Today’s post is going to be (relatively) short because I’m hoping you will do most of the work for me.
My number one problem with winter is being cold. After I read How to Winter by Kari Leibowitz, I decided I want to better prepare myself for the inevitable (I WILL be cold) and approach winter a little more strategically, both practically and mentally. (Overall, low mood isn’t what I struggle with in the winter months. For the most part, I’m not bothered by the lack of daylight; it’s the cold. I LIVE cold in the winter. And it really is exhausting.)
I hate getting into a cold car. I hate having cold hands. I really hate having cold feet.
And since I seem to battle cold hands and feet more than the average person, winter basically feels like a months-long war with my body temperature.
Our house is fairly warm, so this isn’t simply an issue of cranking up the thermostat. (Also, other people in our household aren’t usually cold when I am; for the most part, John and the kids feel quite comfortable temperature-wise.)
So! I want all your best suggestions for making life COZY this winter.
Here’s what I already have:
- Magic Bags. I love them and tend to take two to bed with me at night. Especially if John’s away because, when he’s home, I am sometimes that mean wife who puts her ice-cold feet directly on his body to warm them up.
- A heated foot mat. I use this when I’m working in our basement at my desk and it is delightful. I also have a space heater I turn on when I’m in our office.
- A heated vest. I admittedly haven’t been very good about wearing this regularly (mostly because I find remembering to charge things such a hassle), but I intend to change that this winter.
- Heated socks. Mine are getting old, they’re bulky, and they recently started feeling too hot, which was a bit alarming since there are wires and MY SKIN involved. I think it’s time for an upgrade.
And that brings me to my NUMBER ONE priority:
COLD FEET
I must find warm slippers.
I typically wear Crocs around the house, which works well for most of the year, but not so much in the middle of winter.
I’m willing to invest in a good pair of slippers if they’ll last for years and—most importantly—actually keep my feet warm.
What are the warmest slippers you’ve ever owned?
Also: heated socks? Wool socks (I have a few pairs of Darn Tough merino wool socks and another set of wool Kombi socks and I will say they don’t seem to keep my feet much warmer than normal cotton socks)? Is there some magical combination I’m missing?
COLD HANDS
This is probably priority number two.
I’d love some sort of reusable hand warmer, but I haven’t found the perfect solution yet.
I’ve tried the ones you “reset” by boiling them in water and, while they technically worked, I found the whole process impractical.
I also don’t like the environmental impact of the disposable hand warmers you shake and throw away. I do buy a few for the coldest days at the ski hill because sometimes needs must, but I don’t want to use them regularly.
Rechargeable hand warmers seem like the obvious answer… except I hate recharging things. YES, I am that lazy! And, maybe in the long run the batteries are more environmentally damaging than using disposable hand warmers?).
If you have reusable hand warmers that you absolutely love, please share all the details.
MORE GENERALLY… HOW DO YOU STAY COZY DURING THE WINTER?
I want all your ideas. Realizing that some of you experience very different “winters” than I do in Canada.
And because staying cozy isn’t only about temperature, why don’t you give me your cozy book recommendations, too! I already have a growing list, but am open to adding more!
(I tend to prefer nonfiction, but I’m open to anything that feels particularly comforting or wintry.)
Thanks in advance.
Now… help!!!!!
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1. There are crocs liners (like the fleece in uggs). 2. I had a coworker who wore gloves without fingertips all winter (in information technology, so always needing her fingers on the keyboard). 3. My dad’s top suggestion is to keep your head and torso warm, to keep your body warm. (It helps, but I also need the lower half of my torso warm—a vest doesn’t cut it! If I had a super long vest like yours, it might!) 4. I love wool socks and cotton socks, but when I need my feet warm, I wear the acrylic kind that I typically avoid because they make my feet sweat! Gross but effective—two pairs at a time. 5. I also often sit on my feet in the chair, toes pointed back (like kneeling.) 6. Footed pajamas (in adult sizes—I’m tall so they’re hard to find). 7. Thermal underwear! 8. Lap blankets!
