clothing helps to create an insulating barrier against the cold air. Add a cotton t-shirt, a long-sleeve shirt, and a coat or sweater for maximum warmth.

2. Choose wool or fleece fabrics: Natural wool and synthetic fleece fabrics are excellent choices for keeping warm because they trap heat and provide insulation from cold temperatures.

3. Accessorize: Hats, gloves, scarves, and boots all help to keep your body temperature regulated and provide extra warmth when needed. Look for items with bright colors or eye-catching patterns to add some flair to your look.

4. Wear thicker denim: Switching out your regular jeans for heavier denim can make a big difference in keeping you warm during the winter months. Look for pants with thicker materials like corduroy or wool blends which offer better insulation than thinner fabrics like denim.

5. Try thermal underwear: Thermal underwear is designed specifically to keep you warm by trapping heat against your body while still allowing you to move comfortably without feeling too bulky or restricted in movement.

What clothing keeps you the warmest?

The best clothing for staying warm in cold weather is made from materials that are designed to keep heat in and moisture out. Wool, synthetic fleece, down, and other insulated fabrics are all great choices for keeping warm. Layering is also key – wearing multiple layers of clothing can help keep your body temperature regulated, as the air trapped between the layers acts as insulation. Wool socks, a hat or beanie, gloves, and a scarf will also help protect exposed areas of your body from the cold. Finally, make sure you choose clothing that fits properly – loose-fitting clothes may allow cold air to enter and reduce warmth.

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For more one piece snow suits, click on the tabs: Hotian, Yeefine, Gsou Snow (uni-sex), Arctix, Imput

For more thinner styled ski pants, click on the tabs: Arctix, JHMORP