Layer up

Not only are layers the most effective way to stay warm and dry, they are also a practical way to adapt to warm indoor temperatures and cold outdoor ones—just add or subtract depending on what you’re doing and where you’re going, because dressing for work will obviously be different from dressing for time spent outdoors. Regardless of your destination, these are some basics to keep in mind:

• Base layer: Merino wool or microfibre long underwear.

• Medium layer: Fleece or wool. Cotton (such as a sweatshirt or sweater) is fine here as long as it doesn’t get wet.

• Outside layer: Puffer jacket (with or without down) or a wool coat or insulated ski-type jacket; a hood is a good choice too. Add snow pants or softshell pants for extra protection from wind.

• Insulated boots (often with felt liners) are a must to protect your toes. Sturdy laceless boots (such as Blundstones) are not super-warm but are a popular local go-to as well. Some merino wool socks are a worthwhile investment because cotton and acrylic don’t keep your feet nearly as warm as wool does.

• You’ll need a hat that covers your ears (or at least a headband or earmuffs), and mittens or a gloves-inside-mittens combo.

• A merino wool or microfibre neck warmer that can go up over your nose and cheeks, or double as a hat or headband, is also a light and easy way to help stay toasty (check out these with beautiful designs by local artist Vik Wilen).

• You don’t want to overdress because you’ll get sweaty and then chilled, and remember that tight layers of clothing don’t keep the heat in the way that loose layers do. Think wool, down, fleece and microfibres whenever possible. To support local Indigenous and non-Indigenous folks who make mitts, moccasins, hats and more, using sustainably harvested (and naturally warm and water-repellent) deerhide, moosehide or fur, check out artisan Facebook groups, holiday craft markets or Silver Cedar Studio.