Basically, just be ok with looking ridiculous and wear the things that keep you warm outdoors, indoors! don’t worry about looking silly. Toques and ski pants in your house? It’s your house!
Two pairs of socks. That is something I NEVER do, but maybe need to start! That’s a great idea.
I used to wear ski pants inside my house and then they got a bit too snug to be comfortable, but now they fit again and I am DEFINITELY going to wear them some this winter. It does feel mildly ridiculous, but being cold impacts my mood, my energy levels, etc, so ski pants inside it is 🙂
Glerups!! Not cheap slippers but life changing. Keep your feet warm but not sweaty. Crossing my fingers a magical pair may be at your local thrift store but honestly can’t imagine anyone ever giving up a pair- they are amazing!
I can get these from Mountain Equipment Co-op, and I’m going to check and see if a local store carries them, too. Life changing is EXACTLY the thing I want to hear 🙂
I wear a scarf to keep my neck warm- I’m wearing one right now in the chill of the morning. I sometimes wear a second around my shoulders. Keeping my neck warm helps me better than wearing a hat.
I also wear a jacket or sweater or two – even at work. My office is cold year round. I also have extra blankets and scarves there to layer.
I like Dearfoam slippers- soft, warm, and they have a sole that can go outdoors- like when I run outside to pick up a kid from school. I also have a knitted pair of slippers socks, but I tend to wear those through quickly. My husband had a great pair of clean quilted slippers- those were so warm. Minnetonka has some nice moccasins that my kids liked and seemed to keep them warm.
Lots of tea, making sure you move and exercise to up your metabolism. The cold hands are harder- I’m buying my daughter with cold hands some of the rechargeable hand warmers for Christmas. I bake and hold my hands over the warm oven on very cold days -only a short term solution.
LL bean slippers, not clean!
Haha. And here I was thinking he was fastidious about his footwear cleanliness!
There’s something about scarfs that make me feel… weird. They DO help with warmth, but I really struggle to wear them.
Slipper socks are a great idea!
One of my tricks is to use a hot hair dryer to help warm up my hands. It works well, but I often don’t feel like taking the time, but I should view it as a nice break in my day. 2-3 minutes of blowing hot air on myself can do wonders!
Blergh. I KNOW exercise is key here and I need to get better about doing that in winter. One challenge I have is getting sweaty and then staying cold. But if I shower in the morning after exercise, I tend to get cold once I’m out. Still working on how to sort out those pesky issues.
Hi, Elisabeth. Wicked Good slippers from L.L. Bean are pretty warm, in my opinion. They come in a moccasin style and last forever.
Thanks for the rec. I *think* we have L.L.Bean in Canada now (maybe even a store in Halifax?). Just checked. We do. I will have to try them out 🙂
Ugg slippers.Seriously. Also fingerless gloves. I have re chargable hand warmers for running, and they’re fine. Ben wears a heated vest all the time and keeps a back up battery on a charger. Decaf tea so you can always have a hot mug to grip. Can you get remote start on your car? I love getting into a pre-warmed car, and mine has an automatic shut off so it’s not so wasteful. Also! HEATED STEERING WHEEL is the best winter accessory.
I think having a backup battery is key for the vest.
We can’t get a remote start for our car. I WISH!!! We’ve looked into it and I can’t remember the technical reasons why not, but it would be life changing and the next vehicle we buy I need to make sure this absolutely can be done for it. We DO have a heated steering wheel, though, and that is AMAZING!!!!!
Uggs!!
Heated blanket!
I think I have this fear of heated blankets being a hazard (I’ll forget it turned on), but it sounds positively wonderful. Can you imagine a heated blanket over my lap while I have my feet on my heated foot mat???????? Sounds like perfection.
I wear down booties around the house all winter. They’re like little sleeping bags for your feet (marketed for camping) and so cozy! Mine are from Sierra Designs and are a little different from what’s online now. They were expensive but have kept my feet warm for over 15 years now.
