Previously, we discussed what to wear on our feet when it’s winter or when you travel to somewhere cold. It was really insightful even for me! I’m now itching to get a pair of Timberland boots because they keep out the wet better. But then, Irene asked again, what I’d wear clothes-wise when I travel somewhere cold or somewhere in winter.
Basically, Irene wanted to know how I’d dress in winter without looking like a dumpling haha! Well I’m afraid I can’t help you there, Irene. Winter is all about keeping warm and the best way to stay warm is to wrap up!
Here are some suggestions on what I’d wear when I travel to somewhere cold. The last time I went anywhere in actual winter was about 3 years ago and it was absolutely freezing! At the time I wore a woollen coat but I’ve since acquired something even better which is a down-filled jacket that is absolutely lovely! It even looks a little like the one I’ve shown you in the collage above, but it only cost me US$50 (RM150 or so) at a winter wear sale in Korea 😀 Score! I figured if it was suitable for the Koreans in their bitterly cold winters, it’ll serve me well.
The problem as you might expect, for many of you reading this, is that many of us travel to cold countries from a warm country and if you’re on holiday, you want to know if you need to go out and buy something specifically just for your trip. Well, the answer will be yes and no.
These days, we are quite lucky to have access to fashionable winter wear even though we live in the tropics. It’s crazy most times at the end of the year when you see the store windows filled with mannequins in coats and boots and puffy jackets… even as you sweat in the hot sun as you hurry by. Crazy! Yet, it is these stores that make winter wear accessible 😉 So here are some suggestions I have, and please do share your suggestions too! 😀
Get a good warm woollen sweater
I swear by natural wool and shun acrylic. I picked this up while living overseas as a student and I’d always look for the Woolmark symbol and the make before buying. A thin woollen sweater can keep you warmer than a thick acrylic jumper and that makes all the difference when you pack. Thick does not always mean better.
These days, you can actually find affordable cashmere blend or woollen sweaters in Uniqlo. Wait for the Fall/Winter stock to come in and watch out for the sales. I sometimes check the sale bins or wait for the promotions and pick up one or two. They come in very handy and you can even wear them here in Malaysia if you work in a Tundra-like environment 😛
A good scarf and gloves will keep you warm
I also make sure to have a nice large or long woollen scarf and gloves. After some experimentation, I prefer wearing woollen gloves to leather. The latter looks better but unless it is well made, and properly lined, may not be as warm for me. Also, I have short fingers and find too much excess material gathers at the tips. Woollen gloves fit my fingers better and keep them warm, but if it is wet, then it may get wet more quickly. As a tourist, it doesn’t matter much to me so long as I have some warmth.
As for scarves, I have a couple of woollen pashmina type scarves which double up as a wrap on the plane and when folded over, as a scarf I can bundle around my neck. I prefer the wider scarves/shawls over a traditional narrow scarf after a few trials because I can use a shawl back here in Malaysia, but I’d look a right git wearing the traditional skinny woollen scarves here. To test the length, I fold it to a narrow strip then loop it twice around my neck, then tuck the ends in. This way, most of my neck is covered and you’d be surprised at how much warmer you’d feel
Uniqlo HeatTech tops work very well
HeatTech is one of the best creations ever. Available from Uniqlo, they are impossibly thin, light and very comfortable T-shirts that you wear next to your skin and it actually keeps me very warm. You have to wear it right next to your skin for it to work though. It traps the heat and keeps you comfortable and the material is so soft and lovely. With a HeatTech tee as a base, I can get away with just a thin woollen sweater and a coat outdoors, and just a thin sweater or cardigan indoors (if the heating is not on too high). If you’re lucky and find a pair of HeatTech jeans, get it! I have 2 pairs I bought from Japan when I visited because they were on sale and they were skinny jeans and I’d never worn skinny jeans before 😛
They are not only impossibly comfortable, they keep my legs so comfortable! It is far better than any of my regular jeans because it isn’t too thick, it doesn’t get all stiff and tight from the cold and it is lovely. So, look out for those. I have a couple of HeatTech t-shirts in varying sleeve lengths (because I buy them on sale and live with what I can get LOL!) and they have served me well.
Wear a woollen hat to keep your head and you warm
Not only is wearing a hat fashionable, it keeps your head warm. Scientifically, we lose most of our body heat through our head so wearing a hat keeps it in. I am reminded of a joke from Sienfeld (holler if you remember!) “Since 75% of the body heat is lost through the head, apparently you can ski naked as long as you wear a hat. So I’d consider wearing a hat.”
Don’t take that as gospel 😛 But it’s true that wearing a hat keeps you warmer and you look really cute in photos too! 😉 A lovely friend made me one and I have another floppy hat that was a cheap souvenir from Venice from student days and still going strong!
Layer, Layer, Layer
Contrary to popular belief, the best way to stay warm is not to pull on a thick sweater and coat and think they’ll keep you warm. The best way is to layer.
