But will I “feel the benefit” ?

I got my heated poncho out of the cupboard this afternoon and tried it on. I was too hot to need it plugged in so just snuggled into the fleece while I sat on the settee watching tv and crocheting. I bought a poncho because I wanted my arms free!

It’s now on my settee with the electric lead waiting for colder weather.

When it’s really chilly and I’d rather not put the heating on (at least in the daytime) I wear a thin under-layer, or a thin polo neck, a warm jumper, plus a padded gilet, and almost always indoors my sheepskin house boots (from Celtic Sheepskin). I’ve had the current pair for at least 5 years - I’m convinced they make a huge difference to how warm I feel.

This may help you decide. www.bbc.com/future/article/20190117-does-wearing-a-coat-indoors-make-you-colder-once-outside

Get your woolies on now !! No point in freezing I’ve never bought in the “feel the benefit” stuff though both my mum and her mum always said it !!

I think it's important to feel warm and cosy as the body is then relaxed and doesn't tense up... which can lead to aches and pains and illness. Your body will let you know what she needs. Some days we are more resilient than others. On the less resilient days I'll do whatever I need to feel good. More layers, a hot water bottle at my back etc. Last night I had the heating on for a couple of hours to take the chill off the air. I immediately felt better and more relaxed. Self care with an awareness of global warming is how I do it. Lets face it, soon heating will be necessary and not a choice as winter kicks in. But I will definitely be more aware of fuel usage and adapt to my environment being a bit cooler. Outside I'll have all the layers on and look like the Michelin man! Do a balance of what you can manage and what makes you feel good.

I have gone from my cut-off jeans to full length as the early morning and evenings are getting colder. Not ready yet to get into too much winter wear - have just got in from a training session with my young Boxer, in the fields, and feel very warm now - lovely!! Easier on the dog as well as, being short nosed, Boxers do have problems breathing if too much running about in hot weather.
Couldn't put it off any longer, have now ordered my winter oil supply? never sure whether prices are going up or down!! Such a big difference from last year!

annsixty

I find the very low monthly charges some of you have amazing.
I am not extravagant with heat etc but in the depths of winter I do have heating on for about 16 hours as I am 85 and feel the cold as I suppose I do sit around a lot.
My previous fixed DD which came to an end in August was £157 and I was never in debit at the end of the year.
As you can see this is nearly 100% increase.
At least being over 80 I will get extra help this year.

You think these ae amazing - wait for this one BG have reduced my Fixed DD to £10 for gas and £20 for electricity, state my payments are spot on to cover an estimated bill for over £3k! Can't change it myself either, had a complaint in for months which they keep closing - no cost of living payment, no warm home discount to help out as am on the wrong benefit! Disabled desperate and now in debt .... in my conservatory with 3 walls of glass and a glass roof!

I too say, put on an extra layer indoors now!

You are doing no-one any good by being cold.

Some of us develope aches and pains, others become depressed, or just plain old-fashioned lazy if we feel cold.

I doubt any of us are so poor and short of clothes that we can't put on even more layers before going out.

My experience is that if I am warm before putting on my outdoor clothes, I don't feel the cold outside to the same extent I would have done if I had been cold before going out.

I agree with granny. Wear something light and move about, you'll warm up without need for big jumpers.
Bemefits: you'll be warm, your fuel bills will stay low and your house will be cleaner and tidier. Win, win.
Too easy to sit on the sofa and shiver under a mass of clothing and moan about the cold!

My Mum used to say the same thing about removing a coat as soon as you came indoors to feel the benefit of it when you went out again.

We are so far south that it's still warm enough to wear t-shirts, silky tops and summer weight trousers. I only put a cardigan on if it's windy. On a sunny day like today the house is warmed by the sun and stays warm till bedtime. We don't usually light the boiler or use the central heating till early November. I wonder if this year will be different. Our children who live 100-150 miles further north have already turned their heating on.

I reviewed my winter wardrobe yesterday and realised I only have 3 cardigans and 2 fine knit jumpers. No winter trousers or fleecy pyjamas, I've never needed them. I tend to wear summer clothes right through the winter, including sandals. Haven't worn a vest since I was a child.

I do however have dozens of pairs of socks as my feet freeze at night (poor circulation), and 3 very warm coats should I need them. I may treat myself to some bedsocks this winter if they still make them. We have an electric underblanket (not put it on yet) but it doesn't warm my feet up sufficiently.