Ohhh. You had me at “sleeping bags for your feet.” This sounds amazing. And if you’ve worn them for 15 years the longevity sounds incredible.
I also have cold feet, and I swear by camp booties like this: https://www.polarfeet.com/products/polar-feet-camp-booties-black?variant=30387793395773 . Make sure they’re intended for actual outdoor use, and then wear them inside! The ones meant for cold weather camping are super warm, much better than any slippers I’ve tried. I always wear mine with socks and I’ve been able to find used pairs on Poshmark. For working from home, I put an extra long heating pad draped over the back of my chair. I can put it on my lap if I get really cold, but with it on the back of the chair I can move around without it being in the way and it does warm me up a surprising amount.
These look so warm!!!! Thanks for taking the time to include the link and I am going to look on Poshmark/eBay today!
Just popped over to chime and agree with the comments about LL Bean slippers. So cozy and warm and mine have lasted sooooo long so worth the expense. Mine are the Women’s Wicked Good Slippers, Squam Lake ones and I cannot recommend them enough.
Thanks! These are definitely beloved by the commentariat, which is always a great sign!!!
What size are your feet? I have size nine feet and I have three pair of very warm slippers that I was just going to donate. I can mail them to you, if you think they’d fit. They are so warm and that is why I cannot wear them anymore. I have Reynaud’s so my feet were always cold, until perimenopause. Now I cannot bear to even put them on! So they are going unused and I’d be happy to send them to you.
Here’s something to put on your Christmas wish list: electric mittens. Rob gave me a pair when we lived in Calgary and they changed my life. Mine have three settings, and yes, I have to plug them in after every walk, but they work super well.
The other thing I have is a bum warmer. I bought them from a lady in Calgary but if you know anyone who is handy with a sewing machine you could make your own. This lady bought old sweaters from thrift stores and then made them into little skirts – you’ve seen these on my blog before. Put one on and you’ll be amazed at the difference. Also, legwarmers. You can buy those anywhere these days, or long socks that go under your clothes. A layer of tights under your jeans also helps.
I know you like to thrift boots but this is one area I think is worthy of a splurge. Go to Mark’s and buy the warmest-rated boots they have. They have some that rate to minus 40 – this is what you want!
Ski pants for walks on cold days are also key, plus a toque underneath a hood.
All of these things made going outside in Calgary very pleasant. Friluftsliv! You can do it! If I could thrive in Calgary, you can do it too!
Oh my goodness, Nicole. This is TOO SWEET! Guess what. I HAVE SIZE 9 FEET!!!! Also, please tell me in perimenopause too-hot feet will become my problem. I’m sure it’s no fun, but I want feet that cannot bear to be in warm slippers.
I just texted you about the brand of electric gloves. I think I need these.
YES! I wore tights under my pants a lot in Europe and I need to remember to do that like… every day. It does make a huge difference.
Last year I bought a very warm pair of Columbia boots (the ones Engie raves about); my feet still get cold (mostly, I think, because my feet are cold all the time so go INTO the boots cold and thus stay cold) BUT I think that if I get some thin heated socks it will make all the difference?
I also think I need to go back to wearing my amazing Columbia ski pants inside. They were a tad too snug last season, but fit much better now and they make a huge difference in keeping me warm.
I used to work in a terribly cold office and I actually hated fingerless gloves as they made the bare bits somehow feel colder. I instead got some super thin fleecy ones and just cut off the pad of the thumb so I could use my track pad, then wore a wooly pair with no fingers at all over the top.
My partner gets very cold and wears fleecelined leggings under everything, and then normal jogging bottoms and then a much larger pair over the top. She then removes the big top pair as needed.
She also wears slipper socks that are double layer with wooly on the outside and fleece on the inside. Then crocs.
