THE MAGAZINE
SOME ADVICE FOR DRESSING PROPERLY WHEN IT GETS COLD
It’s not always necessary to visit Norwegian fjords to suffer from the cold. All it takes is a few cold days and a poor choice of clothing to start shivering and get your teeth chattering. As soon as winter comes, you’ll need to adopt the right clothing habits. Here’s some advice for dressing properly when it gets cold.
PUT ON LAYERS: THE BEST TECHNIQUE TO WARD OFF THE COLD
PUT ON LAYERS: THE BEST TECHNIQUE TO WARD OFF THE COLD
This is also called the onion technique. The principle? 3 thin layers are more effective than a single thick layer! This actually makes the air between each layer act as a thermal insulator. For the first layer, opt for a breathable piece of body-hugging clothing, which will allow the body heat generated to pass through to the other layers. For the second layer, put on a sweater or shirt. If you’re worried that these clothes aren’t enough to protect you from the cold, you can always add a warm wool cardigan, for example, which you can easily unbutton or take off. This will allow you to easily regulate your body temperature. Finally, for the third layer, select a warm coat thick enough to accommodate all the clothing underneath. If possible, choose a coat with a windproof fabric. There's a big difference between what the thermometer says and the apparent temperature, due to the wind-chill factor. So it's really important to properly protect yourself against this!
This technique of putting on layers is not only very efficient in protecting you from the cold, but it also keeps you from overheating by allowing you to open or remove each item of clothing, layer by layer.
COVER YOURSELF UP FULLY, AND DON’T FORGET YOUR EXTREMITIES
It's very important to protect your extremities. A simple pair of gloves can suffice for your hands. During periods of intense cold, you can also wear glove liners. When it’s cold out, the blood tends to move towards the vital zones of the body, such as the heart, which provides less circulation to the extremities. Not only that, your hands and feet are often the parts most exposed to the cold, either because they have no added protection, or this protection is not adequate enough. The result? Your hands and feet become gripped by cold before it spreads to the rest of your body.
DRESS ACCORDING TO THE TEMPERATURE
This last point is often ignored by a lot of people, but it's crucial if you want to increase your resistance to the cold. It isn't necessary to dress too warmly if the temperature is mild. If you cover up more than necessary, your body will get used to hotter temperatures and won't resist when cold sets in. Conversely, take the time to dress warmly when it’s cold! Using the onion technique is very practical in this regard. If the temperature varies during the day, all you have to do is remove a layer of clothing so that you're neither too hot nor too cold.
