im still wearing long johns lol ny weather is totally unpredictable, i dont like the silk, and polyester to me just isnt warm enough, i wear the cotton stuff that looks like it has waffle holes all over, i know not a good description, but they are warm, for me anyway because im always cold. my dad got a pair at agway, thats kinda of silky but quilted to and has another layer of something else in it. i think he paid 40.00 for them and he loves them, hes always cold too. ill wait until he gets home and ask him. i cant see spending 40.00 on underroos lol but if hes comfortable i guess thats all that matters.

Socks- I bought mine on sale during the summer all the years that I bought long undies. The brand I prefer is Cuddle something or another. I will look again when I get home from work. You should be able to find some. But, that being said, your polyester should be fine for October, it should not be that cold. Washington is lovely in the fall too. I hope your trip works out for you.

Trish

I think silk is more comfortable, but it is very costly and I don't know which is warmer. I bought some at Walmart, they were called leggings or something like that. Thin cotton knit and they fit in the crotch which a lot of long johns don't do. They were $6 or $7. for the bottoms. They run large.

Hey trishaw -- the brand name is Cuddle Duds... mail order & at big department stores.. My 87 year old Mom swears by them...

Heck I have found even pantyhose are nice for staying warm- bonus is they are so thin that they will fit under those pants that are a "little snug".

Moving from GA to WV, if it fits under my jeans, I wear it, LOL

i have washington envy! don't bother with the anything but the cheapie cotton (if you can find it!) better still find a cheapie rain coat. i wore that more than long johns when we moved from san diego to seattle. heavy weight jeans and nice socks are ok. now if you were coming to vist me in detroit then yes i'd outfit you with thermals...but even here it can be ok in oct. heck it's july 1 and i'm wrapped in a quilt at the computer, today...

http://www.rawganique.com/Dept-Mens/organic-cotton-fleece-thermal-long-johns.htm

Organic Cotton Fleece.........scroll down for picture of ladies thermal long john's.

I love fleece, the other materials mentioned do not keep me warm at all.

Washington, DC or Washington State? If Washington state, which area? There are different climates within the state.

Susan, wouldn't a jacket, some fleece, and maybe a cardigan do the job? (And Socks, don't forget about socks!) Thermal underwear in October sounds like overkill to me. Granted, I live in the northeast. But I would think some basic outerwear would eliminate the need for extra underwear. And you wouldn't feel like a stuffed sausage (which is the way I feel in thermies). :-)

State...Port Angeles. But remember, I'm a wimp.

The Cuddl Duds look pretty good, and they're available in the Penney's catalog. I'll watch the weather before I go and get some if it looks like it will be cold.

Thank you everyone.

Cuddle Duds bottoms keep me warm through Iowa winters. When I am wearing sweats just around the house in winter, I usually wear an old cotton thermal top under my sweats but no thermal bottoms.

How finicky are you on fashion? I'd bring what you have and if you're still cold, put on a pair of sweats. I quit with the "winter woolies" long ago and though I don't get all that cold all that easily, for a while when the weather was bitter I'd just put a pair of sweats over or under my jeans. One time I used a pair of flannels (lounge pants or sleeping pants as some call them, they're like a lightweight pair of sweats) under a pair of jeans and sweats over that. Very toasty. If you're moving around you won't need as much as you might fear. One other tip, get a can of waterproofing, like Scotchguard and treat a pair of sweats that go on the outside. That works well to repel rain, slow and slush. Keeping the material and you dry will keep you much warmer. I was amazed at how well it worked. When I used to camp, hunt and fish a lot I'd use the waterproofing on my jeans too. Walking through wet weeds and my legs stayed dry.

A warm hat and insulating your shoulders will help keep you much warmer too.

I don't tolerate cold well either but I agree thermals in October would be overkill. Unless you're going into the high elevations or the northeastern area a jacket, warm socks and maybe a pair of gloves should suffice. Be more prepared for wet than cold. If you wear jeans you'll be warm enough. With fancy pants you could wear a pair of tights or pantyhose underneath.

