The tropical person's guide to winter wear

"Winter is coming." - Game of Thrones

Make no mistake - Singapore to Scotland is a huge weather change. Going from 35 degree heat to sub-zero winter cold, I've had to pretty much buy an entirely new wardrobe to survive in this temperature. It's been a lot of trial and error, trying to figure out what works for me in this weather, and I think I've finally got it. So for you, I present, the tropical person's guide to winterwear.



One word: LAYERS.

Layers are what will get you through winter, not just as insulation against the cold but also making it much easier to adjust according to the different temperatures you'll come into contact with - for example, in shopping malls or cafes where there's likely to be an indoor heating system and it's probably much warmer inside than out. At least, I hope - I'd like to go indoors to escape the cold, not have more of it!

Depending on the level of cold, you'll want to wear more or fewer layers, and if necessary thermals. Thermals are made such that the material is able to trap more pockets of air as opposed to regular clothing, which makes it a better insulation layer. In temperatures of -10 degrees C and below, you'll definitely need thermals if you don't want to freeze (unless you're Finnish - see below).



The traditional system of layering consists of three main layers: base, mid and outer. The base layer serves to wick moisture such as sweat away from the body, keeping it dry and allowing air to insulate effectively. And yes, you do sweat even when its cold, even if you might not notice it all at first. The mid layer is the main insulating layer, and the outer layer is waterproof which protects against snow, sludge, or cold unwelcome rain.

Materials, materials, materials. You'll want to wear material which has been designed for that specific climate - which means you don't wear tropical plant cotton in elk climate. Wool is popular, because sheep are everywhere and it's a relatively inexpensive material.

The Inuits used to wear seal furs to keep themselves warm; I'm certainly not suggesting you go out and hunt seals to make your clothes with (in fact, I hope you don't) but you'll definitely want to wear appropriate materials.

You'll notice that when you're cold, your head and torso never feel cold, because these are the two areas your body prioritises distribution of warmth to. It's only after your head and torso have been adequately protected that your body warms the extremities of the body, your fingers and toes. It's absolutely essential that you keep your torso and head protected - even if you haven't got gloves for your fingers, it's amazing the difference a hat can make to how warm you feel.

Snow looks an awful lot different from rain, but remember that they're both forms of water, which means both can soak you to the skin. Remember to wear waterproof boots, or the snow you step in will soak into your shoes and socks. No canvas Converses - wear leather on your boots or waterproof everything!!!

And finally, you'll want a scarf to protect your neck and to prevent wind from blowing down your front, which can be very uncomfortable. Any good thick winter scarf should be alright for this.

There you have it! My tropical person's guide to winter wear. Remember that every climate and every person is different, so you may have to switch up your wear accordingly. Stay warm!

What are your tips for staying warm this winter?