For those who are already feeling the chill I'd say put something warm on, layers maybe, why suffer the cold if you don't need to. Be cosy and comfortable.

I saw a program a good few years ago, where a set of twins took part in an experiment to find out if it made a difference if you put a coat on and got yourself warm for a while THEN went outside into the cold (they actually used a refrigeration unit on a lorry) or if was better to put your coat on just before going into the cold. Using body heat cameras it showed it made no difference. They were as warm as each other after a few minutes.
So, whatever the scenario - keep yourself warm now.

I started wearing a vest or camisole two weeks ago - cannot abide having a cold back. All our summer clothes are packed away and the winter garments are out but I do need to go shopping to replace a few items that have seen better days - we've all got some of those haven't we? - well that's my excuse anyway.

Re direct debits. Octopus have informed me that my monthly payments from October will be £23 for dual fuel! I currently pay £90 p.m and am £223 in credit. It must be due to the government discount but I’ve emailed them back to say I want to keep my payments at the current level. I’ve just put on my heating and am wearing thermals and don’t want to be shivering.

Put on a jumper or cardigan, even a dressing gown. Don't freeze to death!! Leave the coats for outdoors.

Another recommendation for the long furry/fleecy hoodies. Just be wary of the ones with huge sleeves if you might be wearing one while cooking. Blankets are all well & good but you generally leave them behind when going in to other rooms.

Get your gancy on Maw. We have had cold weather for the last month today is pickling. You can always put a thermal vest on later and I often tuck a silk scarf around my neck even in the house. DD bought me some Cotton snoods from Seasalt and I sometimes use those
I have also given in and put warm socks on. I'll be looking for the Winter fur-lined slippers next.
My mum and gran always said the same and not to sit in a car with your coat on today I felt I needed a Liberty Bodice when shopping.

Never be cold, especially the older you get. Warm light layers can come off and go back on as needed. I’ve been eyeing up some “Turtle Doves” made from cashmere jumpers - they’re wrist warmers, and cashmere is so warm and comfortable to wear. Thermal leggings and a woollen shawl and house hat will complete the winter indoor ensemble - o and wool felt slippers. Don’t be “brave” be warm.

Central France,it's cold and wet here as well, such an abrupt end to all that heat

I’m a cold soul, have low thyroid count and also have a blood disorder where my blood is thick and clots easily. We spent a lot of the summer in Portugal and it was still quite nice here in the north when we returned but I’m feeling very cold now. I’ve gone into jumpers and gilets this week and my vest is on, I get really cold round the middle without it.

My dear H refuses to let me put the heating on yet but I have lit the log burner every night for the last week and I sit covered up with my electric throw (no need to plug in yet though)! I’ve warned H that the heating is going on in October whatever he says but I must admit I’m keeping warm enough up to now, I also put my over electric blanket on for five minutes when I go to bed. Apparently, if you get too cold your blood gets even thicker and more sluggish so I’m certainly not risking that so matter what HE says!

Everyone is different. Layer up with whatever keeps you cosy.

yes luckylegs definitely asap for you and increase your hot drinks, even warm water

I always thought that just applied to a coat. I have a tea shirt and cotton blouse under dungarees and a very thick cardie. I will wrap a skinny knitted scarf round my neck soon. Thick socks and cosy fleece lined slippers on feet. If my neck and feet are warm then I am warm. Not lit the burner though...isn't October yet. I don't have central heating.

I wear much the same all year round, just adding a jumper on top of my t-shirt in the winter. I'm already wearing the jumper, today with a thin raincoat when I went out, but I was too hot by the time I got home from delivering my GS to his nursery.
Most of us have relatively warm and draft-free homes now so no need for many layers when inside.
I have just switched from a sheet to a 4.5 tog duvet and will sleep under that for most of the winter, unless it gets really chilly or the heating fails. My husband has an extra single duvet on top of his side of the bed.
I can't believe it when I see people out in puffa jackets as soon as the weather turns! You're right, what will they wear when it really gets cold...

Whatever happened to Liberty Bodices?!!!

I walked the dog this morning and when I came home I sat and ate my breakfast in my coat as I was dreading taking it off. I moaned with the heat in the summer and now because I'm cold.