We’re Nordic — British people don’t know how to dress for the cold

If British people have one talent, it’s talking about the weather.

From torrential rain to pavement-melting heat, it’s our go-to topic for any conversation.

But for a nation so obsessed with talking about it, we’re notoriously ill-equipped for dealing with it.

The UK has been hit with another Arctic blast, with the mercury already dipping well below zero. The first storm of the year is also expected to reach us on Thursday, accompanied by heavy snow.

And, we’re having a pretty tough time of it all.

On TikTok, Londoner Elise Modeste said that she could ‘feel her tears turning to ice,’ describing the conditions as ‘absolutely rancid and disgraceful.’

Meanwhile, creator Lea said that at this point, her windows had become ‘basically decorative’.

But even amid this backdrop, countries like Norway and Finland, where freezing conditions are the norm, are laughing at us.

So, after spending yet another day shivering, we turned to our friends who are used to these Arctic conditions, to ask them exactly how we’re meant to stay warm when we step outside.

‘Dress for the weather, not for style’

Rolf Tverbakk is originally from Bergen, Norway, but has been living in Fulham since 2022.

Across Norway, the daily average is around -6.8°C during the depths of winter, earning it the nickname the ‘Viking Season.’ Inland, things can reach -20°C, or as extreme as -40°C.

The saying in Norway goes that there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing, and Rolf couldn’t agree more.

‘When it’s really cold, you need multiple layers of clothes, with some warm base layers. It’s mostly just about having a good, warm jacket,’ he tells Metro. ‘You also need a jacket that’s windproof, as wind can be worse than cold.

‘When it’s wet and cold, it’s also essential to keep dry, which means water repellent footwear and a proper raincoat, with a sweater underneath.’

He also adds that not an inch of skin should be on show. ‘Cover areas that can leak heat, such as the head, hands, wrists, ankles, and neck.

‘You need to dress for the weather, not primarily for style. You can look good when you get to your destination.’

Another clothing tip? Shoes that are fall-on-your-bum proof.

He adds: ‘Beware of ice when walking, and again, good footwear is essential. Ensure your soles actually have some grip on ice.’

‘My mum was from Finnish Lapland. I’m used to -50°C’

Polly Arrowsmith, 58, is half-Finnish, and while she’s never lived there full-time, she would visit regularly every year and has stayed with her mum for months at a time.

In Lapland, where Polly’s mum is from, temperatures reach between -45°C and -50°C.

She says the secret is layering up with decent boots, socks, gloves, a hat, and a proper jacket.

Polly also always wears a thermal layer, and amid the current cold spat in London, she’s wearing two pairs of tights, cashmere socks, Uggs, a cashmere jumper, a fleece, and a warm collar.

‘We tend to use natural materials, but anything that traps the air works well.

‘My cousins knit traditional Sami mittens, which are made of wool, and I had plenty of pairs growing up.’

But Polly says staying warm isn’t just about clothing – there are things you can do before you leave the house to stay toasty.

‘We use saunas in Finland, but in the UK, I tend to have a long hot bath with essential oils.

‘Coffee consumption is huge in Finland too, and I consume many hot drinks during the day.’

In Finland, much of the year is spent preparing for the harsh winters, too. Polly says that Finns tend to preserve berries which are gathered in summer, either as a cordial or frozen, which they eat during the cold. It’s all about consuming vitamins that will support the immune system.

‘My grandparents had a cellar dug into the permafrost to store berries for winter.’

‘Rye bread, soups, stews and porridge are popular. Pickles are also common as a side, which can help with gut health,’ she adds.

However, a half-Brit, Polly is still sticking up for her fellow countrymen. She says: ‘Nordics have a dry cold, and it’s very predictable there, so they have the correct infrastructure.

‘We tend to have a wet cold that’s harder to deal with. Snow melting into sleet makes things damp.’

‘This is not the season to be sexy’

@anastasiaova

How to stay warm in British winter, dressing advice from a Russian

♬ original sound – anastasiaova

On TikTok, creator Anastasia Ova, originally from Russia, said ‘British people don’t know how to dress for winter’, adding ‘it’s not a season to be sexy.’

Her first tip for dressing in the weather was ‘no air’. Sounds extreme, but Anastasia explains: ‘Don’t wear anything loose, because as soon as you get air in your body… you’ll be absolutely freezing.

‘So if you’re wearing something loose, make sure you tuck it in your boots. No ankle socks, nothing like that.’

She adds that layering on the bottom half is also key, and adds that ‘if you’re wearing a coat, make sure it covers your ass.’

Ultimately, she says whatever you’re wearing ‘should be like a scuba suit’.

‘Winter is all about staying tight and warm,’ she concludes.

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