I took my first Christmas shopping trip into Manchester city centre yesterday. I was mainly looking for warm winter clothes for Justin, but I managed to have a little browse at a few things for me as well. Before the weather begins to get too cold, I want to make sure I get myself a new pair of black thermal leggings to wear under my waterproof trousers while I’m out walking.
I popped into Marks & Spencer and made a beeline for the escalator up to the ladies’ underwear department. They had a very good selection of thermal socks, tops and bottoms. I had a feel of their cashmere blend leggings… so soft and warm! Cashmere is a brilliant material for thermals, it’s very soft – softer than sheep’s wool (which makes me itch if it comes into direct contact with my skin for too long), it provides excellent insulation, it’s lightweight and it’s a natural material. Everything you need for a winter base-layer – it’s the choice that I’ve gone with!
Thermal leggings have had a 21st century high tech treatment. They’re all about Heatgen™, Thermolactyl and Isotherms and their ‘heat retention technology’. It reminds me of the kind of terms used by laundry detergent and cosmetics companies in their TV and magazine ads!
- Isotherm women’s brushed leggings – black: £4.99, Mountain Warehouse
- AUTOGRAPH Heatgen™ thermal leggings with cashmere: £25, Marks & Spencer
- Thermolactyl grade 4 long pant: £32, Damart