How I Keep Warm When the Temperature Drops Below Zero

 

The high desert has some major temperature swings! Most people think of the desert and think it's warm all the time, but the high desert can reach temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer to subzero temperatures in the winter. Knowing how to stay warm when the temperatures plunge 50 degrees below freezing is a necessity out here. 

My go to clothing to keep warm in the blistering cold winter is wool. I like to wear 100% merino wool or 100% cashmere as my base layer because they are soft on the skin. Sometimes I find that if I wear even a tank top under my wool, I can overheat. Sounds crazy I know to talk about over heating in such cold temperatures, but it can happen! 

I buy most of my wool sweaters from thredUP * or my local thrift stores. It's simply not in my budget to purchase new wool or cashmere sweaters, especially name brand sweaters. This Banana Republic sweater was only $12 at thredUP *! When shopping on thredUP * I set a price limit for myself per piece and to be sure I don't go over that amount, sort the results by Lowest to Highest price so I can sort through the less expensive sweaters.

 

I found this beauty at my local thrift store for only $2.00!

Sometimes these treasures have small holes in them, but that doesn't worry me at all. I simply use wool in a matching color and a felting needle to fill in small holes in the sweater. We use this: Complete Needle Felting by Desert Breeze Distributing Store*

I also love to layer on another layer of wool when the days are super cold. I have my favorite wool hoodie I also found on thredUP. It's Athleta an Old Navy brand. 

One of my favorite things about this sweater are the thumb holes! Not only that, but it's super long so it covers my bum too! I also found this sweater on thredUP for a bit more than I usually spend. This sweater retails for nearly $100 but I found it for $31.00. 

I top these wool layers off with a lightweight Eddie Bauer down filled men's coat. It's light enough to wear with my layers of wool without making me feel like Ralphie's kid brother from A Christmas Story. 

*thredUP is an online thrift store where you can search by brand, material, style, price, etc.

By clicking on this link, a new window will open and take you to the thredUP website where you will receive a discount and FREE shipping off your first order! See website for details.

Note: I personally love to shop for wood through thredUp, but if you don't, that's ok. I don't want you to feel like I'm here to sell you something. That being said, if you make a purchase with the link I've provided, you will get the benefits I've described above, but I will also get a small about of store credit. If you are not comfortable with that, please use this standard link: thredUP | An Online Consignment & Thrift Store

*Complete Needle Felting by Desert Breeze Distributing Store can be purchased through Amazon.com. 

Note: I've provided links to some of the items mentioned in this post and these are things, (or similar items) that I have used and enjoyed. If you choose to purchase these items from Amazon, that's great, but just know that I do not expect you do. I buy most of my items second-hand and I hope you can do the same. I've included links to certain items so you can gather more information about the products I'm referring to or you may purchase them new if you wish. Rest assured; I do not earn any commission from your purchases on Amazon for the items I've provided links to.