A request: for those of you living in COLD areas! - YouLookFab Forum

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A request: for those of you living in COLD areas!

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

I'm insanely curious about something and wondering if you lovely ladies may help me out a little please?!?!

When you post WIW's in winter, are they your indoors outfits and then you pop outerwear on over the top for braving the outside weather, or are the outfits you post as you would wear them even outdoors? And if indoors is heated do you take even more layers off then? How warm are the indoors usually heated to if they are heated?

I can't fathom living in a really cold climate, so if you don't mind humouring me, is it possible for someone to post a pic of what you would wear indoors and then also what you look like when you are decked out in your outerwear as well?

Or even a list of every layer you have on?

hehe can you tell I have absolutely no clue whatsoever, but this has been on my mind for a bit - probably as I am preparing to face hot outdoors and icy air conditioned indoor environments, I'm wondering how the other half live LOL

Thank you all so much for appeasing a hot climate gal!!!

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30 replies

Latest reply was from Dusty

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

LOL Theresa - I cannot fathom anybody not knowing what the cold climate is!:-)
The difference between heated indoors and outdoors in winter is dramatic where I live - in Canada. It is not just the temperature difference but also wind and humidity. Normally we keep temperature around 20C degrees indoors but outdoors it can be -20C and even lower!
You really need a lot of layers in these conditions - to bundle up outdoors and then to peel them off indoors. A typical winter outfit would be a long sleeve tee, a sweater, pants, warm lined boots, a hat, a warm wool scarf, warm limed gloves or mittens and a warm coat like puffer. When indoors I would take off the puffer, the hat, the gloves and the scarf and change from boots into shoes.
It also depends on how much time I am spending outdoors. If it is just a dash to and from the car I may get away with lighter boots and coat but if I need to walk a bit then bundling up is the only option.
Your question reminded me how I could not imagine how it can be warm in winter until we went to Costa Rica for a vacation in winter. Maybe you need an exotic vacation to Canada in our winter?

Marigold

It's a funny question :), I can't imagine living in a climate with warm weather all around! I'm so accustomed to 4 seasons, and the seasonal wardrobe changes, digging through closet and putting stuff away in bags twice yearly, it's not even funny. I'd love to live in a warmer climate though as I HATE winter, maybe not tropical but with a summer and a brisk fall (love wearing boots!).
Answering your question though, when I used to commute to work to the city from suburbia, I wore a puffer coat (with a hood instead of hat, not to mess my hair too much) and Uggs or rainboots over pants - because the salt and slush would ruin any boots, also gloves and the scarf. On those days you could barely see my face! If the weather forecast was dry - then warmer booties and pants,and a small foldable umbrella in my bag, just in case. The puffer was very warm and my workplace was heated so I just wore a cardi or a dressy turtleneck, and also kept a pashmina in my drawer in case of a draft (I was sitting at the receception area). To help you better visualize the cold cold winter, below are a few pictures of me all bundled up (casual wear though!)

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Barbara

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I live in North Carolina where we have very hot summers and relatively cold winters. When I lived in Germany, the winters were definitely colder! Layering is the ONLY way to go gracefully from bundled up outside to comfortable inside. Plus, most Europeans do NOT overheat their houses like some Americans tend to do. Inside, I usually wear a knit tee or turtleneck layered under a sweater with jeans or cords. Add a coat, cozy scarf and warm gloves and I'm ready for outdoors. I have leopard print earmuffs when we do get a cold snap here in NC. And I wear my silk thermal underwear when I'm hiking in the mountains - either the Alps or the Appalachians! And I would never hike in the snow without my fabulous Raichle Scout Gore-Tex boots.

MNsara

Veteran

Theresa - your question is so cute! I wish I was as unfamiliar with cold weather

If I post a WIW for winter it would be for indoor wear. My outdoor look would be similar to Isabella's and that has to fit OVER the layers of indoor wear!

(Isabella - you and your poochie look adorable!)

When I put a winter coat over a leather jacket or blazer, I usually feel like the Michelin man!

The nice leather boots in a WIW can't necessarily be worn outdoors all winter. We get stretches of snowy, wet weather and we salt our roads and parking lots A LOT. That salt is destructive to leather (and cars), so nice boots get put aside until the parking lots get clear and dry again (days or weeks)

I often carry indoor shoes with me to work or someone's house, but I have yet to carry a change of boots!!

jen321

Here is a picture of my daughter and I in the back yard in November a few years ago. We get much much more snow then this. I don't consider this a fashion moment, just playing with my daughter. When we go inside I just usually have on socks, jeans, and a long sleeve shirt on. I've live up north, and am used to the four seasons we get. I consider winter here from nov. to march. lol. My girls wear an undershirt or onesie with a shirt and pants over it. We keep our house heated to at least 68 degrees when we have small kids. It makes for a large heating bill! Most people keep it lower I'd say and wear more layers and slippers. When it's time to go outside we throw on the jacket, hat, gloves, scarf, and boots. It takes some time getting everyone out the door! Even the outfits I post now I put a jacket over them before going outside. I'll try to post some pics of clothes and then clothes with outerwear soon! =)

