How to stay warm at your desk - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

How to stay warm at your desk

Liesbeth

Veteran

I'm sure that we've had a similar conversation earlier this year but I cannot find it so ... To everyone working from home (forever or for the past months) and running cold: how do you stay warm?

It's flat-out ridiculous how cold I run now that it's fall and I rely on our central heating to keep the indoor temperature at 21°C. Same temperature as at the office by the way, but there I guess I run around more and possibly my blood runs hotter just working around so many other people in an open office plan ;).

I'm at this stage:
- 3 layers minimum of which at least one wool
- wool slippers - with socks!
- blanket scarf draped over legs and another at hand for upper body
- constant supply of hot beverages

I know a friend who owns a snuggie and wears this when wfh :D. But I feel unprofessional covered in blankets (just when I'm otherwise upping my style game again). Likewise it seems a shame to toss my fleece jacket over every outfit.

I know this is not rocket science but indulge me and let me know how you survive the colder months without racking up the heating bill!

Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from Staysfit

Anonymous

Sorry, I'm a heating bill racker I keep it 70-75 degrees all winter.
That said, hopefully we get our propane delivery today cause it's going down to freezing tonight Been wishing I had an at home only fleece jacket on the couple colder nights we've had already.

kkards

Veteran

I struggle with the same thing
1) check the Humidity, You may want to add a humidifier. I was surprised to learn the impact that the humidity of a space had on the “feels like” temperature.
2) Space heater—no need to heat the entire space if you are only occupying a part of it most of the day.
3) big scarfs/wraps. More fashionable than a blanket

RobinF

Veteran

I was freezing when I worked from home. It was early spring and I was working in our office/craft/guest room with a down throw over my shoulders and wool socks with slippers on my feet and still cold. If I was still doing that I would have to have a space heater. Even here in the office I have a little foot rest that is a heater - really nice.

anchie

Veteran

I have the opposite problem, we keep our home at 25C throughout the year, which is very comfortable to me. I wear the same clothes at home regardless of season, I only need second layer when we ventilate, which we are trying to do more at the moment.
But my office is 19-21C and I move much less there then at home so after a while I start freezing when sitting in front of my computer. I always wear camisole which helps a lot. My first (visible) layer is always a sweater. Blouses and shirts are too breezy for me in fall and winter. I also always wear a second layer, blazers in my case, but can be a cardigans in your. And then I add wool or cashmere scarf arround my neck. And then I put a poncho that I keep in my office over everything. Did I mention I run cold LOL. This poncho was my all time best buy, I think it was 12 euros on sale on Amazon. I wear it every working day for many years now. I put it on and remove many times per day, as I feel more or less cold. And I remove it before I leave the office. I highly recommend something like that. I am also considering getting an upgrade in different color scheme since my wardrobe is moving from black.

View Info

Bijou

Veteran

I find Uniqlo heat tech long sleeve tops to be a great base layer under a knit - so similar to a camisole, but it has more coverage and warmth. I do a quick set of 50 push up, star jumps and burpees when working from home to get warm. The vigorous exercise quickly warms me up.

nemosmom

Veteran

Following! Our house is set around 17C (63-64F) and I am at the same stage as you, and will be here until at least early/mid-May. I am constantly cold! I can work from a sunny room, but sunny days are rare come December...

Most days I wear base layer pants and top (heattech), then a merino or cotton tee, then a wool sweater or thin hoodie, topped with a fleece jacket. If it is cloudy out, I wear fleece-lined pants (pile lined ones from Uniqlo are my go-to). On sunny days I can get away with jeans over my base pants. Leggings are not warm enough at all, and I would freeze in a skirt or dress. On my feet are wool socks, then plush lined slippers. I wear knitted wristlets on my hands more often than not.

I have added a couple of seemingly insulated things in an effort to "up" my WFH game (corduroy jacket, thick blanket shirt jacket) and I am liking the way they look over hoodies and sweaters. But, I won't know for a while if they are any warmer than what I have been wearing.

Runcarla

Veteran

I had a space heater at work, and a wool shawl. Sometimes I used fingerless mitts! We keep our house at 68-70degF which I find cold. I have something called a ‘sac magique’ that I heat up in the microwave and either drape over my shoulders, tuck behind my back, or put under my feet. It’s like a bean bag - but filled with barley (I think?)

https://www.amazon.ca/Magic-Ba.....clid=EAIaI

Liesbeth

Veteran

Suntiger, I checked and that's about the same temperature as it is here lol. Fleece for the win :).
kkards: good tips. I AM wary of humidifiers since we discovered some fungus in our son's room. We used a humidifier there a lot when he was a baby because he coughed all night (no more thank god) but apparently the humidity got too high.
Robin, funny mental picture :). Maybe I should look into a space heater.
Anchie, a nice last layer like that poncho does sound like a good idea.
Bijou, yeah, I've got some heattech already and it helps some ... But vigorous exercise actually sounds like an even better idea!

