5 simple style tricks to stay warm even on the coldest days

When I slip into a poetic mood, I like to describe myself as a “summer child.” In truth, I am neither a child nor particularly summery. I am more of a spring type. I am “those fifteen days a year when everything is just right.” That is when I truly shine. Still, preferences aside, I successfully survive all seasons, with winter posing the greatest challenge. I like winter only platonically. I admire it from a distance, through the window, gazing at the sheet of untouched snow covering the street before the bravest among us set out to defrost their cars and head to work. I avoid eyelash-freezing cold and black ice whenever I can. As tempting as it sounds, hibernating under a blanket until the first snowdrops appear is fairly impossible. Sometimes you have to poke your nose out of a warm apartment while sidewalks generously hand out tickets to the trauma ward. Every trip outside then feels like preparing for a harsh Arctic expedition, and deciding what to wear and what shoes to put on in those merciless conditions is a task I approach quite seriously. I feel like Bear Grylls, but I want to look at least a little more elegant.

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I have followed the weather forecast since childhood. I approach it with the same meticulousness as if national television were paying me to present the weather after the evening news. And beyond having all the information on temperature, humidity, winds, and pressure systems at my disposal, I also use this knowledge to dramatically inform everyone around me whether we will survive tomorrow, whether they asked for it or not (editor’s note: they never do). My meteoromania is mostly completely useless. I often plan my life around it, only for the sun to suddenly come out of nowhere. I conclude in advance that my trip will be ruined, and it never is. I predict terrible colds and runny noses for myself, and in the end everything turns out fine. Yet in one respect it has been useful. My fear of freezing to death on the way between the newsstand and the local shop has, over time, led me to a series of realizations about how to truly stay warm when temperatures really do become merciless. I followed the forecast. This is where it got me.

A Norwegian saying goes, “There is no bad weather, only bad clothing,” so below I am sharing five style tricks that will help you stay warm during the coldest winter days:

Acielle/Style Du Monde

#1 Long live layers!

Yes, I know. You hear this sentence from me at every time of year, but in winter it plays a more practical than aesthetic role. When temperatures drop well below zero, layers are key to retaining warmth. What matters most to me is that the first, base layer sits quite close to the skin, and that the next one can breathe. Mountaineers and those frequently exposed to extreme cold, such as skiers, will recommend choosing something made of synthetic materials like polyester for the base layer, because it is important that the layer closest to the skin always stays dry. The mid layer must retain heat effectively, while the outer layer should be resistant to all weather conditions, waterproof or at least water repellent.

Instead of one thick, bulky sweater, I prefer wearing several thinner layers, because I feel less constricted that way. For the mid layer, which plays a crucial insulating role, I most often choose cashmere turtlenecks because they retain heat beautifully and are often not too thick, allowing me to add another layer on top if needed. An additional reason is that they keep my neck warm, since a scarf is a fashion accessory I most often forget. Wool and wool blends will also do the job, and a practical choice is a thin fleece jacket. It is sufficiently breathable and dries quickly if it gets wet.

#2 Compact jackets

Compact jackets are perfect for winter cold. These are jackets that appear thin but have considerable heat-retaining power. In fact, they often look like an under-jacket and are designed for exactly that purpose, to be worn under a coat or a thicker puffer jacket as a light but functional layer. If you have an extra jacket designed specifically to retain body heat, you will most likely not need to pile on layers or wear thick sweaters, and jackets like these are almost invisible. The internet has been raving for some time about Uniqlo’s PUFFERTECH Compact jacket, but a similar effect can be achieved with other light, thin quilted jackets, which we will wear on their own in spring.

Acielle/Style Du Monde

#3 Thermal tights are a lifesaver

I did not believe in the power of thermal tights until I bought a pair completely by accident, thinking they were just ordinary thick stockings. I had the chance to test their strength very quickly, at the Vienna Advent, where late November was so cold that I was wearing at least ten items of clothing at once. Besides being soft as children’s birthday parties, thermal tights are made from various functional materials and are often somewhat thicker than “regular” dense stockings, which makes them the perfect layer to wear under corduroy trousers or wider-cut jeans. And of course, we must not forget a pair of thicker socks.

#4 Never without a hat!

Yes, I know. I sound like every grandmother in history seeing her grandchildren out the door. But a hat really is essential in winter. Although the long-held belief that we lose most heat through an uncovered head has proven to be false, covering your head in winter is still very important. In addition to retaining warmth, wool hats protect the ears and a large part of the head from cold winds and other harsh weather. During extremely cold days, my favorite is still a fur hat. It is warmer than anything else I have tried so far, and it also looks very chic. If I am not wearing my favorite furry fashion accessory, my go-to option is a wool hat topped with a hood.

Related: Fur accessories that make cold, snowy days feel effortlessly chic

Acielle /Style Du Monde

#5 Boots with thick soles

Although it is hard to part with my favorite sneakers, I know they are by no means a good choice when serious subzero temperatures set in. Snow and ice quickly chill your feet through thin soles, and the feeling of cold soon becomes unbearable. That is why I have a list of requirements for my winter boots. First, they need a thick, substantial sole to separate me from the frozen asphalt. It is also important that they are stable and have anti-slip rubber soles, so I do not add a new injury to my existing collection. Wool, fleece, or some synthetic insulator like Thinsulate helps significantly with heat retention, while materials such as Gore-Tex keep them waterproof. Beyond stability and warmth, the ability to stay dry is the most important quality of good winter boots. Finally, it matters to me that there is room inside for a double layer of socks, which I will definitely wear, so if I have the chance to choose shoes half a size larger, I always do. Voila!

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