Winter Clothing Thoughts
Jan. 21st, 2016 10:22 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
elizabeth_mnThis 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.
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.
no subject
Date: 2016-01-21 07:41 pm (UTC)- Fit skirts over leggings. Keeping snug over the waist and high hip minimizes shifting during wear.
I fell in love with leggings last winter and haven't gotten over it. But it quickly became clear which dresses and skirts are best for that kind of layering, and which ones were annoying. Because if the fit is too tight, the top layer rides up and I get both shifting and a weird strangle-at-the-waist feeling.
no subject
Date: 2016-01-21 08:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-01-22 03:55 pm (UTC)I always wondered how people could stand pants in the winter! I was always colder in them. Especially jeans. In skirts I always add so many layers. The only thing I think pants would do for me is avoid the static issue.
no subject
Date: 2016-01-22 05:27 pm (UTC)