Personally I love wearing dresses and skirts. In the summer they’re easy staples. People think you’re dressed fancy, but dresses and skirts can actually be far more comfortable than something with a waistband! Dresses are also brainless, pick one and you’re done. No outfit coordinating, instant glamour. Skirts are also gloriously comfortable. In fact after I had stomach surgery earlier this year, I wore two basic maxi skirts to get me through recovery because they weren’t restricting on my healing scars. Pick fabrics that go with a handful of your existing shirts, and you’ll never have a problem coordinating them.
But what happens when Fall and Winter come around, when the wind starts to blow, snow starts to fall, and it gets all around uncomfortable to go outside? I have a few solutions for you!
My first “go to” for warmth (sometimes also to make a dress work appropriate) is always a cardigan. I have cardigans in all sorts of colors, and I get more colors when I need them. Personally I think they look best belted over a dress since they ensure the waist is still defined. It’s also just adorable. Belts give structure to an open front, drapey cardigan. I like to wear colorful cardigans because color makes everything more fun. I’ve also started a colored skinny belt collection!
My next warm secrets are fleece lined tights and leggings. Did you know these existed?! Easy to pick up at your local big box retailer (my preferred: Target Boutique [Ed- you can also get awesome ones at Marks & Spencer!]), and they really do keep your legs warm and cozy! I’m in love with mine and have a small collection that I rotate through.
My last tip is something that I feel is pure genius, and I guarantee that you’re going to want to make one for yourself if you live a cold weather area.
Flannel backed satin slip.
Genius. How have more people not thought of this? I just made a simple, basic slip, two pieces front and back with a channel at the top for elastic. Except I used flannel backed satin. Flannel. Flannel side against the legs keeps it cozy, satin against the skirt keeps things slippery. You get the added benefit of your dress not sticking to your tights! Nobody talks about how knits stick to tights, yet we all talk about how cute knit dresses look with tights. You guys. I wear this slip all the time. I should probably make about 80 more because I’ll be wearing it until Summer comes back. I meant to make my slip with a pretty lace hem, but I got lazy and just pinked it. I included side vents for flexibility
I tend to wear my fleece lined tights, with my flannel backed slip, sometimes with a wool blend skirt or sweater dress and I’m always nice and cozy. I don’t overheat when I get inside either, which can happen when you’ve bundled yourself up with all the warm clothing you can get your hands on. I live in Minnesota, and I have to walk outside every day. You learn how to keep yourself warm! So far this year I’ve kept cozy when it was a blustery 13 degrees outside without looking like this:
Do you have any other cold weather tips for staying warm?
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To help everyone in the northern hemisphere cope with the impending winter (and get over the envy of our southern hemisphere sisters!), we have a great giveaway! Deepika at PatternReview has kindly given a copy of the knit Winter Dress pattern – which goes up to a 4XL – to a lucky reader of the Curvy Sewing Collective. To enter the giveaway, tell us how you adapt your sewing and homemade garments to keep cosy in the winter. Enter before Dec 13th 11.59pm EST for the chance to win!
Really Cute Dress. I have found that making a Mobius type scarf from coordinating fabric helps to keep the chill down! and makes a great accessory.
I live in northern Iowa. We have serious winter. It helps that I’m a serious knitter, so I add a lot of wool. I wear regular, opaque tights, put on a pair of hand knit socks (no seams) and then put on my boots. Since I often wear knee high ones, the leather keeps my shins and calves warm. I wear skirts/dresses. On the upper body, I tend to toss on a long-sleeved shirt or cardigan. I have a handful of sweaters that I love and wear all the time too. In addition, I toss on wools shawls and tuck them around my neck — keeping drafts from getting in from the top down.
I have a pair of convertible wool/mohair blend mittens that keep things nice and warm on the hands.
I’m so happy when cooler weather allows me to wear boots because I can’t wear those adorable shoes and sandals the rest of the year. My secret winter warmer are boottights (yes that’s a brand name). They pad my feet comfortably, unlike normal tights that just make my feet hurt more. I also use their darby socks over warm footless tights (such as fleece lined or smartwool) if I need extra warmth. My feet are narrow so the same boottight fit doesn’t stretch out the boots by wearing socks of different thicknesses. Now I’m going to add that satin- fleece lined slip which I would have thought would stick to the tights. This year I purchased some comfy-not-too-heavy fleece leggings by cuddleskins at Walmart, where I considered picking up fleece lined tights… I think I’ll be heading back to the store.
