CRACKING THE CODE ON KEEPING WARM

As a chronically cold person, I am happy to share that I have finally cracked the code on how to keep warm. Yes, layering is a part of it, but many leave out this crucial part: fabrication.

Wool. Cashmere. Silk. Layer all three together, and you are snug as a bug. I was able to test this in December while in London and Brussels, as well as during the week of single-digit weather in the East Coast. News flash: I did not feel the bite of the cold at all! Find below the pieces I've been dressing myself in:

CASHMERE SWEATER

I impulsively bought a cashmere crew-neck sweater and turtleneck back in Spring of 2022, and they have been the best impulse buys of my life. During this winter, I have gone weeks only wearing my cashmere sweaters. Cashmere is great because you can go 7-10 wears before washing it. To keep it fresh, hang it over a chair to air it out in between wears. Cashmere is also warmer than wool as its finer fibers create a tighter weave, and as such, does a better job at trapping heat without the extra weight. I bought my crew-neck and turtleneck cashmeres from Quince. Unfortunately, it does pill. Luckily, those pesky clumps of fibers are easy to remove with a cashmere comb. For extra warmth, I like to layer my crew-neck cashmere sweater under my turtleneck.

I understand that cashmere may feel itchy, but this is where the thermal shirt / base layer comes in.

TERRAMAR THERMA SILK BASE LAYER SHIRT

I have always been a Uniqlo Heattech girlie. I still would not fully knock it, but for those of you looking for an upgrade, I highly recommend the Terramar Therma Silk Base Layer Shirt (Women's link here). It is lighter than Heattech and keeps you warmer, in my opinion! Silk is also a fantastic fabric which helps lock in your body heat to keep you warm but not overheated. I bought a silk thermal because I found myself overheating while wearing Uniqlo Heattech, and disliked the feeling of dampness underneath my sweater. Since replacing my Heattech with a silk thermal, I sweat less. Plus, it was really great to travel with as it is easy to wash over the sink and dry overnight.

WOOL COAT

Wool, like cashmere, retains heat extremely well. It is a heavier material than cashmere but more durable, making it a great fabric for outerwear. It is also hydrophobic, so if you catch yourself in the snow or in a drizzle, do not worry too much about getting your coat wet. 

WOOL BLANKET SCARF

Like with the coat, wool is the ideal fabric for winter accessories because of its durability. As for the size of the scarf-- the bigger, the warmer.