Oh also we have some blankets that are sewn up at the bottom so that the feet fit straight in rather than you having to wrap them. Pop a hot water bottle in there and veg cosy for TV and work
And in the pandemic she had a vest thigh with a big kangaroo style pocket that she wore with a hot water bottle in the pocket
I don’t own fleece-lined leggings and I think I need to add that to my arsenal!!
I love watching tv under my heated blanket but I think the best way to stay warm is…building more muscle. Don’t hate me! Or you can just wait for menopause hot flashes 🙂
The muscle thing is spot on, I’m sure. I might be the first person who cannot wait for hot flashes (just give my blog a few years and no doubt I’ll be crowd sourcing ways to cope with that).
The heated blanket does sound… amazing.
Warm slippers FTW! I like the brands Old Friend and LL Bean. A pair used to last for YEARS until WFH when I went from wearing slippers here and there to 24/7, and now I have to replace them about once a year but it’s so worth it.
Reading wise, have you read Alive by Piers Paul Reid? It’s non fiction, and it’s about the Andes plane crash in the 1970s where the survivors were trapped on a mountain in the snow. I listened to the audio book back during COVID while I was out walking the dog in the snow, and found it to be oddly comforting and cozy.
I have read Alive! An ironic choice for a cozy read, but I can also totally see why you’d categorize it as such! (Did you watch the movie? It complimented reading the book very well).
Another vote for the LL Bean pairs! (Though I think I may try some of Nicole’s slippers first because she is kindly offering to send some to me which is NEXT LEVEL kindness toward a freezing friend.)
I have no answers, but I have a few ideas. When I am tired, I often feel cold as well. Maybe the work you are doing to feel less exhausted all the time may have a side benefit of feeling less cold all the time?
I’m also thinking of hot stone massage where they keep the stones warm in what looks like a crock pot. Maybe a thrifted crock pot and some stones to fit in your hand as hand warmers or to put in your pockets?
I definitely find being tired goes hand in hand with being cold; usually it seems that being cold is what is exhausting me, but I bet the reverse is true, too!
It would literally never have crossed my mind to heat up smooth stones, but that’s such a great idea. My parents used to visit their off-grid cabin sometimes in the winter and would warm up stones to go in their beds. This reminds me of that!!
Same girl – I hate feeling cold! In the house the key is slippers even if I’m not fully dressed – I bought a pair [used, on poshmark] of Glerups after wirecutter recommended them – I now have two [used] pairs – one pair of booties with rubber soles [I can take out trash etc] and one that are the og – if I’m really cold add socks! The other thing that really helps both in and out is a vest – fleece or down filled – sometimes I even add a down vest under my coat. Outside for me the key is keeping my neck warm [scarves – so many scarves also mostly bought second hand – wool and cashmere win] and also when I have to STAY outside lined pants! I found a pair of lined olive utility pants last year at the thrift and it made all the difference [walking around in the city is something i love – but not when it’s frigid – these let me enjoy it] as well as taking walks at home [I’m a suburban girl] – it’s astonishing how much more comfortable i am. I was thrilled to find a pair of jeans lined in plaid flannel at the thrift a couple weeks ago – working on getting a paint spatter off them [or at least minimized LOL] so I can add them to the rotation. Hands are tough – fingerless gloves would work – but i find if I need something for my hands inside what I really need is to warm up my trunk – hence the vests . . . .
I am VERY intrigued by the Glerups. I’ve never used Poshmark, but it seems like such a great place to find brand name items for a lot less!
I need to get a light, down-filled vest! And lined pants sound like the dream! I also think I need to source some fleece-lined leggings this winter, too.
Congrats on the great frugal find of lined jeans!!
My favorite brand of warm socks are Heat Holders, they have three different warmth layers and various lengths. I also love my heated throw blanket for curling up to read or watch tv. I have some rechargeable hand warmers and they’re fine but mine don’t seem to keep a charge too long.
Thanks so much for the specific recommendation on sock brand!!! I am going to look those up right now.
It seems to be very hard to find hand warmers that really hold a charge well!
