I need to be WARM

[NorkilyChallenged]

I've been overhauling my wardrobe with lots of help from reading S&B threads and have some lovely new tunics that I'm really happy with.

However, all tunics are short sleeved, so I wear with long sleeved t underneath but I'm still cooooooooold. I'm just too nesh to suffer for the sake of style

I've been living in cheap Tesco jumpers (think, instant bobble factor) for years so I don't know where to start now in my quest to be warm.

I need lovely jumpers, ideally machine washable as I have 2 very small and messy children, with LONG sleeves please. And do I go for colour or basics (brown/black/grey), plain or patterned since most of my bottoms are probably plain?

HELP - how do stylish women stay warm?

[nickschick]

I wouldnt go for jumpers id go for cardigans- theres loads available chunky knits with cable patterns,boyfriend style with pockets and belted ones with these you can wear your long sleeve tees and a funky necklace/beads and still look chic whilst being warm - also never underestimate a lacey vest .

[LetThemEatCake]

Another vote for cardigans here.

Go for cashmere or a cashmere silk blend so you get warmth and quality without bulk. Try zara and TKMaxx for starters, most less than £60. Look for a chunkier one in pure wool too so that you've got a textured option.

[LetThemEatCake]

One plain (charcoal or black) and one colour!

[Lauriefairyonthetreeeatscake]

I have lots of lovely cardigans but have been wearing the cheapy £14 Tesco waterfall ones as the long bits keep my thighs warm when sitting down. They have been washed (and hung up to dry) 3 times and not a bobble in sight.

these ones I bought brown/navy/green

[Lauriefairyonthetreeeatscake]

I also have the M&S Oblong cardigan in black which i think is sold out in black but available in grey but was quite a good buy at £35 as it has washed well.

[BonjourIvresse]

I swear by M &S thermal vests. They do them in quite funky colours now and they are brilliant on cold days.

[hohoholepew]

I second M&S thermals, the camis are only £6 and are long enough to tuck into your knickers

[SerenityNowAKABleh]

I was going to suggest cashmere when I first saw this, but does it really work with little DCs?

[hohoholepew]

Next jumpers are good, the v necks are usually 2 for £20 and wash well. I've been wearing them for a couple of years with no problems.

[heartofgold]

anything with alpaca in the blend will be very warm (the fibres are hollow and trap more insulting air), i've been living in this since september, it's a good length for skinnies and the empire shape is good over tunics.

[MadameOvary]

Tesco cashmere is half price right now

[AboardtheAxiom]

Jumper dresses are my winter staple.

[AboardtheAxiom]

I got treat to these here and here last week, acrylic but lovely and soft, wash well, warm, etc. Might not be to everyone's taste though.

[BonjourIvressedeNoel]

Yes, whatever else you might say about acrylic, it is warm. When I lived in the french mountains everyone's jumpers for the really cold days were acrylic.

[LetThemEatCake]

I don't think young dcs should stop you from wearing cashmere. I have 3 dcs aged 3 and under and they may have had an impact on my heel-wearing antics but no way will I stop wearing nice fabrics for the sake of practicality

(finger painting sessions aside)

there's always the dry cleaner ...

[NorkilyChallenged]

Thank you for all the replies and suggestions! Will have to look at links in more detail (poorly child kept me away from the computer, gah!).

I had discounted the idea of cardigans as I don't find them warm enough normally, unless they are really chunky. But a normal shaped cardigan leaves my chest and front section cold (where the v of the cardigan is, iykwim). So do you have cardies that button up to the neck?

Maybe I need to investigate cashmere or other fabrics because I really don't feel that my cardigans keep me warm enough (I have a couple of boyfriend style long ones and a waterfall one from H&M which is no use really as it doesn't fasten).

[FlorenceandtheWashingMachine]

I have the same problem and nothing but cashmere keeps me really cosy. When it's really nippy I go for the aforementioned funky M&S thermals, a cashmere jumper, some trousers with some wool in them and a scarf that stays on all day indoors and out. I also have a big chunky cardi, for home wear only, that goes on over all the above.

If I am still cold after all that I do a hot water bottle and if that fails then I finally give in and put the heating on.

Yes, I live in the Frozen North.

[nickschick]

Ive just been to tesco and bought a beautiful red waterfall style cashmere blend cardigan for .......... £12.50!!!!! cashmere is indeed half price at tesco.....

[NorkilyChallenged]

I am definitely interested in cashmere, I have to say. May have to have a look in Tesco.

I don't think a thermal vest will do (unless it's long-sleeved). I do like Heartofgold's Top Shop cardigan as it fastens all the way up to the neck and looks cosy.

AboardtheAxiom - those jumper dresses look lovely (and great prices ) but I've always worried that a jumper dress will be a bit too fitted and show my sticky-out tummy a bit too much. How do they look on? Obviously you may not be as lumpy and bumpy as I am.

For under a tenner, it's almost worth just getting one and trying.

[purplepeony]

Have you looked at Uniqlo Heat Tech?
Thermal T shirts- I now have 5 - one vest style others all long sleeved. They got a mention by Lisa Armstrong last week as essentials. Great forlayering- verythin but warm- you can even wear two- one short/sleevless with a long sleeved on top.

Their cashmere is also good value.
www.uniqlo.co.uk

[FreeGeorgeJackson]

i am a recent convert to cashemere as i wore my (very bog standard) cash oen to work ( admittedly with wool lined trews) on tue and all the pupils were saying " miss arent you COLD?" as i sashayed in and out of doors wiht no coat.
then it hit me

cashemere - that was it. BUT if i was a sahm i would do vests tbh and warm socks

[fishie]

i have uniqlo heat tech and it is v good, have long arms too and it fits, although go up a size.

also american apparel winter leggings

and i have got a fleece dress for £5 from uniqlo which is quite attractive although it all sounds dire. but i wouldn't wear either of those two out of the house.

for work i have merino and layers. moths in my house so cashmere not a sensible purchase.

[NorkilyChallenged]

PP (hello again, you are solving all my S&B dilemmas this morning!) - yes I have the heattech long sleeved tops. That's what I wear under my short-sleeved tunics. They are toasty but I need MORE

FGJ - hm, I see your point. Am working part-time but am specifically talking about being warm at home or when out and about with the kids on my non-work days.

Am hoping to get to the shops today for a quick look, small children permitting.

[BonjourIvressedeNoel]

Its amazing how warm thermals will keep you especially if you tuck them in. If your core is warm, your extremities will be warm.

[chimchar]

i feel the cold terribly.

i wear loads of tunicy style things...i have a few chunky very short chunkyish cardis which work well with the tunic shape...come sort of mid tummy iykwim.

i also always wear a scarf..sometimes chunky, sometimes soft, skinny drapey ones, but are a fab extra to keep on inside if you are chilly after taking your coat off.

i also wear sheepskin lined boots ALL the time, so no draughty bits get past my ankles...

and one more vote for a nice thermal vest!