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Michelle

(website)

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What fun to hear other perspectives, Teresa!
I've lived in Canada all my life, so I've grown up with the drastic winters Sveta described so well. When I plan my outfits, I plan them based around where I'll be spending most of the day. Nine times out of 10, that will mean dressing for predominantly indoor temperatures. Those can vary, though, since some buildings are drafty and still cool despite the heat. Sveta is right, most places heat for between 19 and 21 deegrees C, but it doesn't always feel that way! I remember one day at work when the temperatures in my building were around 15C...lovely temperatures for an outdoor stroll in the spring, but insupportable indoors on a frigid day!
If I post WIW's in the winter, they will not feature my outerwear. The coat I chose to put on is my protective layer, not the key part of my outfit. The only time this would change is if I'm wearing a skirt, in which case the length of the hem will dictate the coat I choose.

Here's a classic winter ensemble for me.

Boots, jeans, woven top, cardigan or jacket, necklace. Outerwear will consist of a coat, a scarf and gloves. I hate hats and refuse to wear them (they also pose a safety risk for me, since they muffle my hearing and leave me unable to evaluate traffic safely). My red wool coat is my go-to coat when the temperature is anywhere from -2C to -11C, which is where it's at most of the time. Any lower than that, or if it's really windy, and the puffer will come out. The wind can drop the temperature by as much as 20 degrees on any given day, and anyone who doesn't check the windchill factor before leaving the house may be in for a rough time.

It may sound crazy, but I love our temperature swings here in Canada. Sure they can be annoying, but variety is the spice of life, and this applies to climates and corresponding wardrobe options! Plus, I sleep so much better in the fall and winter with cold air pouring through my window. Corey thinks I'm a raving loon because I sleep with the window open even when the temperature has dipped into puffer territory.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You get used to it T, and I run VERY cold so I am so, so, layered up it's ridiculous.

Isabella!! You have a Yorkie too!!!

wilson

It is definitely a higher maintenance lifestyle but it can be fun too! I love seeing what people unveil when they take their outer layers off inside.

celia

Veteran

I relate to your question because I lived almost my entire life in Portugal wich is not a very cold country and when I came to Canada I had(still have) the same doubts.
As Sveta and Michelle already told you the weather outside and inside is like going from winter to summer.
What I've noticed is that the colder it gets my outfit pictures reflect more how I dress indoors.To go out it takes usually two more layers when it's really cold.
One thing that I'm not used to still is footwear. Because I walk a lot I tend to wear big UGG like boots outside, which I don't think is atractive at all.So when I go to the mall I feel warm while I'm walking but totally out of place when I get there.
Nice dainty boots only when I go by car to some place.
I'll get there someday

Katja

(website)

Your question reminds me of a young friend who, when moving from Houston to Boston for her first real job after college, asked how to go about buying a car that had a heater, as she had never needed one before.

Just as everyone else has said, the coat is not part of the outfit. In winter, I put on a coat, scarf, hat, gloves, perhaps boots, when I go out of doors. When I come back in, I take them all off.

Aida

Veteran

Good question! I take photos of both indoor and outdoor outfits every day, because I found that I was lacking in my outdoor presentation so to speak (photos have helped remedy that!). So my WIW posts have generally included both and will likely continue to have both.

Interesting to hear how people layer with proper cold weather, I consider the winters in Seattle fairly mild most years.

catgirl

Veteran

I do not take outdoor photos in my workwear! I would be too bundled up to recognize. I have lots of photos of me in outdoor gear, however - skiing, snowshoeing, or walking the dog.... Depending on weather, I wear my winter boots till I get to work, and bring my office shoes/boots in a separate bag.

Louise

Veteran

My outfits are my indoor wear. Today has been decidedly chilly and children being what they are they still wanted to be outside playing in the drizzle at 4.30pm tonight ( it was dark and cold) Had you seen me at that time tonight my outer wear was the purple puffer on it's 1st outing, pink hat with my hood up, purple leather gloves and my umbrella, topped off with wellies and wellie socks and my hands wrapped round the obligatory cup of tea.
I should probably post my outdoor outfits too.I love my outer wear almost as much as indoor stuff. I nearly have more scarves than shoes and I have gloves coming out of my ears. My outerwear is my winter wardrobe I usually wear summer stuff layered with long ts and cardis and I like my style to show through in the outerwear too x

Kristine

Veteran

You're so lucky!

My WIW photos are of the outfit I would wear inside. My outdoor look will vary a great deal depending on the weather. Today was 65F/18C (very nice for this time of year) but in the morning it was around 40F/4C. So I wore a light jacket and scarf which I carried on the way home. I've worn my puffer already this fall but today the doors are open, so the temperature varies a lot when seasons change.

For very cold months (January, February) it can routinely be below OF (-18C) here. -20F (-29C) is not unusual at the worst of it.

