"Warmth holds a very special place in the life of both the developing child and the adult, because it supports the entire spectrum of human experience. There is physical warmth, emotional warmth—the warmth of love, of generosity, of true morality—and all of these “warmths” pour over and merge with each other." (Dr. Adam Blanning)
When it is time to go back to school it is important that children are dressed in clothing that works for indoor lessons and outdoor discoveries. Build a wardrobe for warmth, play and learning.
Here you will find our CHECKLIST, and below are our thoughts and recommendations to help you to be successful!
Back to School Merino Base Layers
Maintaining the core body temperature allows that core warmth to spread out to the extremities - right down to your fingers and toes.
THREE SLEEVELESS UNDERSHIRTSWear one day and air for two and re-wear. Wash once per season with wool wash on the wool wash cycle or by hand. This is an essential item all year round.
TWO SHORT SLEEVE SHIRTSThey work well over a sleeveless shirt or on their own. A short sleeve shirt can be more comfortable for children. who run warm or are sensitive to long sleeves.
THREE LONG SLEEVE SHIRTSThe long sleeve shirt is a cool to cold weather essential and can be worn over a sleeveless shirt to create more warmth. Wear one day and let it rest for two days and wear it again. Wash once per season or as necessary.
THREE BASE LAYER LEGGINGSWarm base layer leggings are essential for children as they spend so much time sitting on the floor or on the ground. Start to put them on when the temperatures drop below 10ºC or 50ºF. Cycle them over a three day rhythm and wash once per season just like the long sleeve shirt.
THREE PAIRS OF SOCKSWhen I visited Hirsch Natur, our sock company, they shared with me that you only need three pairs of wool socks! Wear one, air it for two days and wear it again! I wash mine monthly. Our socks are 100% merino wool and may need mending once in a while but there is much life left after mending! We choose 100% merino for the warmth, any synthetic added to socks will cause feet to sweat which makes it more possible for feet to get cold.
SHOP BASE LAYERS FOR THE FAMILY
Back to School Mid Layers
A mid layer goes between the base layer and your outer layer. Depending on the weather and season, there can be multiple mid-layers.
TWO TURTLENECKSA turtle neck keeps necks warm when the weather turns. They can be worn over base layers on their own and when it gets colder, under a sweater as well.
ONE OR TWO SWEATERSMid-layer sweaters are very helpful when children are outside, they maintain core warmth in colder weather and are lightweight. They don't feel cold when they get wet and dry quickly. They are also easy to remove when inside where it is warmer.
TWO PAIR OF LEGGINGSMid-layer Leggings are worn over base layers and are perfect to wear under rain and snow gear - legs slip in and out with ease and ensures warmth all the way down to the ankles. We recommend one or two pairs depending on how many days each week they are worn.
Back to School Outer Layers
The outer layer—or shell layer—protects from the cold, wind, rain, and snow. This layer could be a heavier sweater, a light windbreakers, rain-gear, or snowsuits.
ONE HEAVIER SWEATERA heavier sweater can be worn on its own as well as under rainwear or snowsuits in the fall and winter. They are lightweight and provide maximum warmth and free movement when the weather turns cold.
We have three different weights:
- The lightest weight is the merino terry zippered jacket, the terry texture is on the inside.
- The mid weight boiled wool hoodie provides a little more warmth and has a hood that fits nicely under the rain jacket.
- The warmest is the merino fleece jacket with zipper up the front.
As a child I saw my grandfather wear boiled wool trousers in the winter as snow pants, they provided the perfect warmth for someone working hard in the snow making maple syrup. These can be worn on their own or under rain gear in colder weather. They are fitted and are super comfortable.
ONE PAIR RAIN PANTSEssential to getting outside in any weather ar rain pants. We love the overall style with straps the best as they can be worn with or without the rain jacket and really protect children from moisture in the air or coming from the ground. We also have rain pants with an elastic waist for those older children who are more comfortable with waist pants.
ONE RAIN JACKETFor wet and cold weather a rain jacket is a must. BMS rain jackets are designed to work in any kind of wet weather. The fabric stays soft even when the weather drops below freezing. This jacket was designed for outdoor nature programs in mind.
Back to School Accessories
Mitts help children to enjoy exploring without getting cold fingers and it is important that they have the right mitts for the weather. When it is wet, they need a rain mitt that keeps them dry and allows them to explore as much as they like. When it is cold, warmth is also needed. When it is very cold doubling up is vital to ensure warmth and dryness.
We have fleece mitts, lined rain mitts and unlined rain mitts.
A fleece mitten with an unlined mitt over top is the ultimate mitten combo. You can wear each of them either on their own or put them together when jack frost is nipping at fingers and toes.
HATS AND BALACLAVAS - MERINO, MERINO FLEECE, MERINO/SILKWe have. a wide variety of hats for children made from wool/silk and merino wool. They can be worn on their own or combined for warmth on the coldest days.
Our light hats such as the balaclava (shown above), the rap or the schlupper are very easy to wear, they hardly feel like they are on your head but they maintain core warmth. They also fit very nicely into a pocket so that you have in on hand when it is needed or can take it away and store it when it gets too warm.
Thicker hats can be worn on their own or layered over the lighter hats in very cold weather. These hats offer more warmth in the winter and cold wet weather.
SCARVES/BUFFS
Our neck buffs come in merino and silk as well as in 100% merino. Pure merino is the warmest and the combination is comfortable in the fall and spring.