I don’t do too much winter weight sewing, but I usually wear performance base layers under everything (especially the long sleeve shirts with thumb-holes). However, I love the idea of a flannel-backed satin slip. It’s genius!
M&S woolly tights with EVERYTHING. And general hibernation….
Silk jersey thermals! Apologies if this is a double post.
I add long boots, tights and cardigans indoors, and then more layers outside. Merino wool is light but so warm, plus my cardigans can go in the washing machine over and over happily. What a great dress pattern.
I live in the Willamette Valley in Oregon so there is not a true transition. you just need a good rain/wind jacket – just in case. Probably tights. At work I wear more long pants instead of work shorts.
I started knitting last fall and this summer I caught myself daydreaming about winter when I could trot out all my knitwear. I pulled out my alpaca cowl and felted slippers. I need to devote more time to knitting for me and less time knitting for my daughter and less appreciative relatives.
If I travel to cold country, I layer tights beneath my clothing. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, which experiences mild winters, and has several microclimates, so I layer jackets and sweaters over everything.
Thank you for the opportunity!
Rose in SV
This is the first year I have worn fleece lined tights and I am so sad I did not find them sooner! They are amazing! I need them in 87 more colors, please.
Thank you for opening my eyes to flannel backed satin! That sounds incredible. And your cascade skirt is dreamy!
Typically I deal with the cold with layers – sweaters, scarves, tights, scarves, boots. That is plenty to handle East Tennessee winters, which aren’t too bad.
Thank you! I can’t wait to make a Cascade in a floaty fabric for Summer.
here, in Northeast Mississippi, you have to go easy, because it doesn’t get very cold. Layers are a must! turtle necks, scarves, lightweight sweaters and jackets, etc. tights with skirts.And , of course, hats!!
Ah, winter – as an Australian, we just finished winter 🙂 We don’t really have cold cold winters – no snow here – so I don’t need to cover up too much to stay warm. I do tend to wear normal leggings (fleece lined seem bulky? But warmth is important) and then a heavier jacket rather than my light summer cardigans. My plans (that probably won’t happen, but we can hope) is to make myself a nice jacket for next winter. Staying cool in summer is the difficulty here.
Fleece lined leggings do sound bulky, but they’re actually not much different from normal leggings. Just a bit thicker/heftier with the fuzzy goodness on the inside.
I have long sleeve tops that have round necklines. I’ll put a turtleneck or shirt underneath to keep my neck warm. I also wear tights when it get colder. Now that winter is creeping in, I’ll be making some pants and skirts in in warmer fabrics.
I too use flannel back satin for garment linings, but I never considered it for a slip! Brilliant, I say! It is on my to-do list now.
Yay! So happy to hear it! I would love to see all these flannel backed slips pop up around the blogosphere.
I have not made any winter garments yet, but some wool jersey is on its way as of last week. I was going to use it for a Moneta, but now I am reconsidering after Jenny’s review of this pattern!
Great idea! I have wool jersey envy.
I wear dresses and skirts all year long and it gets very cold here. I would say my secret is corduroy skirts in the winter with tall dress boots. Of course layers on top. Long winter coat is also very helpful. If it gets too cold, then I add a split slip (looks like coulottes) even under a lined skirt. That keeps me warm.
I keep meaning to make a corduroy skirt. Sounds so cozy!
I love the dress pattern, and the idea of the fleece-lined tights for when it gets cold. I live in Southern California and it almost never gets cold here. We’re surrounded by mountains and maybe once a winter, it gets cold enough for the snow level to drop to 2000 feet. But according to the weather underground, we’ve only had measurable snow on the ground three times since California became a state, and never in my lifetime (I’m 61). If it gets cold enough to bother my arthritis, I wear cashmere-lined gloves when I drive and a scarf to protect my neck. I have a thinsulate-lined wool tweed coat from the nineties (LOL) that I usually get out three or four times a year. The rest of time, I wear sweaters, maybe a leather jacket if its really brisk. I don’t tend to venture into cold climates in winter because I don’t have the proper wardrobe. Even late autumn gets dicey. In November in New York, I end up bringing every piece of outwear I own and layering at night when the temperature drops into the thirties. I know I am a wimp but my blood is thin!
What a lovely pattern that is!
For winter, layers are the only answer. The more easily they can be discarded once indoors, the better.
