Hello Fodorites:

I am an avid reader of the forum and grateful user of the advice dispensed here. Without knowing, you helped me plan my first Europe trip to Paris last September.

Now I'm planning my Christmas trip to Germany, home of my dear boyfriend. We will be there for two weeks, based in Halle, and will visit a few cities including Dresden, Berlin and Heidelberg.

I am thinking about buying silk underwear to help stay warm while sightseeing. I read previous postings on this but could not locate information about small sizes in this type of underwear. I am 5'1 and usually wear a petite size 2. Regular "small" sizes can usually run too big for me and I don't want the underwear to bulk up under my clothes. Has anyone found silk underwear that fits someone of my size? I would buy a children's size if I could find it in silk but my internet search has come up with nothing.

Thanks in advance,
Lili

Try www.wintersilks.com They have petite sizes in extra small.

You're a woman, just wear heavy silk stockings!

Pilots during the wars used to wear them for warmth.

mk2, if you'll kindly consult a calendar and a newspaper, you'll notice that the war has passed and we've made many advancements since then.

regalada : Here you go:

http://www.nznature.co.nz/mshop/spi//1_sil_1340

Eddie Bauer also has petite extra small in just about everything and they offer silk underwear in a few colors. You'll probably have to order it online: www.eddiebauer.com.

All that I'm suggesting is that you wear the stockings you wear daily under your trousers/jeans. You don't need any special thermal underwear.

Hi Lili,

I found silk long johns on Sierra Trading Post website (I tink the brand name was Terramar) in size S that fit ok. I am 5'2" and usually wear 2 or 4 (not petite though), so also was concerned that I couldn't find XS anywhere. So far no bagging or bulking, and they're pretty cheap ($15).

But I also wear regular hose, tights or lycra leggins under pants when it's very cold and those always fit better that silk johns, although not nearly as pleasant to be next to the skin. Unless it's Wolfords microfibers, which feel very nice

Oh, m_dingdom2, you're off your head. She's not asking for alternatives, she's asking for solutions.

You regular Fodorites are losing your touch. Can't you pick a troll any more? (Regalada, I like your style - keep it up!)

mk_2, if one of the wars you refer to is WW2, I'm reliably informed that aircrew had more important uses for silk stockings than personal insulation. Not something that you Americans would know about, necessarily... but, say no more, say no more.

I am not sure where you are but Cuddleduds are in most department stores. You should be able to find it there. I wear the tanks all the time in the winter here in Chicago, they are great. Just a little added warmth under a sweater or a fleece top.

NeilOz
I heard stories from my mother about the great value of silk stockings during WWII and how when she couldn't get them she drew lines on the back of her legs to simulate seams. I also think that aircrew would have put them to much better use than personal insulation, although personal insulation might have resulted from that use.

What I can't figure out is m kingdom2's
reference to 'heavy silk stockings'.
That seems a throwback to some by-gone age--maybe 'm' is remembering his/her youth.

Try LL Bean.

If XS womens doesn't work for you, try the larger of children's sizes - for girls between ages 10-13.

I started browsing the web sites you recommended today and saw a few items I liked (oh, the joy of seeing the x-small listed in the ordering drop down menus!).

Glad to see some sites have a few items on sale. I will order a couple of sets to try them on before the trip.

Thank you so much for the information. This forum is a gem.

garnethill.com

I'm going to revive this thread...

I'm also quite petite and my pants are closely fitted so I can't wear long underwear with an elastic waistband. I need something more like thick silk tights or merino wool tights or else I won't be able to .

button my pants. Any suggestions out there? I found a pair of 100% merino wool tights several years ago in Chicago and even those were a little itchy so I'm hoping for silk or one of the new high-tech wools (like smartwool) that are really soft.