Preparing for winter II

alec_eiffel

NualaBuala wrote: »

Thank you for all the info Alec! :A
I'm glad you said that about the long-sleeved ones cos I was considering them but I've had that exact problem with other tops. I won't be at any football matches but it might be worth getting a pair of long johns anyway I reckon. And I'll go for the tshirt type of tops. 3 sounds like a good number.

I'll have to start pricing them now. I like the ones in M&S but I'll bet they're more expensive than other shops!

Not that I'm obsessed with thermals or anything but I would say M&S ones are great as they're usually a bit longer than others - well, the vest style ones are, long sleeved not so much. I'm only a short-house but I do like the fact they never rise up and uncover my back (as things do when you bend or stretch). They are a bit more expensive but they do wash nicely and last well.

NualaBuala

alec_eiffel wrote: »

Not that I'm obsessed with thermals or anything but I would say M&S ones are great as they're usually a bit longer than others - well, the vest style ones are, long sleeved not so much. I'm only a short-house but I do like the fact they never rise up and uncover my back (as things do when you bend or stretch). They are a bit more expensive but they do wash nicely and last well.

That's good to know - I don't mind paying more if it's for good quality that'll last years. I like long tops in general so they sound good to me. Last time I checked, there wasn't much there but now it's Autumn I bet they'll have more so will check when I'm in town.
Thanks again - good to hear from a thermals expert!

triticale

katholicos wrote: »

Flip, just looked at the p and p for those honchos and it's £6.25. That is a bit prohibitive to me. Anyone know were else sells them?

Not sure I'm afraid, I first got my honcho from a stall at a festival, then went to the website for others. Probably a bit late in the season for festivals now!

Regarding thermals, I have 3 pairs of the leggings (wear one, wash one, one in the drawer) and two long sleeved tops. I don't wear the tops everyday, just if I'm going to be standing around outside for whatever reason (no risk of that during the week!) or if it's bitterly, bitterly cold.

I think the leggings are the most important, we can put on extra jumpers, coats etc easily but the legs often get neglected!

mustrum_ridcully

*miaomiao* wrote: »

If you are thinking of getting salt in, consider the cheaper and safer option of buying a snow shovel which is reusable and better for the environment, especially considering that salt can burn small animals especially dogs feet, and will kill your healthy insect life, plants. The thing is that with salt, it melts the snow to water which can then freeze up again if the temperature drops. IMHO getting a snow shovel and doing shovelling properly is a much safer measure - this is coming from a Canadian used to much heavier, longer winters!

I agree. I don't know what people mean when talking about putting salt down, if they mean grit (i.e. salt + grit) then that's not too bad. Salt on it's own is as you say risky as it can refreeze, grit at least provides some grip if the salt does refreeze.

parsonswife8

NualaBuala wrote: »

I've never had thermals but I think I'd like to get some for this winter. For those of you have them, how many pairs is enough do you think? And do you get the tops and bottoms or is a vest enough?

I've got 2 bottoms and 2 long sleeved, vee neck tops. Wash one lot, wear one lot.:)

Bargain_Bunny

It's really quite chilly today so i have finally got round to finishing off my curtains, they were lined but o/h got some blackout material, so I sewed them on, really heavy so should keep the heat in .

Otherwise, i have casseroles in the freezer, emergency pies lol, frozen leeks on hand for soups. Managed to get bread reduced and pears (going to make a crumble). Just want to keep freezer topped up with casseroles and bol's also bread.

Bought a food flask last week for a tenner (stainless steel) now i see they are half the price in Aldis next week same size!...argghh. Got thermals, wouldnt be without the long johns as i wear thin cotton trousers to work.

BB

Mythi

Regarding the Honcho's, I've just made my Mom something similar but without the hood, using a double sided fleece from Primarni (£3).

The fleece was rectangular and I basically I folded it in half lengthways and cut out a head sized hole in the middle of the fold (no need to bind or stitch as fleece doesn't fray), then I attached a couple of velcro dots 10-12" down from fold on the inside edge front and back to make 'sleeves'. Although this isn't full length, you could make something similar by joining two fleeces together at the shoulders leaving an opening for the neck.

This shorter version works really well for my Mom as she is disabled and spends most of her time either sat up in bed or sat in a chair with a blanket over her legs so this keeps her top half warm without being too restrictive.

Winged_one

NualaBuala, I'm another thermals fan - I tend to wear a mix of strappy styles, t-shirt (short leeved) styles and long sleeves depending on weather, other clothes and activities. And I'd also agree with the M&S ones - they really do wash well. I work on the basis that I like to not need to wash mid-week if necessary (we usually do, but can't always be sure of getting things dry), so I have about 10 tops of different styles (I think only 2 long sleeved, rest varied between strappy and t-shirt).

I have 3 pairs of leggings too. I tend to have those for days when I will be outdoors lots. It means that my more "autumn" type clothes can extend into winter (so I don't need thick heavy trousers), or I can wear them under long skirts with boots.

And I also have lots because I got about 2 sets initially and they were SOOO great that I pick them up in the sales every year if I can find them (I think my oldest ones are 6 years old, and I may retire those this year for a pair I got in the summer sale when I splashed out on the posh ones for under more fitted clothes at work).

(And I did see about a meet up in Dub, but we may be away that weekend so I want to sort the diary before chatting on that thread).
Wings

*miaomiao*

katholicos wrote: »

For able bodied people i agree that using a shovel and some elbow grease would be preferable, but for those of us that have poor health, we have to use other means which may require the use of salt.

Absolutely, thanks for posting that! I wouldn't want people to think that salt though would solve all the problems on its own as it might in fact create a bigger danger with ice being formed. Sand & grit is a lot better for aiding traction.

A broom is sometimes helpful too in removing the snow.

annie123

You can't bet these for keeping warm http://www.marksandspencer.com/Heat-Generating-Length-Thermal-Leggings/dp/B003X0JA9G?_encoding=UTF8&categoryNodeID=42967030&node=42967030&mnSBrand=core&ref=sr_1_4&qid=1285339702&sr=1-4&rh=n%3A42966030%2Ck%3AThermal%2Cn%3A42967030%2Cp_10%3ABlack&page=1

I've had all types over the years, silk, ski thermals, primark, expensive trekking ones but these are soooooo warm and soft too, worth the extra £'s if like me you feel the cold when others say its fine!
As my lumbago is playing up I'm wearing them now, the extra heat keeps my muscles warm which helps stop the pain.