Which coat to wear

I have travelled and lived in lots of different places, so the first thing I think is worth buying is a cashmere jumper. (It doesnt have to be new, (I have bought several over many years, always wash them carefully by hand and they last for years) The great thing about them is that they are very warm but extremely light. So I have old ones that I put in a plastic bag and shove in my rucksac and they are easy to carry , then if it turns cold or windy, you have the option to put it on, without it being heavy. Then , again I would go for a breathable but waterproof coat, and there are ones where you have a fleece that can be worn inside zipped to the coat or taken off. With those two things you will have a good variety to cover most weather conditions. Then I have very light insulate gloves, which I put in the pockets of the coats or jackets and an insulate style hat. That way outside it is easy to do simple adjustments by taking hat and gloves off, and having the very light jumper that you can put on and off easily. I used to be up Sweden and Greenland etc, and so tended to think a bit more about what I was doing in advance, so you might be in a department store or cafe where it is very warm. if you are then only going across the street I would just use the hat and gloves for that short walk, but anything more I would go into the ladies and put my jumper on. Dont forget about suncream and sunglasses too, if you are anywhere like that or have a hat with a brim , it is easy to forget you can get sunburn or rather windburn from winds over snow etc. Keep a little note in a book each night, to say whether you found what you had taken was good or not so good, and then if you go on another trip you will see what suited you best. Hope that is some help

What about a packable coat that squishes down? And thermals beneath your normal clothes for colder days.

Thank you - excellent ideas. Another issue is not being able to wear wool. So I have a man made jumper, which isn't that warm, with a vest under and a gilet. With a warmer coat I could just wear the jumper and vest. Hence trying to work out whether to have the lighter coat and gilet or the warmer coat and less layers under.

Such good advice madeleine45. I made many mistakes on my first winter trip to Finland which covered time in Helsinki and in the country/seaside. Never having been to a cold country before I didnt take on board that indoors would be very very warm and outdoors so very very cold. And windy. Which made it even colder.

My worst mistake was a heavy roll neck wool jumper which was a pain to get on and off and left me with my hair on end and flushed...well bright red. And I didnt take a pretty top for the evening. I am never likely to go again but would be better prepared.

So layers of cashmere, a removable fleece lining in a breathable waterproof coat, thin gloves and hat are spot on. OP such a shame you can't wear wool. Even cashmere which is so light? Over the top of a light thermal? What about silk thermals? Useful to take extra layers in your handbag. And a quick change in a loo.

Seasalt are good for waterproof warm coats. And I like their warm snoods or handybands which keep your neck warm and easy to take off. I also like MS thermal leggings which are fleecy.
I wouldnt go for a heavy coat. Light layers for me ...if theres a next time. Or even here on cold days.

Would a cashmere cardigan be light to carry and easy to add as an extra layer when needed? It wouldn’t be next to your skin. My SS endured winters in a number of very cold countries and swore by silk base layers.

I can’t wear wool but I can wear cashmere (I must have been a princess in a previous life!) with a thermal underneath.

I wonder if you could buy a pre-loved cashmere jumper from Vinted or similar and try it out? If you can’t even wear cashmere, then resell it, if you can wear it, you’ve got a new jumper!

I swear by sillk thermals.

Where do you buy them Graceless?

I would love a cashmere jumper but I can't wear any wool unfortunately. This is annoying and can mean more layers to get the warmth.

But yes I think I'll stick with the lightweight waterproof coat and gilet/bodywarmer under it. I have two of those - one is a fleece one, one is a padded duvet type one - so I can swap those about depending what the temperature is like when I get there.

That is a good point about an over the head jumper being a pain to take on and off. So I have a zip up man made jumper
I can wear under the gilet - and a cotton long sleeve top under that. I'm not sure that jumper will be warm enough though for outside.

I do also have a thin fleece zip up I could wear under the bodywarmer though.

It's a really difficult balance because if I get overheated, it comes on very fast and affects my skin and breathing. That isn't going to happen outdoors.

This is partly why I'm wondering whether a warmer coat with less layers under might be easier (just the cotton top and man made jumper - so no pulling things off indoors - just taking the coat off. On the other hand the coat would be bulkier to carry.

At the moment, the manmade jumper (acrylic and polyester) may not be quite warm enough but a thin fleece zip too warm!

I have a drawer full of wool jumpers I can't wear. I have another man made jumper that I think is just the right warmth (but that's a pull over your head one!).

What about wearing a shirt/rollneck top or something similar as well as a vest under your jumper? This is my standard wintry weather gear. Sometimes the 'vest' is a thin t-shirt.

Also, though I love jumpers, if I'm likely to need to adjust my warmth then I find a cardigan is useful instead as it can be unbuttoned around buttoned depending on need.

