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How much do you prepare?

Peri

Veteran

It isn't constantly cold where I live. We can get into the 20s F overnight sometimes and a few days in the 30s, but mid-40s is frequently our version of cold.

It was a low 40s evening recently when I took my dog to visit Santa in an outdoors setting. Coat, no problem, but what I was really wishing for were some fleece lined pants and boots. Good laugh for the Fab from further north, but if you aren't used to it, standing an hour in the low 40s is cold!

But...that was really an isolated incident. I do have faded ratty sweatpants and some okay boots for the daily trips out, just nothing I'd want to be seen in public wearing. So...do I buy clothing that I know will get worn maybe once a year, if that? It would have been nice to have on hand, but is is worth it when it will sit in a box 99% of the time?

How much preparation do you do to have just the right thing, just in case? I suppose I could have layered some tights under my pants but I'm just now thinking of that! Maybe that is all the preparation I need, to have thought of that now for next time.

General

27 replies

Latest reply was from Indigoprint

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think it is easy to be caught unprepared for weather outside our norm, and in particular if we find ourselves in a situation that we don't expec, like your Santa outing, maybe.

For instance -- I have all the right clothes for my climate yet I was still caught unawares for a while yesterday when I had to take transit and wait much longer than should have been the case. I had my coat, pants, sweater etc. but did not have my hat and gloves with me -- I had forgotten them. So I got really cold.

I try to look at my weather app before I go out and dress (or bring required items) accordingly. It helps a lot. Layering is definitely key.

It sounds as if you have potential fixes -- it just didn't occur to you in advance that it would feel so cold. It is always colder standing still -- that's how I got caught out yesterday. Had I been walking, I'd have been fine, more or less.

Roberta

Veteran

My best friend teases me that I have a coat for every ten degree change in the weather! And I do check the weather compulsively. I have gloves for every coat as well, so I'm never without. I'm rarely without a hood (on the coat or by way of a hoodie) to keep my ears warm. I own three pairs of fleece pants and lined joggers. Yes, I live in Chicago, but even here it isn't as snowy and bittter as it was when I moved here forty years ago. It is, however, very windy, and that makes you feel cold even if it is not that cold by the thermometer.

I think having a few practical items that don't get worn often is a good idea. We're not talking ball gowns or snowmobile suits!

Sal

Veteran

Our climate is not especially cold either so I don’t have many options. I have suitable jackets and hats and gloves but would either wear ski pants or have to layer thermal leggings under jeans or similar.

I think we can all be caught out from time to time.

kkards

Veteran

lol Roberta someone I work with said the same thing about me. And it’s true because I live in a 4 climate area and this week alone it snowed & today it’s 60F/15C.
Anyway back to Peri. I wouldn’t invest a lot in something you might wear 1 day a year. But I do think there are simple easy ways you can dress for cold without spending a lot. A simple pair of tights wore under pants and with a pair of wool socks will do wonders. Also recommend shoes that do not have a leather sole

rachylou

Veteran

Fleece tights or leggings for under things are nice

Helena

Veteran

We have almost every possible type of weather where I live in Ontario, so I usually have the right gear for the occasion! I imagine it's tougher for places where the weather tends to be consistent with the odd outlier ... I don't know I'd want to spend the money on things that would seldom be needed, I'd probably just suffer for a day or two (or stay inside!)

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Same as Roberta here. Everything from windbreakers to down puffer with fur around the hood. And under layers range from thinnish running tights to cuddle duds to fleece lined leggings, but those are easier, and get regular use, because I’m a runner. I have soft shell snow pants which are great with or without an under layer and look like cargo or hiking pants, not kid-style snow pants. Hats, scarves and gloves to match each jacket or coat. My strategy is I can almost always unzip, stow scarves and gloves, or remove layers if I do get too warm.

i bet you can find fleece tights or thin leggings anywhere for a few dollars, even your grocery or drug store. Wool socks are a good idea, but shoes or booties that don’t expose much of the foot and ankle are also helpful. Good luck next time weather goes bad in your area!

Dee

Veteran

Its ridiculous how many coats, jackets, gloves, scarves, hats and footwear I have to meet the needs of the weather we have here in Quebec. I’m constantly checking the weather and adjusting my outfits accordingly. If I’m going to be outdoors for any real length of time and its cold or damp or both, then tights or long johns would definitely be worn underneath, along with wool blend socks. Also water repellent boots with good gripping soles for any icy conditions.

MsMary

Veteran

Maybe it's a function of having lived a long time, but at this point I'm pretty well prepared for anything. I have fleece tights, leggings, silk long underwear, puffer vests, puffer jackets, a puffer coat -- you name it -- and I don't hesitate to bust it out even though many people would say it's too warm for such things here in So Cal. I LOVE being cozy warm and I absolutely subscribe to the theory that there's no bad weather, only inadequate clothing!

doggeh lover

CuddleDuds softwear is amazing to wear under your clothing, pretty inexpensive and you can choose between necklines, sleeve lengths on the tops and their pull-on jogger type pants are great. I've tried a few of their different lines, but the softwear is top of the line for me.

LaPed

Veteran

Oh gosh, always worth having some base layers and wool socks. Even if they aren’t daily wear items, they’ll pull their weight on the occasions when they’re needed. And once you have them, you’ll find all kinds of opportunities to wear them. Uniqlo Heattech is a perennial favorite for adding a little warmth under everyday clothes. Soft, thin, easy to layer, and affordable!

