Warm clothes advice.

Unless i'm about to leave the house I spend all day in sweat pants and a hoodie with the hood up. I have a blanket near my sitting area if I need it. I have been keeping my thermostat between 67-69 during the day.
 
"Alternatively, I often wear a t-shirt and a cashmere wool sweater (like right now with outdoor temp at 33F and indoor at 70F)."

I agree with cashmere sweaters. I have found a few cashmere sweaters over the years at thrift stores, and they are light and warm. I wear a cotton undershirt (sleeveless), a cotton turtleneck, and a cashmere sweater (thickness varies according to temperature) with a cashmere cowl around my neck.

I make the cowls from cashmere sweaters (not cardigans) that have a hole somewhere or a small stain so they are not wearable as sweaters, by cutting off the ribbing at the bottom, and then cutting under the arms to make a tube from the main body of the sweater. No need to hem - the cowl curls up and looks good. And the cashmere doesn't itch.

I also cut off the last 8 inches or so of the sleeve of that sweater I made the cowl from, to make wristlets to tuck into my sleeves to keep out cold air around my wrists. I started doing this years ago for motorcycle trips in cold weather. I've tried this with wool sweaters, but it doesn't work as well and isn't as warm as the cashmere. I figure it's because the cashmere traps air better, maybe?
 
I was surprised to see we generally keep our thermostat a bit lower than some here and the Texans we know. 68°F during most winter days. 67°F while sleeping (amazing how much that one degree drop helps with sleeping well).

That said, I suspect our thermostat is set a bit lower than most here who reside in Texas during the hotter months. Usually 75°F during the summer unless the outside temps are in the high 90s or above, in which case 76°F. In the summer of 2023, when temps regularly topped 104°F, we set the thermostat to 77°F.

But like the winter, we can't sleep unless it is cooler, so I gradually drop the thermostat after sunset so that it's at 71°F by the time we go to sleep. On the really hot days, like the fore-mentioned summer of 2023, maybe set to 72°F or 73°F. On those nights, I don't sleep well.
 
For colder days when I'm walking outside, I wear Carhardt mittens, and I have a couple of mini sized electric hand warmers that fit inside the mittens. They last a few hours on a charge. They actually get a little hot, even on the lowest setting, so I flip the unheated side against my hand. My hands never get cold.
I was surprised to see we generally keep our thermostat a bit lower than some here and the Texans we know. 68°F during most winter days. 67°F while sleeping (amazing how much that one degree drop helps with sleeping well).

That said, I suspect our thermostat is set a bit lower than most here who reside in Texas during the hotter months. Usually 75°F during the summer unless the outside temps are in the high 90s or above, in which case 76°F. In the summer of 2023, when temps regularly topped 104°F, we set the thermostat to 77°F.

But like the winter, we can't sleep unless it is cooler, so I gradually drop the thermostat after sunset so that it's at 71°F by the time we go to sleep. On the really hot days, like the fore-mentioned summer of 2023, maybe set to 72°F or 73°F. On those nights, I don't sleep well.
I have turned mine down to various low temperatures, but it hasn't helped my sleep. I slept in 65 deg temp two nights ago and 62 last night. I think I slept just as well with it closer to 70. In the summer, I cool it down to 78 because I start having trouble sleeping if it gets above 80.
 
For colder days when I'm walking outside, I wear Carhardt mittens, and I have a couple of mini sized electric hand warmers that fit inside the mittens. They last a few hours on a charge. They actually get a little hot, even on the lowest setting, so I flip the unheated side against my hand. My hands never get cold.
I just took the dog out for a quick jaunt, it's currently 1 below. I wore fleece-lined gloves, but gloves don't cut it in these temps. Mittens all the way.
 
Any suggestions for some good warm clothes? I live in the north (MI) and have become less able to tolerate the cold. I keep my house at 71 but I’m still feeling chilled. I’ve looked at shirts called a base layer, but they seem to focus more on keeping one warm while still being breathable (for athletic purposes). Looked at a sweater like a cardigan, but that seems a bit Mr. Rodgers to me. I’ve put a few layers on and that helps, but my main wardrobe is cotton and with a t-shirt, a med weight flannel shirt and a hoodie, I’m feeling like that kid in The Christmas Story. Any ideas for items just for hanging out around the house and wanting to stay warm?
Im sitting here by the fire reading your post, while enjoying a wee goldie (scotch) and can tell you that fleece lined jeans are dope!
 

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When I was younger and the it hit 40F in January, I would be outdoors in a t-shirt and didn't feel cold.

When the windchill hit -86F in my old hometown 40 years ago, I finally moved south - where we have hurricanes.


I was hit by many hurricanes, including 3 this year - not much fun - but at least I won't freeze in a hurricane.

That said, as of this moment Pensacola (which is north of me) has over 5 inches of snow with more expected until the AM.

I'm older now and have become more sensitive to cooler temperatures.

As a result I wear a long sleeve thermal shirt and, if needed, a sweatshirt and sweatpants inside.

Since mother nature has it out for alopecic heads (at least mine), I sometimes wear a ski cap covering the ears which warms me up quickly.

Not afraid to use heat at all, but I am concerned about the local power grid as so many homes were built around me in the last decade, with more ongoing construction and resultant power brownouts/blackouts.
 
"... my main wardrobe is cotton ...."
DH, who is an avid hiker/camper, even in cold weather and LOVES to camp in the snow, has always told me "cotton kills". In reality, it's not the best for keeping warm. You're better off using layers, and for me polar fleece (if you will use a synthetic) or a nice soft wool seems to do best. And wool socks are a MUST for me.
 
depending on how you like to dress, go with the lightweight base layer. It is meant to be under your normal clothes. It will provide a significant level of warmth. If lightweight isnt good enough, go to a midweight. Good base layer of breathable material will keep you from sweating and contain heat well. Then throw your regular clothes over the top and you are good to go. Dont just get cotton though, get good material.
 