For those days commuting just means the shortest distance between two points. You drive if you possibly can or try to time the bus so you're not outside very long. If someone's broken down on the road you stop because it's cold enough to kill people. Most of us in this climate have experienced lightly frostbitten toes and fingers, they hurt! At bitter temperatures you often cover your face with a scarf. On those work days I'll wear a parka, hat, gloves, scarf, regular boots or snowboots if it's dumping snow. I take that all off once I get to work.

My dogs (huskies) are very active so even at -20F (-37C) I'll often spend an hour outside. On those days I'll wear long underwear, a thick wool sweater, big snowboots (for insulation from the ground), snowpants (one more layer of insulation and windbreak), a parka/puffer coat, scarf, hat and big gloves or mittens. I even have butane powered hand warmers which can go in my gloves if it's bitterly cold. I have serious gear and at that point most fashion is out the window!

Indoors is completely different. Most homes and businesses are heated to somewhere around 70F/21C. The problem in the winter is the dry air. There's very little humidity and the forced air heating systems dry out your skin and hair. Even though it's heated indoors you still wear long sleeve sweaters or jackets (or both), because you just feel chillier in winter.

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Aida

Veteran

Kristine your pups are adorable!!

catgirl

Veteran

Kristine, where do you live? Those are some gorgeous huskies! I've only had huskies and husky mixes myself. They are trouble, what with all the energy and running away, but so beautiful and funny! I skijor mine to tire them out - just about to start training the new one.

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!

I'm so pleased you've humoured me! I've really enjoyed reading about your wardrobes and seeing the gorgeous pics! (I have never even seen real snow...!)

Katja your story made me giggle because we are the same but with Air Con - no one buys a car without a/c!

I cannot even comprehend being outside in -30C type weather! But, I now see why you all place so much importance on your puffers and boots!

So thanks again for your stories and pics - I have really enjoyed the education and feel even sillier for complaining about my coldest day that was 5C ROFL!!! (Of course, I can try to justify it by saying I live in a climate that is hot & humid for 9 months of the year, but it still feels silly!!)

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

I bet you cold weather gals with all that snow in your backyards will get a laugh out of the fact that I drive about 16 hours to go skiing for a week!

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

This is such a great thread! (And I can now truly understand why people would actually want to buy a car with heated seats... BBBRRRRRRRR!!!!) ,

Louise

Veteran

OOooo katiepea heated seats are the best!!! I wish my car had them. They warm up almost instantly x

jen321

O I love my heated seats!!! Our last car we had a car starter, since we got our newer car we haven't put one in yet. It is great though you start the car 10 min. before you need to leave, and it is nice and warm inside and melts alot of ice that could be on the outside of the car.

Marigold

Love my heated seats in the car! Being in Northeast, I think I get 'the best' of the two worlds - long hot summer (this year it unusually hot from May through late September, a couple weeks of Indian summer and winter, that gets well below freezing and dumps snow. Found another funny photo, yes - that's an igloo in the park!

Oh, and I don't really live in the neck of the woods! 20 minutes from Manhattan...

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Debora

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This is a fun thread, Theresa! We don't usually get a lot of snow where I am, but last winter was unusually snowy. Here's another backyard pic for you from last March. If you look closely, you can see the start of DS's snowman. I have a few different winter coats that I alternate between depending on the temperature and bought my first puffer last winter. I usually top it off with warm gloves and a scarf but can't stand hats!

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Katja

(website)

Your question reminds me of a young friend who, when moving from Houston to Boston for her first real job after college, asked how to go about buying a car that had a heater, as she had never needed one before.

The punchline is that car heaters, unlike air conditioners, are not optional items. Every car has one, and it's called the engine.

Car seat heaters, on the other hand, are an option, and a very nice one.

Tanya

Veteran

He he, what a cute question Theresa ! And a great thread! I loved seeing everyone's photos and reading all the descriptions.

In my case, all the outfits I post are for indoors which is usually heated to somewhere around75 F. I definitely need outerwear for outside and sometimes will include the photo oft hat too, like in these two photos from my most recent WIW post.

In the first photo my layers are cami, button down shirt, short sleeved cashmere sweater, and skinny jeans, socks and boots. For outside I added a short puffer and a scarf.

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Lisa

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I layer up a lot for outdoors in the winter and peel them off like an onion when I get inside. On a really cold day I will have, thermal top and bottom under a LS t and jeans. A sweater or cardigan over that. A scarf, puffer coat, gloves, hat, and boots.

Megan

Oh my goodness Isabella, look at your Yorkie in the snow- soooo adorable!

My yorkies would not know what to do with themselves if it snowed!

Louise

Veteran

jen321 I want one of those car starter thingys!!!!! My car has a leaky door (you wouldn't guess BF is a mechanic!!!!!) and it's very damp and takes ages for the damp to clear from the inside of the windows. Just last night when leaving work I wished I could have left it running 10 mins before I needed to leave x

Sharon

Veteran

I would so not cope with living in a cold climate. 19 degrees inside would have me wearing a cardigan!

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