They’re the garb that often completes the typical frumpy ‘granny’ look, yet thermals are far from being unstylish.
With strict restrictions on indoor socialising between households across 99 per cent of England, it’s perhaps no surprise that clothing companies have seen an increase in thermal sales.
Figures released by women’s outerwear brand, ACAI Outdoorwear, saw a staggering 2,400 per cent increase in orders for its winter thermal collection.
And it’s not the more mature customer that’s driving the increase in sales, instead it’s women aged 25-34, with sales up 350 per cent on 2019.
With many living in tier two and three restrictions and only able to meet outside – FEMAIL reveals just how fashionable and warming the garments can be.
Our volunteers put twelve British designs to the test, searching for the most cosy and stylish thermals to help us stay comfortable this winter.
They found Next’s £12 thermal lace cami and Acai’s £89 trousers to be the best buys overall – while the most expensive product tried, S’No Queen’s £115 zip polo, failed to impress.
So, with thermals appearing to be the ‘must-have’ this season, FEMAIL reviews the offerings from some of the top brands…
FEMAIL’s Hayley tried out Acai Outdoorwear’s Thermal Skinny Outdoor Trousers (pictured) and said they were ‘seriously stylish’
Hayley said she ‘really liked’ the trendy rose gold detailing and the flattering style of the pockets
Acai Outdoorwear’s Thermal Skinny Outdoor Trousers
Cost: £89.00
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Hayley said: ‘These seriously stylish thermal trousers from ACAI look like a regular pair of skinny jeans on first look!
‘They’re a great fit – I ordered a regular 10 (28R) in the aubergine shade and they were spot on.
‘I really liked the rose gold detailing on the buttons and studs too.
‘They also feature a handy zip pocket on the back – and the pockets themselves are in a flattering spot.
‘These trousers don’t look like you’d expect for the material; when you touch them, they feel like they should be waterproof.
‘So I put it to the test, and they are! I splashed a handful of water onto the legs and it instantly formed as droplets on the surface. Smaller patches of liquid sank in and dried in minutes.
‘These would be fantastic for skiing (if we’re allowed to go on holiday this winter!) as they’re also lined with super cosy fleece. I was very snug posing in these in my garden!
‘They’re essentially thermals and trousers in one, so you don’t have to bother with layering up. I’m genuinely considering buying more pairs in black, green and navy.’
Next’s Thermogen Lightweight Cami Top
Monica (pictured) tried Next’s Thermogen Lightweight Cami Top and praised the fashionable design of the garment
Cost: £12
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Monica said: ‘I loved this vest, it didn’t feel like wearing a thermal and was stylish and versatile.
‘I was wearing it on it’s own and so it was still quite cold, but it definitely felt a lot warmer than a regular vest and I think it would keep you warm while wearing it underneath a jumper or another top.
‘The only downside was almost immediately after opening the package some of the tops threads were unraveling, but overall I really liked the vest.’
M&S Heatgen Thermal Polo Neck Long Sleeve Top
Bridie thought the M&S Heatgen Thermal Polo Neck Long Sleeve Top (pictured) worked well with other winter items and was ‘warm and toasty’
Cost: £12
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Bridie said: ‘This is a great staple from M&S. I have a non-thermal black polo neck which I wear as a winter staple and the thermal version will definitely be replacing it!
‘It comes in different styles, both polo, turtle and scoop neck as well as bodysuits.
‘These work really well with anything, a cute and colourful wrap skirt, some trendy athleisure and boots or even more formal trousers.
‘They can also be worn under summer dresses and outfits or as a thin layer under baggier tops and jumpers.
‘Despite being very warm and toasty, I put one on while working from at home and had to change because I got too hot.
‘My only criticism is that it’s very thin so needs to be paired with a good bra because it’s almost see through.’
Amazon’s EONO Men’s Thermal Active Base Layer Top
Amazon’s EONO Men’s Thermal Active Base Layer Top (pictured) scored some great ratings from Danny, as he praised the ‘warm and cosy’ garment
Cost: £24.99 (in a set with a top)
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Danny said: ‘This was my favourite of the things I tried. Very warm and cosy but not too tight around the neck like some of the others.
‘Stylish too, it went with my outfit and even added to it. The top was warm without being overly restrictive.
‘This was a bonus, and it also covered my arms and body well. I would definitely recommend this item.’
M&S Heatgen Thermal Leggings
M&S Heatgen Thermal Leggings (pictured) were a nice fit, according to Bridie
Cost: £12.00
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Bridie said: ‘A solid choice from M&S. These were nicely fitted and a standard pair of black leggings which go with anything.
‘They’re a little too thick to be worn as tights, unless you want to sport a very noughties look. But they do easily roll up and can be worn under skirts or trousers.
‘I’d definitely sport them under some loungewear around the house, or even by themselves for a quick dash to the shops or running errands.
‘My only criticism is after a couple of wears, they were already fraying on the inner thigh, which isn’t the quality you’d expect from M&S.’
This is Silk’s Fynery ¾ Sleeve Scoop Neck Top in Red
Latoya tried This is Silk’s Fynery ¾ Sleeve Scoop Neck Top in red (pictured) and praised the combination of materials
Cost: £75
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Latoya said: ‘Silk is a material that makes you feel cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
‘I don’t own many silk pieces of clothing because I’ve found the material can irritate my skin, but because this top is a blend of materials (silk, merino and cotton) it was quite comfortable to wear.
