You will find our general advice on the right clothes to wear in winter in the guide to clothing against the cold . Benoît talks about sweaters, coats, shoes, scarves, etc. Nicolò has also added a small guide to the well-felt hat.
This article (updated in December 2022) is intended as a complement to the guide mentioned above. Here are some tips to never forget when the mercury drops.
1. The right weight for your wool sweater
Having a 100% wool sweater is already something. However, the composition is not everything. The weight of the sweater also counts to have the right level of warmth.
A sufficiently thick stitch is a stitch that warms the heart.
Here are some indicators that may help you.
Although several criteria come into play for the level of warmth of a sweater , you can remember, broadly speaking, that:
- Below 300g, it is a 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 that they can also be used when it is cold as an intermediate layer with other warm clothes, and thus do layering . For example, we can imagine a winter outfit with several layers with:
- A woolen t-shirt, or a shirt
- A fine wool sweater
- A wool jacket or overshirt
- A coat or parka of your choice
2. Cotton is not necessarily your best friend
I talked to you in the two previous parts about wool clothing. But what about cotton? Indeed, there is a chance that a significant part of your wardrobe is made up of clothing 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 the thermal usefulness of your mid-weight cotton clothing becomes limited .
Here, warm clothes made of cotton: the brushed cotton hoodie, and the velvet pants. Judicious choices from Jordan.
If you want to wear cotton clothes in winter, choose:
- Heavy cotton clothing ( Velva Sheen t-shirt or 15oz or heavier jeans, for example)
- Cottons with brushed material . I am thinking in particular of flannel, which you will find on shirts, or on the reverse side of certain sweatshirts, very soft. The more voluminous aspect of these materials allows them to better retain heat
- 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 boxer shorts, a great savior for your legs
This garment is certainly mentioned in our guide to clothing against the cold, but I would like to add another layer: consider buying a pair of long merino boxers. They are worn under pants. Invisible, they provide a saving extra warmth at the level of 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, they are not very comfortable.
If you have one, try wearing it with some loose-fitting spring/summer pants. You'd be surprised how well your legs won't feel cold , if the temperature isn't freezing.
Neither seen nor known!
Tights can even be used as pajamas, so the uses are multiple. In terms of price, there is something for every budget, 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 ankle socks (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 instead , which are warmer than canvas shoes. Of course, high-top shoes (such as boots) will be a little warmer than low-top shoes.
If you need advice on choosing the right pair of boots, it's here . I also wrote an article on my side that talks about the right shoes to wear in the rain .
For those who are more sensitive to the cold, I recommend shearling-lined shoes . I think of boots first, and I have even seen fur-lined sneakers. While such shoes are very suitable when it is very cold, they may be a little too warm in moderate temperatures (around 10°).
A pair of shearling-lined boots. Credits: Jacques Solovière
Here are 4 tips, certainly basic, but always good to keep in mind when winter approaches. You'll thank me later!
Otherwise, we also have some weapons against the cold :
