Tall leather boots, the cold, and tight pants - YouLookFab Forum

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Tall leather boots, the cold, and tight pants

Aziraphale

Veteran

I have a general question. There was a recent discussion about whether or not tall boots are 'essential' cold-weather wear -- started by gradfashionista (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....al-for-you) -- which got me thinking about what I call the 'tall boot conundrum'. This is my issue with tall boots for cold weather: you need tight pants to tuck into them. Now, is it just me, or are tight pants REALLY COLD? I find normal jeans way warmer. I had assumed this is because 'normal' jeans (i.e. not too baggy, not too tight) trap a layer of air between your leg and the fabric, which helps insulate. Tight pants cling, essentially transferring the cold from the air to your legs.

Tights work with tall boots too, but they are even less insulating.

I find short boots with looser pants OVER them to be way warmer -- up to a certain point, after which I'm wearing Sorels and long johns under my jeans, and I don't care how unfashionable I look. (If I lived somewhere genuinely frigid, I'd have to look into finding ways to look stylish in the cold. Keep in mind I live in one of the more temperate Canadian cities).

ETA I should explain why this is a conundrum. The thing is, I find tall leather boots very insulating -- so much so that my feet and lower legs get hot while indoors. So when I wear them, I either have to suffer through cold thighs or hot calves. I can't have entire legs at a comfortable temperature!

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29 replies

Latest reply was from MsMary

gryffin

Veteran

I have only one word for you.....leggings!! I never mastered the art of stuffing pants into boots without the poof/pirate look - which is not me. Also I don't wear jeggings - I feel like a sausage in them and relaxed skinnies don't work. Leggings are comfy, cozy warm with tunic/blazer/outerwear I'm good to go. I know, not everyone's solution but it works for me. Agree with all you said btw!

Aziraphale

Veteran

Gryffin, how are leggings any more insulating than tight pants?! They are just as tight!

Joy

Veteran

Interesting observations. I thought that I needed tall boots to keep my feet warm in the cold. I don't wear skinny skinnies and so usually the jeans fit over the boot tops. They also protect from wind chill, which is an important part of our winter weather.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Joy -- But, whether boots are tall or short, they still cover all of your foot, right? So why do we need tall boots to keep our feet warm? I'm so confused.

Tania

Veteran

I tend to wear a wool/silk underlayer top and bottom from September through April, plus midweight wool socks and a wool hat and multiple layers on top, in addition to jeans and boots. I run cold! And I haven't really worried about fashion until recently.

I only occasionally wear my tall boots with tighter skinny jeans, and those tend to be times where I am not outside for long anyway. The Aquatalias are relatively warm because they are lined and thus add another layer. My coats are mid-thigh, and, as long as I am toasty elsewhere, my knees are fine.

I think you are probably right about the skinny jean/air space issue though.

Tania

Diana

Veteran

I wear tall boots and a coat that comes to mid thigh or lower when it's really cold, so there's really only a few inches of exposed tight pants. SOmetimes I wear knee socks for extra coverage. Plus my thighs are just naturally well-insulated.

I do also have some *lined* slim wool pants that are really warm. Not quite as tight as skinnies but definitely still fitted.

Elly

Veteran

I bet the coated jeans are warm-- my issue with tight pants tends to be that they are thin and the wind/chill gets through them-- even stretchy pants seem to be looser weave than a heavy twill--- but those coated ones, I bet they block the wind, and if you bought them esp. for winter I bet you could get fleece-lined footless tights under them. I can fit fleece lined tights under all my jeans, which adds insulation even if squished.

Gigi

Veteran

Hmm, interesting observation. When it gets really cold here, I wear silk long johns under my skinnies, so that adds an extra layer of warmth.

I like the knee-high boots because they protect my entire lower leg from the cold. I hate it when the cold wind travels up your leg from the pant hem, and I think that knee-high boots over pants solves that problem.

rabbit

Veteran

In my experience fleece lined leggings can be warmer than denim skinnies, even though they are both body con, it's in the difference of material, I think. Of course add wind-chill into the mix and all bets are off.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Good point. I agree with you, Azipharale, that I find tight skinnies less warm than slightly looser pants, but it sounds like you and I might be in the minority. I also wear tall boots under my looser jeans quite often.

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, I do get it. For myself I just don't tuck that tight pants into them. If I say skinnies tucked into boots I'm not talking those thin stretchy denim skinnies, but more substantial ones. And then I just live with the slouch. I also layer under these jeans for warmth when it's really cold. I definitely agree that thin skinnies aren't great for warmth, I'm more comfortable in two pairs of layered hose and warm socks than I am in my old denim leans.

