It took its time, but winter is now here. And with it comes the famous morning question: “How to dress warmly?”
In this article, we will explain how to dress warmly and with which materials.

Which materials to choose for warm clothing?

Wool

It is the essential material for winter. Whether it comes from sheep, goats, or alpacas, this natural fiber is the champion of thermal insulation. Its structure allows it to form an "air barrier" that will isolate you from the cold by capturing your body heat and then returning it to you.

Moreover, wool has a high moisture absorption and evaporation capacity, allowing you to stay dry. Cotton, for example, absorbs moisture but does not evaporate it and becomes waterlogged. As we know, moisture and cold don’t mix well, which is why wool is warmer than cotton.

Cashmere

It is also a natural wool. It comes from a goat originating from the region of Kashmir, in India. It has the same properties as "classic" wool by insulating the body from the cold and regulating moisture. However, its fibers are much finer, providing more lightness and softness. Additionally, its fibers do not contain lanolin, making it hypoallergenic.

Silk

Derived from an insect larva, silk is another natural fiber with properties similar to wool and cashmere. It offers good insulating and thermoregulatory capabilities, while also absorbing moisture. Silk is characterized by its fineness, lightness, and fluidity. It is often found blended with wool, cashmere, or even cotton.

Down

A very fine plumage called down, from geese or ducks. Unlike feathers, its filaments, called barbs, are soft and do not overlap. They provide exceptional insulating power to down: mini air reservoirs form between them and store the heat emitted by the body. The size of these air reserves defines the loftiness of the down, and thus its insulating power. This insulator is highly prized by mountaineers and adventurers: Its advantage? Down is lightweight, compressible, and very warm. This means that a down jacket can be packed at the bottom of a bag, taking up minimal space and weight. And when worn, it provides excellent warmth.

Down, however, is allergic to water. Upon contact, the air reservoirs fill with water, displacing the warm air. The down then becomes damp, cold, and heavy.

Fleece

A synthetic fiber, is also a very good insulator. It is known for keeping warm. Its hollow fibers give it this power. Once again, it is the air trapped inside these fibers that acts as an insulating barrier while improving the fabric's breathability. Fleece is hydrophobic and perfectly wicks away moisture. It is lightweight, durable, affordable, and recyclable. Plus, it's soft!

Now, let’s see how to dress warmly!

Layering, like an onion! This way, the air between each layer will increase the insulation between your body and the outside.
But be careful, for it to be effective, you can't just do it any old way! We assume that you should wear 3 to 4 layers of clothing, in the following order:

  1. The importance of thermal underwear: the layer closest to the skin is very important. It should be breathable to wick away natural moisture and allow your body heat to escape and infiltrate between the other layers. Technical clothing made of wool or synthetic material is ideal. They will act as a second skin.

  2. The intermediate layer should be insulating. This is what will keep you warm. Wool or fleece sweaters are perfect for this role.

  3. The third layer: It should restrict the passage of air and water. Waterproof, windproof, and other technical parkas are perfect for this. Look for windproof properties, waterproofing, and insulation for this 3rd layer.

  4. If despite these 3 layers you still feel cold, don't hesitate to add a 4th layer: you can wear a warm vest over the intermediate layer. This will allow you to easily open or remove it, and regulate your body temperature.

Another very important tip, focus on accessories! But not just any... because we're not talking about hi-tech or fashion accessories! Although it's important to maintain your style, even when dressing warmly.

Start from the principle that you need to cover as much of your body surface as possible. It is therefore important to effectively protect your extremities, such as your feet and head: to do this, invest in quality socks, shoes, gloves, and a hat.

For these three accessories, the selection criteria will be the same as for warm clothing: choose materials that provide good insulation and effectively wick away moisture.

It's your turn to play!