Yesterday, on a Beacon Hill corner, a shivering young woman asked, "How
do you stand this cold?" She was from Alabama, here caring for a
hospitalized family member.
My quick answer was, "Silk long-johns and layers of cashmere." When the light changed and we parted ways, I realized just how true that quip was, and what a difference those items have made in my cold weather walks.
Unless you are oblivious to the cold (like the guy in this photo from last winter), you're feeling the sudden change in temperature over the past week.
Silk long underwear is a great first layer for a personal insulation system. Not only will it help when you're outside, it will also allow you to drop your thermostat a few degrees at home. It keeps you warm, but it also breathes so it's not uncomfortable when you are inside a warm place. There are dozens of types with shorter lengths that work for dresses and skirts as well as slacks.
Gilda Radner once said, "I base my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." I like that thought and I like cashmere because it doesn't itch. What's more, layers of cashmere seem to keep me warmer than the bulk of other fabrics.
A couple of years ago I bought a cashmere zipper cardigan for Ed. He raved about it as a warm layer. Last year, looking for something like that for myself, I found a black cashmere hoodie. That has become a treasured part of my winter defense. I wear it over cashmere turtlenecks and zip or unzip it to suit my needs throughout the day. This season I bought two more hoddies on sale at Lord & Taylor.
I also had a warm hat on yesterday; the young woman didn't. I wear hats so often that one neighbor said he almost didn't recognize me without one. Since my hat didn't cover my ears, I had a pair of 180s on as well. (They even make 180s with headphones built in.)
My cashmere wardrobe continues with thin gloves (Filene's Basement) that are perfect for these early season days, but will also fit under mittens when the weather becomes totally unreasonable in January. And, my coat collar is held in place with a cashmere scarf (Filene's again.)
Yes, cashmere can be expensive, but I shop sales and take care of the items I buy. What's more, I don't have the time or space to deal with a big wardrobe. I prefer having a few good, classic items to having the latest clothing fad.
Here are links to some of my favorite warm layers.