Cuddleduds! That is it! I adore mine. I actually got them at one of the local sportstores in the middle of summer on sale one year. Now, I know I live in SC but remember I work outside even in the cold. We get down to the 30's and 40 during the day with some days in the 20's during winter. The cuddle duds keep me toasty.

Trish

Under Armour! Go look at a sporting goods store. It is the best stuff ever. It is very lightweight and keeps you very warm. Super stretchy so you don't feel tied up in it.

Silk underwear is best.
Much more comfortable than thermal and not nearly as bulky. More attractive too, I think.

Cabella's carries a line of silk underwear that are reasonably priced.

Lori

trish and cate, socks is right...it's spelled Cuddl Duds (no e) and they are really great! I wear them all through the winter since they don't add bulk to my normal clothes. I park at least five blocks from my work and sometimes farther just for the excercise and I live in Minnesota so I need something warm. Cuddl duds add a layer without the waffle-y weave of old fashioned thermal long johns. I get them at Herberger's, Sam's Club and J.C. Penney's. And there's always eBay!

Cotton or other wicking frabric is best for thermal underwear. Old fashioned 'long johns' work, but are not very fashionable. A two piece leisure/lounge wear works too.

OK the region you'll be in could get a cold snap. I vote for Cuddl Duds also. Silk is good also but stay away from cotton. It doesn't wick away moisture and can leave you chilled if you perspire.

My girlfriend swears by her Cuddlduds. They're not bulky, they don't stretch out at the knees, they dry quickly, and they aren't noticeable underneath underneath dress pants or jeans for that matter. The price isn't bad. And even if you are a CA girl you might find you'll get to wear them again.

Sis heats her home with wood, which is great if you are sitting next to the stove, so--Wildchild--even if we don't get a cold snap, I know the house will be cooler than I'm used to.

Plan to layer your clothes. That way you can put on or take off according to your comfort place. I live in Eastern Washington and sometimes am wearing shorts in October. I have also been on the coast in October and had 90 degree weather.

LOL.. personally, I think long underwear in Washington is overkill, unless you are in the mountains, the snow, or fishing. but then again, I live here. And when we were in Disneyland one December, we were the only ones wearing shorts and t-shirts. You could tell all the local because they were wearing puffy ski parkas and hats in 70 degree weather! LOL Same in Disneyworld. WE were there one Thanksgiving and it was 70-75 degrees! perfect! t shirts and shorts all around for us, even when it rained! It WAS 75 degrees afterall! lol

If it's the beginning of the month, it will be warmer. And the cooler temps will be at night.

check out these two sights.

http://www.portangeles.org/Weather.html

Here is a link that might be useful: Port Angeles weather averages

It just does not get cold enough for thermal underwear in October in that area. I would not invest in underwear that you will never use again. Get a sweater.

http://www.cityofpa.us/weather.htm

"Port Angeles enjoys a coastal climate and is mild throughout the year."

Here is a link that might be useful: Pot Angeles Weather October

Hi Socks,

I vote for layers ... including your silkies (which are made of natural fibre, so tend to be warmer, though silk being thin doesn't offer a heavy level). Sweaters are much more easily removeable on a warm afternoon than those longies!

Don't forget socks ... though I doubt that you'll need 12,345.

I think you'll find that cover for your head is wise, as much heat is dissipated from one's head. I want to keep my torso warm, as well.

Does Sis have any to lend? A tough Washingtonian, she'd consider it beneath her dignity to wear such cold-fighting weight of clothing at that time of year: it's stil just barely past summer, after all!

Have a lovely visit!

ole joyful

would heavy tights or pantyhose be warm under hunting clothes?
i want to wear them this winter and fall
seems much cheaper than buying thermal underwear.
then the problem is what size do i buy?