Preliminary notes on how to cope with winter in Sydney are presented below. These will be revised and augmented with additional material shortly.

Winters in Sydney are short and mild and that can be a problem. You can often get away with wearing shorts and a T shirt on a sunny Sydney winter's afternoon. In some ways it is easier in harsher climates to adapt to the seasons and put away summer clothes and shift from autumn and then to winter wardrobes, etc.

Because winter is short, however, it is no great burden to make a few small changes so that you are more comfortable during cold mornings and on the infrequent grey days when there is a cold southerly. People respond differently to cold conditions. Nonetheless two small changes can make a big difference to how you feel when sitting at a desk in winter:

• A little exercise; and
• Slightly more clothing

Exercise, even just walking, raises your body's metabolism; that is, it increases the amount of body heat you generate. This effect can run on for an hour or so after you stop excercising and sit down. Generating a little bit more body heat helps you to deal with cold conditions and can make you more comfortable. So if you take the bus to work why not get off a few stops early and finish the trip with a brisk walk. It is a great way to counter a cold morning. Winter is the time for walking in Sydney. No problems with sunburn, excessive humidity etc. Try to finish your lunch hour with a brisk walk as well, or make a visit to the gym etc.

Sitting dead still at your desk for long periods at a time is not good for your health and is a sure way to get cold feet. Sitting glued to your computer can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (TMV) and is implicated in a range of other health problems. You can reduce these risks and counteract winter cold at the same time.

Make sure you get up every 20 minutes or so and stretch your legs. Get up and walk over to the colleague ten meters away instead of sending that email. If you need to stay seated try doing the leg exercises that airlines advocate for passengers to avoid DVT. Just a little movement is good for your health and alleviates cold feet.

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The human body has a number of major heat radiators; the feet, the hands, the inside of the forearms, the neck and head. Your body will curtail circulation to the hands and feet to reduce heat loss in cold conditions. Large blood vessels in the front of the neck and forearms mean these areas continue to radiate a lot of heat even when we are cold. The head also remains a major heat radiator. This simple information can be used to dress appropriately for winter.

Most people do not like to cover their hands (fingerless gloves for example) or their head (hats, caps and beanies etc.) when working. As a result we have to make up for the heat loss from these areas by reducing the loss of body heat from the feet, neck and forearms. For men this is fairly simple. Just wear study shoes and slightly heavier socks in winter. Wearing a tie has a similar effect to increasing the ambient air temperature by degree or two. Using a long sleeved shirt and possibly a jacket, vest or pullover completes the picture. You may have heard of the layering principle. By wearing number of layers you can easily adjust to changing conditions as the day warms up or a southerly comes through. Wearing a T–shirt or singlet, long sleeved shirt, a tie and a jacket, vest or pullover, gives enormous flexibility.

This website is seeking further assistance in drafting winter dress advice for women. The general comments above about how heat is lost apply to women and men. For women a light scarf around ones' neck will significantly reduce heat loss without a feeling of restriction. A shawl or similar garment placed across the shoulders can help compensate for light clothing. Long sleeved blouses and jackets/pullovers are invaluable. If you dress casually then a sleeveless vest (fleece, polypropelene or down filled) can provide warmth without excessive body restriction.

Feet and shoes pose a challenge. It is hard to  beat study shoes and socks to stave of the cold. Some woman will want to continue wearing pumps during winter, or other forms of light weight open shoes often without socks. It is very difficult to compensate for lightly clad feet. If your feet are warm the odds are so will the rest of your body. Have you considered boots (a fashionable pair if you wish – we are not suggesting bushwalking boots)? If you want to wear pumps, floor heating mats may be an answer. While at the desk kick off the shoes and place your feet directly on the electric heating mat. If you are otherwise dressed for winter, you may find this is the only supplementary heating you need.