As some people call Canada, the great white north isn’t the most fun place to be in the winter. The weather is usually cold, with the temperature in some regions even dropping below -40 degrees Celsius. Surviving this cold weather requires a particular type of dressing. So, how do you dress for winter in Canada?
The best way to dress for winter is in layers. A three-layer style can help you retain your body heat no matter the weather. You also need to know the type of clothing you need, from the accessories and footwear to jackets and coats. Extra precautions are necessary for winter clothing for babies.
Even though many complain about the winter experience in Canada, it can still be fun and warm for you if you dress appropriately. This article discusses how to dress for maximum warmth in a Canadian winter.
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Multilayer Dressing for Winter
When it comes to winter dressing in Canada, the key is to dress in layers, allowing you to stay warm. The dress layers are:
1. Base Layer
The first layer should be clothing capable of trapping body heat necessary to stay warm. That’s why it’s advisable to wear leggings made of materials such as silk, nylon, Lycra, and polyester. You shouldn’t use cotton as it’ll absorb sweat, making you cold.
2. Middle Layer
This layer can be your regular clothes or any woollen clothes. You can even combine your regular clothing with woollen wear, depending on the weather. In extreme cold, the second layer will be the insulating layer, so it should be worn made of wool, fleece, and flannel. These materials are good insulators capable of trapping body heat. You can also add other clothing such as T-shirts, blouses, vests, sweaters, hoodies, etc., to this layer.
3. Outer Layer
The third and final layer will depend on the outdoor temperature. It could be anything from a raincoat or denim to a leather jacket. A winter coat or heavy down jacket is a better option in the coldest winters.
Type of Clothing Needed for Winter
To survive winter, you need to dress the right way to avoid frostbite and hypothermia. The right way usually means covering every part of your body. Here are the clothing materials you need for that:
1. Accessories
You need accessories for your feet, hands, neck, and head. Mittens or glove is ideal for the hand, and you should use neck warmers or scarfs to protect your neck. Beyond boots, you should also wear socks, preferably made from wool or a wool blend.
2. Jackets and Coats
These items are necessary throughout the winter and even in the fall. So, it’s important to go for the most comfortable ones you can find. When getting coats or jackets, you should look for features such as a hood that can fit over your hat and cuffs that you can tighten. Hood is important because it’s what protects you from the cold winds. Also, look for jackets and coats with fur lining because that’s an additional layer of protection.
When getting winter jackets, you can also check for the temperature ratings. Several have these ratings, and they can guide you in choosing the right one. But temperature ratings are subjective, which means you shouldn’t rely on only that. Instead, you can go ahead to ask the salesperson for guidance. The best time to get a winter jacket is in the winter because the demand is lower, and you’ll easily find what you’re looking for. When getting jackets, be ready to spend a significant amount of money if you need the best one. But don’t let the cost bother you because this investment is worth it and you can use it for several years.
3. Footwear
You need the right footwear for winter, too, because walking on snow is quite tricky. Even if you’re walking on the sidewalks, don’t be surprised if you can feel chilliness in your feet. So, you need good winter boots that are slip-resistant, warm, and waterproof. Always carry an extra pair of socks with you so you can change the ones you’re wearing if it gets damp. Wet socks can lead to frostbite.
Even when you’re indoors, you might still need to wear footwear if you don’t have floor heating. The flooring gets cold during this season, so the best thing is to have some thick socks or indoor slippers that you can wear inside to stay warm.
Outdoor Winter Clothing for Babies
Given how vulnerable children are to cold, you need to give them the maximum protection during this season. You can get a bunting or snowsuit. Buntings are like sleeping bags with seams between the legs, while snowsuits are thick clothes with form-fitting arms and legs and hoods.
If you are taking your baby out often in the winter, you need to invest in the right stroller. Ensure your stroller has a stroller muff or fuzzy seat liner, giving extra warmth. In addition, it’s important you get a stroller with big wheels which can navigate all terrains and get a cover that’ll shield the baby from wind, rain, and snow.
Winter Clothing Tips
- Get gloves, beanies, and torques with lining as they offer more protection against cold than the knitted ones.
- Don’t wear any metal object on exposed skin as this may cause frostbite since the metal will conduct cold.
- Get hand and toe warmers if you can. They’re expensive but worth it.
- If you have children, label all their winter clothing with their name to avoid mixup when they go indoors.
- Get winter boots with a removable liner, making it easy to dry them when they’re wet.
- Beware of black ice as it may cause personal injuries. Attach crampons (rubber or metal grippers) to your shoes to avoid slipping.
- If you’re moving to Canada during the fall or winter, you can get a few winter clothes from home, but the best place to buy suitable winter clothes is in Canada.
In Conclusion
Canada is one of the coldest countries globally, which means its winters can be rough. But with the right clothing, you can stay warm and have a great winter. As the saying goes, there are no bad winters, only bad clothing.