‘The red colour was easy to pair with jeggings for a simple dinner outfit, but I also think it would pair well with black leather leggings.
‘I was quite cold when I first put the top on but it instantly made me feel warmer.
‘However I’m not sure this top alone would keep me warm on an icy day without the addition of a cardigan, scarf and coat.’
Sweaty Betty Ski Base Layer Bottom and Top
Bridie said the Sweaty Betty Ski Base Layer Bottom and Top (pictured) was a ‘nice go-to for an outdoor winter run’
Cost: £70 each
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Bridie said: ‘These were a lot thicker than your standard underlayer of thermals because they’re designed for skiing.
‘I’ve never been skiing, but feel like these could keep you cosy on the slopes!
‘The leggings looked like standard gymwear, but were a lot warmer.
‘I’d be sweating buckets if I wore this on a treadmill, but I could see it as a nice go-to for an outdoor winter run or brisk walk.
‘That said, they do tend to ride down, so would need to keep hitching them up on a walk. I’d also wear them around the house, as leggings and T-shirt seem to be my go-to lockdown uniform.
‘However, I can’t see myself sporting these to a pub garden. They’re too thick to be worn under trousers or a skirt and too casual to wear for a glam night.
‘The top is a bit more versatile and could go with a nice skirt or a more casual look while out and about.’
Amazon’s EONO Men’s Thermal Active Base Layer Trousers
Danny said Amazon’s EONO Men’s Thermal Active Base Layer Trousers (pictured) were ‘quite comfy’
Cost: £24.99 (in a set with a top)
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Danny said: ‘These were very comfy, though initially a struggle to put on.
‘The black was a big positive, as stylistically they were easy to partner with darker trousers or even on their own around the house.
‘In terms of warmth, I wasn’t as toasty as I thought I’d be, which was a bit of a shame.
‘Also, though they themselves were quite comfy, they did get bunched up a bit with my work trousers.
‘I definitely would wear them in more casual settings, though they were a bit of a hindrance with jeans over the top.’
Uniqlo Women Heattech Jersey Scoop Neck Thermal Top
Monica found the Uniqlo Women Heattech Jersey Scoop Neck Thermal Top (pictured) too thin and not as warm as she hoped
Cost: £12.90
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Monica said: ‘This one was okay, but felt quite thin, and wasn’t quite as warm as the white woolley top I’d previously tried on.
‘I didn’t think it was the most flattering thing in the world but it could be good to wear underneath a jumper or as part of another outfit.’
Uniqlo White Thermal T-shirt
While Monica liked the style of the Uniqlo White Thermal T-shirt (pictured), she felt it was quite restrictive and was also very see-through
Cost: £9.90
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Monica said: ‘I liked the style of this top and that it could be paired with a lot to make a nice outfit.
‘But unfortunately, it was very see-through, (hence it being paired with a jacket) and probably couldn’t be worn on it’s own.
‘It felt very cosy but quite restrictive and I think after a while would start to feel slightly uncomfortable. It did manage to keep me very warm though!’
Amazon’s Eono Essentials Men’s Fleece Top
Danny disliked the colour and zip aspect of Amazon’s Eono Essentials Men’s Fleece Top (pictured), suggesting it was difficult to pair with other garments
Cost: £21.36
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Danny said: ‘This was a bit of a weird one. I liked the zip initially but it didn’t work with my outfit and isn’t warmth enough to wear alone.
‘At home it was toasty and comfortable enough, but as soon as I put other layers on top, it became a bit of a struggle.
‘I think the zip was actually the problem with my shirt feeling strange over the top. In terms of style, this isn’t a great shout.
‘The colour is a bit garish and stands out against the typical darker winter colours. Perhaps it’d be better in a ski setting – but I’m not a fan.’
S’No Queen Classic Zip Polo in Black
Siofra said she’d have preferred to have worn a ‘regular wooly jumper’ rather than the S’No Queen Classic Zip Polo in Black (pictured) because it didn’t offer enough warmth
Cost: £115.00
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Siofra said: ‘As someone who is perpetually freezing, even inside, I was thrilled at the idea of trying out a glam jumper that would keep me warm while socialising outside when Covid restrictions are in place.
‘When I saw the price of the S’No Queen jumper, I was sure it would do the job, even though I wasn’t sure about the crystal embellishments.
‘I wore it out to meet a friend on Hampstead Heath underneath a bulky fur jacket, and as I put it on the material felt really thin.
‘But there’s so much decoration on it and a really chunky zip, it’s not the kind of thing you can really wear underneath another top.
‘Unfortunately as we strolled around, I still felt pretty chilly and wished I’d just worn a regular wooly jumper.
‘The brand’s website suggests it’s good for ski resort wear, but I know I would definitely rapidly turn into an icicle if I wore it in properly cold temperatures.
‘I’d happily overlook the sparkles because while they’re not my style, someone else might love them, but it definitely didn’t do the job and the zip is so bulky it wasn’t especially comfortable.
‘The overall material is nice and soft, but it was very disappointing considering the price.’