The Pinoy guide to a warm, stylish outfit this winter

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Stylish and warm don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Stay fashionably cozy this winter with these hacks curated by TFEM Filipino fashion guide expert Francine Vito.

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Braving freezing winters isn’t really in our Filipino DNA, and neither is cold weather dressing. This is especially true during that first winter abroad. We either go all out and layer until we drop; or underestimate how cold winter gets and venture out in a cotton trench coat in the middle of February.

While layering is key, there’s a science to it. Thicker and bulkier don’t always mean warmer, and some fabrics should be your best friends in winter.

Here’s some essential tips on how to stay warm and stylish this autumn/winter:

Base layers (thermals) are your best friend

The first thin layers that you put on (shirts, turtlenecks, and leggings) that are designed to hold body heat and wick moisture. Your base clothing should fit snugly, but not too tight that it’s restrictive. Silk, wool, and polyester blends are some of the best materials for base layers. Avoid cotton as it absorbs and retains moisture, which is not ideal when it is cold.

Choose natural fibers

Natural fibers like wool, cashmere, and mohair provide some of the best warming power against the winter cold. Fleece, a synthetic, polyester-based fiber also has great insulating properties. Choose these materials when buying knits and coats.

Wool and cashmere often cost more than synthetic fibers like acrylics, but the difference in terms of warmth is definitely worth it. If you’re on a budget, thrift stores are great places to find wool and cashmere pieces for less.

Filipino fashion guide: Coat overload. Shop these amazing coats, and more winter must-have’s at the author’s Etsy shop SororaVintage.

Buy a quality overcoat (outer shell)

An overcoat is the outermost layer that serves as the first line of defense against rain, wind, and snow. They come in a variety of styles and price points. Invest in one good quality winter coat, a piece that’s long, warm, and in a versatile color so you can mix and match it with existing wardrobe pieces. It should be water and wind-proof to keep in body heat. Wool, down, and faux fur are great choices for insulation and style.

Stay with neutral colors

Neutral tones like black, gray, beige, brown, and white are easy to style and ready to grab and go on those freezing days when you don’t feel like overthinking your outfit.

Accessorize

Don’t forget to protect your head, neck, hands, and feet against the cold. When choosing accessories like scarves, hats, and socks, use the same rules we mentioned above when selecting fabrics or materials. For footwear, have at least one pair of water- proof and snow-proof boots that you can wear on the coldest, wettest days of winter.

Here are some of our Filipino Instagrammers with their choices of winter fashion.