Forget hats – this £16 M&S piece is the secret to staying warm this autumn

Cold mornings are back, hair is freshly blown-out, and the wind is doing that sideways thing. You could reach for a beanie. Or you could try the £16 Marks & Spencer layer quietly winning commutes, school runs and pub gardens across the country.

The platform at Herne Hill looked like a wardrobe in motion. Coats shrugged on, scarves tugged, one bloke in shorts insisting he “runs hot” while everyone else pressed into their collars. A woman near me wrestled a beanie over her curls, then sighed, defeated. Another wrapped both hands round her coffee and shivered, eyes on the grey sky. We’ve all had that moment when you feel the day slip colder than your outfit planned for.

Later, in a lift that still smelt of summer sunscreen, someone asked what finally kept me warm without flattening my hair. I pointed at my tee and grinned. The answer wasn’t a hat.

The £16 switch that warms you better than a beanie

Meet the quiet hero: the M&S Heatgen long-sleeve thermal top, coming in at £16. It’s thin, smooth and brushed on the inside, the kind of fabric that whispers warmth instead of shouting bulk. Pull it on and your core feels hugged, not swaddled.

That’s the point. When your torso stays warm, your body relaxes. Your shoulders drop, your jaw unclenches, the wind bites less. **It’s the simplest tweak: warm the engine and the whole machine runs better.**

Take Lucy in Stockport, who started wearing one for the school run, the office, then late trains home. She used to stash two hats in her tote and lose both by Wednesday. Now she layers the Heatgen under a cotton shirt and calls it her “secret radiator.” Her kids stopped moaning about “Mum’s hat hair,” and she stopped that tug-of-war between beanie and bobble.

There’s a stubborn myth about losing most of your heat through your head. It’s not how it works. You lose warmth where you leave skin exposed and where blood shunts to protect your core. Keep the trunk insulated and you stabilise everything. Less shivering, less frantic scarfing.

So why does this top punch above its price? It traps a thin layer of air close to your skin while wicking away damp, which is the real chill thief. The microfibre blend stretches, sits close without pinching, and slides under shirts and knits without a fight. You forget it’s there until a gust hits and you… don’t flinch.

On paper it’s a base layer. In real life it’s freedom. Freedom from beanie flattening, from carrying extra jumpers, from the tense shuffle between indoors and out. **Sixteen pounds for a daily upgrade is, frankly, tidy value.**

How to wear it so you’re toasty, not sweaty

Start with the Heatgen top, then a crisp shirt or Breton, then your knit, then your coat. That’s the ladder. Crew neck under crew neck keeps lines clean; roll neck over crew neck adds theatre. Choose your sleeve length by forecast: long for frosty mornings, short under blazers on days with sun flickers.

Colour matters. Black vanishes under dark layers, nude disappears under white shirts, navy hides under denim with no show-through. If you wear wide-leg trousers or midi skirts, balance warmth with movement by pairing the top with Heatgen tights or leggings. Let your coat breathe. Let you breathe.

Common trip-ups? Going too tight and trapping sweat. Don’t. A close fit is right; a vacuum seal is wrong. Washing on too hot and rough-drying until it crackles. Skip both. And piling chunky knits over a slippy base without anchoring the hem, so everything bunches. Tuck the top lightly into your waistband and smooth once. Let’s be honest: nobody actually does that every day. Try it on Monday and again next Thursday. You’ll feel the difference.

“Once I wore it to an outdoor cinema and forgot my hat, I realised I didn’t need it,” says Priya, 31, in Leeds. “I could feel the wind on my face, but I wasn’t cold.”

“It’s like turning your body’s thermostat up one notch without the bills,” says Priya. “And my hair stays mine.”

• Price point: £16 at M&S for the Heatgen long-sleeve top; matching leggings and vests available.
• Fabric feel: brushed inside, silky outside; slides under shirts and knits without snagging.
• Best pairings: trench + crew Heatgen; blazer + scoop Heatgen; parka + roll neck over crew Heatgen.
• Care: cool wash, low tumble or air-dry; fold, don’t hang, to keep the fit resilient.
• Alternatives: Heatgen vest for warmer days; a fleece neck warmer if you love scarves; thermal tights under dresses.

Why a small layer matters in a big season

Autumn asks for finesse. The sun shows up, then ducks out. Buses steam. Parks glitter with dew, then bite at ankles. A thin thermal isn’t drama. It’s permission to stay longer at the market, take the scenic route, and say yes to “one more” in the beer garden without scouring for a radiator.

There’s a mindset shift tucked into that £16. You’re no longer battling the day. You’re prepared for it. **You get to keep your hair, your style, your warmth, and your mood.** And if the weather swings? Peel a layer, not your sanity.

Small, quiet choices often change the way we move through cold days. Wear the top on a blustery Monday and you’ll notice the lift on Wednesday. Tell a friend who’s always cold at their desk. Tell the dad who insists he “runs hot” and still hogs the throw. The best autumn buys aren’t flashy. They’re the ones you forget you’re wearing because they just make everything easier.

FAQ :

• Is the £16 M&S Heatgen top warm enough for 5°C commutes?Yes for most city days. Add a knit and a windproof coat and you’ll feel steady on platforms and bus stops without a beanie.
• How does it compare to merino wool?Merino breathes beautifully and resists odour, while Heatgen feels silkier and costs less. For daily wear and easy care, Heatgen wins on value; for hiking and multi-day use, merino still shines.
• Does it itch or cling?No itch. The inside is brushed soft, the outside is smooth. Choose your usual size for a close fit; size up if you prefer more room under shirts.
• What neckline should I pick?Crew for classic layers, scoop for under blouses, roll neck if you want extra neck warmth without a scarf. Match the base to your top layer’s neckline for clean lines.
• How do I wash it and how long will it last?Cool wash, low tumble or air-dry, no high heat. Expect a solid season or two of regular wear; many keep their favourites going far longer with gentle care.