Winter Wear, Layer by Layer

Image from Gatochy's Flickr stream, who runs The Flapper Girl.

I love the post The Freelancer's Fashion Blog did last month title "The Anatomy of Dressing When it is Really Really Cold." I have been sporting a lot of skirts this winter and have found my own method of layering to keep warm, so it was really interesting to see another woman's method. So let us break this down and discuss, shall we?

Some may think that me wearing mainly skirts when it is snowing outside, especially considering the temps Chicago has been getting lately, as being crazy. I shall defend myself by stating that I actually feel way warmer in my wool skirt and wool tights than I do in my jeans and long socks. I also find it way more comfortable to wear a skirt. Lets go through the layers, complete with links on where to buy/how to make the item.

1) I wear either a full slip or half slip. Doublespeak has some great vintage embroidered slips that I love to wear. The full slip is vital when wearing a wool skirt; otherwise, you will find yourself with one itchy waist.

2) To protect my legs, I wear a variation of different combos depending on how cold it is outside. I find wool or cashmere tights a godsend on very cold days. I especially like Betsey's Ribbed Leggings and MP's cotton-lined wool tights. Yes, both are a wee pricey, but worth the investment.

On days that I am not in a tights mood I wear my every day stockings, like those from What Katie Did or Secrets in Lace, with knee-high socks and leg warmers (to cover the knee and lower thigh). Some good knitting patterns for leg warmers are Alpaca Sox Leg warmers and Chunky Cabled Leg warmers. Spats are also a good option for keeping legs warm.

Regarding stocking wear, I have yet to find a US shop that carries 60 denier (or above) stockings. This would be the ideal for winter, but since I can't get my hands on them, I layer my regular denier stockings with socks and leg warmers. (If anyone knows of a US supplier for 60 denier stockings, not tights, please let me know!) I emailed Secrets in Lace last week and asked what narrow garter belt they suggested for everyday wear. They got back to me the next day and said that Style 3181 (Romance) is their all-time favorite. I have yet to try it out, but plan to order it before the month is over. I will get back to  you with my thoughts on it.

3) For the top I just wear a shirt/blouse with a good sweater and scarf. (The coat will be discussed later.) Some people need more layers than this, but I never have a problem keeping the top of me warm, I always find my legs and hands a challenge. If you do need an extra layer for the top, a vest or jerkin is a great way to do so. I find a scarf really helpful for keeping snow and wind out.

4) The skirt. Choose wisely or layer well. During the winter I normally wear knee-length (or below) wool skirts. There are oodles of nice wool skirts on Etsy (and Ebay) for the picking at good prices. For example, this one, or this, or this. If I don't feel like wearing wool, I simply layer two of my spring/summer skirts and wear them together. This especially looks good if the underskirt  is a wee longer than the overskirt and they are complimentary colors. I have noticed when layering two skirts, you often need a half slip between the under and overskirt. Without it, they tend to stick and jumble up.

5) Shoes, or boots really. I highly suggest wearing boots that come just under the knees. I have one pair that stops 3" before the knees and I am significantly colder with those than my right-at-the-knee ones. With a knee-length skirt and under-knee boots, you are pretty much covered. I have two pair of regular boots that I wear with warm socks when it is not snowing hard and then my ugly ass snow boots for when it is really cold or there is slush out. When wearing said ugly snow boots I bring a pair of flats in my purse to change into when I get to my destination. I would suggest either these, or this model or this pair. (Yes, there are two Uggs in there and dear lord do I hate Ugg, but guess what...they keep your feet warm and dry and their new models are actually not that ugly). This shoe suggestion is coming from a girl who does not own a car and walks/takes buses everywhere. I am sure the ugly snow boot option is not a necessity for one who owns a car. For those in this boat who want a bit of a heel, this boot looks good.

6) The coat. This is the big one. Invest in a damn good calf-length coat and you are golden. I also have a knee length coat that works well with my skirt-wearing, but on horrible horrible days, you want that impenetrable long coat. For below zero days, I slip into this igloo of a coat from Lands End. Again, kind of ugly, but WARM. For all other days, a wool coat works well with all those other layers listed above. These two (one, two) vintage fur-collared coats are adorable. If you prefer fake fur, this faux leopard coat is swell.

7) The toppers...hands and head. A good hat is great, but if you don't like the way a hat looks on your head, wrapping a scarf around your neck and head is also good for keeping warm. For your hands, I swear by knitted mittens. They aren't great when it is wet out, but I've never been able to keep my hands warm in leather gloves. I just finished this mitten pattern and love it, but there are other great ones out there, like this layered one.

Comments

[elle s'ennuie]

Yep, that is pretty much how I layer in winter :) Tank top (optional), turtleneck top (long or short sleeves, depending on how cold it is), sweater or cardigan, skirt, wool tights, wool over-knee socks, lined boots, wool coat, wool hat (big and fluffy lined with crocheted wool layers), wool scarf and wool mittens (removable top so I can take pictures). Keeps me warm but getting dressed takes a little more time than in the summer... :)
Keeping the hands and feet (and head!) warm is really essential; if those get cold, doesn't matter how many layers you have elsewhere, you'll be miserable!

As for tights/skirts vs jeans, a TV show here did a test where they measured the temperature on the hosts legs after about 15 minutes outside in the cold. The man was wearing jeans and the woman 20 den tights, and the tights came out on top by a healthy margin! So they indeed keep you warmer. Unless it is not only cold but very windy as well, in which case you'll want both tights and jeans... :)

[Kathy]

elle s'ennuie: That is really interesting to hear about that tights vs jean test. Getting all that stuff on for winter certainly takes more time, but I enjoy trying to use my spring/summer clothes in new ways for winter by layering them creatively.

[Kris]

Awesome ideas! I guess I should get on it and make a couple wooly skirts for the rest of my winter..

[.amanda.]

thanks for including my fur collar, olive green coat! What a great collection you have put together!

xo

[mikee]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how to wear a layering clothes.

-mikee

[susan]

tights vs jeans is without any more layers. I love the long wool skirts, with regular pantyhose but I put sox on to for added warmth if my boots arent insulated. An A-line heavy lined wool skirt with a layered slip is way warmer than jeans. No one had measured thigh temps up under a skirt, ha ha. But I am totally warm in that outfit. Uggs or something like them on the bottom, and only my knees feel a little cool at times. And of course way more comfort. I dont like layers under jeans, they feel restricting. Ill wear pantyhose under jeans but not tights. The tights stick to the jeans.

[Moncler Jacka]

Love those! I enjoy following your posts on facebook and rss!