I prefer poly pro thermal underwear to wool or silk. It’s comfortable, inexpensive and not scratchy like wool. It’s also breathable, machine washable and doesn’t pick up body odors like wool or silk.
 
I prefer poly pro thermal underwear to wool or silk. It’s comfortable, inexpensive and not scratchy like wool. It’s also breathable, machine washable and doesn’t pick up body odors like wool or silk.
Perhaps you, like me, got your first impressions of wool from using army surplus blankets or hand-me-down hunting jackets at the family cottage. They were stiff and itchy. Many years later I got good wool socks and outerwear which were a revelation. Soft and do not hold odors. I often wear my Darn Tough wool socks two days in a row, with a sniff check in between. That said, poly pro is fine too.
 
I have a variety of fleeces that I wear during the winter. The heaviest ones keep me very warm even when the house is mid 60's before I restart the wood stove in the morning. I also like the Columbia offerings. Also, warm thick socks help.
Trailwalker,
+1 on the variety of fleeces - and full-zip hoodies. Depending on the temperature, and the current wind chill in NEOH is -20F, I move from the thinner weaves to the fleece-lined Dickies or Carhatt brands that would do well almost anywhere.
 
I’ve been using a heating pad on my back while watching TV, reading, or listening to music. I’m in Missouri and it’s 5 degrees outside.
 
DH, who is an avid hiker/camper, even in cold weather and LOVES to camp in the snow, has always told me "cotton kills". In reality, it's not the best for keeping warm. You're better off using layers, and for me polar fleece (if you will use a synthetic) or a nice soft wool seems to do best. And wool socks are a MUST for me.
I have climbed Mt. Washington in New Hampshire several times. This is the sign at the top of the Tuckerman Ravine headwall. In none of my trips up the mountain have I ever worn or carried cotton clothes - only poly and wool. If cotton gets wet, it will not keep you warm..
 

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Lots of posts about down jackets, merino wool, not wearing cotton up the mountain. All great advice for outdoor activities.

But Jerry said he was looking for something warm to wear around the house. Inside, I believe.

Cotton is damn comfy. I prefer it around the house. I save my fleece, merino wool, etc. for the outdoors.
 
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We used to wear our cotton long johns around the house back when we heated (mostly with wood) but also propane. Though cotton, they w*rked very well for the purpose of keeping us comfy while we saved fuel. No issues of sweating.

Heh, heh, when we first got our two kittens, they would climb our legs to get to their food dish that we kept on the bathroom sink (the cats' bath - with the litter box on the floor). Their little claws never sunk deep enough to penetrate our jeans and long johns to the skin.

DW's dad took care of the little feline rascals for a week once when we were gone. The kitties climbed his legs when he went into their bathroom. He was NOT wearing long johns. We forgot to mention that fact to him. Oooooppps. Sorry, Pops! I knew we forgot something.
 
Any suggestions for some good warm clothes? I live in the north (MI) and have become less able to tolerate the cold. I keep my house at 71 but I’m still feeling chilled. I’ve looked at shirts called a base layer, but they seem to focus more on keeping one warm while still being breathable (for athletic purposes). Looked at a sweater like a cardigan, but that seems a bit Mr. Rodgers to me. I’ve put a few layers on and that helps, but my main wardrobe is cotton and with a t-shirt, a med weight flannel shirt and a hoodie, I’m feeling like that kid in The Christmas Story. Any ideas for items just for hanging out around the house and wanting to stay warm?
You might consider mentioning your cold intolerance to your doctor at your next physical. There are various types of anemia that can make us feel cold all the time (iron, B12, folate). Something to get checked out in case it can help.
 
Perhaps you, like me, got your first impressions of wool from using army surplus blankets or hand-me-down hunting jackets at the family cottage. They were stiff and itchy. Many years later I got good wool socks and outerwear which were a revelation. Soft and do not hold odors. I often wear my Darn Tough wool socks two days in a row, with a sniff check in between. That said, poly pro is fine too.
Yeah, merino wool garments are odor resistant and breathable, so they can be worn multiple times without washing.

Polyester-based baselayers tend to get stinky more quickly than natural fibers like merino wool, and they typically need to be washed more frequently.
 
Thermal underwear is your friend. I bought them years ago when I started Skiing but I also wear them when its very cold out (like now at -2) and its hard to feel warm even inside the house. They fit under my normal clothes or my pajamas without making me feel like I cant move because I have too many clothes on.

These are the ones that I found have the best balance of not being too thick but being warm. Thermal Underwear
 
Any suggestions for some good warm clothes? I live in the north (MI) and have become less able to tolerate the cold. I keep my house at 71 but I’m still feeling chilled. I’ve looked at shirts called a base layer, but they seem to focus more on keeping one warm while still being breathable (for athletic purposes). Looked at a sweater like a cardigan, but that seems a bit Mr. Rodgers to me. I’ve put a few layers on and that helps, but my main wardrobe is cotton and with a t-shirt, a med weight flannel shirt and a hoodie, I’m feeling like that kid in The Christmas Story. Any ideas for items just for hanging out around the house and wanting to stay warm?

It's 0 today in the U.P.

Silk long johns.
A battery-powered warming vest by Ororo.
 
Agree with many of the previous - but my approach is quick dry t-shirt (like Vuori/REI/Patagonia), Marino wool long sleeve shirt and sweater/fleece shell that covers my neck. And if my hands get really cold - a hat!

A lot of heat is lost through your head.
 
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