I Live in NYC—This Is What Everyone I Know Uses to Stay Warm in the Winter

Living on the East Coast, I’ve always had a surprisingly avoidant relationship with winter. I’m originally from Boston, so you’d think I’d be used to the cold from birth—but it’s actually been the opposite. It’s the season I dread most, and staying warm is something I have to think about very intentionally.

For years, whenever I asked friends how they manage to stay warm in the winter, the first words out of their mouths were always some version of “Uniqlo Heattech.” Tired of constantly complaining about the cold when it’s inevitable, I’m finally taking their advice—stocking up on pieces from both the Uniqlo Heattech and Pufftech lines.

I decided to start by trying the Pufftech Jacket, Pufftech Relaxed Long Coat, Heattech Extra Warm Cashmere Blend Scoop-Neck T-Shirt, Heattech Ultra Warm Leggings, and Heattech Scarf. Keep scrolling to shop the pieces I picked up for NYC's upcoming winter.

Shop Uniqlo Heattech

For context, Heattech comes in three tiers: the standard level, designed for 41–68°F; the Ultra Warm level, for -4–50°F; and the Extra Warm Cashmere Blend, for 23–59°F. As the website describes it, this is “innovative thermal clothing technology for warmth without the bulk"—wicking away moisture and converting it into heat.

If I could only choose one piece from the line, I’d recommend something from the Extra Warm Cashmere Blend range, though I’m also planning to pick up a few Ultra Warm options as well.

Shop Uniqlo Pufftech

Last winter, my determination to actually start bundling up in the winter started off by investing in insulated boots and a wool coat. Still, the coat alone never felt quite warm enough.

More recently, I came across a TikTok about how fashion people stay warm in wool coats, and Uniqlo came up again. The trick is to layer a Pufftech jacket underneath. It’s thin and lightweight, so it won’t add bulk, but it makes a surprisingly big difference in warmth.