Thermal layer for a chilly house?
November 22, 2015 11:53 AM Subscribe
What kind of under-regular-clothes thermal layer do you suggest for a chilly house? Silk, merino wool, poly-blend?
My California blood isn't used to the cold weather of the East coast and the house here is a little chilly. What kind of thermal layer do you recommend for under regular clothes instead of active/mega-outdoor thermal layers? Silk, merino wool, some kind of poly-blend like Patagonia's Capilene? I just want to take the chill off, but not feel too hot either as I'm not going to be tramping through too much snow.
My California blood isn't used to the cold weather of the East coast and the house here is a little chilly. What kind of thermal layer do you recommend for under regular clothes instead of active/mega-outdoor thermal layers? Silk, merino wool, some kind of poly-blend like Patagonia's Capilene? I just want to take the chill off, but not feel too hot either as I'm not going to be tramping through too much snow.
I am a Southerner who lives in Chicago in a very drafty apartment and I love silk. I usually buy Thermasilk. I like that it layers well under my normal clothes and I don't get all sweaty in it.
posted by melissam at 12:24 PM on November 22, 2015
posted by melissam at 12:24 PM on November 22, 2015
Cotton in the usual long underwear pattern works fine for me, and seems to be cheaper than the other options. Wool is better for socks since it's hard to do multiple layers, but cotton works fine for the parts that will have a couple of layers.
The particular pattern is helpful, though, as the indentations help trap air on both sides, which improves the insulation relative to a cotton undershirt or whatever.
In my drafty house in winter, I'd usually wear a cotton undershirt, a long sleeve shirt with the long underwear pattern, and a microfiber "fleece" pullover when below freezing. In the 40s-50s, the first two were fine on their own. If you're outdoors and it is breezy, you will need a windbreak layer as well, but that's not necessary to keep warm in the house.
posted by wierdo at 12:24 PM on November 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
The particular pattern is helpful, though, as the indentations help trap air on both sides, which improves the insulation relative to a cotton undershirt or whatever.
In my drafty house in winter, I'd usually wear a cotton undershirt, a long sleeve shirt with the long underwear pattern, and a microfiber "fleece" pullover when below freezing. In the 40s-50s, the first two were fine on their own. If you're outdoors and it is breezy, you will need a windbreak layer as well, but that's not necessary to keep warm in the house.
posted by wierdo at 12:24 PM on November 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
Silk is great under work clothes because it's so thin, light and comfortable. Polypropylene long underwear is probably warmer. Or go to Good will and get a pair of wool trousers; easy to change into when you get home and quite warm. wool sweater or fleece pullover is also cozy.
posted by theora55 at 12:30 PM on November 22, 2015
posted by theora55 at 12:30 PM on November 22, 2015
I've had good luck with Cuddle Duds, which are a synthetic blend.
posted by neushoorn at 12:31 PM on November 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by neushoorn at 12:31 PM on November 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
Wool is great for warmth, even if it gets bit sweaty, and doesn't start to smell too quickly. Polypro is also OK for warmth but becomes smelly very quickly and doesn't work so well if it is damp. Silk is breathable but not particularly warm.
Wool is the clear winner with the downsides being cost and fragility. I still have lots of old polypro and wore it for years in the 90s, but I would never go back with wool as an option.
posted by ssg at 12:35 PM on November 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
Wool is the clear winner with the downsides being cost and fragility. I still have lots of old polypro and wore it for years in the 90s, but I would never go back with wool as an option.
posted by ssg at 12:35 PM on November 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
For cost and ease of care I like synthetics; my current go-to is Uniqlo Heattech which has good cuts for wearing under regular clothes - scoop necks and 7/8 sleeves. The more outdoorsy brands often have crew necks that are harder to hide.
posted by mskyle at 1:02 PM on November 22, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by mskyle at 1:02 PM on November 22, 2015 [3 favorites]
I have dreadful static cling and static shock issues with silk long johns, even though they are very comfortable and warm. With poly long johns, We live in a 19th century refrigerated warehouse condo in Chicago and tend to layer with merino when hanging around the chilly house because it is breathable and really does shed body odor.
Wrist warmers are a godsend.
posted by crush-onastick at 1:10 PM on November 22, 2015 [3 favorites]
Wrist warmers are a godsend.
posted by crush-onastick at 1:10 PM on November 22, 2015 [3 favorites]
The rest of this sentence was: "With poly long johns, i get sweaty and have a slightly less significant static problem."
posted by crush-onastick at 1:37 PM on November 22, 2015
posted by crush-onastick at 1:37 PM on November 22, 2015
2nding Uniqlo Heattech. Mine have held up well for going on 4 years now when my inexpensive silk long johns tore over the same time.
posted by deludingmyself at 2:40 PM on November 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by deludingmyself at 2:40 PM on November 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
I like wool. Silk camis are nice when it's not super cold. Fleece tights under loose jeans or sweats or the like are good but bulkier than silk or wool or polypro. I have all of these and rotate depending on how cold it is and what else I'm wearing. I don't like cotton - it doesn't keep one warm if it gets wet - either from sweat or snow/sleet/rain. One exception to that rule is that flannel lined jeans are the bomb. Sierra Trader has good prices or Costco. Don't forget the wool socks since they can make a huge difference!
posted by leslies at 3:22 PM on November 22, 2015
posted by leslies at 3:22 PM on November 22, 2015
I have experience with this. The solution is LL Bean Duofold long underwear which is 100% wool outer layer and the softest cotton knit inner layer and ragg wool socks. No synthetic sweat and no staticky silk. But I'm not wearing anything over them, not the most glamorous look but toasty warm.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 3:38 PM on November 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 3:38 PM on November 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
My Patagonia Capilene tops have lasted almost 20 years. The bottoms lasted 17 years before I got a one inch rip on the seam. I have lived in cold climates that entire time. So if longevity is important, it's definitely worth the cost.
posted by desjardins at 7:03 PM on November 22, 2015
posted by desjardins at 7:03 PM on November 22, 2015
Kenyon Outlast products got me through a decade in a drafty old farmhouse (the wind literally blew into our bedroom). A couple of pairs of tops and bottoms held up all those years and I can still use them.