I’m a year-round wool sock convert. They come in all weights and different cuts, including no-show. Infinitely more comfortable than cotton or synthetic socks — nice not to deal with sweaty/clammy feet!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I agree with La ped, a few lightweight base layers,inexpensive,but will always come in handy.

cat2

Veteran

I think the key is having things you can layer. I can handle pretty low temps with just a pair of old tights under my jeans, and a couple of tops layered under a quilted walking jacket. Add some inexpensive knit mittens and you are set.

Augusta

I think tights are a good idea for such occasions. I don't like them but they do help when it's cold. Also nice warm socks (and gloves).

Don't know what people think of them but for me, personally, I Need my earmuffs!

Irina

Veteran

Took me a while to adjust to the cold Ontario climate. Not fun to buy rather expensive and utilitarian things but it’s a must for me like for so many others here.

Peri

Veteran

Thanks for the good ideas everyone! I think I'm going to remember this tights under pants idea for any such occasion in the future, rather than buy something separate that will rarely get worn. I mean, it's kind of indicative of how seldom I experience this that I didn't even think up that simple solution. Now I will!

I'm curious about the Uniqlo and Cuddleduds though, so I'm going to check those out. And I'm going to post separately to start a boot search.

Anonymous

Sounds like my winters! Usually mild but every 5-10 years we get dumped on with snow. Or multiple days below 20 degrees.
I don't go out by choice in bitter cold and snow, but I don't always have the choice. So- I have a couple of things that collect dust most of the time!
If I had to be outside, I'd consider thermals.

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Carol

(website)

Veteran

I live in a climate with a coldish winter. I had to walk to the bus half a mile, then work in a large store where the back was unheated. I invested in some cheap base layers to wear under jeans and shirts….long underwear type stuff. I sailed through the day while all my coworkers were cold.

Joy

Veteran

It gets even more complicated if you have to consider dressing small children for a couple of weeks. You live somewhere without winter and need to dress warmly to go home for Christmas.
Beg, or borrow warm clothes from someone else in the same situation. Or maybe your family can do it on the other end. The children will want to play in snow and you need to be ready. Kid boots are expensive and impossible to find late into the season.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

"standing an hour in the low 40s is cold!"

YES, Peri! Especially when there is no sun, and it's very damp like in the PNW.

What Suz said.

Also what MsMary said!

Peri, if you wear Heattech long undies under your clothes - top and bottom - you'll be fine when this type of occasion creeps up once a year. Sorted!

Olive Green

Veteran

On Team Roberta. I have coats of all lengths for all temperatures, and they are all green. That way I don’t have to switch out the supporting act with every coat.
I also tuck inexpensive gloves into every coat or vest. With Kleenex and poop bags. The elegance.

Cee

Veteran

I have a couple of thermal tops and bottoms when it gets to our coldest days, but usually I'm fine with an ordinary T-shirt as a base layer with a ribbed or cashmere poloneck ( turtleneck ) as the next layer and another sweater or jacket over that if it's needed.

LAR101

Along with the base layers, a warm hat, gloves, mittens, scarf and wool socks over cotton socks extends the temperature range of any coat that I own. Adding a hat and warm gloves means I can wear a lighter coat. I also wrap the scarf in a variety of ways: over my head, around the neck etc. to adjust the warmth.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ditto to the Heattech layers! I’ve worn the pants under lightweight hiking pants for hours in the cold, but also under light cargo pants, jeans and midi skirts with boots for that extra bit of warmth. I wear the tops a lot too, under sweaters (extending time between laundering knits) and even under light blouses so I can wear favorites even when it’s cold.

Those layers go with me on so many trips too — they take up almost no space so it’s easy to be prepared for anything! Even a summer trip in Europe — they came in handy in the Alps!

RobinF

Veteran

Yes, it gets nice and cold here in Michigan! I don't spend a lot of time outdoors in the cold these days, but back when my kids were in school I sat through many snowy football and lacrosse games! It is definitely colder when sitting or standing still and is easy to underestimate. Down coats and Uggs for the win.

I was going to suggest tights under your pants as I was reading and then saw you came up with that idea.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

For context, I'm from the UK (where it does indeed dip below freezing) but I currently live in HK (where it's 'supposed' to be winter now but I'm still outdoors with bare ankles & single layer tops lol...)

My heaviest winter items are still in the UK, but I've kept a few 'long johns' from Intimissimi here to layer underneath my usual clothes:
~ 1 pair of wool silk leggings
~ 1 modal cashmere long sleeved top
~ 1 wool silk long sleeved top
~ 1 wool silk Turtleneck tank top
~ I also have merino wool socks & a merino long sleeve top from Icebreaker.

It sounds like my climate is a little milder than yours (it does reach 40F/ 5C here though 10C is more common), so you could probably double what I have for laundry purposes (i.e. 2 tops instead of one).

I also have the following ready to go, in case of inclement weather:
~ a pair of gloves & matching beanie stuffed inside my jacket/coat pockets
~ a hooded dickie layered underneath my jacket (hanging on the same hanger)
~ one pair of knee-high boots.

This might seem like overkill to some folk, but we all know how hard it is to find kneehigh boots that fit well AND are comfy, so those are firmly staying lol

Indigoprint

Veteran

nodding along with all those who said underlayers are a good option. A pair of wool socks will help your regular boots be as snug as furry lined boots and all the pieces are easily tucked away when not in use. A long multi season coat (trench??) would also be an option as its length would keep your legs warm over your typical bottoms.