Layering for a Delhi winter (and the rest of North India)

By Shivaan Seth, Founder

A Delhi winter isn't one temperature. Mornings and nights can drop to single digits in December and January, and a sunny afternoon can be in the low twenties. One heavy jacket is either too much or too little. Two or three light layers you can take off are easier.

A simple three-layer system

Layer	What it does	From our range
Base	Sits against the skin, keeps warmth in	Heavy Long Sleeve Tee (100% cotton, 250 GSM) or Long Sleeve Tee (180 GSM)
Mid	The main warmth	Crew Neck Sweatshirt or Classic Hoodie (350 GSM cotton fleece), or the fleece-lined Quarter Zip Sweatshirt
Outer	Blocks wind, easy on and off	Polar Fleece Zip-up Jacket or Sleeveless Jacket (280 GSM polar fleece)

On a mild day, skip the outer layer. On a cold morning, wear all three and take the outer layer off by lunch.

Hoodie, sweatshirt or quarter zip?

• Crew neck sweatshirt: the cleanest look, easy over a collared shirt or T-shirt.
• Hoodie: warmer around the neck, more casual.
• Quarter zip: the zip lets you cool down without taking it off, and it looks sharper over a polo for work.

Cotton fleece or polar fleece?

Our cotton fleece (80% cotton, 20% polyester, 350 GSM) is soft and breathable, good for indoor-outdoor days. Polar fleece (100% polyester, 280 GSM) is lighter for its warmth and dries quickly, which makes it a good outer layer. We use polyester only where it improves the garment, and we say so on every product page.

Not in Delhi?

• Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow and the rest of North India: the same three layers. Mornings are often colder than Delhi's, so you'll keep the outer layer on longer.
• Hill stations: wear all three, then a proper insulated jacket on top. Fleece works best as the layer underneath.
• Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai: one mid layer, like a sweatshirt or a light hoodie, is usually enough for cool evenings and air-conditioned offices.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need all three layers outside Delhi?

In most of North India, yes, for December and January mornings. In Mumbai, Bangalore or Chennai, a single mid layer like a sweatshirt is usually enough.

Is a sweatshirt enough for Delhi in January?

For daytime, usually yes. For early mornings and late nights, add a fleece jacket on top.

Hoodie, sweatshirt or quarter zip: which is warmest?

A hoodie keeps your neck warmer. A quarter zip lets you cool down without taking it off. A crew neck sweatshirt is the cleanest over a collared shirt.

Cotton fleece or polar fleece?

Cotton fleece (350 GSM) is soft and breathable for indoor-outdoor days. Polar fleece (280 GSM, polyester) is lighter for its warmth and dries quickly, so it makes a good outer layer.

Shop winterwear for men, winterwear for women, or everything for winter.

Shop this guide

• Base: Men's Heavy Long Sleeve Tee
• Mid: Men's Crew Neck Sweatshirt
• Mid: Quarter Zip Sweatshirt
• Outer: Men's Polar Fleece Zip-up Jacket
• For women: Crew Neck Sweatshirt
• For women: Classic Hoodie

Related guides: What GSM means in T-shirts · Cotton blend vs modal vs heavy cotton · How to make your clothes last longer · Quarter zip sweatshirts: your work-to-evening layer

Shivaan