What you change into before going out the door

Short answer: Change into the layer that suits the outdoor temperature, not the temperature at home. Most people put on too much because they dress for how it feels indoors, and then they overheat on the way.

Dress for where you are going

Wear the clothes that suit your destination, not the room you are standing in. The hallway is warm, and everything feels wrong in some way. Think about the journey and the place at the end of it. A layer such as a bamboo hoodie for women can go on later.

Feel slightly cold for the first minutes

If you are warm as you walk out the door, you are dressed too warmly for the rest of the trip. It sounds odd, but a slight chill at first is a good sign. Your body warms up as soon as you walk or cycle. The same goes when a bamboo sweatshirt for women is your outer layer.

Why we put on too much

Indoors an extra layer feels safer, because you are standing still. But the journey is active, and that changes things. Many people add the extra layer in the hallway and are sweating before they are halfway there. It is better to leave slightly cool and let movement take over than to peel off clothes on the way.

Check the forecast, not the window

The view from the window says little about temperature. The sun can shine on a cold day, and grey weather can be mild. Take a moment to check temperature and wind before choosing layers. It takes less time than turning back for a jumper, and it gives a clearer picture of what the trip needs.

Keep a layer in your bag

The weather can change during the day, and a thin layer takes up no space. It is cheap insurance against a cold trip home or a chilly room. Rolled up, it sits at the bottom of the bag without getting in the way. Browse the thin styles in all women's clothing and pick one that packs easily.

Think in layers, not one thick piece

Several thin layers are easier to adjust than one thick jumper. When you get warm, you take one off, and when you get cold, you put it back on. A thick jumper is either on or off, with nothing in between. Layers let you adapt to the walk, the bus and wherever you end up.

Make the change a routine

Lay out the day's layers the evening before, or keep a hook by the door for the outer layer. Then the change takes a moment rather than ten minutes at the wardrobe. A routine also means you choose right more often. You check the weather, grab the layer and go.

Check in on the way

The best test comes after five to ten minutes on the move. If you are still cold, you had too little on, and if you are already warm, you had too much. Use that as a guide for tomorrow. After a week you will know which layer suits which weather, and mornings get easier.

Frequently asked questions

How do you know if you are wearing too much

If you are warm before you have even left, you have too much on. Take a layer off and put it in your bag instead.

How long does it take to warm up

Usually five to ten minutes of walking or cycling, so the slight chill at the start soon passes once you are moving.

What should go in the bag

A thin layer and perhaps a spare pair of socks, so you are covered if the weather changes during the day.