31 Days of Femininity: How to be feminine when it's cold outside!
Wearing Maternity Support hose with a skirt and top.
It's that time of year when I'm starting to get emails asking "how do you wear skirts and dresses in the winter time? I live where it's really cold outside and I just don't know how to do this!"
Honestly I hardly even blink when winter time comes, since I've been wearing dresses only since I was nine. It just seems natural to don a layer or two on when winter comes, and continue putting on a dress or skirt. I will admit to staying cuddled up in my knit pajama bottoms a bit more when I'm at home during the day, but it's probably only once a month or so that I indulge myself in staying in them all day. My boys are so used to seeing me in a skirt that I get asked all day "when are you going to get dressed mama? You really are wearing sweat pants today?" I chuckle and tell them it's really ok. :)
So, what is the most practical ways to stay warm? Here are a few of my time tested favorites.
1. Wear leggings! My mom had my sister and I doing this during the '90's when the stirrup leggings were such a popular look. Except we wore them under our dresses! We always wear the leggings, and then wear some socks pulled over the edge of the legging with some cute shoes. If your skirt or dress is long enough you barely even notice the leggings. They also make 3/4 length leggings so you wouldn't see them at all, but a small part of your leg might end up cold.
I even found fleece lined leggings on Amazon, now those sound really comfortable and warm!
I discovered cuddle duds last year, and they are wonderful leggings! They are super soft and comfortable, while being extremely warm. So if you live where it is really cold in the winter, I would definitely get a pair of cuddle duds to wear. They sell different colors and styles.
2. Wear warm cotton knee high socks! On days when it's not bitterly cold this is my preferred layering method. I find that if I wear a warm skirt, the upper part of my legs don't get as cold because they are kept warm from the skirt. So knee high leggings keep me warm many days. But I live in Missouri, not Alaska! I don't know if this is warm enough for some of the really cold states.
3. Then there is the option to simply wear pantyhose throughout the winter, or wear cotton tights that are fitted like pantyhose. I know some ladies do this, but it's never been my preferred method. It would keep you warm though!
4. So what if you are pregnant during the winter? I have previously just worn support hose during the winter when I was cold, as I already had them and they help my varicose veins. Anyone who has worn support hose knows they keep you warm!
I did just order a pair of black maternity leggings from Zulily when they were running a sale on them. They came in the mail last night, and I was shocked how comfortable they were when I tried them on! Since I'm not due until the beginning of January, I'm sure I will have time to wear these when the weather turns more chilly.
If you have questions feel free to ask! I'd love it of other ladies would share any tips they have also!
Labels: Modesty
32 Comments:
My husband wants me to wear skirts more...I need to bite the bullet and wear some tights or leggings!
Love this make it much easier to wear skirts uh? Thanks for sharing.! Sarah Mae you can pull it off girl!! Blessings!
I live in MN and love my Cuddle Duds and sweater tights in the winter. I stay plenty warm.
I live in the french alps (yes I'm a french reader) and I just ask the same questions thank you for this lovely answers. Friendly blessings
Thank you for all the links. :) I'm a big fan of year round knee high socks. It seems like every office building is about 12 degrees year round. Thank God for space heaters. :)
Good tips!! I've never heard of Cuddle Duds...they look interesting, and like they'd definitely keep you warm! Something else I do in the winter is wear tall boots under a long skirt. (Not high-heels!) I bought a pair of leather boots at the end of the season and they have kept me very warm!
I wear tights or leggins all winter. I even go sledding in a skirt! No biggie at all! You can do it! :)
We live in Colorado, we do get quite cold and snowy. It seems leggings are popular again (although the fashion is wearing them with just a shirt- yikes!) so it seems easier to find. We keep rain boots lined at the door in the fall and snow boots in the winter. We love the knee high socks! Remember our ancestors did everything in skirts, so can we.
I was wondering what type of shoes to wear as well. I have just started wearing skirts back in July and have worn my flip flops. Now it is getting colder and I need ideas for warm, cute, comfy shoes that go with skirts.
Lauren
Lauren,
I'll cover shoes tomorrow!
I have been looking at leg warmers here: http://www.foottraffic.com/ (Please note that I do not believe this sight to be very modest at all. I would suggest keeping your sons away from it! :) and I have found some very nice ones that I think I will buy when I get some money. They also have some knee high socks which I am thinking of getting as well.
~Heather Joy
When making your own skirts (4 out of our 5 are girls) what is the best material to use for warmth?
Denim, bottomweight, or corduroy fabrics are my favorites for winter time skirts.
God has convicted me about my dress recently. I am now all dresses and skirts. This winter will be a true test. Thank you for the tips! :o)
I actually like wearing dresses more in the winter, with tights. They keep me warmer than pants, which seems odd, but it's true. I'm going to make a couple skirts that look like they are layered, because they are cute and I also like the swish swish around my legs :) And Maxi Skirts will also keep you warm with a pair of tights or leggings underneath. I think the fabric traps your body heat under the skirt and you're warmer.
