You'll find our general advice on the right clothes to wear in winter in the Cold Weather Clothing Guide . Benoît talks about sweaters, coats, shoes, scarves, etc. Nicolò has also added a little guide to the well-made hat.
This article (updated in December 2022) is intended as a complement to the guide mentioned above. Here are some little tips to never forget when the mercury goes down.
1. The right weight for your wool sweater
Having a 100% wool sweater is already that. However, composition is not everything. The weight of the sweater also matters to have the right level of warmth.
A sufficiently thick knit is a knit that warms the heart.
Here are some indicators that can help you.
Although several criteria come into play for
- Below 300g, it is light weight
- Between 300 and 600g, we are on an average weight
- Above 600g, we are on a heavy weight
The advantage of lighter sweaters, in addition to being wearable in spring or even during cool summer evenings, is also that they can be used when it is cold as an intermediate layer with other warm clothing, and thus for layering . For example, we can imagine a multi-layered winter outfit with:
- A wool t-shirt, or a shirt
- A fine wool sweater
- A wool jacket or overshirt
- A coat or parka of your choice
2. Cotton may not be your best friend
I talked to you in the previous two parts about wool clothing. But what about cotton? Indeed, there is a chance that a significant part of your wardrobe is made up of clothes with this material: sweaters, pants or t-shirts in particular.
The cotton T-shirt, a distant summer memory
Cotton is a fiber that has many advantages, as Michel explained in his article on the t-shirt , but it is a less insulating material than wool . The colder it gets, the more limited the thermal utility of your mid-weight cotton clothing becomes .
Here, warm clothes made of cotton: the brushed cotton hoodie, and the velvet pants. Wise choices from Jordan.
If you want to wear cotton clothes in winter, choose:
- Thick cotton clothing ( Velva Sheen t-shirt or 15oz jeans or more, for example)
- Cottons with brushed material . I am thinking in particular of flannel, which you will find on shirts, or on the back of certain sweatshirts, which are very soft. The more voluminous appearance of these materials allows them to retain heat better
- Velvet , which keeps you warm and adds a touch of originality to your outfit
The brushed cotton sweatshirt, one of the most effective weapons against the cold.
3. Long merino boxers, a great savior for your legs
This item of clothing is certainly mentioned in our guide to clothing against the cold, but I would like to add another layer: consider purchasing long merino boxers. It is worn under pants. Invisible, it provides additional saving warmth to the legs.
On the left, Salomon tights (with 38% wool + synthetic materials), on the right, 3/4 tights (100% wool) from Odlo. In both cases, your legs are warm.
However, we do not recommend 100% synthetic models, which will keep you too hot indoors . With long boxers, just remember not to wear pants that are too tight. I guarantee you, it's not very comfortable.
If you have one, try wearing it with loose-fitting spring/summer pants. You'd be surprised to find that your legs won't get cold if the temperature isn't freezing.
Neither seen nor known !
Tights can even be used as pajamas, so the uses are multiple. Price-wise, there is something for all budgets, but 100% wool tights are (unsurprisingly) the most expensive, but also the most durable and comfortable .
4. Protect your feet and ankles
When it's cold, I'm always surprised to see people wearing big, warm down jackets... but with socquettes (short socks) and fairly light canvas sneakers like Converse.
It is therefore important to protect your feet and ankles well . Let's start with shoes: Choose leather shoes , which are warmer than canvas shoes. Of course, high shoes (boots type) will be a little warmer than low shoes.
If you need advice on choosing the right pair of boots, it’s here . I also wrote an article on my own that talks about the right shoes to wear in the rain .
For those who are more cautious, I recommend shearling-lined shoes . I think of boots first, and I've even seen fur-lined sneakers. Although such shoes are very suitable when it is very cold, they risk being a little too hot in moderate temperatures (around 10°).
A pair of shearling-lined boots. Credits: Jacques Solovière
Here are 4 tips, certainly basic, but which are always good to keep in mind when winter approaches. You'll thank me later!
Otherwise, we also have some weapons against the cold :
