Winter Wardrobe Strategies: Steering Clear of Chilly Clothing Materials

While the mercury has been dropping drastically for a few days, it is better to cover yourself to avoid getting cold. And for this, we bet on the suitable materials. We take stock of those to avoid.

The cold is back. It was unnecessary to wait until winter reached the tip of its nose for temperatures to get around four degrees. So, to cover ourselves from the cold, we removed our warmest clothes from the wardrobe, starting with our mesh sweaters, tweed jackets, or most beautiful coats. But sometimes, despite the different layers of clothes we accumulate, more is needed. And yes, superimposing parts is good, but getting suitable materials is better! Indeed, some fabrics are known to keep heat while being breathable enough not to trap the moisture our body creates. Generally, they are natural fibres such as virgin wool, alpaca and merino wool, velvet, or cashmere. Conversely, are there any materials to avoid when it's cold?

What clothing materials should be avoided in winter to stay warm?

We often have the impression that we will get warmer by superimposing a long-sleeved t-shirt with a knit sweater and a long jacket. Well, not necessarily! Instead, it depends on the clothing materials you have chosen. Indeed, some fabrics hardly absorb moisture and do not adequately retain heat. All synthetic fibres, i.e. polyester, polyamide, nylon... are not warm fibres.

Does the polyester keep warm?

Polyester is not a breathable fabric. On the other hand, we can turn more to this material for top clothes including coats and jackets because most are made of synthetic fibres and are water-repellent and therefore waterproof. Why does your winter down jacket made of polyester keep you warm? This is because it is padded with animal or synthetic fibres.

Polyamide and nylon

These fabrics are petroleum derivatives that are widely used by fast fashion brands (and are very polluting). Synthetic materials will keep the heat but make you sweat more. It is therefore recommended not to choose polyamide or nylon clothing for the winter.

Viscose, lyocell and Tencel

These are so-called artificial fibres. These materials are rather warm, but they are less thermoregulatory. However, these fabrics are interesting under certain conditions: when they are used for technical products or winter clothing, says the expert. Even if they are delightful to wear, they are not absorbent. Also, it is a material that promotes perspiration, so it is not advisable to wear viscose, lyocell and Tencel clothes in winter to be warm.

Flax and hemp

These materials are resistant, but in general, they are not warm. That is why they are often associated with summer clothes, clothes that are not warm. They are not notably recognised for their thermoregulatory virtues. However, more and more brands are launching into linen winter clothing. In this case, the expert advises testing by trying the pieces.

Cotton

Cotton is mainly found in t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jeans. It is not a particularly warm material. On the other hand, this material is comfortable. It does not sweat much. Therefore, cotton is often used as an undershirt, like the tank tops that men historically wore under their shirts. Cotton is not thermoregulatory, but it is a good alternative for our underwear and parts in direct contact with the skin.

Silk

This natural material is not suitable for winter clothing. It is not particularly a thermoregulatory fabric. Choose this material for your spring and summer wardrobe.

How do you recognise a warm material?

Yes, there is a unit of measurement to calculate the thermal resistance of a garment; it is called "clo" (or "cloth" in English). Unfortunately, few brands use it today.

Overall, natural materials (vegetable or animal) are warm and adapted to low temperatures. Leather, skins, and wool are good alternatives for your winter jackets and coats. They have the virtue of adapting to the heat of the body and are therefore very breathable. Just think about maintaining them regularly to remain beautiful for a long time.

Choose mohair, angora, alpaca, or cashmere wool for your sweaters and all your winter clothes. They are warm depending on the density of the weaving. The finer the mesh, the more potentially the sweater is warm.

You will no longer make a mistake by choosing your trendy clothes to be warm this winter!