Winter is Coming - How to Dress Up For Winter
The chilling winds are nigh and the trees are dropping off their leaves for they know winter is coming. Nothing prepares for winter better than warm clothes and stored food. To your advantage, winter gives you an option to choose more clothes to put on. Regardless of the variety of clothes that comes with winter, you notice most people are too busy keeping themselves warm and forget to stick to their style. Will you be the next guy to join their bandwagon? It doesn’t have to be that way and you can still dress with your usual elegance during winter. Not to be misunderstood, you should never sacrifice warmth and comfort for style during winter but it is quite possible to balance warmth and style.
Fabric and Layering
Cotton and wool are the most essential fabrics to wear during winter. Even though wool is warmer than cotton, the latter is very durable and can be worn beneath wool toppings. Leather fabric especially on jackets and gloves are significant acting as a barrier from the chilling winds of winder. Not to forget denim jeans can make a good leg-wear during winter season although there are factors you ought to consider. On the other hand, layering is equally important too and just like the name suggest, it involves wearing different items on top of another. The intention of layering is to generate a heat shield that insulates the body from the cold. It doesn’t mean you have to pile up random clothes on your body enough to make you roll over on your way to work. Usually, the thin lighter clothes are worn on the inside while the thicker clothes are matched on the outside.
To make it simple, the type of clothes you should wear during winter are divided into 3 layers which include:
- The base layer- The light clothes such as shirts, t-shirts and undershirts are ideally worn on the base layer. The base layer should be made up of garments capable of absorbing sweat. Nobody wants to get warm during winter and deal with their sweat not being absorbed which leads to enormous heat lose. Back in the days, clothes designers relied on loose wool strings to soak up the moisture but today they have evolved to synthetic fiber. Ever wondered why athletes wear thin clothes during winter and still keep their bodies warm? An assassin style hooded sweatshirt or a V-neck full sleeve t-shirt can make up an excellent base layer during winter. There are also various options of lightweight shirts that can be worn on the base layer. Just remember, long-sleeved t-shirts/shirts are preferential for the cold season. Liner socks can be worn on the feet to absorb moisture.
- Insulating layer- The purpose of the insulating layer is to trap heat. Garments made out of wool or goose down are ideal for insulation since they generate internal heat regardless of their light weight. An advantage for those looking forward to cold weather activities such as hiking or skiing. Sweater, cardigan and denim jackets are typical middle insulating layers. Sweaters or cardigans made out of wool especially angora and cashmere are perhaps the best option available for insulating layer to provide adequate warmth. A few examples include winter fashion warm cardigan and persuader hooded cardigan. You can also wear denim jacket for a middle layer but they do not offer much insulating properties. For that reason, denim jacket and trouser jeans are avoided in very cold areas unless they have been added an extra insulating layer. Thick wool trousers can be worn over long johns on the coldest winter days.
- Protective layer- The outer protective layer keeps the inner layers intact. It is not a must for it to have any insulation but should be capable of trapping air, resisting water or humid and a barrier for the chilly winds. A leather jacket, warm winter hooded jacket and winter puffer jacket are good examples of protective layers that can be worn during winter. If you are opting for a formal look, wearing a treated wool coat over a suit jacket comprising of heavy warm fabric will work out just fine. The outer layer should not be too heavy to the point it overwhelms your breathing pattern. Gloves, scarfs, insulated headbands and hats are also considered protective layer. If you are dressed for a formal occasion, leather gloves and a hat will not only compliment your looks but will keep you warm. However, leather is not the only option for a casual look but you can opt for wool gloves and a plain warm soft beanie. Not to forget a brighter colorful scarf that will make it easier to notice your face.
Of course the footwear cannot be neglected during winter and you have to pay closer attention to the details or else you will regret when your toes freeze. Make sure the shoes are waterproof and have an interior lining to prevent the cold from getting inside. The soles should also have traction to avoid falling off on a slippery iced ground.
It is a common misconception that winter outfits should be baggy but to the contrary, they should be fitting to prevent heat loss and allow easier movement. For the base layer to effectively absorb moisture, it should be closely attached to the body as possible. Always make sure the insulating layers are worn on the body from the tightest and thinnest to the loosest and thickest respectively. However, the protective layer should not cling too tight to the insulating layer. This will ensure sufficient airflow and minimize water leakage against the layers beneath.