I know this has been discussed in previous "fashion" threads but I need some refreshing. My family and I will be in Paris, Montreux and Italy in December and I'm looking for a brand of "long-johns" or long underwear to wear under our clothes. It needs to be thin but insulating, breathable and hopefully quick drying if we were to wash it out in the sink.

What's you favorite?

WinterSilks.com

It's not Siberia dear, I live in London and have never need thermal underwear. Wear full length coats and furs.

wow, it's not Siberia? Thanks for clearing that up m_kingdom I guess I better rethink my trip since I thought it was. Gee you're smart and you live in London..wow, thanks for telling me. I don't live in London, I live in Texas and everyone knows that when it's cold and you're outside walking around all day (maybe even in the rain) you're legs can get pretty cold. Since I don't have or want furs I'd like a little extra layer on my legs if that's ok with you. If it?s not that cold then why are you wearing furs anyway?

Good grief people, just don't respond if you can't be helpful.

Cuddle Duds makes a good blended fiber line with lots of options - sleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved tops as well as long johns.

L. L. Bean and Lands End both carry their own brands of winter underwear, so check their websites. I have several pairs of Lands End pure silk knit long johns which I've worn for many seasons (hand-washing extends their life considerably).

I wear the Cuddle Duds tops almost year-round, they are that comfy and not at all like "thermals".

And pay no heed to whats his name - what a lame way to get attention.

m-kingdon

I'm with you. I thought long johns were only for Alaska or the south pole. I walk around NYC all winter (considerably colder than London) and have never even though about long johns. If you have a reasonable coat, sensible pants (cords or something else warm) and booties you should be plenty warm unless it goes below zero - which I've never heard of in London.

I can;t imagine that anyone wearing long johns won;t be suffocating from the heat as soon as they go indoors.

Come on guys. I'm not talking about the thick waffled long johns. I'm talking about a thin, silk layer to insulate me since we'll be outside walking around in what I've heard could be very cold and wet conditions. Have you not ever layered before? What's the difference in wearing a long Tshirt under another to give you that extra insulation? Since I'm not taking heavy pants, I want the option to stay warmer without the bulk of the long-johns you THINK I'm referring to.

I guess only people from warmer areas will understand your question. When I was in London during the winter I wore LL Bean silk longjohns. I was very happy to have them on because the daily high was around freezing.

The only thing I wish I done differently was to order the full length lj's instead of the capri length. The capri length tended to ride up to my knees and the area between on my legs there and my socks was cold.

Gentlemen prefer silk.

Actually, I bought a silk set for my wife one Christmas at a ski shop. She absolutely loved em. Additionally, they came in handy when I got stranded out of town during a freak snow storm, and she had to snow blow the driveway.

It can easily get into the 20's here in the winter and I don't wear them either because I'm not spending hours outside walking around. But when I'm on vacation we spend most of the time outside, trying to see everything we can and not letting the temps slow us down.

I know a lot of people that wear silk longjohns when they go to Europe in the winter. Maybe because we are all from the Bay Area (CA) and not use to freezing cold.
I haven't bought any as I have not been to Europe when it is winter but I sure could of used some when I have been in NE Italy in late autumn. I froze to death. So will take some next time when I am there at that time of the year.

Since we travel in March/April/Oct, I always pack, and usually wear, a pair of Cuddleduds. They are very lightweight, and effective in a)retaining body warmth and b)blocking some of chill/wind. They take up so little space you can take 2 tops and 2 bottoms to alternate or wash.

It's nice to see other posts showing that I'm not crazy for thinking about it. It's going to be freakin' winter after all.

Sandi, am sure the reason some do not understand is because they are not from an area that does not get freezing cold. It works in reverse when it gets really hot (like in the Sacramento Valley). I will think it is warm and have family visiting from south of SF and they almost pass out from the heat.

I thought Montreaux was rather mild in the winter?...so they said when I was there in the fall.

If Sandi is going to be in any part of northern Italy in December it can be freezing.

I have "Everlast" on now at work in San Francisco - the building is air conditioned. The length is just below the knees + knee-highs with skirt. Good for pants too.

In Siberia you'd need fur-lined or other insulated special pants, so I don't understand M-K's sarcasm.

Faina - did you ever read a post from M-K that wasn't sarcastic?

LoveItaly: I think yes. I still remember his/her reply about going back to discussing really important things, like what (not) to wear. This was smart and hilarious. Besides a grain of sarcasm is what keeps this website so interesting.

If this enterntaiment will disappear I will feel a void. I still remember pre-registration times and miss it!

I'm just trying to be prepared for whatever weather we might encounter. We're only in Montreux for one night so forget about that. It's for the same reason that you pack an umbrella or take a raincoat. Ever hear of snowstorms? Weather can be unpredictable. Just ask the folks that suffered through the horrible heatwave that killed thousands, because they'd usually say that summer's aren't bad in Europe. It's just as a precaution.