If that question sounds ridiculous, but yet also kind of true for you, keep reading. If it just sounds silly, this post isn't for you... yet. Just do me a favour and remember it in a few years when menopause hits or you move to a different climate!
Are you hot and cold all day long? Is it a seasonal thing? Menopause? Or have you just always been hot and cold like me? Here are my top 3 things to look for when your internal thermostat is all over the place:
1) Layer, layer, layer
My parents taught me this as a kid when we used to go cross-country skiing several times a week. When you start, you’re chilly with the cold wind blowing through you and you’ve got every inch of skin fully covered up, but before long, you’re ripping off layers to throw in your bag or tie around your waist. This is good advice year round and no matter the activity you’re doing. I’ve always been one to wear sleeveless throughout the year and my hot and coldness is exactly why! Try starting with something sleeveless then layering on top of that according to the season. Lightweight layers for warmer weather and heavier weight for cooler temperatures. Add a scarf or a vest as an additional layer as temperature goes down further throughout the day. If you think you’ll wind up looking like Joey on Friends in the episode where he wears all of Chandler’s clothes, don’t worry. Just keep the layers lighter underneath and heavier toward the top. Vests should be the top layer and make sure that layers are easy to remove so you don’t just get sweatier as you fight to get that sweater off!
Vests might seem like a useless layer since they have no sleeves, but you'd be surprised how much they can warm you up without making you feel sweaty. The lack of fabric under your armpits helps keep them cool while covering your neck and back bring your body temperature up just the right amount.
Lace might also seem counter-intuitive as a layer since it has lots of holes but can add a surprising amount of warmth without looking too heavy of ruining your look with bulk.
Pink bamboo jersey Pippa, beige linen Bonnie vest and Navy lace Betty jacket (left to right)
2) Check your fibre content!
I’ve talked a lot about this in other posts like this one, but if you’re someone who’s hot and cold all day, you need to pay attention to what your clothing is made of. I recommend natural fibres like bamboo and Tencel for sweater knits since they are very breathable, but can still feel cozy and are available in many different comfy fabrics like French terry, fleece and jersey.
Wool blends are great too because they’re warm and wick away moisture and though you probably think of heavy wool knits when I say wool, you can also find lightweight wool suiting or soft merino blend knits. People used to wear wool suits all year round, but chose different weights depending on the season. I have a bamboo/merino French terry knit that’s soft and beautiful to keep you warm, but not sweaty.
Cotton is a good choice for hot weather since it will keep you cool, but if you do sweat, it’ll take a little while to dry off. If you aren’t too put off by the wrinkles, try linen for the best hot weather fibre. It feels cool and dries fast, plus the wrinkles are chic! Just stop fighting them and just let them be softly wrinkled. Give the fabric a quick spritz to make it lightly wrinkled rather than pressing it so that it’s got occasional hard creases in awkward spots.
If you're shopping for athletic wear, look for fabrics described as "moisture wicking" to keep sweat from sticking to you and you'll be much more comfortable exercising. Cotton will feel comfy, but if you tend to sweat a lot, you'll definitely be sporting sweat rings under your arms and spots on your back or between your boobs that will stay wet throughout the workout.
Bamboo jersey Pippa shrug, bamboo cotton fleece Helluva vest, taupe linen Bonnie vest (left to right) Great fibres for keeping your body temperature regulated!
3) Flowy dresses and loose fitting sleeves
My last trick if you have a tendency to alternate between hot and cold all day is to throw on a dress or a loose fitting top. Choose dresses and tops that are flowy around the armpits, waist (and legs for dresses.) Grab a light belt if you like your waist to be cinched, but keep it as light as you can in spots that tend to sweat. You can always layer on top to keep you warm when you need it. If you start feeling hot and sweaty, there's nothing like having fabric floating away from you to help you feel cool. Plus, if your clothes does get damp, having them drift away from your hot bod will create a bit of a breeze to help it dry off quickly!
Flutter top (left) and Bella blouse (right) and nice and loose under the arms and at the waist. The Lisbeth dress (centre) is beautifully flowy but still shows off your legs, arms and clavicle.