As soon as the cold wind blows, the wardrobe begins to “famine” – choose a down jacket for fear of bloating and not keeping warm, choose a wool sweater to worry about pilling and deformation, and travel outdoors and worry about the jacket not resisting the wind. In fact, don’t panic when wearing winter, choose the right items to be warm and beautiful. This guide covers everything you care about from core warm items to practical accessories, and novices can also copy homework directly.
Down jacket: Choose the right material, warm and not bloated
Down jackets are a “life-saving artifact” in winter, but many people always regret buying them: either they wear them like a “bread”, or they can’t bear it at minus temperatures. The key problem is that I don’t understand the material and design, and my experience of helping my girlfriend pick a down jacket last year was typical – she followed the trend and bought an Internet celebrity duck down jacket at first, but she was shivering from the cold on a business trip to the Northeast, and later changed to a goose down model to completely solve the problem.
First understand the core comparison of goose down vs duck down warmth: the warmth gap between the two is mainly in the size and fluffiness. The diameter of goose down is usually 5-7mm, and the fluffiness can reach 650-800FP (filling power), while the duck down is mostly 3-5mm, with a fluffiness of 450-600FP. To put it simply, under the same weight, goose down can lock in more air, and the warmth is increased by about 30%, which is suitable for the severe cold of minus 20°C in the north; in the humid and cold weather above zero in the south, high-quality duck down is sufficient and more cost-effective.
No matter which down you choose, the 90% down content standard is the basic line. This value represents the proportion of down, and the remaining 10% is the feather stem, which is used to support the structure. Down jackets with a down content of less than 85% will greatly reduce their warmth and are easy to drill down. When purchasing, be sure to look at the “down content” (not down content) on the tag, which is the new national standard standard, and the down content of 90% is better than the warmth of 90% of the down content.
In terms of style, women’s long down jackets are suitable for commuters and people who are afraid of the cold, and the length of the knee can protect the waist, abdomen and thighs, and it is very temperamental with boots; If you travel frequently or switch between indoors and outdoors, a lightweight down jacket is more practical, and it can be stuffed into a small bag after folding, and the weight is even less than 500g. Don’t ignore the design details: windproof and waterproof coated fabrics (such as TPU coating) can cope with rain and snow, and stains can be wiped clean; the detachable fur collar design is super intimate, and it is simple to remove for daily commuting, adding a sense of atmosphere to date fashion; compressed storage and portability is just needed by travel parties, and the style with a special storage bag is correct.
Wool and knitwear: the heart of textured wear
The gentleness of winter is all supported by wool and knitted items. But many people have stepped on the pit: wool sweaters shrink after one wash, and pill after a few days of wearing. In fact, as long as you pay attention to the material and craftsmanship, you can avoid these problems. When I was purchasing, I helped the company purchase 200 employee welfare wool sweaters, and finally chose the merino wool model, and the feedback was particularly good – no one complained about pricking the skin, and it did not deform after washing.
Merino wool base shirt is the ceiling for winter underwear. Its fiber diameter is only 11-15 microns, which is half thinner than ordinary wool, and it is not tied at all, and it is super hygroscopic, so it will not stick to the body after sweating. I have sensitive skin, and it will itch when I wear an ordinary wool sweater, but the merino model can be worn all day long. When purchasing, look at the weight, 180-220g is suitable for daily life, and more than 250g is more warm, and it can be worn directly as an outside.
High necks are most concerned about the anti-pilling problem of turtleneck sweaters. Pilling is mainly because the fibers are short and easy to entangle after rubbing. Teach you a little trick: gently scratch the fabric with your fingernails when buying, and those without obvious hairs are good goods. In addition, sweaters with seamless knitting technology are more durable, will not open without stitching, and the fit is more conforming to the body, and there will be no deformation of the neckline after washing.
If the budget is sufficient, the cashmere cardigan is worth investing in, but be sure to look at the gram weight. Generally speaking, 100% pure cashmere cardigan, weighing more than 300g is considered thick, with better warmth and drape; less than 200g is suitable for spring and autumn transitions, and it will be cold when worn alone in winter. In addition, the proportion of wool blend testing is also very important, many merchants will use “wool blend” to pass off as pure wool, teach you a trick: use a lighter to burn a little thread, pure wool has a burnt smell after burning, and it will become powder when twisted; those containing chemical fiber will clump after burning and have a plastic smell.
In terms of care, don’t throw it directly into the washing machine. Machine washing wool conditioner is a must-have, soak for 10 minutes before washing, choose the “wool mode” of the washing machine (water temperature below 30°C, speed within 800 rpm), and lay it flat to dry after washing to avoid hanging and stretching. As for the fit, the knitted sweater version (box/slim) should be selected according to the figure: the apple-shaped body is suitable for the box type, which can cover the waist and abdominal fat; choose a slim fit for a pear-shaped body, and it is more proportional with wide-leg pants.
Outdoor Functional Jacket: Confident for extreme weather
Friends who like skiing and hiking know that ordinary jackets are not enough outdoors. Last year, I went skiing in Changbai Mountain and wore an ordinary down jacket, but as soon as the wind blew, the snow splashed all over my body. Later, I changed to a professional outdoor functional jacket and truly experienced the security of “rain and rain”.
The three-in-one jacket system is standard outdoors, consisting of a shell and an inner liner, and three ways to wear it are super flexible: wearing a single shell in spring and autumn to be windproof and waterproof, wearing a single liner in winter to keep warm, and superimposing the two in severe cold weather, minus 20 °C is not afraid. The shell depends on the waterproof zipper level (IPX4-IPX8), IPX7 or above to cope with heavy rain, and the zipper is best to choose the YKK brand, which is more durable. The liner is recommended to be made of fleece or down material, and the fleece model has good breathability and is suitable for wearing during exercise; the down model has strong warmth and is suitable for wearing when stationary.
The detail design hides professionalism: the heat reflection lining technology can reflect the infrared rays emitted by the human body, increase the warmth by 25%, and have a silver metallic luster to the touch, which many professional outdoor brands will use; the breathable zipper design under the armpits is too important, you sweat a lot when skiing, and you can quickly dissipate heat by opening the zipper to avoid colds; the snow anti-slip skirt is a special design for skiing, which can fit snugly around the waist and prevent snow from getting into the clothes from the hem; the windproof details of the cuffs can be adjusted and tight, and they can also fit the wrist when wearing gloves without leaving any gaps; The 3D adjustable snow hat fits perfectly on the helmet and has a stiff brim that doesn’t obstruct the view.
Warm inside: invisible warmth guards
Many people only care about buying coats, but ignore the inner layer, and as a result, no matter how thick they are, they are still cold. In fact, inner wear is the foundation of the “warm pyramid”, and if you choose the right one, you can save half the weight of the coat. My mother used to wear several sweaters in winter, and it was not warm when she had difficulty moving, but then I changed her into German velvet thermal underwear, one is worth three, and now she praises it to everyone.
German velvet (acrylic) thermal underwear is an Internet celebrity model in recent years, and its core advantage is “self-heating”. Its fiber hollow structure can lock in air, and conductive fibers are added, which can absorb human body moisture and convert it into heat, and it is measured to be warm after 5 minutes of wearing. However, it should be noted that it is best to choose German velvet underwear with more than 30% cotton, otherwise it is easy to cause static electricity.
Girls who are afraid of cold must prepare fleece heating leggings, choose “lambswool + nylon” material, which is both warm and not bloated, and the nylon fabric is not easy to snagg. If you often sit for a long time, it is recommended to have a style with antibacterial and deodorizing fibers, which can inhibit the growth of bacteria and avoid embarrassment. There is also a seamless integrated thermal vest, without stitching, which is particularly comfortable to wear closely, suitable for low-necked sweaters, to protect the waist and abdomen and not easily catch a cold.
