Without sounding like a protagonist lifted from the pages of a Dickens novel, this biting winter is not for the faint of heart. The trees are barren, the skies are perpetually grey, and the temperatures are frigid enough to make you consider your sanity. Though we have the comfort of a cosy pub fire and our electric blankets set at their highest levels, it’s not enough to see us through the endless cold days on the horizon. Enter: the best thermal layers.
Those who have become accustomed to the freezing winds and blistering chill will already have a robust arsenal of thermal layers to see them through the season, knowing that it’s these fundamental base pieces that are truly the difference between staying warm whilst still appearing stylish. For the uninitiated, thermal layers are a specific category of clothing designed to trap and retain your body heat, meaning that you can remain toasty and cosy without relying on bulky coats, scratchy knits or fleeced-lined leggings that can certainly weigh you down.
Natural fibres like wool or cashmere do this inherently, but thanks to textile innovations, many brands like Uniqlo, Calzedonia and Intimissimi are ensuring their materials are crafted with a second-skin effect that both absorbs and keeps any warmth you emit. (Because you didn’t see a pink-haired Addison Rae could just roam around on the black sand beaches of Iceland in Intimissimi’s dune coloured boat neck top and think she wasn’t wrapped up in one of the best thermal layers around, did you?)
Speaking to Alexa Dagmar and Linda Juhola, the co-founders of Almada Label, a Finnish-based minimalistic luxury brand revered for its well-edited and foundational approach to fashion, the pair tell me just why thermal layers are such an important investment for those battling icy climates. “Having high-quality basics you can easily throw on in the morning is essential,” they explain. “With the right accessories, these staple pieces like turtlenecks, jumpers and T-shirts can be dressed up or down, making them incredibly versatile and effortless to wear.”
When shopping for the best thermal basics, they recommend to “always gravitate toward materials that are easy to care for and truly stand the test of time”, like knitwear. “A perfect winter layer should keep you warm without making you overheat, which is why I love pairing a very thin, chic turtleneck with a thicker knit,” they add. “You can wear a lightweight turtleneck underneath for warmth, and if you get too hot, simply remove the chunkier layer while still looking put-together,” they note. “When we designed our [iteration], we wanted it to be seamless and refined, so it could be dressed up or down and wouldn’t resemble performance wear, which is often the case with very thin knits.”
That last note is one that I, especially as someone who grew up in Sydney but now calls London home, find the most relevant. Thermal layers can sometimes make you feel like you’re dressing for a day on the slopes. (Read: Gwyneth Paltrow in Deer Valley Resort circa 2016.) But I often find the best thermal layers to be the ones that can suit mountainous environments just as well as a cityscape.
Switching out ski jackets for funnel-necks and alpine pants for a pair of jeans, the best thermal layers will be basic enough to suit all settings, but ensure you still feel snug wherever you are. Just make sure you opt for more generous cuts to allow room for these initial layers, and you’re all set.
So, whether you have booked a trip to Saint Moritz or are just looking for pieces that can see you through a day out in London, uncover the best thermal layers, as tried and tested by me, ahead.
Shop the Best Thermal Layers for Winter:
Style Notes: Inspired by the '90s, this delicate boat neck enhances a minimalistic shape with sumptuous fabrics and a delicious peacock blue that pairs well with so many wardrobe staples, including corduroy jeans and ruched loafers.
Material: 85% Modal, 9% Cashmere, 6% Elastane
Sizes: S - XL.
Colours: Available in close to 20 shades.
Style Notes: Alexa Chung said it first—it's roll-neck season. This style gathers in a pleasant pile around your collar and is made of a sheer fabric that adds a wash of colour to any look but doesn't feel like a huge saturated block. (It's like a total Monet.)
Material: 85% Modal, 9% Cashmere, 6% Elastane.
Sizes: S - L.
Colours: 11, including toffee brown, heather marle and red.
Style Notes: Tights are a winter staple, and where some fleeced iterations can feel adjacent to wearing a pair of trousers, this style is lightweight yet still thermal-regulating.
