How do I winter?
October 16, 2017 11:58 AM   Subscribe

I need jacket recommendations for an upcoming trip, plus general tips for staying warm.

I have a trip coming up that will have me outdoors most of the day in an urban environment. Temps will be in the 30's to 40's.

Cold makes me miserable! If it's lower than 80 F, I'm cold. I've lived in very warm environments most of my life and I really want to be comfortable during this trip.

How does layering really work? Say you have a "base layer" and then you feel too warm, are you supposed to find a restroom, remove your undershirt, then carry it around the rest of the day? I feel silly for never getting a grasp on this.

I'm looking for coat/jacket recommendations with the following criteria:
a) Long enough to cover my butt
b) Weatherproof/rain resistant
c) somewhat cute/stylish
d) less than $150?
e) warm but not overkill warm, I'm not going to be skiing/ trekking in the arctic.

I am female, size 4-ish if that guides your recommendations at all.
posted by jschu to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (22 answers total) 6 users marked this as a favorite
 
Yes layering works. And most base layers are thin enough that they allow your body to regulate its temperature pretty well; if you're chronically cold under 80F, I wouldn't worry about overheating with a light baselayer (which I'd recommend).

Try Uniqulo; they have a lot of basic but still pretty high quality layering pieces.
posted by craven_morhead at 12:12 PM on October 16, 2017 [4 favorites]


When we think of layering for outdoors, I treat the base layer as the first on, last off. You are unlikely to take it off, so you want base layer plus some other layer to be presentable (or even cute) to the people you will share the company of. It's really middle layers I tend to take off or on.

One really helpful thing to remember, it's nice to have a good way to carry those layers when you take them off. If you are out hiking and already have a bag, that's great. If you're shlepping around town, I sometimes use a reusable shopping bag that I can wear over my shoulder for those layers.

(I'm a cold hearty Minnesotan, so I don't know what you'd want to wear in this situation. I don't think of 30 as something that requires planning.)
posted by advicepig at 12:13 PM on October 16, 2017 [3 favorites]


Response by poster: Forgot to add "lightweight/packable" to my list of criteria for the jacket. ❄️
posted by jschu at 12:13 PM on October 16, 2017


Just make sure you wear real socks and have sturdy shoes that won't let slush in. You can wear all the coats you want, but if your toes are popsicles you're going to be miserable.
posted by phunniemee at 12:16 PM on October 16, 2017 [1 favorite]


One really helpful thing to remember, it's nice to have a good way to carry those layers when you take them off.

The only thing I'd add is that in places where people generally wear coats, there's generally infrastructure to take care of that so you don't have to hold a coat, at least, indoors all the time -- there are coat checks, coat hooks underneath the table in bars, coat closets/coat racks in office buildings, etc.
posted by andrewesque at 12:20 PM on October 16, 2017


Don't forget about socks/shoes as well as a hat and scarf. For me that's more important than the perfect jacket, especially if there is any chance of wind.
posted by koahiatamadl at 12:23 PM on October 16, 2017 [2 favorites]


In that weather, I'd be comfortable in a light fleece vest, and any reasonable parka. LL Bean gives a temp. range that is pretty accurate, and I think option 3 is a good choice for you. The fleece vest is easy to take off or put on as warmth is desired. It's really important to have good socks, a warm hat and good gloves. I like thin leather gloves with a lining, fleece hat and smartwool socks. I also have a couple of lightweight wool pashminas that add warmth. In an urban environment, you might not want to dress in the kind of layers you'd wear hiking. If you get hot, unzip the parka or take of the hat. I really hate being cold, and warm socks, gloves, hat and shawl/scarf are more important than the jacket. I wore either my old leather jacket with matted insulation or a wool coat all last winter and was fine.

You'll be wearing pants, right? If you wear a skirt, add fleece leggings, they help a lot. And under the jacket, something like a cotton tee and light sweater. LLBean also has very light silk long underwear, but I really don't think it's called for here.
posted by theora55 at 12:27 PM on October 16, 2017 [1 favorite]


A thin fleece jacket that fits under your winter coat is a great extra layer - you can keep the fleece on indoors if the heat isn't up high enough for your taste and it will make even a middling winter jacket feel much warmer. If you can find one with extra-long sleeves and thumb holes, that's even better.

I'd think about picking up some thigh-high socks to wear under your pants (or wear tights or long underwear if you don't want to keep the option of scrunching them down if you get too hot open), warm shoes or a second pair of socks, a long-sleeve t-shirt (like a heat tech shirt from uniqlo), a sweater, a fleece and a jacket. Plus, hat, gloves, scarf (or a buff, which is a tiny tube scarf you can pull up over your face if your nose gets cold). I would be sweltering in all that in 30s-40s, but I think it might work for you.
posted by snaw at 12:28 PM on October 16, 2017


I have a Land's End 3-in-1 Squall jacket that is great, mainly because of the super-thick zip-out fleece lining (which looks like a normal fleece when worn separately). I highly recommend checking out coats with a removable liner; makes it much easier to layer with or without thick sweaters. Also, adjustable wrist closures and an adjustable hood make a world of difference in wet weather. I bundle my coat up and shove it in my backpack all the time, and it looks fine. Pretty rain-resistant, too.