Louise

Veteran

Yes tight pants are less warm than looser ones for me too. That's why I like tights and dresses as you get 2 layers to trap heat between, then with my knee length puffer on top I'm cosy x

Caro

Your answer is in the question really! Why are tall boots considered essential winter wear? Because, precisely, they are super warm and insulating. And we women are anything but practical in cold weather, wearing things like dresses, skirts, and leggings, because fashion. So, tall boots keep us a tiny bit warmer than, say, a pair of flats. And that, in my opinion, is why they are considered essential winter wear.

Obviously, there are loads of things that are much, much warmer, and probably more comfortable, such as jeans and snow boots.

Now that boot cut jeans are coming back, it is possible to wear tall boots Under jeans... this was a thing at one time if I can remember back... certain boots work well with this if they are tight around the calf with a western style heel... like these tall boots by Clarks...

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gryffin

Veteran

Azirphale - Did you ever read the Uggs recommendations on how to fit them and why? You are supposed to buy them fitted but comfortable to decrease the air spaces around your feet, then the fleece would trap the warm air better and keep them warmer - too roomy bye-bye warm air. First I wear Danskin leggings (the old ones) which are uber thick and because of the stretch they totally comform - much thicker than tights even with Hue super opaque. I find jeans have a less tight weave then leggings and they certainly seem to transmit cold better imho. I would bet if we actually googled the insulating properties of the materials good leggings would win - but that's only my guess. Every time I wear jeans out in the cold they always feel like ice. I think ponte like materials stay warmer in general. Then I like my knee boots high, as long as I can bend my knee I want them right up to the fold. Add in a substantial tunic/dress at least 33" cashmere/merino etc, same with blazer/jacket - there's not a whole lot of leg out there. In fact with my full length down coat (otherwise affectionaly known as the PI - portable igloo) I'm snug as the proverbial bug in the rug - and take this from one who runs cold! PS one of my boots the Uggs Belcloud is fleece lined throughout the entire shaft amazing comfort and warmth although the Uggs Cortonas are no slouch in the warm dept!!

kkards

Veteran

i think, typically "regular" jeans are warmer than "tight" jeans because of the weight of the denim…..most "tight" jeans have less and lighter weight denim and more stretchy stuff and "regular" denim tends to be a tighter weave and higher percentage of cotton.

crutcher

Veteran

Great post...I wear leggings with my tall boots and they appear warmer...I also find the jeans just cold...Do I have an absolute measure of this?...No...Is this subjective..Oh yes...However, the tall boots keep the lower warm. the tunic and layers..don't ask me how many,,,smile..underneath keep the upper warm...The small area of leggings to the top of the boot has just been designated a hot natured zone..smile...
I wish I could help you and definitely define this but this is my best...
smile..

Jules

Veteran

Ponte and cords are warmer skinny pant options you might consider for winter. Joe Fresh has cheap, comfy cords if you want to give it a try. Personally I find that tall boots, combined with a longer coat, minimize the "exposed" area and add up to "warm enough". I very rarely need long johns since moving to longer down coats that come to at least mid-thigh, since realizing jackets are useless for me in winter.
I do totally understand about hot feet. Hate mall shopping in winter for this reason. Last winter I kept a selection of booties and shoes at work and found it way more comfy than wearing my tall leather boots all day. However if you don't work in an office and are on the go all day winter life is definitely a series of hot/cold shocks, dry skin and static hathead hair, and other unpleasantries!
It is a sad irony of Canadian winter that nice warm cozy wool pants never really work under the boots and get trashed if worn over, especially at PPL!

E

Veteran

If I've worn full wool skirts w boots several days in a row, it's definitely a shock to my thighs when I head outside in boots and denim skinnies instead. I generally find all denim makes me colder, but then I'm only comparing 1 pair of skinnies to 1 pair of straight legs, so I don't know what boot cuts are like. I get around this by wearing silk long johns underneath or wearing corduroys instead of denim. If I had wool skinnies I'd wear those instead!

jackiec

Veteran

Hmmm, interesting thread. To be honest, I've never noticed that tighter jeans are colder than looser jeans. Personally, if the temps drop, and I have skinnies and boots on, then I've also layered on top my warmest coat which covers the heretomentioned tight-pant-ed rear end and upper leg. In super chilly temps I have layered my longjohns under my looser oldest jeans, but living in rainy-town, like you, that doesn't happen too often.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I don't like leggings on my shape, but I do agree that they're warmer than skinny jeans. I think that these jeans are a far lighter weight denim that, say, the old Levi 501s, or even most modern boyfriend jeans. Perhaps that, and the use of synthetic stretch fibers, accounts for the less insulating effect.

catgirl

Veteran

I feel colder in loose pants in winter so I layer under. I feel like the fabric standing away from my body makes it chilly especially outside. I think it also depends on material thickness and weave. Jeans always seem colder to me than a fabric like my plaid Kuts.

