Having spent a total of three winters in the UK now,
I feel like I have finally found some really great winter wear essentials to recommend to those who are looking
(I get a lot of soon to be expat question in regards to clothes..so here you go)
1. Hunter Welly Socks: I got them last winter and they changed my feet's life. For those that have Hunter Boots, you know they do not keep your feet warm. Dry? Yes. Warm? Not at all. Enter in Welly socks. These are fleece socks (note: fleece=warm). And they not only keep my feet super warm, but they are so thick that they provide a sort of seal in the Hunter boots that keeps the cold air from getting in, which was a better solution than me stuffing scarves around my calf. I also wear them with my regular boots too in the winter. It is a little snug, but in the warmest most awesome way.
2. Fleece lined tights: holy.crap. My future Mother in Law got these for me for christmas this year. I put them on and literally gasped, and then wanted to punch myself for not having found these sooner. They are tights material on the outside, but the inside is lined with this soft fluffy fleece like material. They are also only like 10 bucks. They are also warm...and I feel like they could be worn as tights OR leggings because they are pretty thick...except they have the tights liner up the crotch...so..don't wear them as leggings if you are wearing a shorter top (which you really shouldn't be wearing with leggings either..) But if you don't have these and live in a cold climate..GET THEM NOW. Seriously. This is now the first item I tell people to buy.
3. Thick sweater: This is kind of a duh moment, but I need to elaborate on thick. My future mother in law made me the sweater I am wearing above for Christmas, and it is SUPER thick and warm. I had bought some sweaters at H&M thinking they would keep me warm. Rookie move. If you hate wool (which I do because it makes me itchy) then a softer fabric that is doubled up, or thick to begin with, is what you need, much like the one linked above.
4. Hat: So I have SUPER sensitive ears. I don't know what it is, but if it's cold, after about 10 minutes of being outside the inside of my ears will feel like someone is actually stabbing a knife into them. I feel the pain in my inner ear, up to my head, and in my jaw. It is the worst pain I have ever felt. So I need a thick hat that can cover my ears.
There is always the obvious big down coat and scarf, but you don't really need me telling you that.
I hope.
The 4 above are my little tricks,
and items where I have made mistakes with by buying the wrong kind,
or just not knowing what to look for,
and severely paying the price for it.
Hope this helps you cold climate dwellers,
or soon to be UK expats.
Again...fleece=warm.
There is always the obvious big down coat and scarf, but you don't really need me telling you that.
I hope.
The 4 above are my little tricks,
and items where I have made mistakes with by buying the wrong kind,
or just not knowing what to look for,
and severely paying the price for it.
Hope this helps you cold climate dwellers,
or soon to be UK expats.
Again...fleece=warm.
Bracelet: c/o Poshlocket
Oh I love my welly socks - I've been wearing them around the house like slippers too.
ReplyDeleteFleece lined tights are God's gift from heaven to those forced to live in a freezing cold climate. They're like our consolation prize.
ReplyDeleteIt is -3 today in Maine- and I laughed when I saw this post since I am wearing: 1)fleece lined leggings 2) a large thick white knit sweater 3)fleece socks in my boots! The only thing missing is the hat- which I can't do because my hair becomes a static monster. I tried to convince my fiance that we need to move to San Diego...like..yesterday. Tried being the key word!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I thought I was the only one with the ears/cold problem! Same exact issue!!
ReplyDeleteit all looks so cozy and warm!
ReplyDelete-katie
Never owned a pair of fleece lined tights, but noted. I've been planning a trip to visit a friend in Seattle and a friend in Alaska. Those seem like legitimate reasons to own/utilize a pair of fleece lined tights. Any places specifically that you can get them from?
ReplyDeleteAnd on another note, YES to the hat. I'm such an advocate for warm ears. Even here in the great state of Texas, when it gets cool (because it doesn't really get cold) something for my ears are essential.
great winter essentials! so cute and cozy :) hope all is well!
ReplyDeletelove from NYC,
Taylor
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I sooo need this! I'm moving to the East Coast and basically going to die in the Winter. Hunter boots? Yes oh yes!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I LOVED my welly socks! We wore ours everyday when we took the dogs out. I ended up buying some of the knit ones as well- they aren't quite as warm as the fleece ones, but are thinner and more breathable, so worked better in non-welly boots for me.
ReplyDeleteAnd fleece-lined tights? I think I went through about 3 pairs. I'd wear them under jeans, or under thermals AND jeans if I was working (I worked outside, year-round, no matter the weather). I always went to M&S for winter leggings and thick wool socks (men's department) because they had the best quality for the price!
I have to say, though- I really miss GB winter. My facebook is covered in snowy pictures of Harrogate, and it's killing me :/
Ive totally done the triple layer pants thing. its how i was able to walk to Uni in the winter. there are a lot of aspects about living here ill miss...but the winters will never ever be one of them. lol. i blame so cal for spoiling me
DeleteHave you tried your fleece leggings under jeans or other pants? Makes walks in the cold wind so much more bearable!
ReplyDeleteOh heck yes. its the way to go
DeleteYou future MIL made you that sweater?! It looks adorable!
