Updated: October 2026 · Anna Tsymbal, founder of THE ONE
In short: dress in layers from the body out. First thermal underwear, then one warm continuous layer (a warm jumpsuit or a brushed-fleece tracksuit), wool socks and a thin hat or hood. A one-piece layer keeps heat better than a sweater and trousers because there is no gap at the lower back. And move: ten squats warm you faster than a second sweater.
What should you wear at home when there is no heating?
- Base layer: thermal underwear. Close to the body and dry. If you sweat, change it: damp fabric cools you fast.
- Warm layer: one piece, not five. A warm jumpsuit covers you from neck to ankles. If you wear a tracksuit, tuck the top in so your lower back stays covered.
- Feet: wool socks and slippers with thick soles. The cold comes from the floor.
- Head and neck: a thin hat or a hood and a snood. Indoors it really helps.
- At night: thermal underwear, socks, a blanket and a bottle of warm water at your feet.
Why is one warm layer better than five sweaters?
Many tight layers press on each other and squeeze out the air that keeps you warm. On top of that, they ride up, twist and slide down. A loose-fitting warm layer leaves a cushion of warm air between the body and the fabric, like under a blanket. That is why a jumpsuit made of brushed three-thread jersey (330 gsm) over thermal underwear is warmer than a pile of sweaters.
What else helps you stay warm?
- Move: squats, a walk around the flat, housework.
- Drink something warm and eat hot food.
- Stay in one room and close the door. Close the curtains at night, put a rug or a blanket on the floor.
- Keep the warm things in one place so you don't look for them in the dark.
What should you not do?
- Don't heat the room with a gas stove or oven. There is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Don't warm up with alcohol. It dilates blood vessels, and you lose heat faster.
- Don't sleep in damp clothes.
Why a jumpsuit works well at home
It is one item from neck to ankles: the cuffs keep the heat in, the lower back is covered, nothing slides down. You can work, cook, sleep and sit with children in it. Add thermal underwear underneath and you are warm even without heating, day and night. The fabric is 70% cotton and breathes, so you don't overheat when the power comes back.
More about how warm our jumpsuits are and how to wear them is in the guide “Warm jumpsuit for adults”. If you are choosing between a jumpsuit and a tracksuit, read our honest comparison.