This is why I have my down skirt which I throw on over everything (like a coat for my legs) when I'm worried about my legs being cold.

Marlene

Veteran

Leggings are too thin. Jeggings are too thin. Regular jeans are too thick and I still get cold. I have figured out that the best balance of warmth and fit is ponte skinnies or the "knit denim" skinnies. I find that the plush knit fabric allows enough insulation while still creating a long, lean line. That seems to work for MOST cold days (Seattle cold which is damp and chilly and gets down into your bones). On ACTUAL cold days, I have several pairs of silk long underwear that I can easily layer under most pants for an extra layer.

Here's an option for $20:
http://www.kohls.com/product/p.....fm=rrrecs-

Thistle

Veteran

Interesting observations.

I find both to be troublesome in the winter. Hence, silk long johns under trousers! Seriously, though, I find jeans and other looser fabrics cold when they touch my skin. I also find tight pants far too cold to wear without freezing. This includes yoga pants in the dead of winter.

Best for me is the silk long johns with a looser layer overtop - jeans or dress pants for work, and jeans or lounge pants for weekends.

I am very interested in the concept of a down skirt! Might open more winter fashion doors for me.

catgirl

Veteran

Oh and I also wear knee socks under any pants and/or tall boots, both of which help windproof my legs from knee to ankle.

Thistle, the down skirt is amazing. Zips all the way up the side so you don't have to struggle. Like a blanket for your lower half when you are wearing a shorter coat.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Laura, Astrid, Louise, Jules -- high five.

Caro and Gryffin -- it appears that (once again) I have posted something misleading. Thanks so much for the suggestions -- however, I wasn't searching for advice on how to keep warm in the cold, or how tall leather boots are good for this. I'm whining about the exact opposite thing! My tall leather boots make my lower legs too hot, while at the same time, my thighs are too cold because of the necessity of wearing tight pants (or leggings, or hose) tucked into said boots. It's a conundrum.

Thistle and Una, you are both dealing with far more extreme cold weather conditions than I have to! You will be my go-to gals for if I decide to move to Antarctica. (btw the down skirt sounds amazing -- like a sleeping bag you can walk around in!).

I guess what I really need is a knee-length puffer to wear with my tall boots and tight pants, but then I'll look stumpy, because I only really like tall boots if they are flat, and flat footwear + long coat = not good for petites.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I was going to suggest a knee length puffer. Some people's thighs seem to get colder. My daughter is like this -- she'll be toasty warm elsewhere but complaining of cold legs. Meanwhile, my hands will be like ice but my thighs will feel just fine....

I have one pair of skinny jeggings that are quite insulating -- they are bleulab reversible coated leggings. I almost never wear the coated side "out" and it keeps me quite cozy. I also find that my Kut plaid jeans (the darker one with higher poly content) keep me pretty warm. So some of it does have to do with fabrication.

Sometimes i wear silk capri undies for an additional layer of insulation under pants. I don't need to do this very often, but did it when I traveled in England and was wearing a short pea coat as my main coat (and the weather was nasty and damp/ cold/ snowy -- similar to a bad day in Van.)

Gaylene

Veteran

OK, as a skier who wore stretchy pants with a bomber-style jacket at one point, the secret is heavier, wind-proof stretch fabric and a layer of silk underwear. Most stretch skinnies and leggings are too thin, especially when stretched, to insulate because air passes through the fabric. Hold the fabric up to your mouth, stretch it, and start blowing. If you can feel air moving through the fabric, you'll be cold. Windproof=warm because there is a layer of static air between your skin and the fabric. Fleecy tights work the same--again it's that layer of warm air. Underwear, even if it is a thin silk, creates two warm layers of air.

That's also why tight boots or gloves are colder than ones that are loose enough to keep a layer of warm air between you and the elements. Too much looseness is hard to heat, so you want just enough to keep your toes or fingers from touching the edge. It's the same principle used by divers and surfers who wear wetsuits in chilly conditions. In their case it's a thin layer of body-warmed water that lies between the suit fabric and the skin.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Yes, Gaylene -- that's exactly why I had assumed that slightly looser jeans are warmer. They trap a layer of air.

I've heard people sing the praises of silk underwear before, for warmth and lack of bulk. I should probably get some.

MsMary

Veteran

I live in So Cal so this isn't an issue for me, but when I was in NYC a few Februaries ago I wore footless fleece tights with my skinny jeans and tall boots and was happy as a clam. If I found my lower legs got too hot, I'd cut my footless fleece tights off at the knee.