If the cold snap has sent you shivering – and feeling like you need a few more items in your arsenal to defeat the winter chills, you’re in luck: here are our top 10 winter best buys! And a bonus? Many of them are on sale!
We all have our specialist subjects – and as someone who is perpetually freezing (thanks Hashimoto’s?) one thing I am armed with plenty of experience in, is trying to get warm and stay warm in the most efficient, cost effective and cosy ways.
Now, I know these temperatures had nothing on the lows the South Island experiences regularly during the winter, but when everything iced over at our place at -1 this week, I was looking for my go-to’s for getting warm. Aaand, I may have put in a few more internet orders to restock a few of my favourites… I was considering just riding it out and sticking to the strict budget I set myself this winter, but then I remembered that although I’ve seen daffidols popping up, it’s still only just August and we’ve got some more wintering to get through.
The good news is, lots of places have started putting their winter wares on sale, so it’s the perfect time to nab something toasty.
If you’re looking for some true, tried and tested winter must-haves to get through the rest of the season, these are the ones I can hand on heart say I love, trust and repeatedly buy to stay toasty.
The Toastiest Fleece-Lined Leggings
Cotton On Body Fleece Lined Active Full Length Tight, $59.99
These leggings are my go-to – the ones I recommends to all my cold-blooded friends, or for just living in all winter. They’re full-length (and the good thing about Cotton On leggings is that their full-length IS long enough, even if you have long pins) and the inside is deliciously fleece-lined. They’re cosy and warm, but then if you do end up working up a sweat, they have a magical moisture wicking fabric treatment that somehow also keeps you cool and dry. I currently have three pairs of these because… well, I love to be warm (and, if you wear these as often as I do, that fleece lining eventually starts losing its fluffy fleecey joy).
The BEST Slippers For Round the House
UGG Slippers Australia Premium Sheepskin Unisex Muffin Scuff, $99
Heck I love a dupe – who doesn’t love that feeling of nabbing a bargain?! But, not so long ago I realised that my slipper duping was actually not the steal I thought it was. My cheap $25 UGG knock-offs were great… for a couple of weeks. The synthetic fleece would quickly wear down – I wouldn’t even get a full winter’s use out of them. Yes, a $99 pair of UGGs is an investment, but they’ll last you many, many winters so the cost per wear is actually lower than that cheap pair in the end AND you get to have super toasty tootsies around the clock. These are heaven – like a great warm hug for your feet!
The Best Zip Up Sweatshirt
Cotton On Body Plush Half Zip Sweatshirt, $59.99
This is the sweatshirt I’ve been living in this week – this cosy, comfy one from Cotton On. It has a relaxed fit with dropped armholes for easy movement, rib sleeve cuffs, and an elasticated toggle hem you can adjust to your liking. Made from a cosy cotton-poly blend with a brushed inner and peached outer for extra softness.
The BEST Puffer Jacket
The Lorna Jane Movement Puffer Jacket, Currently On Sale for $165 (Was $275!!)
This puffer is currently Kel’s MVP. When it arrived she genuinely thought she wouldn’t wear it because it was TOO warm for Auckland… LOL, these past few weeks have proved this wrong because she has been LIVING in it. This warm winter staple features plant-based Sorona® filling (which is warmer than standard polyester fill) and a concealed zip through closure to moderate your temperature. Complete with elevated logo embroidery, fleece lined pockets for your essentials and hidden toggles to cinch your waist and trap in the warmth, this is the perfect zip-and-go addition to your active and leisure outfits! Oh, and it’s currently 40% off, so run, don’t walk to grab yourself one!
The Best Après-Ski Boots (Or Just For When You Need to Go Outdoors But Want to Still Feel Like You’re Wearing Slippers…)
UGG Women Fashion Chunky Boots Mina, $185
My husband calls these my ‘Jenny from the Block boots’, which look, I take as the highest form of compliment. But regardless of how he intends it, these boots are one of the best things that have ever happened to my feet. Yes, yes, they’re probably just meant for those après-ski moments, looking chic around the fire in Cardrona, but when the weather turned chilly last week (I know the South Island folks will roll their eyes, but -1 in Auckland was well below what I can tolerate!) I wore these when out on all my errands and the school/day-care pick-ups/drop-offs. My step-son even took a fancy to them and wore them around the house. They’re super luxe, with a thick soft wool interior and a leather exterior with a hardy rubber sponge sole. They’re heaven.
The Thickest, Cosiest Bed Socks
Simon De Winter Fairsle Plush Home 3/4 Crew Socks, Navy from Farmers, $11.99 – but currently 40% for Club Card members – that’s $7.19!)
Yes, using the word bedsocks does make me feel like I’m 92 years old, but, to be fair I have been a fan since I was a teenager – maybe bedsocks just need some better PR? A better name? Whatever the case, I bought a pair of these fleece-lined socks a couple of weeks before we went through a cold-snap and heck, was I grateful for the purchase. They’re soft and delicious – and currently 40% off!
Did You Say THERMAL LEGGINGS?
Lorna Jane Lotus Thermal No Chafe Full Length Leggings, Currently on sale for $99 (were $145)
Yes, yes, I’ve heard Gen Z say that leggings are dead and wearing them is yet another cringe thing us Millennials are getting wrong, but I could not give a rats’ when they can be this darn comfy and WARM. Lorna Jane’s thermal leggings are a recent discovery for me – I spotted these were on sale and seeing as I am a sucker for the word THERMAL I immediately added them to cart. They’re legit good – pure comfort, with a hidden back pocket big enough for the largest of phones. They also feature no chafe leg panelling and lightweight stomach support. I think I’m going to be buying a second pair.
The Cosiest PJs
Peter Alexander Winter Check 100% Cotton Flannelette Classic Pj Set, Currently on sale for $55.30 (were $139)
I don’t really understand what I’ve been doing with my life until this year, but for years I wore PJs that were more like the matching leggings and jumper/long sleeve T type. But this year, my family bought me a pair of button-up flannelette pjs for Mother’s Day and holy heck it’s been a revelation. How did I not know how good these are?!? This should have occurred to me after my husband bought flannelette sheets a couple of years ago and my brain exploded at how cosy I could actually be. But anyway, I’m here now and these are my favourite PJs. Last week I bought another pair in this different colourway pictured above and they’re currently on-sale for a steal!
The BEST Keep Cup
Ninja Sip Perfect 354ml Insulated Travel Bottle, $49.99
As a kid I could never understand why my mum managed to have so many half-drunk cups of tea around the house, but now… I completely get it. I love to warm up with a cup of coffee or herbal tea, but, it used to feel like there were only a few sips that were actually enjoyable, at the right temperature. This Ninja cup gets your hot drink to the perfect temperature (yip, it’ll cool down your scalding cup of tea) and then keep it at that temp. The HeatStore Core absorbs heat to bring your drink to the perfect sipping temp in minutes, and redistributes heat back into your drink to keep it there for hours.
The Quickest Fix…
Hot Hands Body Warmer Adhesive 1 Pack, $2.99 from Chemist Warehouse
The dreaded TWO times (one on each side) that I had frozen shoulder AKA the worst pain I’ve been in, in my life – I was buying these in bulk. They’re great for pain, but the Hot Hands range is perfect for getting warm quickly – especially if your issue is cold hands or cold feet! The range has lots of little different sized heat pads that you take out of their packet, stick on to the back of your shirt, or on the soles of your socks, and within a few moments they’re up to temperature, warming you up. They’re perfect for if you’re out and about. I always take these if we’re going near the snow – I’ll pop them in the kids’ pockets.
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