How to Dress For Cold Weather

Layering is key to keeping warm in cold weather.

Dressing for cold weather is not difficult, but careful planning helps. If you choose your clothing carefully, you can keep warm despite bitterly cold weather. Layering is the best way to keep warm. In addition to keeping you warm, layering makes it easier to avoid becoming overheated. You can simply remove layers if you've bundled up too much.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton thermal undergarments
• Sweater or sweatshirt
• Jacket or coat
• Scarf
• Gloves or mittens
• Hat or cap

Instructions

1. Add a first layer consisting of a comfortably light fabric that will wick sweat away from your body. Avoid pure cotton, linen, or other similar materials, however, because these fabrics retain moisture and will chill you. When planning how to dress for cold weather, staying dry should be a top priority. Traditional thermal undergarments work well for the first layer. An alternative to traditional thermals is silk. Silk is very warm and feels wonderful against bare skin. Silk is not very rugged, though, and won't last as long as traditional thermal underwear.

2. Layer a knit sweater or sweatshirt over the top of the first layer. If you have a coat with a hood, avoid sweatshirts with hoods attached, as this can cause too much bulk beneath the layers.

3. Add your coat or jacket as the top layer. It is usually a good idea to get a coat that has a waterproof or water-resistant outside layer, especially if you will be exposed to rain, sleet, hail or snow.

4. Wrap the scarf around your neck and pull it snug. You may want to tuck it into your coat for added warmth. You can also pull the scarf over your mouth to guard against the cold air.

5. Put your hat or cap on before going outside. Some hats have built-in ear covers, which can help keep ears from getting too cold. You may also want to consider ear-muffs if you don't have a hat that covers your ears.

6. Keep your hands warm with gloves or mittens. These also come in a variety of styles, which include waterproof or water-resistant materials. Again, if you are going to be in the snow or rain, waterproof gloves are preferable.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are going to be outside in the snow, remember to bring sunglasses and sunscreen. The sun reflects off of the white snow, which creates a very bright environment. This can cause eye strain.

• Be sure to check the weather forecast before venturing out into any harsh conditions.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• How To Tie A Winter Scarf