I live in a warm climate (Los Angeles), but right now it's in the upper 40's (Fahrenheit), rainy, windy, no sun. I'm cold! I tend to get a little cold anyway because I have a thyroid problem (metabolism) and I'm kinda skinny, but I'm trying to exclude non vegan items from not only my diet but my wardrobe. I have maybe one or two wool sweaters but I don't want to wear them. What do you vegans living in colder climates wear instead of wool to keep warm? Are there sweaters made of synthetics that are just as warm as wool? I haven't found any myself. Acrylic is OK but doesn't keep me quite as warm as wool does. Cotton doesn't keep me warm at all.

Polar fleece.

Okay... so what is polar fleece and where do I find it?

Eddie Bauer and Lands' End have it. Any catalog that caters to people in cold climes or sporty types of people is bound to have some.

If you sew, the local fabric stores here in North Texas have tons of it.

Oh, I just had a thought; there is a ski supply store in my area. I'll look there, too. (I don't participate in cold weather activities so this will be a new shopping experience for me).

Thanks!

They will have it!

Fleece is definately a good option. Almost any clothing chain will carry it. I think my fleecies are from Old Navy.

Another great option is cotton. Despite the seasons popularity of wool, cotton sweaters can be food out there. I have cotton sweaters from Gap, Old Navy, and J.Crew. They are usually solid ribbed turtlenecks or crewnecks. Most of the more exciting versions seem to be wool or acrylic. I also have a heavy brushed cotton peacoat, a corduroy coat, etc. You can find some good warm clothes out there, you just have to make sure to read every label.

<cotton sweaters can be food out there.>

I want to wear it, not eat it! :p

'Jes kiddin'

Haha. I meant to write 'found' :p ... although cotton probably does taste better than wool.

I bought a $150 sport jacket (more or less a ski/snow-board type jacket) from Banana Republic a couple days ago for $49.99 (Well, $9.99 plus tax after using my bonus cash from purchasing other BR clothes over the past year), which is less than you might pay for something at Eddie Bauer or for a Patagonia jacket, though Patagonia uses organic cotton and their jackets are nice and quite warm.

Look around. You don't have to use wool! So many options, though I do wear wool I owned before going vegan. I can't afford to replace my entire wardrobe just yet, so I might as well wear them until they fall apart and stay warm!

the always popular...NOTHING! doesnt keep you warm, but its a lot of fun...lol juuuust kidding.

anyways, polar fleece, or, you can layer up (which happens to be the fashionable way of doing it). i recommend going to your local H & M and get some of those long-sleeve undershirt thingers. they come in mostly nuetral colors, but its cool anyways. then get some cool cotton over shirts (printed, band t's...whatever) or sythetic sweaters. there are lots of vegan options.

I wear acrylic sweaters, and when it's really cold, I'll layer an acrylic fitted cardigan over any long sleeved shirt, and I'm plenty warm. Fuzzy socks help, too. :) I think this is generally a cute look, because I'll only button the two buttons on my bust of the cardigan, so it really emphasizes my curves without looking tight or revealing skin, and like I said, it keeps me warm.

I found a sweater the other day, I think it is nylon and spandex, and I have never felt anything quite like it. Super soft. It feels so nice against my skin. If you go to TJ Maxx and Ross (or someplace like that) you will probably see what I am talking about.

I just got my first polar fleece sweater at christmas, and now I understand why they are so popular! it's really warm. our apartment is usually 15 degrees (celcius, i don't know what that'd be in farenheit, but it's cold), so i usually wear 3 shirts, but with the polar fleece i don't have to wear anything else! (except pants, you know.)

I wear cotton knits, acrylic knits and sweatshirts, depending what I feel like. I always wear a sleeveless T shirt underneath them though. Luckily I've always found wool to be itchy, so it was the easiest thing in the world to dump when I went vegan.
I've been told the secret of being warm is to wear layers. Like three t shirts and a cotton shirt might be warmer than one sweater because of the air trapped between the layers.

Big fan of long johns, here. Layering cotton keeps me warmer than a wool sweater. Get a windbreaker, and put two shirts underneath it. You'll be fine.

Okay you've all been very helpful and I love everybody's advice. Now here comes the hard part. What would you wear for a 9-5 desk job? (Obviously I'm asking the women here).

My experience of offices is that they are too damned hot. But when I was in them I wore short (ish) sweater tops with skirts, or blouses and a jacket.

I've always got a skin tight tank under my acrylic sweater. There are some very warm ones I picked up at the Gap! (Shame to shop at the Gap, but dernit, I love their little tanks)

I've always got a skin tight tank under my acrylic sweater. There are some very warm ones I picked up at the Gap! (Shame to shop at the Gap, but dernit, I love their little tanks)
Mee tooo!

My experience of offices is that they are too damned hot. But when I was in them I wore short (ish) sweater tops with skirts, or blouses and a jacket.

Hot? Lordy, I wear a sweater all year round. I pay when I dare to wear short sleves or a skirt :( ... Heaven help me, if I wear both at the same time.

I wear a lot of cotton and I loved fitted, but not tight clothing. It always looks classy :D

Pants: Girlie 'khakis' is a variety of colors, corduroy, velour, polyester, linen.

Tops: Button-up shirts, turtleneck sweaters, v-necks, dressy polos, and lots of crisp fitted tees. I always have a zip up cardigan sweater with me so I can pull it on when they crank up the AC.

Skirts/Dresses (length:just above or below the knee): Cotton, linen, polyester, small prints, solids, wrap dresses. A-lines skirts are my favorite.

I am one of those people who get all their clothes at the mall. There really is a huge selection of non-leather, non-silk, non-wool products. Clothes are fairly easy. I find shoe shopping much more stressful. You just have to read labels. Watching for sales is helpful, too ;)

for work... I have a coruroy jacket I wear a lot in the winter here (which is a lot like LA). It's dressy enough for work.

You can find non-wool blazers to wear to work - linen or cotton or denim or other materials. I would guess that places like Ann Taylor Loft, Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, J Crew... they'd all have "dressy enough to wear to work but not so dressy that it's silk or wool" jackets :)

good luck! All this talk about jackets and sitting here sweating in the summer heat has me missing a good cold winter. brrrrr

Ew. Down with Ann Taylor!

Great thread. I had the same question.

Vijay

Cotton is indeed warm if worn in layers.