Ok, as many of us know, at least here in canada, we have been hit with a good old blast of winter, many folks appear to have issues with the cold, both outside and inside the house..
So lets talk a bit about dealing with the cold, we have been having freezing warnings including one that said exposed skin could freeze in a min flat..
The answer is proper clothing, and layers!!
So first off, please tell me that you have long underwear, right, right!? They now sell good quality ones for thinner folks at Marks, or even canadian tire but for those of us more on the heavy side, look to Mr. Big and Tall, while they don’t carry ladies styles ,the mens will do the job in a pinch..
If you don’t have long underwear a tight fitting leggings or tights under the next layer of thick heavy pants will do in a pinch, ideally you want two layers of pants as well as two layers of tops, one close and tight, but beathable, then comes the scarf or cowl or layers of luceted ropes, I don’t care what you use, I just want a buffer zone that can be used to create a warm air pocket that allows your own body heat to go as needed but filters out the in-coming cold air.
Socks, if you have good quality wool socks or T-Max hot socks, one pair will do, if you only have regular cheap socks from walmart, at least two layers and then next time you have ten dollars to spare, go pick up at least two pair of good qaulity winter socks!
Next comes the touque and then comes outwear (you are most likely thinking. wait a minute farm gal, a touque is outerwear.. It is and itsn’t.. if you are cold in your house, you should have at least one soft comfy touque for indoor use (think a old fashioned night caps) A extra thick heavy touque is outside wear use for sure but that does not make a touque outdoor wear only.
So then comes outer wear, depending on the wind chill, if its calm this can be as simple as a jacket, boots and mitts, but if you have a bitter wind chill factor to add in, then snow pants are a good idea as well as if really bad so are goggles or sunglasses to help protect your eyes. If its cold enough for that, then its time to loose the touque and put on the belclava instead to make sure you are keeping your whole face warm and having a way to help heat the air coming in just a bit before it hits your lungs.
Now if its that cold, ideally you are in a proper winter jacket, which typically will have a fur lined hood.. its not there as a fashion statement folks, its there to help break up the wind, and to create a tunnel of warmed air before it gets to you and you breath it in..
Now assuming you have been out for awhile, you have gotten your chores done and you have headed back into what will feel like a nice warm house, remember that sweat will make you feel chilled as it cools and that is not a good thing.. if your socks are damp, chance them off, if your hair is damp, towel dry and put on your house touque while it dries out, if you have damp sweating underwear, chance into dry warm house cloths all-together, and hang your other garments in such a way as to help them air dry.
Stay warm, Stay Dry, if you do this, it will go a long! way to keeping you healthy..
Just another Day on the Farm 
Just sitting in the apartment, I have on socks, long johns, knit slippers, a heavy flannel dress. I was a dumb dumb and had my dress made with short sleeves – what was I thinking? I need some arm warmers. No need for an inside hat here, but I might want one next year.
It’s starting to warm up here. -11 and snowing. The funny thing is, I checked the weather near the homestead and it’s colder there – that’s not supposed to happen. LOL I’m really going to need to dress warmer next year.
Sounds like you are going to need one or two good heavy sweaters to wear over those dress’s so that your arms are covered, If you get the ones that are designed to have the cuffs rolled up, you can roll them for housework needs and then uncuff for regular times.
Ain’t it the truth. I’m quite a bit south of you, but we’re far colder than usual here as well, and as soon as I dug out those long johns my mood improved dramatically. Turning up the thermostat is a silly solution when a little extra clothing will do the trick. Thanks for your super practical post.
All great advice FG!
One thing to remember is why we wear cotton in the summer – because it takes heat from the body as we perspire. Wool, on the other hand, can absorb up to 85% of its weight in moisture and still keep you warm! But, if you’re like me and can’t handle wool next to your skin, these days there are loads of synthetic “wicking” materials to choose from.
Outdoor stores are also a great place to find those really important next-to-the-skin layers like Cabela’s, LL Bean, Mountain Equipment Coop (http://www.mec.ca) – google has a ton of references…
Here’s more info on the art (and science) of layering from the (American) National Ski Patrol… http://www.nsp.org/slopesafety/howtodress.aspx
Yes, FG those -41C (-42F) mornings last week were brutal!! Outside, I had on thermal longjohns, cotton stretchy pants, and cotton track pants over my legs; Merino wool socks (the ONLY wool that can touch my skin) with regular wool worksocks in winter workboots; a t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, sweater, vest, and winter work jacket or down-filled walking jacket; and my head was covered in a lined hat (I wore a full head/neck balaclave-type hat with a full face opening as well when outdoors); and of course, wool mitts/leather gloves. Yes indeed, layers, layers, layers…..!!!
I find the trick is cutting the wind. If I can keep the wind out, I can ease off on layers, which is important for me, because I am in and out of the barn and coops, so lots of temperature changes; I don’t like taking off and putting on my jacket, however. I get the waterproof lined men’s pants from Work Warehouse – I buy them in the spring when they’re on sale for something like $15 each (instead of the usual $50). They’re great! Then for jackets, I wear a shirt, a vest, a tuque, and a lined heavy canvas jacket, which again is windproof and has a good hood. Any more than this, and I find I overheat in the barn, though someone skinnier might want more layers 🙂