Dressing when the thermometer disagrees with your body
Short answer: The thermometer measures the air, not you. Wind, damp, activity and tiredness decide what you feel. Dress according to how your body feels, and keep layers that can be adjusted.
Why the number and the feeling do not always match
The thermometer measures the air temperature in the shade, but the body feels much more than that. Wind takes heat from the skin, damp makes cold and warmth feel more intense, and the sun can make a cool day seem mild. On top of that, you vary yourself: if you are tired, hungry or have been ill, you feel cold more easily. If you are moving, you produce heat. The number is therefore only a starting point, not the whole truth.
Listen to your body and adjust
The most important thing is to notice how you feel and act before you get too cold or too hot. Put the layer on when you begin to feel chilly, and take it off when you begin to sweat. That sounds simple, but many people wait too long. If you often feel colder than others, or sweat for no reason, talk to your doctor, who can assess whether anything should be looked into.
Footies and short socks
The feet are often the first to let you know. Short socks are fine on mild days, but they leave the ankles bare if the wind picks up. See bamboo footies for men. Footies are mainly for low shoes and mild days, and they do not suit you if your ankles get cold. Pay attention, and switch to longer socks if your body says you need more warmth.
Taller socks when you feel cold
If you often feel colder than the temperature would suggest, taller socks can help. They cover the ankle and calf and hold warmth in cold shoes. See bamboo socks for men. Choose a quality that does not pinch at the top, so circulation is not restricted. Change into a dry pair if your feet get wet, because damp makes them cold quickly, whatever the thermometer shows.
The sale and planning ahead
Many people choose to buy clothes for changing weather in good time. If you want to see current offers, you can look at the sale. Always check the material, size and care before you choose, and pick basic pieces that can be combined, so you can dress in layers. It is wiser to have a few good layers that go together than many different items that do not.
Caring for layers you wear often
Clothes worn many days in a row should be aired and washed regularly. Viscose from bamboo is washed at 30 to 40 degrees, inside out and without fabric softener. Let it dry flat or on a hanger and avoid a hot tumble dryer. If you have sweated, wash it soon so the moisture does not stay in. With a fixed routine your layers are ready for all the days when the body and the thermometer disagree.
Frequently asked questions
Why does it feel colder than the thermometer says
Wind, damp and low activity can make a temperature feel lower. Tiredness and hunger can also make you more sensitive to cold.
When should I put a layer on
When you begin to feel chilly, not when you are cold. It is easier to hold on to warmth than to get it back.
Should I talk to my doctor if I feel cold a lot
Yes, if you often feel colder than others or have other symptoms. A doctor can assess the cause.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