I paddle all winter (in California) in the morning before work, so the ocean temp gets quite low and I end the session like a popsicle. I have gradually worked on how to improve how cold I feel all day. My favorite things to do include- warm shower/rinse after, electric blanket on my lap while working, electric vest to warm my core, and I put my socks in the dryer briefly (darn toughs for life!) and wear them inside my Ugg boots. Ugg boots can be refreshed to keep the sheepskin puffy and warm by gently vacuuming the inside (also helpful for errant sand in my case!). Best wishes for a warm self this winter!
We LOVE darn tough socks!
I think one of the take home messages for me today is that I really need an electric blanket 🙂
Ugg slippers are hands down the most warm slippers I’ve ever owned (out of ll bean, lands end, dear foam, store brand.) My feet even get too hot in them, so I have a mule pair and a closed back pair to rotate. They are pricy but I’ve had mine cleaned and they last for years. I also have ugg insoles for my ll bean duck boots.
Pottery Barn faux fur blankets are the coziest, heaviest blankets we have. The kids kept stealing mine so they got their own for Christmas. They are machine washable, too!
I definitely am looking for the “my feet get too hot in them” sort of slippers!
Ohhh. Ugg insoles! I should look into sourcing some of those for my boots. That had never crossed my mind.
Hot water bottle in the bed, down by the feet. hand warmers–rechargable, just start a habit. I wear merino wool leggings and cami close to my body…always.
Yes! I take Magic Bags into bed with me at night and sometimes will heat them up and climb into bed with my laptop during the day (a perk of working from home) with Magic bags at my feet. We have a wool duvet and once I’m warm under the covers, I stay warm. It’s when I’m up and moving around that I really struggle.
But I don’t own any wool leggings and that sounds like a great, practical addition to my wardrobe.
If you have a Uniqlo in Halifax check out their heat tech long Johns and t shirts they come in various thicknesses – they are so cozy under clothes. I also swear by Glierups – so much so that we ordered a pair to be kept in the closet at the guest bedroom in Calgary for when we visit our daughter
No brick and mortar Uniqlo store in Halifax, unfortunately, but they do ship within Canada, and I am going to check out their site!
Glerups are clearly VERY popular and I love the look of them, too!
I have nothing to offer but sympathy. Well, really, empathy. Growing up near Chicago I was literally cold all winter long. I wore my winter coat in the house. My feet never warmed up- I went to bed with cold feet, woke up with cold feet, and walked around with cold feet all day. We didn’t have all the fancy hand warmers, heated mats, magic bags etc. that people have now. We just suffered! AND, the lack of sunlight made me depressed- which is why I live in Florida.
I’m sure you’ll get a LOT of good recommendations! I’m feeling that this will be your best winter ever.
“I’m feeling that this will be your best winter ever.” JENNY! I love your optimism. I started taking notes and I have… a lot of ideas. It may cost a small fortune, so I’ll start small, but I am thrilled to have so many useful things to investigate.
Also… I feel so seen today. I’m not the only one who lives cold.
I am glad you were able to escape the cold and dark and dreariness of northern winters. Florida summers sound ROUGH, but your winters sound nothing short of magical. In other words, I 10/10 understand why people “snowbird”!!!
I’m on my second pair of Glerups! When mine finally got a hole, I asked for a replacement pair for Christmas.
I’m going to read all these comments (and look forward to hearing about any successful solutions) because my (outside of the home) office is FREEZING. I replied to a previous commenter to concur with their Glerup recommendation, but unfortunately, I can’t wear those at the office.
At the office, I often wear a Uniqlo Heattech shirt under my normal shirt or sweater, which I believe I saw another person recommend, too. Puffer vests (I have one in cream and one in black) are another great way to layer (my office is casual). I keep a blanket scarf at my desk also, which I believe is now out of style, but I use it as a lap blanket. Best of luck staying warm this winter.