On the outside, windproof and waterproof is essential.
I break out the cardigans and tights. I’m a fan of We Love Colors and their leggings. They’re a little pricey, but they come in every color, are high quality, and last a long time. Also, they come in larger sizes. I’m 6’0″, so getting leggings and tights that fit is a challenge. WLC steps up and delivers every time.
Layers. And scarves. And boots. I can’t wear wool either, so I rely on lots of layers like tank tops and longsleeves and cardigans to get me through the winter. I love the idea of a warmly lined skirt! It’s usually very windy where I live in the UK, so that would nicely protects a bit extra against the wind as well.
I love all your ideas! I haven’t had a chance to sew much for winter, but I purchased some legging patterns to work with my dresses. However, after reading your post I think I really need to look into that flannel backed satin!
I’m glad you like the idea! I’m even wearing the slip today!
Merino , Merino , Merino!
I love my Merino knits as I don’t like overheating and Merino breathes beautifull being a natural fibre. I love that it comes in various weights and blends too. It isn’t cheap (though it seems as though it is the one fabric we do get cheaper than elsewhere here in NZ – yay for our sheep) but oh do worth it.
It seems like the flannel side of your slip would ride up and stick to the cozy tights. Is that a problem? Is sounds so warm, I want to try it. My way to stay warm is to make sure my neck is covered with a warm scarf. Cold air down the back of my neck makes me shiver all over. I also love cozy warm sweater dresses with tights or leggings. I want to win the pattern! 🙂
Nope, actually I think the flannel does stick to the tights but just in their proper place. I haven’t had any issues with riding! It is certainly cozy.
Sweaters are a MUST here in Canada — cardigans are perfect with dresses.
Our winters in northern California are not too bad but I live to wear plain ol’ tank tops under my dresses and of course tights (almost always basic black) I like dresses for winter it injects some color into the greyish winter world.
Winter absolutely needs more color! So glad you’re out there wearing fun dresses to cheer things up!
I like to wear layers because my body seems to think it is summer all the time!
Would love the pattern. Just saw it made on Cashmerette’s blog and it is gorgeous!
Hi I live in UK and my advice is always buy quality! quality fabrics are somehow warmer…
I’m pretty much a newbie, so haven’t sewn any winter wear yet. I’d like to try making warm dresses for winter, though, as I wouldn’t mind never having to wear pants with a waist band again, lol! This was a great post. I’m going to look and see if the fabric store sells fleece-lined satin and then I’m going shopping for warm tights.
You should definitely try sewing with knits. Work appropriate secret pajamas!
Great idea, flannel backed satin and tights! I’ve also considered making my own tights. I buy wool blends, pre-wash them to make them washable and make below the knee skirts, line them with heavy poly satin, so they are warm like a coat. When it gets real cold, I also wear boots and a wool suit jacket. My favorite piece of knowledge about wool, other than how easy it is to sew, is that wool blends become washable garments if you pre-wash. I often use lightweight coat wools for my winter skirts. My office is drafty. I live in Maryland. Not the coldest winters, but the humidity makes the cold bone-chilling and penetrating.
Ohh, you could definitely explore the idea of making your own tights. I hadn’t considered it until I saw Lauren’s (of Lladybird) blog post on the Rose Hip Tights! http://lladybird.com/2014/11/05/completed-rose-hip-tights/
Use heavier fabric and plan coordinated layering pieces for warm options
I love the dress!! I hope I am the winner! Pleaaase! Support the german sewer 😉
There a many improvements in my sewing… I’m looking for shirts or dresses with long sleeves, for a slipover that I can make out of wool or Fleece and what I really want to try is the new pattern for tights. They would be great with the dress – btw 😉
I can’t wear wool or most sweaters, so I rely on layering and fleece to keep warm here in eastern WA.
That flannel-backed satin slip is GENIUS.
Thanks! Give it a try!! Let’s create a new sewing trend! 🙂 #warmslips4ever
Wool! Wool, wool,,wool! Wool jersey, wool socks, wool lined tall boots, Viyella (which is 80% cotton and 20% wool). I’ve got a Moneta in wool jersey half finished, and plans for a Bruyere in floral Viyella. In my part of Canada today it is -21C.
I’m loving wool too! I can’t for the life of me find this mysterious wool jersey I read about on blogs. I have to just keep looking! I think it must always been sold out!