For under-layers, I've had good luck with Cuddl Duds (yes, the name is silly). If you're wearing jeans, a pair of Cuddl Duds or even just thick, soft leggings makes a world of difference in cold temps. And yes, I've gone into restrooms and removed my base layers plenty of times. The nice thing about thin base layers is that they don't take up much space when stuffed into a purse or bag.
posted by neushoorn at 12:28 PM on October 16, 2017


General tips for warmth. Another reason I love the pashminas is that I can look like I'm being stylish indoors when I'm really dealing with drafts and being cold. A hot drink/ soup warms you very quickly. Wind chills you quickly. If you do get cold and can't stop for hot chocolate, walk a bit faster. You can get handwarmers, they are chemically activated. I think you would be happy carrying some. You can activate a couple and stick them in gloves or shoes to warm cold hands or feet. I don't you'll need them, but I understand the worry about being cold.

Be wary of wearing a bunch of layers and being overdressed. If you get sweaty, it can chill you, and too many layers makes it awkward to move.
posted by theora55 at 12:36 PM on October 16, 2017 [3 favorites]


Do you have a Costco near you? I have bought wonderful, incredibly inexpensive coats there for my family.

I hate being cold, too.
Wool socks and good boots.
A really good hat. Yes, your hair probably will look dumb after.
A nice scarf.
Great mittens. Not so-so gloves. If your hands don't start to get a little hot when you are inside wearing them they aren't warm enough for me.

I never feel like my torso isn't warm if I am wearing a coat. It's the ears, head, hands, neck, and feet (and sometimes legs, especially if it's windy). A decent coat means I don't have to layer my tops. That means when you are inside, removing all the other stuff makes you dressed fine for inside.
posted by beccaj at 12:45 PM on October 16, 2017


You can double your socks on a really cold day!
posted by karmachameleon at 12:56 PM on October 16, 2017


Just bought an inexpensive down jacket at Costco this weekend - I think it was $20. They also have some warm underlayers.

I second the CuddlDuds recommendation - I have a zip up long sleeve jacket, a shirt, and two pairs of fleece lined leggings (since I wear mostly skirts) from them, and they are absolutely amazing about keeping me warm.

A lot of the handwarmers say they last 8 hours - I know my niece carries them to school in the morning and keeps them with her throughout the day as needed.
posted by needlegrrl at 1:02 PM on October 16, 2017


I'm also a cold hearty Minnesotan , and I absolutely would wear long underwear-type layers if I was going to be outdoors all day in 30-40 degree weather! Hat, scarf, mittens. Leggings under jeans (this is key, you can wear the warmest parka in the world and still be miserable if your legs are freezing), two pairs of socks. Comfy shoes (test them out with two pairs of socks on - shoes that are too tight will make your feet cold as well as uncomfortable.) On top, a thin long-sleeved undershirt under a sweater or fleece jacket and a lightweight windproof jacket over all. If you get too warm, take off the sweater/fleece and put the jacket on again. Or if the sun comes out and the wind isn't too cold, put on the sweater/fleece and leave the jacket off for awhile. Your goal is to keep the undershirt on and modify your top layers as needed before your undershirt gets all sweaty. Once your bottom layer is sweaty you're more likely to get chilled.

I've found good lightweight/packable jackets at Land's End, Costco, and Old Navy.

And yes, for sure carry a bag that you can put things in as you get too warm. Throw a couple handwarmers in there in case you get desperate.
posted by beandip at 1:05 PM on October 16, 2017 [1 favorite]


Another note to pay attention to your feet. I moved to upstate NY from a tropical country, and one thing that made a big difference to how I felt in winter weather was having warm, dry feet. Waterproof shoes with warm comfortable socks - possibly two layers of socks - make all the difference.

Next on the list would be a decent hat - you lose a lot of heat through your head if it isn't covered - and mittens, possibly mittens that fit over thin gloves.

Then you can worry about the other stuff. Wear layers, make sure you have no cotton next to your skin if you'll be exerting yourself intermittently, have a breathable and waterproof (or water resistant) outer layer.
posted by RedOrGreen at 1:50 PM on October 16, 2017


What are you doing outside all day? Walking around sightseeing? Walking with some purpose (protest march)? Or standing (e.g. rally, concert etc.)? . As well the humidity level (30 degrees in 80% humidity feels colder than at 20%) and amount of sunlight.

