Thermal underwear is a type of clothing that protects the skin in the winter and provides a layer of warmth. It's typically manufactured very thinly, so it's able to comfortably fit under a shirt or a pair of jeans. It protects the skin by wicking away moisture from the skin and creating a warm air flow from your other layers of clothing or a blanket. In extreme cold, wearing thermal underwear can prevent the body from hypothermia or frost bite. Anyone who likes to camp or hike in the winter should wear a pair of thermal underwear under their clothing. It's also a good idea to keep some in your car during the winter, just in case you should break down or get lost and the temperatures reach at or below freezing.

Types of Thermal Underwear

The majority of thermal clothing is made from either a cotton or wool blend. It's usually sold as two pieces and comes in neutral colors. In places where the weather stays cold much of the year, thermal underwear is often worn in place of traditional pajamas because it provides a level of warmth that flannel or cotton pajamas are unable to provide. Some people even wear long johns to help save on their heating bills during the winter since the material is so good at creating warmth, the electric or gas heat needs to be run less.

Styles of Thermal Underwear

The traditional style of thermal clothing is the long sleeve shirt with long pants. These are thin, so it's easy to wear them under jeans, sweaters, and slacks. But since they are styled long, it's harder for women to wear them under skirts, dresses, or short sleeved blouses. To accommodate this, many designers are now creating styles that fit nicely under all types of clothing. There are even styles designed for children so that they can stay warmer in the winter.

While the traditional style remains popular, there are now short sleeve and sleeveless thermal underwear. The short sleeve looks like a typical shirt that fits snugly to the body. It's a great way to stay warm at work when you need to wear professional clothing but don't want to wear a long sleeved blouse or jacket. There are also sleeveless styles that look like tank tops or camisoles that can be worn under a suit jacket or underneath a dress. Men can also wear the short sleeved style under casual dress shirts. By having different styles of thermal underwear, you are able to mix and match seasonal pieces of your wardrobe during the winter and still remain warm.