clothing advice for beginners?

[snorri]

Overall comfort is improved if you keep your head warm, a Thinsulate hat is windproof and can be pulled down to protect the forehead.
Essential wear for half the year for me! (Might not work with a helmet)
https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/t...mUoBiWIL1JBbCxXiDHgaAiLTEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[icowden]

Totally agree. Especially if you are suffering from absence of hair. I use a gore helmet cap to protect the thinning bonce under the bike helmet when it's cold. Good fluorescent warm gloves also a must.

 

[si_c]

Overall comfort is improved if you keep your head warm, a Thinsulate hat is windproof and can be pulled down to protect the forehead.
Essential wear for half the year for me! (Might not work with a helmet)
https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/thinsulate-hat/ML060/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=8010&promo=6202#colour:Black,size:ONE SIZE&gclid=Cj0KCQjwl9zdBRDgARIsAL5Nyn2L5MNTogGsb0faFE0Vv_24iyJJupeNmHYUmUoBiWIL1JBbCxXiDHgaAiLTEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have something very similar. For less extreme cold I find a thick knit bobble hat works wonders - very breatheable - although again may cause problems with a plastic hat.

 

[MichaelW2]

Expensive helmets have lots of venting to keep you cool. In winter you can use a cheaper model with more helmet and less air. It will keep you warmer.
You need thin hats under a helmet or ear warmer headbands. Thicker hats makes the helmet fit a bit loose.

 

[si_c]

Expensive helmets have lots of venting to keep you cool. In winter you can use a cheaper model with more helmet and less air. It will keep you warmer.
You need thin hats under a helmet or ear warmer headbands. Thicker hats makes the helmet fit a bit loose.

Strictly speaking you shouldn't wear anything under a helmet, they're not designed for it. That being said...

 

[8mph]

I would recommend a Karrimor summer cycling jacket for your winter commuter, they cost around £10 second hand on eBay. It's, comfortable, long, tough and it looks like a casual jacket. I own a gore bike wear jacket but I like my Karrimor over a t-shirt during winter because it really keeps me dry and I don't fuss over it as is cost me £3. Altura overtrousers are ok for 10 minutes of rain, I wear Salamon XA lite trainers which are warm and dry.

 

[icowden]

Oh - a buff is also really nice in the winter. It's like a tube you can put over your ears, neck, mouth etc.
Love my buff. If you find wool itchy avoid the woolen ones regardless of the claims on the packet.

 

[hondated]

Great realistic thread when it comes to cycle clothing. I've plenty of cycling tops, cheap end of the market I should add, but given I am not stick thin none of them are very flattering to wear so just recently I have started wearing Fred Perry " type shirts ( cheap versions again ) and they feel so much more comfortable. Also use Ron Hill Tracksters. Topped off with one of several jackets I own. Ok not Rapha or Assos but good enough for me.