Do you wear something like this?

anne

http://shop.target.com.au/cott.....encer-blue

In Australia we call them spencers Mine are not that pretty!
I wore one under a close fitting short sweater the other day and embarrassed my daughter by occasional flashing it during the day when the sweater rode up

11 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Suz

(website)

Veteran

No, although perhaps we should....

I have never heard of a spencer.

We do have long sleeved thermal underwear of various fabrics available - everything from silk to cotton thermal to smart wool to gear-type moisture wicking manmade fabrics.

But speaking personally I never wear that sort of thing except for gear-type outdoor activity.

I would more likely layer a camisole or tank, woven shirt, jacket (and coat, if necessary). Or I'd wear a knit layering T with a jacket and scarf.

Do people commonly wear these in Australia, Anne? It's so interesting to me. I wonder where the name came from.

11 years ago

Jewell

Veteran

Yep, I wear them during winter to keep warm. I'm one of those people who constantly complains about the cold. My friends like to tease me and say it's because I'm so skinny and don't have as much insulation. So, this is how I insulate : )

By the way, what fun looking at the Australian Target page. I was just browsing Target in a different window, and I noticed the difference immediately when I opened your link.

11 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Anne I have never worn a spencer, but I may be investing in some this winter... it is freezing here:) These ones are pretty.

11 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

yes, or something along that line. it's very true that the pointelle style insulates, but I'd need a wool/silk blend to keep warm here at winter time. Cotton would be too cold. I guess that would be spring or summer wear for me ;- ) but thinking, I'd actually prefer layering with a tank or cami instead, but I'd gladly wear this (in a less romantic style) for warmth at the right temp

11 years ago

Lyn D.

Veteran

Anne, I haven't needed to wear a spencer since going through Menopause!! When I do go back to them I prefer to wear skin-coloured plain ones with lower necklines so nothing (hopefully) shows.

11 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I did wear something like that as a layer when running outside in cold temps (-15C). Other than that, no.

11 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

I've always called that thermal underwear. I don't wear it anymore (one of the perks of living in a vey warm climate), but I use to when I'd go skiing or knew I'd be doing anything in the snow.

11 years ago

Anonymous

Here in the U.S., they also sell thermal bottoms for women that are like men's "long Johns." Like Kristin, I've always called them "thermal underwear." I wear a polyester version of them (Cuddl Duds brand) underneath my trousers in the winter. I live in a rather mild climate, and do not need anything that's too insulated, so these are great. They keep my legs warm.

11 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

How interesting the way vocabulary changes in the same language, over the same era in different continents. I still think of the spencer as a short coat, clearly an English hangover.

And yes, I do wear those in winter, and last winter, was very intrigued to note that one young lady travelling with me in Shanghai had actually layered two of these together (different shades of grey) by way of tops and added a plaid wool jacket on top, which she left off indoors. I assumed this insouciance came from her years in NYC, but of course I could be wrong --- maybe she was just particularly inventive and desperate to be warm.

11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I kind of like the name "spencers." Here they're just thermals and I only wear them for camping or skiing in cold weather.

11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes! Know all about spencers

But mine look very different. I wear long sleeved thermal underwear in black, grey and white all the time in the Winter months. They look a lot more sporty and are very tight fitting (and comfy and stretchy). I buy them from Uniqlo.

11 years ago

anne

Veteran

Do you actually call them spencers too Angie - I thought it was only an Australian term?

Your uniqlo ones sound pretty good! And not so embarrassing to flash.

What I call thermal underwear is more for hiking and is MUCH warmer than a spencer.

In the 90's there was a fad to wear tops that looked pretty much like spencers

11 years ago

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