I tried silks and found nothing good about them. I was still freezing, and it felt like the silk was holding the cold right next to me. Obviously, other folks above have had different experiences with silk. Just consider this an anecdata point.
I haven't used the wrist warmers crush-onastick linked to, but the advice about these things is solid.
posted by bryon at 2:13 AM on November 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
I tried silks and found nothing good about them. I was still freezing, and it felt like the silk was holding the cold right next to me. Obviously, other folks above have had different experiences with silk. Just consider this an anecdata point.
I haven't used the wrist warmers crush-onastick linked to, but the advice about these things is solid.
posted by bryon at 2:13 AM on November 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Joe Fresh cotton thermal works well. Silk from LLBean was WAY too warm. I think the fabirc preference really depends on your physiology and skin, not just the temp outside.
posted by xm at 2:22 AM on November 23, 2015
posted by xm at 2:22 AM on November 23, 2015
Everything makes me itch in the winter except silk, so I say silk. I like to put my feet in hot hot hot water and then dry them on a warm fluffy towel and immediately put on nonsense fuzzy socks and slippers and then shuffle around in this getup preparing tea or cocoa or a hot toddy. Comfortsplosion. If I'm going to be all hardcore and refuse to run the heat, I'll sometimes put on a ridiculous knitted nightcap I got at a craft fair.
posted by Don Pepino at 12:36 PM on November 23, 2015
posted by Don Pepino at 12:36 PM on November 23, 2015
I like silk and the other things that help me a lot are
1. scarves, just something around my neck so I am feeling a little more insulated. Does not need to be an outdoor scarf
2. hat, same. I wear a hat indoors a lot and just feel snugglier and warmer.
3. DRY socks. If you've been wearing socks all day, they may get even a little bit sweaty and then they feel clammy/chilly. In winter I get into the habit of changing into dry socks when I get into the house (and no shoes, but warm slippers) and that makes a lot of difference.
posted by jessamyn at 1:54 PM on November 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
1. scarves, just something around my neck so I am feeling a little more insulated. Does not need to be an outdoor scarf
2. hat, same. I wear a hat indoors a lot and just feel snugglier and warmer.
3. DRY socks. If you've been wearing socks all day, they may get even a little bit sweaty and then they feel clammy/chilly. In winter I get into the habit of changing into dry socks when I get into the house (and no shoes, but warm slippers) and that makes a lot of difference.
posted by jessamyn at 1:54 PM on November 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
I was just thinking of another thing I do sometimes: long underwear top, with lightweight wool sweater over that (this is a great time of year to buy this kind of sweater - they tend to go on deep sale between Halloween and Christmas), and then a long-sleeve flannel shirt over that. And I can fit a blazer or a big sweater/sweatshirt over all that for extra warmth! In fact that's what I wore on my bike ride to work this morning (temps in the 30s) - long underwear top, t-shirt, sweater, flannel, blazer. And long underwear under my corduroys too. Now I'm at work and I've taken off the blazer, sweater, and flannel, though I will probably put most of them back on as the sun moves away from my cube.
Scarves and warm slippers/dry socks are indeed great. I can't bring myself to wear a hat in the house but I will wear a hoodie.
posted by mskyle at 6:55 AM on November 24, 2015
Scarves and warm slippers/dry socks are indeed great. I can't bring myself to wear a hat in the house but I will wear a hoodie.
posted by mskyle at 6:55 AM on November 24, 2015
For inside a chilly house, I would really strongly recommend layering on top of your regular clothes rather than underneath them, since you don't mention any reason you can't layer on top. The main reason is that it's much much easier to take off outer clothes when you get too warm. Outer layers are also much easier (and cheaper) to make warm and comfortable than layers that have to be thin enough to fit under well-fitting clothes yet somehow still warm (because air is a big part of many warm materials).
My best solution so far (as someone who's constantly cold from ~October to May) is one of those cheap furry robes you see everywhere (I don't know what it's called...like fleece but furrier...microfiber maybe?), ideally an ankle-length one, with some way to secure it closed. On the worst days, add some good wool socks (slippers make my feet sweat, ugh). You probably won't even need a sweater under the robe, which is great because you can just open or take off the robe if you overheat.
A hot cup of tea, soup or some other hot liquid helps a great deal, too - as a hand warmer, as a way to warm you up from the inside, and even just psychologically, somehow. Pets, too!
posted by randomnity at 9:41 AM on November 24, 2015
My best solution so far (as someone who's constantly cold from ~October to May) is one of those cheap furry robes you see everywhere (I don't know what it's called...like fleece but furrier...microfiber maybe?), ideally an ankle-length one, with some way to secure it closed. On the worst days, add some good wool socks (slippers make my feet sweat, ugh). You probably won't even need a sweater under the robe, which is great because you can just open or take off the robe if you overheat.
A hot cup of tea, soup or some other hot liquid helps a great deal, too - as a hand warmer, as a way to warm you up from the inside, and even just psychologically, somehow. Pets, too!
posted by randomnity at 9:41 AM on November 24, 2015
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