Layering creates layers of air that actually keeps you warmer than if you just wear one thick jumper. So, if it’s in the dead of winter, I wear a thin long-sleeved or short-sleeved T-shirt top, followed by a thin lambswool or cashmere mix sweater or cardigan, and then top it up with a warm coat, scarf and gloves. I find that it is most important to keep your chest area warm. So, I usually wear a sweater or a cardigan that is buttoned up to the neck to protect my chest, then wrap part of my scarf down to my chest area and zip up my coat. Very warm and toasty! If I feel warm, I loosen my scarf or lower the zip on my coat. It is important to get it right before you step out the door. Once you are chilled, it is harder to warm up.
I usually also wear jeans without tights and on days when I feel a little more daring, I wear a thick short skirt with tights of 80-100 denier. You can get these tights from Marks & Spenser’s and they aren’t that expensive but they are good stuff.
Dress for where you will be visiting
So far, my winter exploits have been limited to visiting cities with the coldest being Edinburgh where it wasn’t so much cold as it was wet and windy. I don’t think my dressing will survive a colder place like Canada, Sapporo or Harbin or the steppes of Mongolia. Cities aren’t as cold as the country and you do have a lot of places to duck into if it does get too cold. The problem really, is not with the cold, but the wind so if you are visiting places outside the city then you may consider getting a windbreaker coat which cuts out part of the wind chill and also affords protection against rain. I actually owned a wax coat once like those you see hunters wear as they climb the hill slopes, dog at their feet, rifle in their hand 😀 It was awesome. Kept the cold out, kept the wet out, kept me warm. But when I got home, it started to smell and got all sticky so I had to toss it out after a while. Not practical for just occasional use but worth considering if you plan to live somewhere cold for the long term.
Ski suppliers make good winter coats and wind breakers or wind cheaters and some aren’t even very bulky at all. They aren’t very fashionable either unless you’re on a ski slope, but if you are freezing, sometimes functionality comes before form 🙂 So know where it is you’ll be visiting and plan your wardrobe accordingly.
Do you have more winter wear tips to share? It’ll be helpful if you live somewhere cold too!
For myself, I dress pretty much as you see in the 2 collages above. The T-shirt and sweater combo is a staple, topped up with a coat, scarf, gloves and boots when I’m headed out. The bottom half is usually either jeans or a short skirt. Sometimes, I wear tights and thick pants for something a little dressier. But for the most part, I look the same in all photographs LOL! 😀
Paris B
Paris, I’ve never been to a winter country before…. So I’m quite curious about something…. When flying from Msia to our destination, we won’t be wearing our winter gear (coz that’ll be crazy!), so when do we put them on? just before the plane landed? in the airport toilet? or just brace the cold till you check in the hotel?
Erm, I actually do wear my winter gear when travelling! The airports are usually quite cold and so is the plane. I usually hand carry my winter coat and keep my scarf and gloves in my handbag or handcarry luggage. I will wear the top and cardigan and jeans or skirt with tights and boots on the plane. When you arrive, the airports may be heated a little, so you don’t have to wear your coat, but you should wrap up nicely before you exit. Once you’re chilled, it’s hard to get warm again.
Haha… Oops… The winter gear i meant was the coat, gloves, hat, ear muffs etc… But thanks for answering my doubt…. 😀 but how about those heat tech clothes? Do you wear them while still in malaysia airport? Would you feel too hot in it while waiting for your flight?
Actually, nope. Heat Tech is made to keep you warm when it’s cold but not to overheat you when it’s not as cold, like wool. I basically dress as I would when I’m abroad, except I may loosen my cardigan or remove it. KLIA is impressively cold most of the time anyway!!
I travel often for work – and yes, it’s all about layering…I couldnt keep up with buying clothes for every climate lol 🙂
Hello, I will be going to Europe in December! and this is
my first time traveling to a winter country! can i check with you,
if i wear Uniqlo heattech as my first layer, it will act like long
johns? so meaning i do not have to get those long johns from those
winter stores if i am wearing heattech clothing? Thank
you!
Technically, yes. Depending on where you go, a Heat Tech top, sweater and winter coat will suffice in Europe unless you’re going skiing. Long johns are essentially the same thing (and an lot more uncomfortable) 😛
Hi there, my family and I will be going to Beijing on the 19th of December. I was wondering what type of footwear I should buy? It has to be durable and comfortable and not slippery since we’ll be climbing the Great Wall with it! Would Doc Martens or Timberland boots be okay?
That sounds fine actually. I haven’t been to Beijing though but from what I know, Doc Martens and Timberland boots have rubber soles so that should give you the grip you need.
Hi there,
Thank u for all your shared informations.
