4 Tips on How to Dress to Stay Warm

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As the weather turns colder, chances of contracting air-borne illnesses increase. The immune system is constantly working hard to fight infections. Thus, it's important to take care of the body to keep it functioning properly. One way to preserve the health is to dress according to the weather. While dressing to impress might earn you compliments, getting sick won't. Not to worry if you want to look stylish while keeping warm - read on to learn more!

1. Layer on clothing

Wearing multiple layers of clothing traps air near the skin, which keeps heat close to the body. Don't worry about stuffing yourself silly though - wearing three layers will be sufficient. The first layer that should be worn is the base layer. Since its purpose is to absorb sweat, it's recommended to wear something fitting, such as a tank top or a T-shirt. The mid-layer is worn over the base layer to trap maximum body heat. Hoodies, sweatshirts, and sweaters are usually worn to serve this purpose. Don't forget to wear an extra layer underneath your bottoms. It may be unusual to do so but it's important to retain maximum body heat throughout the body. I like to wear a pair of leggings underneath a pair of jeans or sweatpants. 

2. Choose sensible pieces

The purpose of clothing is to protect the body from the elements. In the winter, it's especially important to wear protective clothing. Because the mid-layer will be covering the base layer, it should be thick and less revealing. Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, are ideal as they are moisture resistant and retain heat well. The clothing pieces shouldn't have holes or expose a lot of skin.

3. Put on a coat

You may be surprised to see this one on this list. I bet you'll even be more surprised to see how many people don't wear a coat in the winter. A coat, which is worn as the third layer, is supposed to protect you from the harsh weather elements. It also keeps the layers underneath dry to prevent sickness. When you're out shopping for a coat, look for one that's waterproof and windproof. 

4. Cover your skin and hair

When it comes to dressing to keep warm, the parts above the body are often neglected. This may be because we don't want to mess up our hair, look unfamiliar, or are more concerned with body warmth. Nonetheless, your head and ears should still be covered to maintain maximum body heat. To protect both of these parts, you can wear a hat. You can also wear the hood from your coat. If you would like, you can wear a scarf - your neck should already be covered by the coat though. Don't forget to wear gloves to protect your hands.

5. Wear boots

This kind of shoe is ideal to wear in colder weather because they cover a good portion of your legs in addition to your feet. In addition to retaining body heat in this manner, they protect your legs and feet from the elements. Wearing long socks works best. Be sure to choose a pair that has vibram soles - they provide excellent traction against walking in snow and on ice.

See, dressing to stay warm isn't that difficult! I don't know about you but the freedom to choose the pieces to wear makes winter dressing seem more bearable. These tips are meant to be followed when going outside. When you're at home, kick back and turn on the heater. Feel free to take off the base layers and wear less fitting clothing. Thanks for reading and have a happy, safe winter.