How to maintain great style in painful cold

Layer when the Arctic vortex brings cold air

Clothing hinders energy loss. Thin air layers are best as a thin air layer is a great insulator. Thus, in addition to look stylish layering creates appropriate insulation when it is painfully cold outside. For both style and best insulation how to layer is key. Wherever the fabric is in direct contact with your body and/or the environment, conduction takes place, and you will feel cold in no time. This means tight layers won’t do the trick. Also wrong layering may break the style. Not to mention that you may end up looking like the Michelin man.

Style secrets for the cold

Here are some of my secrets to maintain stylish in painful cold weather.

• Wear silk or polypropylene long underwear under your pants and sweater/shirt.
• Depending on where you have to go wear slim, straight – read not skinny – winter wool trousers with lining or Alaska weight jeans with flannel lining.
• Layer with a slim qiviut or wool sweater and a polar fleece vest for insulation. Note that qiviut is the underwool from the Arctic musk ox and provides the best insulation while looking chic and thin.
• When layering pieces (sweater/cardigan, sweater/vest) of different color make sure it is either short over long or long over short with a difference in hem length of at least 2 inch (5 cm) and up to 5 inch (12.5 cm) except for a long vest or long cardigan that hit just above or below the knee.
• Wear a turtleneck sweater to keep your neck insulated. They look stylish. Accessorize with a brooch on the side of the turtleneck or pearls when you style a winter work outfit for a conservative work environment.
• You may consider to wear a turtleneck sweater with a matching cardigan as a modern version of the evergreen twinset classic. It looks beautiful with layers of pearl necklaces à la Coco Chanel.

• When your work dress code calls for skirts/dresses wear two pair of tights, long sleeve underwear, a silk or polypropylene half slip or slip with skirts and dresses, respectively.
• Wear two pair of wool socks for extra insulation in winter boots a size larger than your summer shoes.
• Squeezing your feet in winter boots is a recipe for cold feet. Click To Tweet
• A hat, scarf, and gloves are must-haves in the cold. #polarVortex Click To Tweet
• Gloves are not only a great accessory to keep your hands and fingers insulated, but also finish the styling of any winter outwear when chosen to match the vibe of the look. See how to style gloves at this link.
• Wear gloves with adjustable wrist band or knit cuffs to avoid that cold air enters and mixes with the air between your layers. They also exist as elegant leather gloves, for instance, at LeatherCoatsEtc.
• Wear outerwear that has knit cuffs in the sleeves for the same reason. Wear outerwear with knit cuffs to keep frigid air out when the polar Vortex goes thru town. #polarVortex Click To Tweet
• When your boots have a wide opening at below the knee or at the calf wear boot toppers to hinder cold air to get into your boots from the top and as a stylish element of your outerwear outfit.

• Go for a chic Russian wool scarf, a silk scarf or a knitted qivuit scarf to insulate your neck when your outerwear look must be dressy and work appropriate.
• Don't forget to style your outerwear. Click To Tweet
• Wear a hat that covers your hat and ears. Berets, or shearling hats are great options.
• When you expect to stay outside for a long time like walking the dog or waiting for public transportation wear insulating pants over your trousers or an insulating skirt over your skirt/dress for extra insulation.
• When dressing for the commute to work wear a tailored down coat with water resistant outer coating or a tailored below the knee length shearling coat. You can find what to look for in a down coat at the link.
• In windy cold weather, your outermost layer must protect against wind too.

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Photos: G. Kramm

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