Warmth and quality more important than cost. Washer /dryer friendly is important, too.
Thanks!
My wife likes SmartWool brand for all-around warmth. I like anything with Polartec for heavy weight warmth. Silk is the best lightweight material. Never anything cotton.
If you live near any outdoor gear stores, I’d start there. Talk with them about the qualities you want–wash/dry in dryer, etc., plus the weight you want (what temp range). They should be able to guide you. We got some very lightweight thermals that are like VERY THIN fitted sweatpants/tights. They don’t show under your fitted slacks but do keep the chill off. I also have some smartwool and some other brands. The stores will also know what brands tend to fit petite females. Good luck & post what you learn (we have a petite D as well–5’2" & under 100 pounds).
Wev’e found things for D at LLBean, REI, Patagonia, and a few other places. It may be more expensive but it does fit, which provides more warmth and stylishness than things that just hang on her.
@PepperJo what will these undergarments be used for?
Look at children’s sizes too. IMO silk or wool isn’t going to be dryer friendly. Costco used to carry Paradox in the snow belt and that was a nice base layer, had children’s sizes too. Not pure anything, a bit of Merino. wash and dry friendly. I used to buy it up on sale.
@thumper1
D’s preparing for cold Chicago winters. Looking to wear under jeans and sweaters without adding bulk.
Uniqlo also has generally smaller sizing, as it’s made with Asians in mind. My family finds it tends to fit pretty well for more petite folks.
Land’s End or LL Bean. However, anything ‘fleece lined’ is going to be bulky.
Merino wool is thin and washable.
For non-fussy, easy to care for and inexpensive base layers, it’s difficult to beat https://cuddlduds.com/
In my experience, buildings in Chicago and other places that are cold in the winter are often plenty warm and may feel too warm. So, layering with base layers is not the best strategy. Instead, I would recommend investing in really warm outwear that she can shed once she gets indoors. A long coat can keep her warm down to her knees and then a nice pair of boots and a hat can complete her outdoor outfit. She may feel comfortable outdoors and then uncomfortably warm once she is inside if she is wearing a base layer. My son will be moving from Texas to New England so I get your concern. I bought him a really nice winter coat with a hood for starters. He also needs a good pair of boots to handle rain and snow.
If she needs base layers for extended time outdoors, both Patagonia and REI have small sizes that tend to also run small. An extra small fits an 85-100 lb person.
Agree with ultimom.
I am a bicoastal resident from the Bay Area and NY and I save my warm sweaters for the Bay Area because of the warmer, sometimes hot indoor heating in NY. I wear thin thermals in NY and I get them from Patagonia(on sale) and Costco (32 Degrees in child size XL as I am petite as well).
I do have several very warm and long down coats which I keep permanently in NY. My favorite is the Marmot Women’s Montreaux Coat.
My D from the SoCal lived in New York City for 4 years and never wore base layers. She had a really nice long Patagonia down coat that came to her knees and Hunter boots with a warm liner as well as various warm gloves, scarfs and hats and she survived just fine.
We live where it is cold. Layers work better than undergarments…because as noted above…temps in rooms can really vary. It can be really hot in one room, then the next room can be really chilly. I would suggest your daughter get some fleece vests, and light weight fleece jackets. Those can be worn over her sweaters or shirts…and under her coat. That way…if she is too warm, she can just take the fleece thin off.
Plus…when weather is chilly but not cold…she can just wear the fleece garments over her clothes.
It is really hard to take underwear off if you are too hot!
I lived in Buffalo for years. Seriously, no one wore a base layer unless they were skiing for the day.
We’ve got the outerwear covered. My <100 pound D always runs cold, so we’re just looking for some layering options without the bulk. Thanks all for some good suggestions.
I hear you…but really…layer on top of her clothes…not underneath. Lots of options.
For outdoor things like skiing…layer under if she wants to…but not for day to day.
I have fleece lined leggings…very comfy. I wear them for bike riding when it’s chilly. They would probably work just fine under jeans.
She could also get flannel or chamois lined jeans…LLBean makes them. The only people I know who own them are 60 years old…or older…?
Wool tank tops are very nice for a light layer of warmth and can be worn under nearly everything. I use them constantly when I travel. They help moderate the temperature and because they’re wool, they breathe. Mine are from Icebreaker.
Can your daughter wear wool? I know i can’t!
Also, if you do get wool, I would suggest something machine washable.
Another vote for not layering underneath but over. She will melt indoors and end up shedding layers in the work bathroom otherwise. Thick socks, warm boots, very long coat, good hat, and gloves.
When it got super cold last year during the polar vortex, most companies allowed their employees to work from home and many places were closed entirely (including colleges).