When winter comes around, we often find ourselves ill-prepared for the freezing conditions. Perhaps you got rid of your winter garments during a summer clear-out, or you were never quite prepared for winter conditions – whatever the cause, it can feel like a challenge to stay warm on a budget.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make sure you don’t suffer while out and about, without having to spend a fortune. From layering to getting a single high-quality jacket, here are some good ways of approaching cold-weather clothing. 

Use layering

Layering is a tried and tested tactic that’s sure to keep you warm. By choosing different layers – a base, mid layer and a shell – you can perfect your thermal insulation without having to break the bank. Each of these layers can be very affordable, yet the end result will often be a lot warmer than just wearing a single, thick jacket on its own.

Buy in bulk

If you know a few people who also need cold-weather clothing, you can often make some pretty substantial savings by buying wholesale from a supplier like Screen Textiles. Stocking a lot of non-branded items, you can often get some seriously warm clothing from these kinds of suppliers without having to spend a fortune at all. It’s at least worth having a quick search online, to see if there’s anything that catches your eye.

Shop secondhand

A lot of winter weather clothing can be very expensive to buy new. Luckily, if you pop into any secondhand shop or take a look on eBay, you’re sure to find a ton of suitable jackets that will keep you more than warm enough, without breaking the bank.

If you’re picky about what you wear, just give it some time. Something that you like the look of will pop up eventually, it just might take a bit longer compared to shopping for things new. You might even be surprised by what you find – people often sell very expensive jackets for not much money at all.

Invest in a high-quality jacket

While layering with cheaper items can take you a long way, in truly cold weather, you might need to invest in at least one high-quality staple clothing item. 

A good option to go with is some kind of down jacket, the thickness of which will depend on how cold you get, the conditions you expect to spend time in, and how long you’ll need to be out in the cold weather. 

Down is second to none in terms of thermal insulation, especially if you want a lightweight garment that can be packed down into a small bag. Just make sure you don’t get it wet – the feathers clump together when damp, and won’t keep you warm at all. 

Starting your winter clothing shopping sooner rather than later will generally leave you with more options available. By shopping out of season, and trying to make the most of big sales, you can make sure you stay nice and toasty without having to spend too much money.