Don’t Curse the Cold—Dress for It

Gayle Scroggs
4 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Usually I give tips to help you enjoy life more—and this time I will skip the psychology and go straight to your closet. I spent over 30 years in New England and upstate New York—and following these principles allowed this Southern Californian to love winter.

“There’s no such thing as bad weather. Only the wrong clothes.” ~ Norwegian saying.

Every winter, this wisdom is set aside by many U.S. Americans. As the temperature drops, complaints rise: “I hate winter,” “I’m going to Cancun,” or “I wasn’t meant for this climate.”

Instead of adapting, people retreat indoors, turn the thermostat up to 75°F or higher, and browse flights to warmer destinations. Is there a better approach?

Long before the era of heat pumps and direct flights, our ancestor knew something we’ve forgotten: winter is not a personal attack—it’s simply a season. And like any season, it asks us to adapt.

The Real Reason for Winter Misery

Much of our winter discomfort stems from wearing clothes suited for September, not January. Just as you wouldn’t wear a cashmere sweater in July, winter demands a different approach. Cotton turtlenecks, sweaters, and socks—staples for spring and fall—are not up to the challenge of cold weather.

Experienced winter outdoorspeople have a blunt saying: “Cotton kills.” It sounds dramatic—but it points to a real problem. Cotton absorbs moisture and holds it against the skin, steadily drawing heat away from the body. This is why people can pile on layers and still feel chilled. In cold conditions, cotton works against you.

The Three Pillars of Cold-Weather Dressing

Wisdom from northern climates teaches a simple, effective system for dressing in winter:

Wicking: The layer closest to your skin should wick away moisture. Wool or modern synthetics do this well, keeping your body dry and warm.
Warming: The middle layer’s job is to trap heat. Materials like fleece, wool, or light down are ideal for retaining warmth.
Weatherproof: The outer layer protects you from wind and moisture. A windproof coat or down parka seals in warmth and blocks the elements.

When these three layers work together, winter becomes far less daunting. You stop resenting the cold, venture outside more willingly, and begin to notice the clean air, peaceful quiet, and the beauty of bare trees—instead of plotting your escape. The key is to adjust your wardrobe, not your thermostat or location.

Key Accessories for Staying Warm

Don’t overlook your extremities. A wool beanie helps retain warmth, as a significant amount of body heat escapes through the head. Washable wool socks and lined winter boots complete the ensemble, ensuring your feet stay warm and dry. Wool keeps you warm even when wet.

You can easily find lined winter gloves designed for touch screens so you can snap that winter wonderland photo while keeping your hands warm.

Does your neck get cold? Try a wool or fleece neck gaiter, or ad some warmth and color with a wool or wool-silk blend scarf.

Recommended for Winter Layers

If you’re ready to dress in harmony with the season, start with reliable base layers. I’m going to mention the brands I have found work for me as examples; of course you can find others. I wouldn’t be without Capilano zipnecks from Patagonia—a responsible brand whose synthetics are well-designed and dependable.

REI makes it so easy to find appropriate clothes from head to toe for any season that I finally joined to enjoy its member benefits. I am wearing one of their merino base layers today—giving me comfort outdoors even when the wind chill dropped to single digits. I also love Ridge Merino products.

Others have mentioned Smartwool and Icebreaker as trusted options that you can find on Amazon. Be sure when shopping on line that you check fiber content carefully—look for merino wool or synthetics like polyester or polypropylene. If details aren’t clear, look elsewhere.

You can find great down parkas from Patagonia, North Face, Eddie Bauer, and other merchants. Those brands can be a bit pricey, but luckily, I picked up my two parkas and boots from the Eddie Bauer and Columbia outlets near me. My favorite gloves are convertible fleece gloves from Eddie Bauer, currently on sale. For just $17, I picked up some light, silky polyester long underwear by Sampeel from Amazon that can go under anything.

A Seasonal Reminder

Let this be your gentle reminder as the year turns: you don’t need to curse the cold or flee south. What you need are clothes that work with the season. Dress appropriately, and you may find a whole new world of wonder awaits you. At the very least, you’ll be safe and warm.

P.S. The megastorm decorated the trees in my yard! With crampons on my boots, I wandered around taking photos. Here's the 70-foot iced pecan tree: