What to buy when travelling to a warmer clime - or sew your own hood, hat, neck warmer

 

How to keep warm in winter? 

Ski Jacket

Buy a ski jacket. They seal up well. They come with high necks and hoods. In recent years the colours have become cheerful and electric.

If you must have a camouflage colour, try practical items designed for work. Fishermen, photographers, hiking, often in muted coours, so as not to scare wildlife. However, for skiing, it makes sense to wear visible colours so that when you are in trouble anybody looking for you can instantly see you from a distance. 

Good features for travellers are inside and outside pockets which seal up. Often D rings for lift passes are handy for ID or other items. 

The sleeves are often big and can accommodate a bulky winter jumper underneath.

If it comes with a hood, you don't need to worry about a hat to match. You can go without, or hide a hat or scarf under the hood.

How To Sew A Scarf Hood

I have turned scarves into hidden hoodes by folding the scard in halllllf across the narrow part, then seaming from the horizontal crease down one of the longer sides. How far? Try it on and see. 

If you don't like the point sticking out, you can turn the point inside out and sew up a triangle inside, or even a curve. Flatter it down, or even cut iiiiit off and cover the loose ends with a piece of ribbon sewn down.

In theory you can leave your shopping until you get to the colder country. To save time, you might wish to buy in advance. Either you will find nothing available. Or it is very expensive. Or it is out of season and on sale!

Underneath you may wish to wear a jolly jumper, especailly if you are going to have dinner with family or friends, or even alone in a smart restaurant in the evening.

Jolly Jumpers

When looking online for amusing knitwear, cardigans and warm wear, here are some helpful words:

In alphabetical order:

base layer

button down pocket

button front

Batwing (wide upper arms go over undergarments)

beanie hat

brushed

cable knit

cardigan

cashmere

Christmas

chunky

concealed (Hood, pocket)

corduroy

cosy

Fairisle

fake fur

fleece

fur

gilet

heavy

imitation fur

insulated

jump suit

jumper / jumper dress

kimono sleeve (wide sleeve, open at cuff)

kimono style

knitted (jumper, hat, set)

knitwear

lantern sleeve (balloons before the wrist or cuff)

leggings

lined

longjohn

matching (hat and gloves, hat and scarf, hat and scarf set)

merino wool

multiple pockets

Norwegian

novelty

oversized

pockets

polo neck

pom pom 

Puff sleeve (balloons upper arm)

ribbed

safe

secure

side pockets

ski jacket

sweater

thermal

turtle neck

two pockets

velvet

vest

vintage

Warm

waterproof

windproof

winter

wool

woollen

zip up (front)

zipped pockets

Happy travelling. Stay safe. Keep warm all winter.

About the author

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please store and share links to your favourite posts.