That dress is a fantastic pattern. And I love the flannel-backed satin slip idea – I think I’ll make one!
You’re going to love it! I just noticed some wear on mine, which I’m wearing today with my wool blend Cascade skirt pictured, I think that means I definitely need to make more.
I like to layer up in the winter; tights and boots under a dress with a cardigan on top. Thanks for the giveaway!
I layer with leggings (fleece lined ones for the real cold) and cardigans with hand knit shawls and hats. I love the flannel backed satin slip, I’ll have to try that.
I hope you love it as much as I love mine!
I wear skirts or dresses with layers. Cardigans, wool socks inside boots. I’m fairly lucky to live in Seattle because our child isn’t horrible. Lovely giveaway. Thanks PR & CSC. g
I love the winter dress! I just posted about my version today
http://www.cashmerette.com/2014/12/the-definition-of-cake-black-knit.html
Just bear in mind it seems to run big – my measurements put me in a 3XL but I ended up fitting it down to about an XL (I’m 47 – 40 – 46)
It came out beautifully!
I love the flannel backed slip idea. I am going to make. At least. One. Thank-you for the very warming tips and for the giveaway.
Thanks for reading! I hope you like your slip!
I like tights to keep warm. I need to try the fleece lined tights. I live in Florida not known for its rugged winters. BUT when the temps fall, I do get very cold. The dress pattern is cute. It comes in my size. I would love to win it:)
My parents live in Florida, and I know there are SOME days when those fleece lined tights could come in handy paired with a dress!
I am happy to live in Tennessee and southern temps of america, but it stills gets cold (well to me it does, haha). I love to do leggings and boots with my skirts and dresses. Sometimes its only 4-6 inches around my knee that get exposed to the cold. I had to wear a uniform to school growing up in New Zealand which consisted of a woolen pleated skirt and pantyhose/stockings. I just got used to not having my legs bundled up, as long as my feet, upper body, and head are warm, I’m good to go.
I live in Savannah, GA, so I don’t really experience much cold weather. However, I wear tights under skirts and dresses all through the Winter season, along with boots, as I love the look, even if it is still in the 70s (F). I would LOVE to win the Winter dress! Thanks for this opportunity – and stay warm up there (13 degrees??? Brrrr!!)
Thanks! It has dipped FAR lower since I wrote this post. -25 degree wind chill last week! In November! Why do I live here again…?!
Fortunately, I live in Florida, where cold snaps happen but only last long enough to swear at, rather than do anything about. A few years ago I lived in Utah, though, and went everywhere by pulic transportation–absolutely hours of standing on snowy frozen platforms waiting for trains delayed by, you guessed it, snow. I came to swear by a silk tshirt as a bottom layer for my cotton hand-sewns–just as warm as and much less butch than tech fabric vests.
That’s “public”–hello Monday.
Great idea to use silk as well!
I love skirts and dresses in the summer for their coolness and also in the winter. Wearing a dress in the winter makes me feel pretty and even wearing tights I don’t overheat indoors. Definitely going to have to make your slip. Love the idea of a little extra protection from the wind.
Yeah! It really does provide just enough extra protection.
Flannel backed satin sounds awesome! I should do that. For my own winter sewing, I usually just make things out of heavier material with longer sleeves/skirts and then I layer like crazy. 🙂
Sadly we too get long and cold winters. Since I discovered fleece lined leggings a few years ago I’ve been wearing them pretty much from November until February, at especially cold days even layering two of them. But the fun thing about winter is being able to make and wear lovely long-sleeved woolen dresses!
They look and feel lovely and hug the curves like nothing else in wintertimes :).
I love this idea! Where did you find flannel backed satin or is it two pieces? Genius!!
I have seen flannel-backed satin in the lining section of my local fabric store. Might be a good place to start.
I buy it at Joanns. It’s one piece and I find it close to the regular flannel fabric. Good luck! http://www.joann.com/flannel-back-satin/prd33702.html
I live in MN too, and don’t drive, so I am always looking for layers that will warm me outside, without roasting me in the hot office, or coffee shop mid-commute. The flannel back satin slip seems genius. I would’ve assumed it would be too staticy against the tights, so I love your assurance that isn’t the case!
No static! It stays right in place and doesn’t stick inappropriately. Yay fellow Minnesotan!
Adorable dress!
Living in Sweden, I have learned how nice it is to underline pieces with flanel! I also learned how to make my own leggings and make them from nice warm fabrics.