After a mostly mild, overcast December, winter has finally arrived. To help you keep warm, especially if you’re reluctant to crank up the thermostat too much, we’ve rounded up some of our best-loved, tried-and-tested products.
From slippers to coats, toasty PJs to the best electric heaters and blankets, these should all help you beat the chill, and even stay stylish while doing so.
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The best cold weather essentials to beat the chill
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Electric blankets
OHS electric heated fleece over blanket
£20 at Online Home Shop
£34.99 at Amazon
This excellent-value heated throw was rated the best budget option in Emily Peck’s review of the best heated blankets. It is available in blush, charcoal, forest green and black, and features nine heat settings and a timer that you can set to turn off after nine hours.
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Heated airers
Dry:Soon Deluxe 3-tier heated airer and cover
£149.99 at Amazon
£194.98 at Lakeland
Heated airers claim to dry your clothes whatever the weather, without costing the earth in energy. Jane Hoskyn put 12 to the test, rating this one from Lakeland as the best overall. She says this airer is for anyone who’s fed up with choosing between the expense of a noisy tumble dryer, the mess of clothes on radiators and the rank stink of laundry slowly drying on a conventional clothes horse.
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Electric heaters
Duux Threesixty 2 Ceramic Heater
£89.99 at John Lewis
£99.99 at Currys
The mercury has dropped and our homes are getting chilly. But if your finger is reluctantly hovering over the central heating dial, an electric heater may be just what you need to efficiently warm the cockles. Pete Wise put eight of the best to the test, including this compact model that will thoroughly warm your space while making less noise than a standard fan model.
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Winter home updates
Modern country wicker basket
A wicker basket is a storage solve-all for cosy season and was just one of the 50 easy ways Hayley Spencer suggested to update your home this winter.
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January style essentials
Puffer vest
How do you reset your wardrobe for the new year? Our fashion guru Jess Cartner-Morley reveals her hard-working heroes for January. Including this Uniqlo Puffertech compact vest, which she says is like wearing a hot-water bottle under your coat.
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Men’s pyjamas
Organic cotton and cashmere hoodie and joggers
£68.60 for the hoodie at the White Company
£68.60 for the joggers at the White Company
If you’re looking for something to pull on once you get up, the White Company’s organic cotton and cashmere blend hoodie and joggers are a cosy option for a day on the sofa, says Helen Seamons. For more men’s pyjamas check out her full guide.
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Women’s pyjamas
Organic cotton check pyjama bottoms and rib scoop neck top
£25.20 for the bottoms at the White Company
£35 for the top at the White Company
From classic cotton sets to luxe silky separates, Melanie Wilkinson’s women’s nightwear picks will make you glad for the shorter days this winter.
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Slippers
Mahabis classic slippers
Whether you’re receiving guests, working from home or don’t like slippers at all, Ellie Violet Bramley found the perfect pairs of slippers and bed socks for keeping every foot warm.
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Socks
Heattech socks
Our guide may have originally been for festive gift inspiration but socks are for life, not just for Christmas. Peter Bevan and Monica Horridge found luxury, fun and comfortable options for men, women and kids, all of which are perfect for keeping feet toasty in the new year. These Uniqlo Heattech socks have been a firm favourite of our readers and the Filter team.
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Women’s coats
John Lewis x A.W.A.K.E. Mode oversized cape coat
Made from pure wool and part of a John Lewis exclusive capsule collection, designed with London-based fashion house A.W.A.K.E. Mode. The cape style adds a modern edge to a classic coat, says Jo Jones. Check out her guide to this season’s winter coats.
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Men’s coats
Hybrid down coat
This Uniqlo coat pairs a water-repellent outer with targeted ventilation zones and high-performance down, making it perfect for days when it’s wet and cold. A quality coat is central to a successful winter wardrobe, so here are Peter Bevan’s top tips for choosing the perfect style for you.
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Women’s waterproof jackets
Seasalt Janelle raincoat
£136 at Seasalt Cornwall
£170 at Next
Sian Lewis rated this coat the best warm parka in her roundup of the best waterproof jackets and raincoats, with options for everything from a drizzly coffee run to hiking in the wilderness.
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Men’s waterproof jackets
Montane Torren waterproof jacket
£210 at Cotswold Outdoor
£300 at Montane
After putting outerwear through its paces in showers indoors and out, Paddy Maddison named this the best overall waterproof jacket. See his full roundup of jackets here.