Regarding cozy books, have you read All Creatures Great and Small? I find it very cozy, although as the pseudo-memoir of a vet, there are descriptions of medical procedures (injections) and birth that some might balk at. I read the audiobooks narrated by Nicholas Ralph and I highly recommend them.
Thank you for these suggestions!
I have also worked in a freezing office before. It was so bad one of my colleagues had a giant duvet under her desk at all times. What was extra frustrating was our supervisor’s office was down the hall and he found it too hot (it was warm!). Why ours was freezing I will never know but I was utterly miserable and worked from home as much as I was able.
Another vote for Uniqlo!! I am taking notes 🙂
I LOVE the All Creatures series and have read it in its entirety multiple times. Such a cozy, feel-good set of stories. Have you seen the recent mini-series? I find it utterly heartwarming and delightful.
I have a knock-off version of ugg slippers that I love. They have a very cozy, kind of wooly layer that makes them extra warm. When I am really cold, I wear wool socks+slippers.
Several coaches at OTF have chargeable hand warmers that they love (the studio is quit cool which is great for those exercising but not great for the coaches!). I have not bought any, though, as I tend to need to be using my hands. And I have not embraced outdoor winter activities and don’t know that I ever will. I would like to introduce the boys to cross country skiing but I usually stay plenty warm with my mittens on. And I won’t do winter activities when it’s dangerously cold outside.
I have nothing else to add unfortunately! I’m not a winter person, though, so it’s a season I just sort of survive. We do have lots of indoor options to keep the boys entertained, though, which helps us get through our long, cold winters!
I’m with you on the survival thing. I’m hoping it’s my “best winter ever” as Jenny put predicted!
THIS IS MY JAM!!
I think you need to change your way of thinking about charging things. It’s just part of my nightly process in between taking a shower and starting the dishwasher. I have a charging station (basically one outlet in the kitchen) where everything that needs to be charged goes and I do a check every night. Vest battery, handwarmers, dog’s fancy LED collar, etc. It’s a joy to charge because then I know the next day everything will be ready and I will be warm.
Cotton socks are the worst for me. I can’t believe you can’t tell the difference! I adore SmartWool, but it’s not very durable, so I end up replacing them every couple of seasons. Darn Tough is basically indestructible, but they aren’t as soft or as warm. I wear wool base layers under basically everything (SmartWool or Icebreaker), but I also have some fleece-lined tights which are a bit easier on the budget.
I think if you have wool socks, any decent slipper should keep your feet warm. If you’re wearing cotton socks, good luck.
Me ubiquitous recommendation for winter boots is Omni Heat tech from Columbia. I will never have another pair of winter boots without it. My husband says they are “too warm” and will never buy them!
I have the Omni Heat tech ones from Columbia and they ARE warm… but I think my feet tend to be cold going into them, so then they don’t warm up.
A CHARGING STATION. Yes! This is what I need, Engie. Why did I not think of this? Having a dedicated “Keep Elisabeth Warm” corner is brilliant and I MUST MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
I have a wool undershirt (Icebreaker) and it’s great for layering, but I need to up my base layer game and add a few more things to the mix.
Do you have an opinion on fingerless gloves?
Hmm. I’ve never really used them inside. I tend to move around between many things: house work, computer work, so they don’t seem super practical for me (like I might do laundry for 10 minutes, write for a bit, then go do a load of dishes)… but I also don’t own any, so I should at least test some out!
Yes to the merino wool base layers! This was a complete game changer for me so that I could enjoy colder temperatures indoors and outdoors.
I have an Icebreaker merino wool shirt and I need to make sure I wear it all winter. I tend to not like the feeling of layers, but I need to make more of an effort (someone else suggested wearing two pairs of socks)!
