Tips for keeping warm & Upcycling Theme

[samimahain]

Comments

[vothn]

Hello!
Welcome to Canada :)
I'm also originally coming from a warmer country, and here in Canada, for professional (safety) reasons, I cannot dress up at all during the mild seasons, only in late fall/winter.
I don't know where you are moving to. If it's 'mild' Canada, I'm pretty sure Lolita is possible most of the time with the adjustments you are thinking of. If it's 'cold' Canada, ... well, lets say that these adjustments will be handy.. in spring and fall! Personally I gave up trying in the winter here in Saskatchewan :(

[samimahain]

I'll be moving to Montreal in Quebec. I've got family who live there and I've visited in the winter: I get cold orz

I will also be spending a decent amount of time in Northern Ontario, though I don't think that'll be during the depths of winter haha.

[ice_dragonair]

I live in Toronto and I've recently been getting into Lolita and I have the same concerns. Mainly I'm worried that the coats they sell for Lolita aren't warm enough since I've never owned one.
Here's a good tip though, I used to live in Russia where its even colder, and we always wore wool tights, you probably cant necessarily find them in Lolita prints but they keep you warm and if you have OTK socks you could wear them on top.

[samimahain]

Thank you for the tip about wool tights!

[mimi_elizabetha]

I live in Finland and do wear lolita even during winter so naturally I have some tips about the subject.

- Wool tights are you new best friend. I recommend either merino or straight up wool.
- Get a pair of good boots. They need to have proper soles or sole additions to walk on ice.
- Hats. Hats are a good thing. I recommend cloche types because they will not leave your head even with a harsh wind.
- Scarves, preferably wool. You can wrap them over your head and put hat on top when it's really really cold.
- Gloves and mittens are super nice.
- Layering. Get some sort of light undershirt in either flannel or silk. Bloomers area good idea too.
- Carry a thermos of a hot drink of your choice during winter.
- Umbrellas work against snowing as well.

I hope this was helpful.

[samimahain]

Thank you for the list, this is very helpful :) Do you have any specific recommendations about where to get good boots?

[mimi_elizabetha]

I recommend you get them from Canada. I live in Finland so I don't know much about local places. I usually use either Wonders or Gabor boots, but am not sure if they are available in there.

[scandium21_45]

Your list needs to have proper boots (seriously a life and limb saver) and thermal lined tights. A "proper lolita coat" may not be enough unless you're planning to have some really decent lining in there. To be honest I just wear my ski gear when it's properly cold - wool doesn't cut it compared with layers of down and insulation and the fancy performance fabrics, and I have the older style insulated jackets rather than those newfangled shell things

[snowytea]

^ Really in agreement with scandium21_45. Never underestimate the need for good footwear. Lined boots with at least some waterproofing ability is best. They will save your toes. xP

[lafarat]

Layering is your best friend. No one is going to see an extra long-sleeve shirt under your blouse. I also can't stress 'Good Boots' enough, especially with good traction. I've also heard good things about flannel bloomers too, but all the layering in the world won't protect from when it gets brutally cold. Be prepared to leave the lace at home sometimes. :(

[tiferet]

IDK, when I lived in northern Ohio and we had multiple feet of snow lying around, I was often warmer in good tights/bloomers/underwear and boots under a long skirt and petticoat than in jeans. Pants can sometimes trap cold air around your ass. The thing is though, short skirts are not practical. You need it to be well past knee-length, which is not normally lolita length. I was into SCA then and loved long wool skirts.

Probably though, the ideal way to dress in that kind of weather isn't lolita but mori-girl.

[lafarat]

I guess your mileage may vary, and it's all up to the wearer. I got to second the petticoat trapping heat comment. It's really nice when there's no wind and it's a crisp sort of cold day, but when it drops below a certain temperature, I'd rather bust out the ski or sled-gear, or just stay inside. I generally don't like to go outside when the doors and windows freeze shut, outside of outright having to for work/shoveling.