The high-tech constant temperature 37°C technology yarn inner layer is also worth trying, which can adjust the temperature through the expansion and contraction of the fibers, whether it is in a heated room or outdoors, it can maintain a comfortable body feeling. In addition, the static-suppressing treatment of the inner layer is very suitable for the dry north, and the anti-static laundry detergent is used when washing, which can reduce the trouble of clothes sticking. If you want to save trouble, you can wear an underwear version is the first choice, and you don’t have to change clothes directly on a date after get off work, and it is very fashionable to wear jeans.
Snow boots and accessories: details determine warmth
The “loopholes” of winter outfits are often in the details – cold feet and cold whole body, and headaches when the neck leaks. Last year, I went on a business trip to the north and wore a pair of ordinary booties, but my feet were numb from the cold, and then I changed to snow boots and instantly regained a sense of security. The same goes for accessories, a good pair of gloves works better than an extra sweater.
The non-slip outsole of leather snow boots is just needed, the outsole grain should be deep (at least 2mm), the material is rubber, the anti-slip is much better than PU, and it is not easy to fall on icy roads. The warmth value of the wool insole inside depends on the weight, and the wool insole above 200g is no problem to wear at minus 10°C, and it has good sweat absorption and will not stuff your feet. Don’t forget to use waterproof spray during maintenance, which can last for 2-3 weeks at a time, and you are not afraid of getting the upper wet on rainy days.
In terms of accessories, touch screen leather gloves are a must, choose the index finger and thumb with conductive coating, and play with mobile phones without taking off the gloves, which is particularly convenient. Knitted scarves should pay attention to gram weight and weaving density, scarves weighing more than 300g and tightly woven density are more warm and not easy to breathe. I bought a 400g wool scarf, and even the down jacket and hat were saved in winter.
The ear cuffs are made of polar fleece/imitation rabbit fur, which is cost-effective and windproof; imitation rabbit fur is softer and has a high appearance, which is suitable for gentle wind wear. If you often ride an electric car, you must prepare an extended waterproof apron for the electric vehicle, which is longer than the knee, can protect your legs and feet, and will not wet your pants on rainy days.
Practical advice from purchasing expert Yigu
As a Sourcing Agent who has been deeply involved in clothing procurement for many years, I would like to share a few dry goods tips: first, choose down jackets with “down content of 90% + more than 600FP”, which is the most cost-effective; second, wool products should be identified as “pure wool marks” to avoid buying fakes; third, outdoor jackets should give priority to “GORE-TEX” certified fabrics, which are waterproof and breathable. In addition, don’t be greedy for cheap winter clothing, a high-quality down jacket can last for 3-5 years, which is more cost-effective than buying bargains every year.
FAQ: FAQs on Winter Clothing
- Q: What should I do if I drill down for a down jacket? A: First, check whether the stitching is tight, if there is less drill down, stick it off with tape; if the drilling is serious, use a needle and thread to gently sew a few stitches on the drill fleece, don’t pull it too tightly, and avoid damaging the fabric.
- Q: Can a wool sweater recover if it shrinks? A: You can soak it in conditioner for 30 minutes, then stretch it flat to its original size, and dry it to recover most of it.
- Q: How to clean snow boots so as not to hurt the skin? A: First wipe off the surface stains with a damp cloth, then use a special leather cleaner, and finally spray with waterproof spray, dry it naturally, and do not expose it to the sun.
- Q: Can German velvet underwear be machine washed? A: Yes, but choose the gentle mode, the water temperature does not exceed 30°C, do not use fabric softener, to avoid damaging the heating fibers.
- Q: How to maintain the waterproof coating of outdoor jackets? A: Wash 1-2 times a year, use a special jacket cleaner, and dry after washing can restore the activity of the waterproof coating.