Winter Clothes

[Jennifer]

melody68:

Can anyone suggest where we can buy winter clothes here in Singapore? Is it cheaper to buy from Winter Time or Cold Wear? Which one has better quality?


If we're going to Europe in November, is it a must to get a jacket with down filling? Or we can just buy wool jackets?

Do consider getting a wind proof down jacket.

We were in Switzerland, France & London last late Nov. The winds were chilly.

[Imami]

I second jennifer’s opinion. Get something wind proof and/or water proof. We always end up buying from winter time, not sure why also.


Medoly68, u going up mountains?

[sharonkhoo]

Even though it is likely to be damp and cold outdoors, European heating indoors can be quite warm, so dress in layers which can be peeled off easily. Keep head, neck, hands and feet warm outdoors as you can lose a lot of heat from your extremities.

[XXXX]

melody68:

Can anyone suggest where we can buy winter clothes here in Singapore? Is it cheaper to buy from Winter Time or Cold Wear? Which one has better quality?


If we're going to Europe in November, is it a must to get a jacket with down filling? Or we can just buy wool jackets?

Not sure the best place for jackets in Singapore (cheaper in UK and Europe). If you are active, a wind and water-proof/resistant lightweight shell jacket over at least 3 layers including a high quality fleece is sufficient and good to -20 or worse up the mountains.

If you expect to stay warm outside without being so active then a down type puffa jacket is essential and good value synthetic versions can be bought at Decathlon (Quechua) - don't know if you can get those here?

Don't forget UniQlo for their HeatTech thermal underwear range - it is toasty. The thing about staying warm is not to get cold in the first place and each individual has different requirements, hence layering is the best solution rather than one thick and heavy coat. Get the layer next to your skin right first. I wouldn't recommend [an expensive] wool coat unless you need to look very smart / city and they are not practical if you need to be out in the rain for any time, these days the synthetic versions are excellent.

[jjxy mum]

slmkhoo:

Even though it is likely to be damp and cold outdoors, European heating indoors can be quite warm, so dress in layers which can be peeled off easily. Keep head, neck, hands and feet warm outdoors as you can lose a lot of heat from your extremities.

Agreed, better to invest in a good down jacket so that you can remove it more easily esp. when you are in public transport(subway) which are extremely warm and stuffy. My down jacket wasn't effective when the wind got stronger.

[melody68]

Thanks all for your useful tips/suggestions.


Imami, we’re not going up the mountains… just going to London, Manchester & Paris.

I also heard about the heatTech thermals from Uniqlo. Has anyone tried them? Is it better than the thermals sold in Coldwear or Winter Time?

[melody68]

On another note, do you think getting a flu vaccine here in Singapore is necessary as we are not used to the cold weather?

[Apricot]

melody68:

Thanks all for your useful tips/suggestions.


Imami, we're not going up the mountains... just going to London, Manchester & Paris.

I also heard about the heatTech thermals from Uniqlo. Has anyone tried them? Is it better than the thermals sold in Coldwear or Winter Time?

I find the heattech thermals very good and effective, I have used it even in temperatures below zero (with layering of other clothes). It looks like a t-shirt unlike other thermals ..... so it's alright to remove all other layers of clothes when it gets warm indoors. On top of that, no prickly, uncomfortable feeling when it's warm.

When you buy the heattech thermals, ensure that it is tight fitting, this helps to trap heat. For temperatures below 10 degrees, I suggest buying the thicker heattech material for the bottom tights (heattech has one that is thinner material) as you will probably just be wearing pants. As for the top, you can buy the thinner material as it is easy to layer other clothes on top of it.

Besides thermals, Uniqlo also have the heattech technology in some of their fleece sweaters and socks (I have tried, quite good too), jeans (yet to try). Love this invention ! Reasonably priced, thin & light weight and so effective. I have thrown away my other brands of thick cotton/wool thermals. Used to feel so warm and suffocated indoors wearing these but it has been so comfortable with Heattech. Trust the Japanese to come out with such amazing technology!

[sharonkhoo]

melody68:

On another note, do you think getting a flu vaccine here in Singapore is necessary as we are not used to the cold weather?

The flu vaccine will protect you from the most common current strains, so it's probably good to get it. It's not whether you are used to the cold or not, but whether you already have immunity to those strains of viruses. Since you will be in crowds, in enclosed rooms and trains etc, you will probably encounter a lot of bugs. I believe that the jab must be taken at least 2 weeks before you leave, so get them early if you intend to.