Material: 85% Polyamide, 15% Elastane.
Sizes: XS - L.
Colours: 3, including mocha brown and black.
Style Notes: "A thin turtleneck is incredibly versatile," explains Dagmar and Juhola. "It looks beautiful under a white poplin shirt for an elevated office look, and it adds polish without feeling bulky."
Material: Made from knitted soft cashmere and merino wool blend.
Sizes: XS - XL.
Colours: 3; vanilla, black and grey.
Style Notes: Rise & Fall's cashmere-merino blend V-neck sweater is a favourite here at Who What Wear UK. It's made of a durable and heavyweight fibre that doesn't actually feel heavy and features quaint ribbing around the hem and sleeves.
Material: 30% Mongolian cashmere and 70% merino wool.
Sizes: XS - XL.
Colours: 7; including oxblood, chocolate and poppy red.
Style Notes: The boudoir-appropriate lace trim adds a flirty touch to thermal layers, making this a style graceful enough to show off on its own as it is to hide under coats when the time calls for it.
Material: 85% Polyamide, 15% Elastane.
Sizes: S - L.
Colours: 12; including honey soft beige, dark burgundy and beige melange.
Style Notes: Cut slightly tighter to the body, this is a style that will not (under any circumstances) allow any heat to escape, thanks to the ribbed body-conscious shape.
Material: 75% modal, 10% cashmere, 10% polyamide, 5% elastane.
Sizes: XS - L
Colours: Navy.
Style Notes: Straight from the high street, M&S delivers some of the simplest but effective wardrobe staples. This scoop-neck top is no exception as it's made from soft fabric with a brushed interior for superior insulation.
Material: 64% acrylic, 28% viscose and 8% elastane.
Sizes: UK 6 - 22.
Colours: 4; including cream, navy and blackberry.
Style Notes: For affordable winter essentials like scarves and gloves, H&M should never be overlooked. These sports leggings are offered with functional moisture-wicking fabrics and built-in ThermoMove™ technology.
Material: Polyester 50%, Polyamide 40%, Elastane 10%.
Sizes: XS - XXL.
Colours: Black and warm brown.
Style Notes: Add extra oomph with this affordable thermal ski top from Zara with a coloured balaclava and elongated scarf.
Material: 60% polyamide, 30% polyester, 10% elastane.
Sizes: S - L.
Colours: Ecru.
Style Notes: The Australian Alps certainly don't garner as much recognition as their European counterparts, but Melbourne-based brand Paire certainly should put it on the map. With an ethos rooted in fabric technology and sustainability, these styles are the definition of anything-but-basics.
Material: 80% Recycled Nylon, 20% Spandex.
Sizes: XS - 2XL.
Colours: 4; black, latte, brown and nude.
Style Notes: Once again, H&M proves to be the one-stop shop for everything winter clothing-related, because every top drawer could do with the addition of a pair of thermal tights.
Material: Polyamide 93%, Elastane 7%.
Sizes: XS - XL.
Colours: Black
Style Notes: The soft ombré on this pair makes them truly "invisible" under clothing. Plus, they're made from a temperature-regulating technology that responds to your body to help keep you warm.
Material: 72% nylon, 28% elastane.
Sizes: XXS - XXL.
Colours: One.
Style Notes: Knitted leggings are one of the biggest trends this season, and these are refined enough to take you from the chalet to après-ski.
Material: 39% Lyocell, 29% merino wool, 28% polyamide, 4% elastane
Sizes: XS - L.
Colours: 4, including cream and ecru.
Style Notes: From New Zealand-born, Los Angeles-based brand Entire Studios comes a thermal hooded zip-up that you'll refuse to take off. We have special intel that you'll find pieces like this in the A-lister wardrobes of Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, too
Material: 100% cotton.
Sizes: XXS - 2XL.
Colours: Washed black.
Style Notes: Certainly a more functional style, which makes it great for all kinds of movement, including trotting through Regent's Park or snowboarding on a black run.
Material: 86% polyester, 14% elastane
Sizes: XXS - XL.
Colours: Red.
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