ReplyDeleteShe did!! Isnt that crazy??? its amazing. so much detail
DeleteSuper cute. I loooove that hat! I feel like we haven't chatted in forever! Miss you!
ReplyDeleteFleece lined tights are the best!! Even with our not-quite-always-freezing Oklahoma weather, I appreciate every bit of warmth I can get in my always freezing office. They're perfect and I love how thick they are!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness how have I never heard of fleece lined tights????? I'm running out to get a pair right now.
ReplyDeleteI need those hunter fleece socks. Great recommendation, thank you!!
ReplyDeleteLuckily I am for the rest well equipped with lots of knitwear, hats and coats so that the rest of me is mostly warm and ready to defeat those 10 degrees C below zero. Brrrr!
Lucky you, it is maybe your last winter here ;-)
Svenjax
Happybluebird
oh my god i love your hunter socks!!!! i've ever seen it before!! however you look really good!
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oh I love this! I really need to get those woolen leggings sometime. xx | Natalia.
ReplyDeleteI have sensitive ears too!! We are twins!! Seriously they throb if they get cold. And those tights. How have I never heard of them before??
ReplyDeleteI love that sweater. So much! And those tights- yep, need 'em.
ReplyDeleteBuying the tights! Thank you for posting about them. I live in Chicago and I can't believe that I am just learning about these!
ReplyDeleteYES! Those tights are the most amazing things. I picked up a pair the other day with my future MIL and we both had the same reaction when we tried them on. Just a gasp. They make great thermals without making your legs look uber chunky under jeans.
ReplyDeleteAnd the pain in the ear thing? I get that. I got that in London surprisingly, more so than Helsinki but I think that's just because London was a lot windier. I had really bad pain in my ear and jaw for a few days, which I now know to be from the cold.
But yes, I cannot recommend those fleece tights enough. It's just a shame Australia is so freaking hot and I'll be hard pressed to find a time to wear them back home :'(
Such a cute hat! Stay warm! x
ReplyDeleteI am definitely on board with your winter essentials. Boston is a chilly 20 degrees today, so that sweater and those fleece lined tights are looking like the perfect ensemble for today's cold weather. Hope you're staying warm!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Hunter made adorable socks like that!!!!!!! And now I'm super sad because I'll look a lil re-re if I walk around in them in 80 degrees. Sad.
ReplyDelete:) Nicole
NeNe Monster
Fleece lined leggings/tights? That's genius. What I love more about that is they won't stretch to reveal the white skin behind it.
ReplyDeleteOh and totally got blinded by gray "leggings" on a woman this morning w/her sweatshirt above her waist. Too much was shown..too much was seen..eyes. burning.
I am so excited to find out about fleece lined tights. I must find some ASAP! Love our winter essentials!
ReplyDeleteThick sweaters are my favorite, the ones that don't itch obviously. ;) I was tempted to buy one here because it was so freeeeezing in Orange County. ;( Not anymore though. ;)
ReplyDeletexoxo
right there with you on all of these. it's supposed to be below 0 here next week and i am dreading it. warm, thick sweaters save me!
ReplyDeleteor tips for oregonians. cause, we are pretty much weather twins:-) xoxo
ReplyDeleteThose tights are freaking genius. Why have I not heard of them sooner??? I could definitely use those in SF right now.
ReplyDeleteAlso, gorg sweater from the future MIL :)
MEGAN! I cannot believe you just discovered the fleece tights! Poor thing!!! I wish we'd commiserated more on our new cold climates two years ago I could've kept you from FREEEEZING. These sold on Korean street corners for 5 bucks, and I still wear them to teach yoga outdoors here in CA during winter (it was in the 30's last weekend, AND windy, the horror!). One more tip: on extremely cold days, wear regular tights (sheer even), underneath the fleece lined leggings. So warm you don't give the weather a second thought. Happy outdoor strolls in 14 degree weather :)
ReplyDeleteI had no clue about the Hunter Wellies socks, brilliant! Much better than wearing layers of socks. We just aren't taught these things in Cali! xoxoxo
i am going to have to get me some of these. i live in utah and it is always freezing cold with really long winters, plus this year i work up in the mountains so thank you for your advice i will be looking for those tights and socks.
ReplyDeletemy hunter wellie socks are a lifesaver--i don't know what i did without them. and they make my wellies look like they have a little personality which i think makes them even better :)
ReplyDeletei def need the hunter socks. plus my feet and calfs move around so much in the them i don't feel very secure walking around in them and like i might fall on my face any second
ReplyDeleteYou look so cute and snuggly. Leggings (layers of them!) and hats saved me in Seattle.
ReplyDeleteMegs, where oh where oh where do you get your fleece-lined tights in the UK? The link took me to Amazon US. Do you buy them on the High St or online? I've looked in good old Marks & Spencer (because you'd figure they'd sell them there of all places right)? No joy. :(
ReplyDeleteSigned,
FreezingmybuttoffinGloucestershire
xx
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I officially want to give whoever invented fleece-lined tights a Nobel Prize.
ReplyDeleteI've been in England for a year and a half and I have not realized that fleece leggins exist. I feel silly to admit this, but I'll wear layers of black tights under my black knee high socks just to keep warm! I definitely need to get some ASAP.
ReplyDelete