WEATHER AND HOW DRESS FOR IT
A friend coming to the UK asked me the questions:
Which months of the year can’t you go out walking due to weather?
How do you dress warm and still look smart for work?
“There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” ― Alfred Wainwright, A Coast to Coast Walk
Life goes on, whatever the weather. During the months October
to March, we are probably wearing more layers than in the Spring and Summer months. Layering is key.
As humans, we are incredibly adaptable, and can acclimatise to almost any situation. If you keep the house/car heating on max, and always dress with the thickest of coats, when it does get cold, you will *really* feel it. We are not in the Arctic. Winters in UK - particularly southern UK - are quite mild.
For example, we can expect temps over Dec-Jan-Feb to be in the
range 0 degrees C to 6C, or even 10C some days.
Some mornings might go to minus 2C.
This past Winter season, we had about 5 days total with frost (ie: temp around
zero). Previous years though, we've had consecutive
weeks of frost! We have also had snow in
April. Weather can be fickle! Mostly though it is not freezing but watch out
for the wind chill!
I have my own personal "rules" for dress code.
- Below 18C - wear a jumper.
- Below 10C - probably need a jacket or coat.
- Below 8C - probably want a hat and scarf.
- Below 4C - gloves.
Because we are typically in and out of buildings / cars / trains, wearing layers is important. For example, in the cooler months, I'm probably wearing a t-shirt under my work shirt. Then a jumper or fleece. Then a coat. I have also been known to wear thermal leggings, especially with thin suit trousers.
Two factors other than absolute temperature to consider: wind
and precipitation.
If you've got wind, then Buscopan and more layers, so that the
cold penetrates less.
Definition: "A lazy wind" is one that doesn't bother
going round you, it just cuts straight through.
If it's raining, then a water-resistant coat, with a hood, and
shoes that are not going to let your feet get wet. Wellies, in most cases, are probably overkill. Umbrellas are fine for short hops from the car
to the shop or pub, but cumbersome and pokey-in-the-eyes, and less effective in
the wind.
Keep in mind it does not rain every day!
Certainly in London, and I imagine across Europe, there are so
many cultures and styles, no one really cares how you dress. It is fine to wear an outdoor-styled rain jacket
and trainers to the office because you'll change into more comfortable shoes once
you're there.
As far as brands go...
Uggs. No! Just no! Please
get yourself and your family some nice sheepskin slippers for around the house. But *IN* the house, and only in the house. https://www.ciora.co.uk/
or https://www.skyeskyns.co.uk/
https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/
has good outdoor clothing for the family.
They are more at the budget end, and not all their stuff is highly fashionable,
but reasonable quality and durability.
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/home/
is more for the fashion conscious youth.
I quite like their Ultra Light Down jackets. They are thin, yet warm, and
can be rolled up - I keep one in a backpack in case I get caught out. Good as a
mid-layer under a suit jacket too.
https://www.landsend.co.uk/
is on the other end of the spectrum for quality. Really good stuff, but with prices to match. Our Lands End jackets have been going strong for
years - in the snow and heavy rain. And yes,
I'll wear mine to work some days.
(Lands End is also a place: https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/attractions/west-cornwall/lands-end/lands-end-landmark)
https://www.hotter.com/gb/en
is a good place to look for shoes. Being
a boy, I do tend to look at functionality as well as style, so my work shoes are
waterproof.
Other shoe brands I like:
https://www.merrell.com/UK/en_GB/home
https://www.skechers.com/en-gb/
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/
for all sports gear - including walking and fishing and rugby and ballet and weightlifting
and... They have nice fleeces and socks.
Speaking of socks, consider getting some merino wool socks
from Danish Endurance (off Amazon).
https://www.sportpursuit.com/
sells premium sports brands at a discount.
https://www.marksandspencer.com/
is similar to Woolies in SA. Quality, arguably fashionable, durable clothes. Prices
on the higher side. IMO, best place for underwear
and jeans.
https://www.ctshirts.com/uk/home
has best non-iron mens shirts.
https://www.primark.com/en
and https://www.matalan.co.uk/
might be good places for kids clothes and special event outfits. They tend to be fashionable, but lower quality
and cheapish.
For t shirts for the family - look on Amazon for "Fruit
of the Loom". (Mens Super Premium Short
Sleeve - £3 - almost disposable!)
There are ALWAYS sales. Never buy unless you have an offer code
/ discount voucher! (try here: https://www.vouchercodes.co.uk/)
For general wear, you might want something like a 3-in-1 jacket
(water resistant outer layer, with a fleece that can be zipped in), and a padded
(down-style) jacket. You'll want several
fleeces, some outdoor walking shoes, and think about getting merino wool socks (search
Amazon "Danish Endurance"). Oh,
and a beanie.
When it comes to workwear, generally anything smarter than jeans
and t-shirt is acceptable. I've been known to wear a scarf around the office because
I'm sitting still at my desk and my neck gets cold. Several colleagues will wear comfortable shoes
or trainers to-and-from the office and change into smarter shoes they keep under
their desk.
Obviously for client-facing situations the dress code is likely to be more formal - but don't forget your under layers, and a heavy coat for outdoors.
On a tangential note, seasons tend to run:
Spring - late March (Spring Equinox...) to July
Summer - late July (Summer Solstice...) to Sep
Autumn - Sep-Oct (Autumn Equinox...) to Dec
Winter – Christmas (Winter Equinox...) to March
This is a bit different to the way we think of seasons in South
Africa. In SA, July would be considered mid-winter.