Every year it’s the same vicious cycle – you look to the holidays to get through the cold, and then suddenly it’s January and you’ve got nothing but miserable winter ahead of you.  Never fear.  While UK winters can be intimidating, you’ll be surprised to find what a difference a nice goose down jacket can make in helping you through the next few months.  Take it from a weathered Wisconsin transplant – surviving the winter is all about bundling up.

One coat to rule them all

When the weather really takes a turn for the worse, nothing keeps you warm better than a down jacket.  Made with highly durable, water-repellent nylon shells, down jackets are filled with goose feathers that effectively store heat that’s given off by your body.  Additionally, the jackets are lightweight and often feature draw cords that further assist in trapping heat against your body.  The end result is a coat that can withstand temperatures of up to -17 degrees C.  Now that’s an idea you can warm to.

The flyest boots in town

I love trainers as much as the next guy, but I also know that once January rolls around my Vans are no longer going to cut it.  Investing in some thick SmartWool socks and a solid pair of boots will keep even those with the poorest circulation (yours truly) nice and toasty throughout the winter.  My current favourites are these dark brown zip up boots from Fly London.  The fly boots look terrific with everything from jeans and a sweater to corduroy trousers and a blazer, and their weatherproofed outer makes for dry feet even when the umbrellas come out.

The ultimate winter hat

Trendsetters will have you believe that you need little more than a beanie to get you through the winter, but chances are they’ve never been stuck in a Midwest snowstorm.  A fur trappers hat is the ultimate in cold weather headgear – a fur-lined cap with earflaps that looks silly but will keep you seriously warm.  The best of these are made with waterproof material on the outside, but if you’re looking for something slightly more fashionable, try the cool fair isle knit trapper hat at right.

Did you know?

Feathers encased in amber have been recovered in France, suggesting that certain dinosaurs may have had down-like feathers.

-Jeff O.

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