Winter Clothing Thoughts

This week I've been thinking about my dead-of-winter wardrobe. Modern/everyday, not historic. There are two main points to consider here:

1.) Cold. It's f#cking cold.
2.) Static electricity. Very cold = dry, dry air, and dry air = static. Enough static cling to make all your clothes stick to you horribly.

I have only a few skirts that I consider suitable for this time of year. I need to add to my wardrobe, but winter sewing is starting to wind down for me now, so I want to write these notes down as reminders to myself for the fall.

- Wool gabardine, or any hard-finish wool, is autumn fabric. In winter, it's fine for warmth, with layers, but the static is absolutely maddening. Softer wools are better for deep winter.

- Flatline rather than bag line wool skirts. A loose lining = static and annoying.

- Wide wale corduroy is warm enough, and avoids the static issue by being cotton.

- I know you want a wool jersey dress. Don't do it. Just don't. Because of static. Use a heavier wool knit if you really want a dress, and save the jersey for tops and leggings.

- Keep skirts below the knee or longer. Your knees will get cold.

- Linen and cotton pencil skirts are fine only when at home or driving somewhere, not walking.

- Make petticoats. (I used to do this; I made cotton muslin slips for the baselayer and cotton flannel underskirts for warmth.) Another bonus is the petticoats keep the wind from wrapping the skirt around your legs so much.

- Fit skirts over leggings. Keeping snug over the waist and high hip minimizes shifting during wear.

- You need more legwarmers. And swants.

- Think about giving pants another chance. Make them roomy enough for long undies. Make sure you could wear them under snow pants.

- Start winter sewing in September.