Growing up in Malaysia, I never needed a jacket to keep me warm because of our summer season all year round. I would always be in my comfy cotton t-shirts, jeans, sun-dresses,shorts and tops.

Then, I moved to the States for college and realised I needed to invest in a few winter essentials because unlike any other states, Chicago’s winter can be a mean one. However, it wasn’t too bad for me because thermal shirt and leggings were my best friends throughout. When looking for thermal wear, I recommend looking at good brands with fleece lined inside of them such as Uniqlo, Marks & Spencer, and Amazon. You also want to make sure that you have a few pairs of comfy and cosy socks or even better, thermal ones! I found out there are even thermal panties on Amazon made with Merino wool and silk. The special thing about Merino wool is that it naturally balances the body temperature, so you won’t overheat or wake up cold. Perfect for the kitty in you. Aritzia, the store where I lost my ‘winter virginity’ at. My first ever winter clothing purchase. My wallet was crying. Literally.

I got The Super Puff Mid down jacket from Aritzia and to be honest, it felt amazing and was real functional for me. Firstly because I did not have to necessarily wear a thick wooled sweater inside. A regular turtle neck top was good enough because the jacket is well insulated. The pockets are nice and roomy with fleece lining inside. Although the price was on the steep side of $298, it was definitely a better alternative compared to a Canada Goose jacket. In a nutshell, I personally feel that it’s a must-have investment piece in your closet for as long as you live. Trust a winter virgin like me, you won’t regret it.