This will govern how many layers you need and how thick they need to be/what they need to be made of. If you're standing around, synthetic or cotton is probably okay; if you're moving and might be sweating, I'd go with natural fabrics (silk or wool). Get merino wool socks either way.

I'm a guy so I'll let other people handle specific clothing items. One thing you might not think of - if you're going to be outside all day, you still need to wear sunscreen no matter how cold or cloudy it is. Even if you start out wearing a scarf, you'll get warm enough to take it off. I'd bring sunglasses too.
posted by AFABulous at 1:55 PM on October 16, 2017 [1 favorite]


I concur with the keeping your feet warm thing, and science backs me up :)

Down jackets are super toasty but non synthetic ones are terrible if they get wet. Sadly waterproof, warm and reasonably priced seems to be one of those pick two situations as far as jackets are concerned. As beandip says, a couple of layers and then a wind/waterproof jacket over the top is probably a better way to go.

For layering, wool is pretty good as a base layer, assuming you don’t find it itchy. Plenty of outdoor places do merino wool baselayers for sensible money.
posted by mr_stru at 2:12 PM on October 16, 2017


Seconding Uniqlo; their light weight down is super packable, and nice and warm, and should be good for 30-40 degrees, especially if you're wearing it over something like a base layer-sweater combo.
posted by damayanti at 2:12 PM on October 16, 2017


Yes to the layers! Former southerner now in the PNW, and that first layer is the key. What isn't commonly communicated to people though, is why that base layer is useful overall, and how to make it work for you. A tight-white undershirt is by far, for me, the best beginning layer—and comfortably skin tight is the key component. You don't need it constricting, just enough to eliminate loose gapping between cloth and skin, you just want to get rid of drafts. I usually buy simple white tees, one size too small. It's not that the base layer provides a lot of insulation in its own right, but rather that it helps you and the other layers regulate your temperature by slowing air flow. The fantastic bit is that this works in hot weather too, oddly enough. This same base layer, in tee-shirt form, does wonders to smooth out summer heat, which is somewhat strange, but there you are.

I think you'll find yourself well served at the temperatures you've noted by tight underlay+shirt+fleece+jacket. It lets you pop a layer or even two easily off if you get warm, and if you're physical exerting yourself, you can generate far, far more heat than you might expect. Make the jacket water resistant and you're even more flexible. Grab yourself a hat too, and some light gloves perhaps. You don't actually lose any more heat from your head than other parts of your body, but it IS commonly left uninsulated nowadays in warmer climes, and that's a bit silly in chilly places . Cold ears suck. Hat and light gloves give you two more tools to regulate temperature as well.

Oooh, ooh. Don't forget you can always add a scarf too if you still find yourself chilly! As a former southerner, I still—all these years later—find them somewhat exotic and a little exciting to use. I always feel like such a proper northwesterner when I break out my scarves.
posted by los pantalones del muerte at 3:12 PM on October 16, 2017 [1 favorite]


Uniqlo is great. Try to get some of their Heat Tech stuff as it does a good job of keeping you warm. I was fine for 3 years in Winnipeg with a fairly thin Uniqlo down jacket - not one of the ultralight ones but I was surprised during my first winter when I realized that I wouldn't need to buy a new jacket.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 3:33 PM on October 16, 2017 [2 favorites]


Around that temp what works best for me is an unlined rainjacket with a warm layer underneath (= a fleece jacket when it's around freezing rain temperatures, a hoodie when it's a bit warmer, a light cardigan if it's warmer still, etc). The rainjacket blocks the wind and rain so the other stuff keeps you warm. Then a short sleeved shirt as the "base layer" underneath - maybe add a light long sleeved shirt on top if you really want to go nuts with layering, but it's probably not necessary.

If you get too warm, it's not hard to take the jacket off for a moment and remove some middle layers (or the outer layer if you don't need the rain/wind protection)

If you're walking around, you'll want pit zips in the rain jacket, and more thin layers. If you'll be standing around for hours, more thick layers and I'd even consider thin leggings/thermal pants under your regular pants (but this will overheat you quickly if indoors, so plan accordingly). Cover all your non-face skin (hat, gloves, highish socks if you aren't wearing boots, maybe scarf, and I really like those thumbhole shirts that cover your wrist) and you'll be fine without a serious winter coat.

I highly recommend merino or especially cashmere as a middle or base layer, but it's spendy. Very light and warm, even if it gets wet. Merino socks are nice too for the same reason. Might not be worth the cost for you though if you're rarely in a cold area.
posted by randomnity at 3:53 PM on October 16, 2017


A friend in the Canadian military told me about a cold study of snipers that found if the torso was kept warm, the extremities would be warm. Toward that end, I always start with a thin down vest over a scarf.
posted by bonobothegreat at 6:08 PM on October 16, 2017


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