5 Tricks for Staying Warm
As the temperature steadily drops and we all try to keep our heating on for as few hours of the day as possible, other measures must be taken to stay warm. As a California girl living in Scotland I’m pretty familiar with the struggle of being constantly cold. So, I’ve done the work and created a comprehensive guide of my top tips for staying warm.
1. Material
Ultimately, whether it’s your undergarments, coat, or accessories, the most important part of staying warm is the material. While more expensive, high quality materials like wool, leather, or cashmere will keep you much warmer with less bulk and layers. Just pop into your favourite charity shop for an affordable and chic range of wool overcoats.
2. Accessories
We’ve all learned the importance of accessories when it comes to putting together a fashionable outfit, but their purpose is practical too. From scarves to socks to hats, accessories can be the most important player when it comes to staying warm. As mentioned before, investing in quality socks can be a game changer when it comes to staying more.
Kiera Knightley in the film Love Actually. (Courtesy of Refinery29)
Some StA streetstyle courtesy of Charlotte El Hage.
While they are an investment, a pair of cashmere or wool socks are great for keeping you warm overnight or during the day.
Whether you prefer them fingerless, as mittens, or whole, gloves are an easy way to keep warm. There’s nothing worse than feeling the burn of your fingers as they slowly become numb to the cold, and gloves are the best solution to that. Like previously mentioned, the material makes a huge difference, but to keep the wind out and for the practicality of tech use, I recommend a leather pair.
They say you lose most of your body heat out of your head. While this may or may not be true, there’s no question that a hat will help to preserve a bit of warmth on cold winter days. Beanies and baseball caps aren’t the only option though. Try adding a pop of colour through your hat or mixing it up with a pageboy cap (a la Kiera Knightly in Love Actually) or a wool fedora. While not technically a hat, you could also try to add a little warmth and funky with a fun pair of earmuffs.
Perhaps the most accessorisable is the scarf. Be it knit or felted, skinny or thick, there's endless opportunities for warmth and fashion. However you prefer to wrap it, you can never have too many scarves, and the versatile sizes and shapes offer endless possibilities for a makeshift balaclava or blanket.
3. Hot Water Bottle
Commonly associated with Victorian times and period pieces, these sweater-covered rubber bags are one of my favourite items. Just fill it with hot water, and it’s a personal, portable heater that you can do what you please with. I’ll put mine under my covers an hour or two before I go to bed and am rewarded with a warm and cosy bed by the time I’m ready to go to sleep. Even better, the hot water bottle is cost-of-living-crisis safe.
4. Boots
Classic Doc Martens and knee high black boots. (Courtesy of Ella Huang)
If you haven’t already heard of it, it’s time to invest in a good pair of boots. Living where we do, with the regular gusts of wind, cobblestoned streets, and frequent rain, the quickest way to stay warm is to stay dry. A good pair of leather boots with a thick sole can serve as not only a versatile staple in your closet, but also a tool to stay warm. I recently invested in a pair of tall leather boots and not only do they keep me dry and comfortable, but the tall shaft provides another layer of warmth under my trousers.
5. Tea
We’ve all gotten to the point where the cold just won’t quit, it’s too early to turn the heating on, and you just cannot get warm. In this case, there’s really only one thing to do. Put on the kettle, make a strong cuppa tea and let the warmth of the mug and the small sips of scalding water slowly warm your entire body.
As we go forward into the dark days of Scottish winter, I hope these tips and tricks will help to keep you warm and cosy until the sun returns next April.