3 Insanely Warm Items You Need for Winter

There are two ways we lose heat and therefore become cold outside: conduction and convection. Conduction is the transfer of heat between two surfaces in contact with each other, for instance when you sit on a cold bench. Convection is the transfer of heat between a mass (you) and a moving fluid or gas, like a cold wind. In order to stay warm in winter, you need to prevent both types of heat loss.

Here are a few tried-and-tested items outside your basic coat & scarf that are sure to keep you toasty throughout the winter:

Knitted Wool Socks

Thick wool socks prevent conduction heat loss by conserving body heat. If your feet are cold, you’ll be miserable, so this is an important one. Keep an extra pair in your bag on rainy days in case your socks get a bit damp. Our favorites are these mega-warm options from Sweater Chalet, which come in a range of colors and ship internationally. Scroll to the bottom of the page for a chance to win a pair!

A Silk Scarf

For maximum warmth, try tying a small silk scarf around your neck under your large wool, cashmere or other heavy-knit scarf. This prevents heat loss through convection – making sure that wind doesn’t slice at you. The silk warms to your body but also breathes, so that you don’t get too sweaty under there. If you’re cycling or otherwise active, you may eventually feel too warm for that large scarf, but the silk can stay on and protect your neck. It’s a great trick and looks chic as hell. We’re feeling this patterned one from Besos.

For silk scarves, vintage is a great way to go. Etsy and the second-hand shop Epsiode have a gorgeous selection of vintage options. If you enjoy a good treasure hunt, get your hands into a basket of vintage silk scarves until you come across a pattern you love!

Big Headphones

We’re big fans of multi-tasking, so we are all about large headphones for winter. They cover your ears, acting as both ear warmers and, of course, a way to listen to your music/podcast/recorded mantra. If you’re planning to use these while cycling, make sure they are not noise-cancelling, as you definitely want to be aware of what’s going on around you. Good quality comes in all price ranges so find out what’s best for you!

Expert Tip (Cold Level: Snowman)

Try out these UNIQLO HEATTECH thermals for extra warmth insurance under your usual gear. They’re designed to fit under whatever you’re wearing with a scoop neck and slightly shortened sleeves. The fabric even includes Camellia oil to keep your skin moisturized throughout the winter and they come in a range of great colors. Win!

Have another item that you can’t live without during the cold months? Tell us about it in the comments!