Brand Recommendations for Thermal Underlayers? - YouLookFab Forum

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Brand Recommendations for Thermal Underlayers?

Anonymous

Krishnidoux posted this link on Angie's blog post and it hits all my buttons for natural-fibre thermal layering: http://www.bernard-solfin.fr/v.....icots/ah15. (Bonus: I get to practice my rusty French, though it's not good enough to figure out whether they ship to the USA!)

Does anyone else have recommendations for wool-silk or wool-cotton underlayers? If there are others like me who are short from shoulder to bust but still need a slightly deeper neckline, I'd love your tips too!

Thank you!

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from

dakotacheryl

Veteran

I particularly love Smartwool brand, and Cuddleduds (this one is not all natural yarn).

krishnidoux

Veteran

They do ship internationally, but I read the cost vary between 13,90 euros and ... a whopping 40,90 euros! (Although this is not what I paid living in Canada). http://www.bernard-solfin.fr/a.....t-les-dela...
There is a live chat option and I asked if they offer their services in English. They answered no! (!!!). I admit I am very disconcerted that in this day and age, a company of this level would not do business in English. I have yet to receive my order, I will post a review on this forum when I do if that is helpful.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I won't wear anything but the heattechs from Uniqlo because they fit and wear sooooooo well.

Women Heattech Crewneck Long Sleeve T-shirt

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Women Heattech Crewneck Long Sleeve T-shirt

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kkards

Veteran

another Uniqlo heattech wearer, but i prefer the scoop neck....but these are not natural fibers. i tried LLBean last year for a silk but did not like the fit (tried both petites and regular), but you may want to give them a try if you really want natural fibers.

Women Heattech Scoop Neck Long Sleeve T-shirt

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Joy

Veteran

I like washable silk layering underwear from LLBean or Lands End...not the ski stuff, the very light weight silk. I look for scoop necklines and 3/4 sleeves so that it does not show. Below are a couple of examples, also available in other colors.

Women's Silk Pointelle Scoopneck Top

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Women's Silk Pointelle Pants

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unfrumped

Veteran

Have enjoyed some Thermasilk, Cuddleduds (these I have kept in short sleeved, wide V neck tops that are less likely to show at necklines), and splurged on some merino wool thermals, the lightest weight in that lline, from the hiking store--can't remember brand right off the bat.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Uniqlo heat tech is super thin which is good for layering, but it's not natural fibers - I'd try silk, from somewhere like Winter Silks or REI.

Jeanne M

I can't recommend Wintersilks enough, been wearing their long underwear for years (http://wintersilks.blair.com/c.....95/384.uts). It comes in 3 weights, but the lightest is plenty warm beneath a sweater or shirt, with the added bonus that expensive knitwear doesn't need cleaning nearly so often. I even wear the medium weight as pajamas in winter.

You can choose crew or v-neck, long or bracelet sleeves, with lace or without. It washes beautifully; I do it by hand, with Eucerin, just a short soak and a swish and it dries overnight. I have one set that's 4 years old and is still without holes or fraying. I buy in the sales, which are fairly frequent. I couldn't live without it, and wear it from November through March.

Astrid

Veteran

For Germans or Austrians especially, but also for everyone else - try Engel.
http://www.engel-natur.de/html.....index.html
I love their virgin merino wool silk blend underwear. It's 70% merino and 30% silk. I haven't tried the pure wool and pure silk (or pure cotton) they offer, but imagine the quality is just as lovely. As far as I can see you can order directly using the PDF catalogue on the website and contact information or you go look for another online shop which sells the brand. I ordered mine here:
http://www.foster-natur.de

ETA
Found an US based online shop. Here's the one I have:
http://www.littlespruceorganic.....ved-shirt/
Mine is short sleeved and I have the XS which fits snugly.

Lisa

Veteran

I like Cuddl Duds and Uniqlo's Heattech. My favorite feature about Uniqlo's thermals, they come with a scoopneck option, this works very well with vneck tops (the bit of material that peeks out looks like a tank top) and of course it layers well with scoopneck knits. Most thermals are cut crewneck and I find them a challenge to layer unless sporting a turtleneck.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I just bought another batch of Uniqlo heattechs because I want to wear more of my blouses.

Joy

Veteran

Astrid, merino wool and silk sounds like a perfect way to stay warm. DS1 swears by Smart Wool tees year round for comfort even in tropical climates in Asia. They don't hold odors. They can be pricey but worth it.

Astrid

Veteran

Agree, Joy. My tee doesn't get stinky at all, so it's perfect for travel because I can rewear my tops without a problem as long as I'm wearing the underlayer and don't spill anything on my outerlayer. And I'm so much more comfortable in the cold. Looking these up actually made me order the long sleeved version in black just now. Got it for around 35€ and it's even "made in Germany". Engel is one of those small brands that doesn't pay a lot for advertising, but if you have tried them you'll come back! Really lovely quality. They started out doing organic stuff for babies...

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Eileen Fisher silk camis and Icebreaker merino wool camis. Both serve as base layers, but can be worn alone or under jackets. They're also good for people with long torsos. Other base layers that I've tried didn't reach my hip, and were too loose in the waist to go undetected.

minimalist

Veteran

Ooooh, thank you Aliona & Krishnidoux! Yes, they ship to the U.S.

I'm fond of merino in most forms; can't wait to try it blended with silk. Just wish there were more colors in their long-torso options!

Anonymous

Wow, thanks everyone, these are *fantastic* tips. There's obviously something to heat tech--not only does the brand have huge fans on the form, but on a cold day in NYC last winter two stores were sold out! Lisa, it's good to know they have a scoop neck model.

Astrid, I LOVE Engel--My hubby's family is German and my SIL brought me a cami 15 years ago. I wore it for 10 years, it was so well made! Nice to know there's a stockist here in the US.

Dakotacheryl and Joy, I didn't know Smartwool makes layering tees so will give them a look too. Joy, I appreciate the silk tips too. Silk is still my favourite base layer for my sometimes chilly office.

Jeanne and Laura, thanks for the reminder on Wintersilks.

Gradfashionista, I have some EF silk tops so that's a great tip--much appreciated by a fellow long-torso person!

Krishnidoux, I'd love to hear your review of the Bernard-Solfin items, though I agree: €40 is steep for shipping!