Kathie

Veteran

I’m so glad you started this thread! This year, I’ve been trying to keep our house at 66F/19C, which is cooler than my work office. I’ve been doing a lot of fine gauge cashmere and merino sweaters, combined with my hand knit wraps. But, the wraps do get in my way when I’m doing a few household chores. So, I’m planning to knit a couple shoulder cozy/ponchos- something that is elbow length, and closer-fitting. I also wear socks and my indoor sneakers. It’s great to see everyone else’s tips!

nemosmom

Veteran

I am seriously considering this:

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Roxanna

Veteran

wow! Such great ideas. I rely on a camisole (always), a long sleeve tee, a wool cardi, and then always a cashmere shawl to keep things professional. Hands are always wrapped around a mug of hot tea

Liz

Veteran

It sounds like you're at the stage where it would be more effective to add heat rather than adding more clothing -- a space heater, heating pad, or heating panel for under your desk. Or get all three. I prefer a space heater directly next to my desk chair.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I’ve resorted to adding a hat or putting up my hood if wearing a hoodie, while reading, sitting at my computer, sewing machine or art table. I often shed my sweater layer when doing housework, so the activity level makes the most difference in how warm I feel at the same house temperature.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Liz, the heating pad is a great idea!
I find that when I’ve been doing my exercise, my metabolism truly is faster/I’m warmer. Sorry if I sound like a nag

jacquez

One thing that helped way more than I thought it would is quilted vests! I have about 4 of them and they are comfy, warm, and tailored enough that I don't worry about looking unprofessional in them on Zoom

Julie

I second the fingerless mitts, they really keep my hands from freezing when working on a keyboard. I cut off the wrist pieces from old/holey wool sweaters, shrink/felt them in the dryer, and use them to keep my wrists (and therefore my fingers) warm.
Also I am not above wearing a beanie indoors.
If I do those two things, I can usually forgo the blanket or jacket at my desk.

madeline

Veteran

Agree with the other fabbers’ posts on base layers. You could try the CuddleDuds brand instead of Heattech. Some folks love silk base layers, I haven’t tried those. Oh and a beanie!

Minaminu

Veteran

base layers and hot bottle water, it really helps!

bella

(website)

Veteran

We used to keep our apartment much warmer at 25 C (77F). But we recently moved and this is going to be our first winter at a place with central heating, where we have no control over the temperature. I am already fretting over it. That said, we've always had a small space heater, and already purchased one for this apartment as well. You can run it beneath your desk and close the door to that room. You can get a lot of mileage from running it for just 10 minutes every hour on the hour.
Also, I found that the only way my extremities are warm is when my core is warm. So I would recommend a puffer vest. Yes, they can be quite cozy and not so bulky in the vest form.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My cat is my space-heater!

More seriously...I have a couple of strategies.

1. Layers, including heattech in deep winter -- base layer.

2. A throw. I don't use it during meetings but I always have a blanket or quilt around to add to my warmth factor.

3. Get up and move around for 5 minutes every hour. A quick jog in place or just a tea-run.

Ginger

Veteran

My house is currently 72F and I'm freezing. Colder than yesterday, which was colder outside... I don't get it, either. I'm wearing a long sleeve underlayer, sweater tights, sweater boots over that (see Finds), a thick knit dress, and fingerless gloves. My fingernails are turning lavender on their way to blue, and my toes are cold, so I know it's not working! I need to get up and put on on of my knee-length Prairie Underground hoodies, and microwave some Dr Pepper 10.

When it gets cold for good I will probably move a space heater into the office. I have a stove-shaped one that I keep in my sewing room usually, but it can live in the office during during work days. The long hoodies are wonderful top layers, because they're so long and cozy but do not hang open, get in the way, or disarrange themselves constantly (which happens with every scarf, shawl, and blanket I try to wear).

MUK LUKS Women's Slipper Socks with Tassels

View Info

Top Pick

2

MUK LUKS Women's Shelly Boots Fashion

View Info

Top Pick

1

Liesbeth

Veteran

Wow, lots of people with this problem!
Thanks for reminding me some have it worse: at least my extremities don't go blue (I have a friend with this problem). A beanie indoors is creative but I would not risk the laughs when someone videocalls me ;). I do own a cherrypit pillow much like Carlas which I now remember I did use last spring (before only in bed).
I think either adding another layer (I'm liking the idea of a puffer vest or heattech leggings) or investing in a heating element specifically for the office should do the trick.
And however it makes my eyes roll, exercise bouts are probably a good idea :). I stop freezing when my working day is over and I start cooking/ cleaning up/...

rachylou

Veteran

Right. So this is how the whole Puffy thing started: because I’d wear one INDOORS in ARIZONA SUMMER, 125 F heat...

Jane

Veteran

I find so long as my feet are warm I’m generally okay. I have a wide scarf that I use as a wrap too. Also tea!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thermals, WARM knitwear, cashmere wrap, copious amounts of hot tea, and moving! Heat on high too.....

Tina

I have a heating pad designed to keep your feet warm. It sits on the rocker foot rest I use. I also have a ceramic space heater aimed under my desk, fingerless gloves, and lots of sweaters. Sitting at the computer just makes me cold.

Anonymous

Moving around helps a lot, especially a good dose of action in the morning.

So many good ideas above, I can only add that if I don't act immediately when I start to get cold it takes much longer to feel warm.

I also take care not to start shallow breathing, a pattern I tend towards when I start to get chilled and which does not help!

Always make sure your socks are dry?

Lucy

Veteran

My work office is FREEZING. I often put a hot water bottle behind my back. It works a charm.

JamC

Veteran

Heatech layers, and heatech warm-lined pants from Uniqlo. Sometimes separate, sometimes together. Heat holders socks with non-slip grippers on the soles.

12