My problem, as someone noted before me, is shoes. I've had several foot surgeries, I can't wear regular shoes, they just hurt so much. About the only thing I can wear is slippers or Crocs. But Crocs (even the fleece lined ones) aren't so good in the winter. They do keep my feet warm, but with the holes... rain and snow... they don't play well together. So, I'm eager to read tomorrow's post about shoes.
I live in Minnesota, and I wear Cuddle Duds with knit knee socks, or even knit socks that are over the knee (which I found at Target).
Thanks for ALL the links! I really appreciate this post because I do live up in Canada where it does get cold and snows. So I need to find ways to stay warm. [o=
Blessings<><
-Mary
Karen you might look up these...
http://www.zappos.com/crocs-neria-work-black?si1545304=&channel=25&mr:referralID=0f4866e9-f4fb-11e0-9866-001b2166becc
They are a Crock that doesn't have holes. [o=
Blessings<><
-Mary
I just bought some leggings and yes long underwear. Found both for 5.88 each at Walmart. So soft and comfy and a great price! Hope that helps someone on a tight budget.
I live in the Rockies where we have already had snow! Skirts are warmer if they are heavy and long enough. I like layering silk long underwear. Silk is very thin, warm, soft. Feels wonderful. I wear wool socks alot in the winter.You can get winterweight tights/panty hose too.
I know you said you'll cover shoes tomorrow, but boots are my answer to cold weather! I tend to wear taller boots that come almost to the knee and, along with a good pair of socks, they keep my feet and legs very warm under any skirt or dress.
When it gets really cold outside, I'll even wear two pairs of leggings at a time! Last winter was a bit harder because I was pregnant, and we couldn't afford to buy any maternity leggings. But my mom sent me a pair of knit pants with a fold-over waist that worked really well. And because I mostly wear Ugg styled boots in the winter I was able to tuck the pant legs into them so they wouldn't show under my skirts.
I've also found that linen slips are really warm too!
Love this reminder of all of our choices for keeping warm - thank you! And I desired to wear Cuddle Duds, but wondered if Cuddle Duds would look like long underwear under my skirt! Yikes! But a longer skirt is a great plan (I need to re-check out your skirt store!). I'm gonna do it! =) And I'm SO excited to learn that there are maternity leggings, if (prayerfully!!!) the Lord blesses us with a 10th baby! Blessings to you!
(LargeFamiliesOnPurpose.com)
I must be an odd one, because I usually wear regular pantyhose whenever the weather is too cold for running around with naked legs :) It was a challenged at first, but I have been wearing skirts 99% for over 10 years now and it's just a matter of getting used to it. I feel most feminine with nice Mary Janes or simple black flats. I do have one pair of wool tights, but they are simply too thick for inside, so I only put them when going outside for longer periods and temperatures are very low. I tried leggings, but unless I have boots, the socks I have don't look very feminine and can't figure out what shoes to wear without looking frumpy. So, simple cheap pantyhose is my preference.
I buy leggings from Oldnavy.com. They are super comfortable and warm to wear under the skirts. I live in Alaska, and wearing a skirt with leggings keeps me plenty toasty. I also like to wear some warmer socks too. I just bought some nice wool type of socks. I did my first full winter last year wearing skirts everyday. I loved it. However I will put on snowpants if I am going out snowmobiling.
I just started wearing skirts and dresses last month and so far I have been able to do with sandals but I am curious about winter. I found some skirts today at a thirf store that are a little shorter and the shoes I have to wear look ridiculous. :(
Last night while shopping at a Pamida I did find 2 pairs of nice shoes to wear with dresses. Hopefully they will still be there when I have the money to get them.
Also, I am plus size - is there a nice site to order plus size tights that anyone is aware of? I too am in MN and it gets CHILLY!
You can get Cuddle Duds at Kohl's for only $16.99.
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/womens/longunderwear.jsp
If you use the promo code Autum15 through the Oct. 16th you can get an additional 15% off.
I bought some leggings like you were talking about back in the 90's before I was dresses-only. I never really wore them much as they made me very self-conscious. However, before I moved to Northwest Indiana (from Mississippi; I now live in Memphis), I cut them off at the knee and hemmed them. They worked remarkably well for keeping me warm. I still wear them when it's very cold out.
I wear thick leggings as well during the winter with long skirts. Heck, I've worn them withthe skirts that came to the knee if they matched enough.
How does wearing pajamas or sweats all day show modesty? If so why the need to wear skirts? Simply put on a pair of modest pants in the morning and demonstraight to your children the need to start the day off with getting dressed. As moms we are the first teachers in a child's life. Something to think about.
I think women can look like women without wearing skirts at all times.
I see the links for leggings. Does anyone have resources for warm knee socks? I'm having trouble finding any that aren't VERY expensive.
Thank you!
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