Keeping Roasty Toasty
I’m not the best spokesmodel for “dressing to stay warm” because I’m generally naturally warm and don’t wear a lot of “warm” clothes because I overheat so easily. So, this is about as layered as I usually get. If it was exceptionally cold and/or windy, yes, a coat and bulkier scarf would be appropriate, but this morning was a little milder than I expected and I just couldn’t do that to myself!
But the main thing I would like to say about layering for warmth is think thin!!! I, for one, hate being all bulked up like the Michelin Man…
I like to be able to bend my arms! If you have a thick sweater under another thick sweater…and then a coat over that…oofah!
So I think Thin Layers, starting with silky long silk underwear (if you’ve been reading Fashion Schlub for awhile you might have seen this post) that feel like nothing at all yet do a great job of keeping you really warm. I am always preaching about these – I think they’re imperative for living in a cold climate.
Then a thin(ish) knit that covers as much of your chest and neck as possible. I love a turtleneck but I know a lot of people do not. So many plus size tops have wide, open, low-cut scoop necks, even when they call them crew necks. Having your chest exposed in the cold weather, even if you bundle a scarf and coat over it, is never going to be as warm and cozy as a covered chest and neck.
Add a cardigan or pullover over that, and you are going to be pretty comfy in any cool indoor situation, like an office that keeps the thermostat low. Add a coat and scarf and you’re set for most outdoor conditions.
If you ever question the “thin layers vs. thick clothing” rule, go out in the cold in one thick sweater. Or a cardigan with a tank or short-sleeve knit underneath. It’s the trapped air between the layered fabric that acts as an insulator and keeps you warm.
Side note: a couple of days after I started writing this post, we had a CRAZY cold day here in NY, in the single digits, lower with the wind chill. The heat just couldn’t keep up with the cold. And it was COLD. *I* was cold! I practiced what I preached and went to bed in my long silk underwear – top and bottoms – under my thin nightgown. The layering kept me roasty toasty all night.
Am loving these “storm colors” over the white jeans. And it’s funny, in real life, the scarf looks much better with this outfit. In the picture, it reads more rust and olive.
What I’m wearing
- Old Navy Plush-knit Long-line Open-front cardigan, plus size 2x.
- Target Mossimo sharkbite hem turtleneck, size 3x. Old.
- White Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda jeans, size 22w short. I can’t find the white plus size anywhere online right now. This “Pebblestone” is an off-white color that I’ve been thinking of getting.
Iris
Okay, love the outfit AND the “keep warm tips”. I’m not a warm person – I’m always cold – even in Alabama. I did buy some underwear much like your first picture before my trip north at Christmastime and it really did help. Haven’t worn it much since I got home though.
I love turtlenecks – that’s what most of my fall/winter closet contains. It just amazes me when I do shop in the wintertime that the majority of ladies tops are low neck. I would seriously freeze to death!
I never think of wearing a scarf with a turtleneck – but I’m gonna try it – maybe today as it’s off to work I go.
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
bettyewp
“It just amazes me when I do shop in the wintertime that the majority of ladies tops are low neck.” I KNOW!!! I don’t like a really exposed chest in the SUMMER and forget about it in the cold weather! I like to feel cozy 🙂
That scarf I was wearing here is really more decorative than “warm,” as it’s silk and narrow. I really wore it to bridge the two blocks of color of the cardigan and the turtleneck. And like I said, when I saw it in the photos, it wasn’t even doing that! Ha.
Susan
Layers…so true. After coming home from a trip to Yellowstone, where I wore layers every day and was never cold, I figured out that I should wear layers in my winter. Duh. Has really made a difference. Love the pictures.
bettyewp
Ooh, I’ve always wanted to go to Yellowstone. Was it amazing? Do you have a blog post about it?
jodie filogomo
I love my silk long underwear and it gets worn a ton every winter season. Although I have to admit, I’ve never worn it to bed. I have some footie pjs if you need to borrow them?? LOL!!
And I adore the scarf…I have so many yet I don’t wear them as much as I should. I vacillate between my long necklaces and scarves, but I should just wear both!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
bettyewp
I LOVE the long silk underwear. I’m not generally one to try and push things on people, but this is something I do! Ha.
I have a MILLION scarves – but so often I don’t have Just the Right One – isn’t that always the way??
Shirley
I love your outfit! I am a firm believer in layering. Layering is very important when I’m helping my Farmer. I have learned, but never realized it until you wrote it “thin layering”. So important. I used to joke that I look just like the Michelin man, so that made me chuckle when you referred to it. Great post.
bettyewp
Thanks, Shirley! Yeah, or like kids in snowsuits and their arms are stuck straight out away from them cuz there’s so much padding. No one’s looking for extra padding, so Thin Layers! Glad you stopped by!
Debbie from Illinois
I loathe wearing winter coats, but they definitely are a necessity in the frozen tundra of Chicagoland. It’s -8 this morning. Brrrr! I love your outfit. I haven’t worn a turtleneck for a very long time. I’ll have to look for one like yours that is loose around the neck.
bettyewp
Ooh, I love a snug-necked turtleneck! I have a couple this year that are chunky knits and the collar is looser and it’s just not my favorite. But it’s hard to find good turtlenecks. At least it’s not as hard as it WAS. There were a couple years there where I thought I was the only one on the planet that liked them…and the retailers were purchasing accordingly (ie, NO TURTLENECKS).
I’m also not a big fan of coats. That’s the nice thing about my orange one, it’s SO lightweight, non-bulky and extremely pliable…and yet very warm. I have a wool coat as well, very warm, and I like the look of it, it’s definitely dressier than the orange one, but I feel so CONSTRICTED in it. When my elbows can’t bend with Complete Freedom I am not a happy camper.
Some might call me a Big Baby 🙂