Cozy slippers: I’ve worn (various pairs of) these for years. With heavy duty wearing I get 2-3 years out of them and I am very hard on footwear.
https://www.amazon.ca/KAPMOZ-Womens-Slippers-Breathable-Slipper/dp/B08D66C4HJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=38HDR569R59UN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.mBWLWYgpMjsOIjE_q71kHhmlQazqXy7tIv4Ii2GRFz4qL9bbUsT-LrBwYm3prLvZXqEIr1CQkjsasAL9JoX7EnXaWW6hV59NNaOkl7ZFSTAMQlpr4M8GU61DI8lz-lPpXD2sFeHYNVX-uwFoQpUdHORu0Un8KAYVQuhbYGd4Vrb-oXeWnIp-pQnKxf-Nc6HosFkjy6MJyLsykmNwac3m91XQPKTl8RKsKKSKYPY357H1g7u8XVByclBaiMFDEutiNKQuOTwGrnVE9DYHOmmpfzBz0L-0w4InXivuWSBl5gk.rbxV3EoOVeaT4KftEkrsPYec_cvCMPJ21KC5yGcKeEc&dib_tag=se&keywords=kapmoz+wool+slippers&qid=1790697386&sprefix=kapmoz+wool+slippers%2Caps%2C269&sr=8-2
Cozy books: the chronicles of a curate series, over and under the dales by Gervais Phinn and the rest of that series
These are both series in the style of Jane’s Herriot but about being an Anglican priest in Wales in the 40s/50s and being a school inspector in Yorkshire in the 70s/80s
Thanks for the slipper recommendation!
And those cozy series sound WONDERFUL!
I forgot about knit skirts! I have two skirts I use in the cold weather over my leggings (in the house). I think both were originally long, but I cut one to knee length. (I also use it in the summer for the walk to the pool) I think I found both (both black) from Goodwill. Sounds like yours might be wool, but mine are both jersey knit but make a difference for my cold bum!
You’ve gotten so many great recommendations here! I’m taking notes. Honestly, I haven’t been as affected by the cold for a few years – I’m constantly too hot! I think Engie’s idea of a dedicatated charging station for all your heated items is brilliant. I think there are electric blankets with shut-off timers so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to turn them off. I hope you have a warm and cozy winter!
Isn’t the charging station such a good idea??? I am definitely adopting that hack this winter.
We live in Maine now, but previously lived in Chicago, so chilly locations. Here’s what has worked for me (most of it already mentioned). Smartwool socks (somehow warmer than plain wool?), leggings or base layer under lined jeans (my lined jeans are from Old Navy, so maybe $20 a few years ago), L.L. Bean slippers, a tank top under a sweater, a knee length puffer vest. Do I look ridiculous? Probably? Oh well. I also have a heated blanket that I use when I’m sitting and working or reading. It automatically shuts off after 3 hours, which gives me a lot of peace of mine. We also drink a lot of tea in the winter to warm up from the inside! I hope you find some things to help keep you warm, being chilly really is miserable, especially when winter is sooo long.
Thankfully I’m not overly fashion conscious! So I am happy to look like the little girl in The Grinch all dressed up to head to the North Pole!!!
I definitely need a heated blanket!!!!
Here’s some very old fashioned tips:
“When your feet are cold, put on a hat.” Your head acts like a chimney so the heat goes up and out. A hat keeps it from escaping.
A baked potato makes a good hand warmer. Kids used to carry them in their pockets while walking to school then eat them for lunch.
Rub your feet quickly on carpet forward and back to create friction warmth. You’d be surprised how long that lasts. I still do this before going to bed which lets me go to sleep more quickly.
Old advice that’s still circulating must mean it’s good advice.
Friction heat! This is brilliant! (Though I am very sensitive to getting shocks, so I’m a little concerned about that?? I wonder if you have any issues with it??)
I wear a neck warmer, the fleece kind, inside instead of a scarf. Stay put better. They make wearable blankets, hooded blankets or blanket wrap’s, have not tried these yet. Honestly, I have been known to wear a wool hat inside. Minnesota life.
I feel like I would like a fleece neck warmer better than a scarf! Something about the sensation of wearing a scarf just… feels a bit icky to me for some reason.
As a former Minnesotan I recommend Cuddl Duds. They are essentially a soft, silky, and thin version of long underwear. Their climatesmart line is the one I like as a base layer.