I would take a Uniqlo hooded, down coat to wear under your waterproof raincoat.. They are incredibly light and fold up into a small bag.. and are on sale at the moment

I agree Uniqlo down coats and jackets are great. And fit well under coats. Being slightly slippery fabric they slide under a coat easily and often have a high neck which you can tie a scarf round to keep extra snug. I wear a Uniqlo down jacket under my waterproof mac. It scrunches into a small bag so can pop in your bag or rucksack. I have had mine for about 5 years. Havent washed it yet and think the down may get lumpy. So I may have it cleaned eventually if it is dry cleanable. I very much like Uniqlo things, but there arent many actuak shops around. The sizes come up small. I am a size 10 / 12 and choose med or large sizes. Medium in the down jacket so it fits snugly.
I am excited for you OP. Enjoy your trip.

You can also buy a waistcoat made from same material as Uniglo down jackets, really light and you can slip it on top of your clothes with a lighter weight coat on top.

Whenever I visit a cold country I rely on my Uniqlo light down gilet.
It packs up small into a little bag and can be worn under any coat or jacket.
I also take a couple of Cashmere jumpers.

HelterSkelter1

I agree Uniqlo down coats and jackets are great. And fit well under coats. Being slightly slippery fabric they slide under a coat easily and often have a high neck which you can tie a scarf round to keep extra snug. I wear a Uniqlo down jacket under my waterproof mac. It scrunches into a small bag so can pop in your bag or rucksack. I have had mine for about 5 years. Havent washed it yet and think the down may get lumpy. So I may have it cleaned eventually if it is dry cleanable. I very much like Uniqlo things, but there arent many actuak shops around. The sizes come up small. I am a size 10 / 12 and choose med or large sizes. Medium in the down jacket so it fits snugly.
I am excited for you OP. Enjoy your trip.

I have several down coats and gilets and I tumble dry them with a clean tennis ball in the dryer . This plumps up the down and stops it clumping .

You do not mention where you are going. If it is one of the Scandinavian countries, most people are not warming their houses or shops as much now, due to rising fuel prices, as we used to, so the difference between outdoor and indoor temperatures are not so great.

Climate change indicates wet, mild weather (above freezing) unless you will be practically in the polar regions.

I would wear whatever outdoor clothes you wear at home, and take a fair isle or similar jersey or cardie to wear under your coat if you are too cold, leggings you can wear under skirts or slacks and a thinner woollen cardie if an Arran sweater or the like is too much.

You can check temperatures and weather using Google Earth or the like.

readsalot

Where do you buy them Graceless?

I gotmine from Patra (I've just checked and they do still exist). I first got them for a trip to Nepal in 1993. In 1998 I travelled around South America for a year and took them with me then. So they have coped with camping in the Himalayas and the Andes. i also took them to Iceland when I went in December 2017 for my 70th birthday- the same set are still going strong albeit a little the worse for wear.
Sorry no link but I'm not good ar copy and paste due to wonky eyes.

Could you not tell us where you are going?
A quick look at BBC weather for that area would be what I would consult - invaluable

HelterSkelter1

I agree Uniqlo down coats and jackets are great. And fit well under coats. Being slightly slippery fabric they slide under a coat easily and often have a high neck which you can tie a scarf round to keep extra snug. I wear a Uniqlo down jacket under my waterproof mac. It scrunches into a small bag so can pop in your bag or rucksack. I have had mine for about 5 years. Havent washed it yet and think the down may get lumpy. So I may have it cleaned eventually if it is dry cleanable. I very much like Uniqlo things, but there arent many actuak shops around. The sizes come up small. I am a size 10 / 12 and choose med or large sizes. Medium in the down jacket so it fits snugly.
I am excited for you OP. Enjoy your trip.

Thank you everyone. I've learned a few things - I don't know Uniqlo.

Have probably packed too many things but it gives me options. We're going to Paris. Forecast looks ok for the few days we're there. Sunny 2 days and temperatures between 5 and 8 degrees.

Ooooh lucky you Paris. Have a great time. I am sure you will be dressed well for every occssion. Joyeux Noel

A scarf, makes all the difference if I am cold. 🥶

Paris- how lovely!
I would wear a (fairly lightweight ) puffa coat, easy to take off when you are inside but it can be on the chilly side in a December. A lovely big scarf, which can double as a wrap over indoor clothes and comfy shoes. Those cobbles can be punishing and if you are using the Métro at all, few of the stations seem to have heard of escalators!
I hope your mobility issues won’t be a problem, Paris can be surprisingly hilly with lots of steps even where you least expect them.
Are you flying or going by Eurostar?

I was imagining the North Pole, Iceland or Scandinavia , not Paris.

Paris is beautiful, have a lovely time.