7 Ways to Get More Warmth Out of What You Wear
It is super cold in a large area of the country and many of us are trying to get the most out of the coats and gloves we already own rather than buy stuff we may not need again any time soon. Here are a few tactics I learned while working for a ski resort.
I hope they help. Feel free to add any of yours, please.
1. Move your coat rack, hangers, the chair you drape it over, etc. closer to a heat source (if it isn't there already). I have coat hooks that are about 4 or 5 feet above a water-based radiator. You can pre-heat your clothes and help to dry things between your adventures.
DON'T put clothes on top of electrical heaters, or the stand-alone oil ones. They have a safety built in if you put ANYTHING on them even for a short period of time -- I found that out first hand with a Delonghi.
2. Zip your coat up all the way before you step out the door. The warmer you get the whole coat the more it can do for you. You want to trap air in the airspace of the coat and if the neck is open it just vents it all.
3. Carry any personal electronics like cell phones in warm pockets, close to your body. Batteries won't last as long if they are cold.
4. Get a headset for your cell phone. You can keep your phone in your pocket, your gloves on both hands AND talk at the same time. Big help. Protects the phone from excess moisture too. Also good for when you are doing that penguin walk on slick ice patches -- easier to balance with both hands free. But the biggest advantage here is just comfort.
5. Use the cinch on your coat or jacket. Just this alone can double the heat retaining ability of any coat. Squeeze the little black plastic clamshell together while adjusting the bungi cords and you're all set. Don't over tighten or you can destroy the zipper. It doesn't have to be tight, just create the contour.
6. Keep your gloves on. It is very hard to get the heat back in most gloves and even harder to get it back in your hands once you have lost it. When you buy gloves, try handling your phone or keys with them on and see if you can get a fit that leaves you at least SOME fine motor skills.
Be careful when handling metal tools and such. Handling metal in the cold is a common way to get frostbite. The mass of the metal just sucks every bit of heat out of your hands. Your hands will go numb in a matter of seconds so you won't feel it but they are continuing to get colder. If you must use tools, wrap the handles in electrical tape or neoprene and keep at least a work glove on.
7. Cover your neck. Turtleneck, scarf, hoodie, whatever you have.
Hope one of these was helpful. -Kurt
= new reply since forum marked as read
I used to need ear muffs to ride my bike, from the breeze. I figure that I must have had inner-ear damage from infections as a child. I remember asking my mother if I had ear infections as a child. She replied; "Some of you did". I have eight brothers and sisters. 
and that causes ear infection. You are from Canada, so you KNOW cold, and you know the things that cause ailments related to cold. I went to DC and got an ear ache so bad that I nearly had to turn around and come back home because I didn't know that you needed to wear a hat.
I'm from the Deep South and was a complete rube to snow and harsh cold winter. Ask me about a hurricane or preventing heatstroke, I can inform you. Before that, ask me about temperatures lower than 40F, I had no damn idea. 
Even a cotton scarf or baseball cap is better than nothing. We lose heat rapidly when our extremities are unprotected. Mittens work better than gloves of the same weight, though most adults want the dexterity afforded by gloves.
Many people don't pay enough attention to their feet. Winter weight socks and sneakers are a better choice than standard weight socks in dress shoes. Winter boots/shoes are even better.
People from temperate areas don't realize that there are good reasons why there are clothes and shoes labeled for winter.
Glad you made it
My feet are so narrow that is pretty much never an issue for me, but could be for many.
I wear warm boots even in San Diego's relatively mild weather. That is one key to remaining warm.
Just kidding, I know you use them in daily work. I just like boots!but I know you have rattlesnakes there. We have water moccasins and copperheads here. I never regret wearing boots when I go outdoors, particularly my favorite pair. My feet don't get wet, if a snake struck them it would be a glancing blow, and well, I'm pretty cool, too in my own mind
I'm a dork - I had a great time one summer hunting grass snakes and mice for a biology class project. Had to be careful of the ones that could kill you LOL.
neck gaiter or some such… can't have enough… simple, simple to make (nylon, wool, fleece, any knit, etc.) and sooooo practical
with a long sleeved waffle shirt over that, with a quilted denim shirt over that. Fleece long underwear under a pair of jeans. Fire going downstairs. Heat on.
Will have to walk the dog in about an hour. Then it's a fleece hat with ear flaps, scarf, quilted flannel jacket, boots and a decent but not great pair of gloves.
And it's only 24F with very light wind here. Not sure what I am going to do when it gets cold.... although I am quite warm now 
getting those wet suits on is tough work! Pantyhose make easy work of it and yes, I do use them under my long johns when it is cold, they do help a LOT I had forgotten about that since it is just now starting to get really cold.
Old diver here. Eventually changed over to a skin rather than the panty hose but anything to make those wet suits easier to get on and off was welcome! 
I got so sick and tired of being cold no matter what that I asked for a small towel heater for my birthday. It is a contained unit not the kind you hang towels on. I put my long johns and socks and whatever else I can fit in it and turn it on 15 minutes before we are headed out. It really does help to put things on that are already warm, especially if you keep your house cool. It is just a small unit but it has made my comfort level go up greatly.
Glittens help as well when you need to use your fingers. I also discovered quite by accident that if you put glove liners over a vinyl glove it helps retain heat a little better. Doctoring a horse then replacing the glove in snowy weather resulted in this hint. It is not a lot but every little bit helps.
LAYERS! I always put a sweatshirt hoodie under my coat so I can wear my lighted ball cap at night with a wool hat over then pull up the hoodie and you don't have to deal with a scarf while working outside.
Great thread. Going back to read more now.
EDIT TO ADD: http://www.maggiesorganics.com/ I always had problems with cold feet and toes. Ever since my first pair of these wool socks I have been through all the winters without freezing feet. I am deadly serious, walked through 3 feet of snow to the barn (about 1/4 mile), was soaked and frozen except for my toasty feet.
Whatever you're wearing, don't ride a motorcycle in single digit or below zero temps.