Thanks for the recommendation! They sound fabulous.
Mine has an automatic off feature and timer! I think they’ve advanced a lot vs older models
Oh, I wish I could. We are diametrical opposites in this regard. I am almost always too hot – I just got back from Malaga where I literally felt like I might die, like explode in a puff of sparks and cinders. I get in a cold car, turn up the heat, and the very second the car is not icy cold I have to turn the heat back down again or I will be too hot. Heat makes me feel faint and sick and horrible. As for my friends who get cold, I think everything they do has already been mentioned here – my one friend swore by the heated vests when we were doing outdoor bar nights because of Covid.
Ha. IF ONLY we could exchange just a bit of your heat for my cold, we’d both be perfect!!
I have a heated vest so this week I am digging it out for the season and charging the battery!
When visiting England, a friend gave me a hot water bottle in a little knit sweatery thing. It was glorious! After that I was gifted one that I use on cold wintery nights.
I grew up using hot water bottles! My mom still uses one. I had a few pop and get water on the bed, so now I use the heatable grain sacks.
Yes! I bought down booties for my mom several years ago. Her feet are always cold in the winter. She said she only wears them on the coldest days as her feet sometimes get too warm, so sounds like something you should try!
I love the sound of being “too warm!” Currently never a problem for me 🙂
Heated mattress pad! We put ours on the bed later in the fall. Each night as I do my evening routine, I turn my mattress pad on to warm things up. It is such a delight to then get into a warm bed! You can set a timer so it will turn off after a designated time period.
This is so smart! My mom had a heated blanket on her bed, but it wasn’t a pad. It sounds less cumbersome and equally helpful for, as my mom would put it, “taking the chill off.”
It looks like you have some great options here! I know you said you don’t wear scarves. Have you tried a lightweight silky one? If you wrap that around your throat it might help when you’re cold inside.
I will admit I have NOT tried a silk scarf. I think I might like that sensation better. Something about cotton/wool/flannel just doesn’t feel great.
Well, I am the last person you’d want winter advice from. Sorry!! I don’t know how you do it—other than you were experiencing winter from the start of your life, whereas I only feel it for a very short time, and it’s not even close to your coldness. I hope you have a better-than-average winter, my friend. I’ll send warm sunshine your way. XO
Thanks for the virtual sunshine. Every little bit helps 🙂
No shocks from the friction heat method. Maybe because I don’t go anywhere after rubbing except to bed or sitting in my chair.
I second the Uniqlo heat tech recommendation. I like their socks. I also really LOVE the fleece lined pants. The ones with a water resistant shell feel bit like lighter weight ski pants.
My other tip (at the other end of the price spectrum) is icebreaker merino track pants. Comfortable, very warm and very durable.
Light weight ski pants sound perfect!
I definitely need to up my merino wool “game”.
I’m with Nicole, in that I overheat easier these days. But my husband is very much in your camp! I bought him a merino runner scarf last year, which is basically just one long tube, and he does love that. Merino is really good at helping regulate temperature. You could also try merino underlayers, with a higher neck? Personally I much dislike drafts going down my back in winter, so I made myself a few t-shirts with a higher neck (mock neck?, it doesn’t roll down and it’s not too tight), which does that job. I sure hope all of these tips help with getting you to a cozier & warmer winter!
A good idea about using higher-necked options! I used to wear turtlenecks more frequently; I have ZERO in my closet at this point and will keep my eyes open!
Are Cudddl Duds better than they were a decade ago? They were made of polyester and smelled bad and fit bad. I spent two Minneapolis winters with them and tossed them for wool as soon as I could afford it.
I’m not sure if it would be practical cost- or space-wise but would it help to get a second heated vest? You could charge one and wear one?
The battery does come out, so the easy solution would be to get a second battery AND now that you mention it, I think I do have a battery that would be compatible with my vest. I’m adding that to my Check This Out next week list.