I’ll b going to Harbin this coming Christmas for 8 days trip, i wonder the uniqlo heattech turtleneck longsleeve top can act as wool sweater if my inner layer is already cashmere+wool or 100% fibre longjohn. What is your suggestion wear should i bring and for 12 years old girl also?
Thank you..
Hi Nicole, in Harbin you’d be better off wearing proper wool sweaters. Heat tech acts like what is commonly known as a “long john” and must be worn next to the skin for best effect. It isn’t a sweater. Think of it like a t-shirt that goes on as your first layer then layer on your woollen sweater and winter coat, bundle up with scarf and hat and gloves and you should be good. That said I’ve never been to Harbin but I hear it’s very cold there so better to be prepared.
Thanks for the tips! i’m trying to find review on the Heat-tech jeans and i found them in your blog. i was choosing between the jeans leggings or heat tech jeans cause legging’s price was half compared to the Jeans (RM170).. which is expensive for me.
For heat tech jeans, i believe for temperature above 10 its suffice to keep us warm. how about temperature below 10 celsious? have you experience before?
Hi Sara, I’m afraid I haven’t experienced weather in the negatives for a while so I can’t tell you if the jeans are sufficient. If I’m too cold, I usually layer a pair of 100 denier tights under the jeans and it keeps me warm enough. But if it’s too cold then you might need something more substantial like ski pants.
Hi, recently I bought many Uniqlo clothings, including Heatech jeans for my family.
We like it because the clothings are so light. However, last week while we were
wearing it in Hong Kong (winter), many rashes appeared on my husband’s thigh and legs on the 4th day of our trip. The rashes is very itchy indeed! On the 6th day, similar rashes and itchiness appeared on my thigh. Rashes also started to appear on both of my daughters’ legs too.
I’m just wondering what is the causes. Can anyone let me know?
For your information, all these clothings have been washed before we wear it.
Sorry to hear that Angela. I personally haven’t experienced this especially since you say that you had washed it beforehand but I’m just wondering if it was bed bugs? It sounds like it.
Hi Paris and all, lots of useful tips here. I\’m going to Gold Coast next week and the weather is 20 degrees to 10 degrees celcius. Went to Uniqlo yesterday but couldn\’t find the Heat Tech stuff unfortunately but got a few things that can be layered like a long sleeved top, skinny jeans and 160 denier tights. Since we will be mostly walking around outside at 20 degrees, would it be quite hot? Also, not so sure what to buy for my 2 year old although he seems to love the cold haha (He prefers to sleep outside the quilt at 18 to 16 degrees celcius). Would regular tights be enough you think? Anyone know where I can get some baby winter essentials? Also his shoes are canvas, should I just get thick socks or get other shoes? Thanks ladies..Im so confused :p dont want to be dressing like a oddball tourist..you know wearing all the winter gear n everyone is in beach wear haha.
Hi Abszie, it being Summer, Uniqlo won’t stock any Heat Tech items until Autumn/Winter collections come in. With the temperature you mentioned, I think a long sleeved tee + cardigan and a light jacket will be more than sufficient for the top and jeans or leggings for the bottom. No need to lug out the winter wear. It won’t be that cold that needs much layering for the bottom half 🙂 For kids, they will need to stay a little warmer, so a jacket and sweater will be useful for them and yes, definitely socks and shoes. Not sure about dressing for kids, I’m afraid, I only know how to dress adults haha 🙂
Hi Paris. If u can suggest how many piece of heat tech shirt that i should bring for my 12 days travel to turkiye (is it we must change everyday basis or wash them over there because this is my first time traveling to winter country) thank you! 😀
Hi Mass, not sure if you’ve gone but in winter, I don’t take a lot of clothes because you won’t sweat very much and you’ll likely find yourself wearing the same things over and over. So I would personally bring about 3-4 heat tech. I haven’t been to Turkey, but I don’t think it’s that cold that you need to wear it all the time so you may be able to alternate it with other clothing 🙂
Hi!Stumbled across this page on Google as I’m going to Seoul mid-March for a conference. Temperature’s estimated to be around 2-10 ?. Will Converse sneakers/sport shoes be sufficient? I have never experienced cold weather before, hope you can give some advice. Thanks!
Hi Jay, hope this catches you in time. Converse maybe tricky unless you’re wearing thick socks. Sports shoes, if padded should be ok but again with thicker socks so your feet don’t freeze. Have fun.
Thanks for the suggestion!
I bought Heatech pants cum legging before and i still felt cold in degree like 12 or 10..Wondering have you bought the long john from Uniqlo? Does it works for you in whether below 10 degree or slightly above?
Thanks 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this! I just bought the uniqlo heat tech jeans due to your suggestion 😉 *tee-hee*
Hey Paris!
Thanks for the insights! I was drawn to the black down jacket in the image you posted. Could you please share the brand and model of this jacket?
Hi, I’m afraid it’s been so many years since I posted that, I can’t remember where I sourced the jacket from sorry! 🙁