Baby, it's getting chillier outside, in the northern hemisphere, that is. I remember living in Chicago, Illinois in 1996, and on Halloween, it was snowing and 21 degrees Fahrenheit. My husband and I moved 2 days later to Phoenix, Arizona. Neither one of us like colder weather, snow, sleet, etc., unless we are indoors by the fireplace, watching others play outside in the snow through a picture window. Of course, I sacrificed my comfort zone when my kids were little and took them on the snow train to Reno, Nevada to experience the snow. The snow train took 9 hours through the most beautiful and picturesque pine tree-covered mountains, with snow on the trees, just like in the holiday movies! I enjoyed it thoroughly from the inside of the train, but ventured outside to play with my kids while bundled up in silk tees, wool sweaters, and down jackets (plus warm accessories).
You know the colder weather is getting serious when you start dressing like a lasagna—layer upon glorious layer. And while we modern humans have high-tech fabrics claiming to wick, repel, and thermo-regulate our every exhale, two ancient fibers still reign supreme in the warmth wars: wool and silk. It’s like your grandmother and your great-aunt got into a cozy brawl over who makes a better sweater. Wool says, “I’ve got crimp and bulk!” Silk whispers, “I’ve got elegance and smooth moves.” And suddenly, your clothing drawers becomes a scientific battlefield.
Wool is the rugged hero of the cold. Studies from icy researchers in places like New Zealand and Finland confirm that wool actually keeps insulating even when damp—something your ex could never manage. Wool’s curly little fibers trap air pockets like a five-star hotel for warmth. That’s why sheep can stand around in a blizzard looking smug while we mortals are still fiddling with space heaters. The downside? Sometimes wool itches. Sometimes it smells like… well, sheep. But hey, if it’s good enough for a lamb in minus ten, it’s probably good enough for your morning dog walk or a day playing in the snow.
Silk, on the other hand, is the winter fabric for those who refuse to sacrifice glamour. It’s soft, light, and so smooth it practically purrs. Studies show silk has low heat conductance—meaning it holds warmth close, especially in dry, crisp cold. But toss in a little moisture and silk wilts faster than a snowflake on a latte. It’s great as a base layer or for a winter soirée, but if you’re planning a trek through a sleet storm, you’ll want something more rugged than the material Cleopatra wore to brunch.
So, here’s the verdict, dear reader: wool wins the survival contest, silk wins the comfort crown. The best winter warriors wear both—silk to start, wool to finish, like a fashion parfait of thermodynamic brilliance. So this winter, may your layers be plush, your static cling minimal, and your cocoa extra marshmallow-y. Here’s to warmth, science, and a closet that could handle a snowstorm in style.
In Gratitude,
KJ Landis
@superiorself on Instagram and X
@SuperiorSelf channel on YouTube
@superiorselfwithkjlandis on TikTok
[email protected]
Books available everywhere!
You know the colder weather is getting serious when you start dressing like a lasagna—layer upon glorious layer. And while we modern humans have high-tech fabrics claiming to wick, repel, and thermo-regulate our every exhale, two ancient fibers still reign supreme in the warmth wars: wool and silk. It’s like your grandmother and your great-aunt got into a cozy brawl over who makes a better sweater. Wool says, “I’ve got crimp and bulk!” Silk whispers, “I’ve got elegance and smooth moves.” And suddenly, your clothing drawers becomes a scientific battlefield.
Wool is the rugged hero of the cold. Studies from icy researchers in places like New Zealand and Finland confirm that wool actually keeps insulating even when damp—something your ex could never manage. Wool’s curly little fibers trap air pockets like a five-star hotel for warmth. That’s why sheep can stand around in a blizzard looking smug while we mortals are still fiddling with space heaters. The downside? Sometimes wool itches. Sometimes it smells like… well, sheep. But hey, if it’s good enough for a lamb in minus ten, it’s probably good enough for your morning dog walk or a day playing in the snow.
Silk, on the other hand, is the winter fabric for those who refuse to sacrifice glamour. It’s soft, light, and so smooth it practically purrs. Studies show silk has low heat conductance—meaning it holds warmth close, especially in dry, crisp cold. But toss in a little moisture and silk wilts faster than a snowflake on a latte. It’s great as a base layer or for a winter soirée, but if you’re planning a trek through a sleet storm, you’ll want something more rugged than the material Cleopatra wore to brunch.
So, here’s the verdict, dear reader: wool wins the survival contest, silk wins the comfort crown. The best winter warriors wear both—silk to start, wool to finish, like a fashion parfait of thermodynamic brilliance. So this winter, may your layers be plush, your static cling minimal, and your cocoa extra marshmallow-y. Here’s to warmth, science, and a closet that could handle a snowstorm in style.
In Gratitude,
KJ Landis
@superiorself on Instagram and X
@SuperiorSelf channel on YouTube
@superiorselfwithkjlandis on TikTok
[email protected]
Books available everywhere!
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