I cannot be stylish in the cold.

[MadameSzyszkoBohusz]

I know it's possible, I've seen it - spotted a very chic looking woman on the way to school just this morning, although if I'd been her I'd have buttoned my coat up - I just can't do it. I have plenty of nice "winter" clothes, but I'm too bloody cold to wear anything other than multiple layers of my warmest things.

I've had the same - huge, woolly, very unglamorous but very warm jumper on since Sunday. I've worn clean thermal layers under it every day, so it doesn't smell, at least. When I go out I add wellies, my long Barbor coat and a wolly hat. I look like an overgrown Womble.

Anyone else? I'm looking for solidarity rather than advice, as I no intention of attempting style until the temperature is at least in double figures!

What was the chic woman wearing?

Tbf I never look chic but I have to wear puffas in this cold and thus all style totally gone.

i have bought a massive bright coloured fluffy scarf which I hope detracts from the rest but I think it’s in vain

Tweedy, wide legged trousers, slightly cropped to show off brightly coloured socks and smart leather boots, a big jumper and a blanket scarf in warm, complementary colours, a smart wool coat (left open to show lovely outfit), and beret. She looked warm, comfortable and stylish, and in that moment I wanted to be her.

But if I was, I'd be cold. I know I would.

She might be wearing thermals under her clothes too!
I wear what I'd normally wear- nice, smart, well fitting clothes but add extra layers underneath. Usually tights or gym leggings under trousers, thermal long sleeve and a normal t shirt under jumpers etc. A good thick coat and a big scarf and a smart bobble hat- not a ratty old beanie.

I usually struggle too op.
The other day it was -4 and a foot of snow where I live.
I put on thick leggings, socks, knee high flat leather boots, a long white and brown checked skirt (I'm short so it comes almost to my ankles), a tight black long sleeve top, and a loose black t-shirt.
I have never been so cosy!
I had to unzip my coat while walking 😂

Solidarity. The cold is a nightmare for my arthritis too, so I’m usually hobbling everywhere in my ridiculous layers. I’m only in my 20s! It’s not supposed to be like this!

I'm living in leggings hoodies and uggs at the minute with a massive coat and hat. Trying to rock casual chic but failing. I can only look stylish in spring and autumn apparently!

I think the trick is putting the layers e.g thermals/tights under the chic clothes!

We had no heating for 36 hours at work this week I had 5 layers on top and was wearing my unsexy thermal long John's over tights with boots. I looked like a Michelin man!

My priority at the moment is staying warm, dry, comfortable and upright in the snow and ice around here. Looking stylish comes second right now. However, I do think a red lipstick, a lovely wool scarf and hat in a matching cheerful colour and plenty of thermal layers is the way to go. If your face is framed with a cheerful and complimentary colour in the form of lipstick and accessories then you instantly look a lot more put together.

Solidarity here too. Warmth is priority no 1, and comfort second.

By the way, I love your user name. Does it relate to the General or the painter?

I can never look chic in hot weather. At least with the cold you can wear a nice coat, boots and gloves.

this is a decidedly cold snap, unfortunate for many who can't find warmth at home let alone out and about. Jumping in and out of a vehicle for the school run is probably not the biggest deal, there are plenty of stylish options when one doesn't have to walk in the ice for long distances.
What about luxury cashmere, is that off trend this year?

Sarcasm aside (not aimed to you btw!), nothing I own at the moment is keeping me warm. I have some of the so-called warmest items in my wardrobe and the cold just goes straight through like a knife. In memory, the only item I ever owned that truly kept it out was an oversized, unstylish Didriksons parka - hated the damn thing.
Now I am wearing either long wool coats with layers underneath (merino long sleeved vests, donegal wool jumper) or a winter weight rain coat and various cashmere/wool hats and scarves. I have doubled up on gloves (lovely, from Brora) and still can't get warm.
I think it will just have to pass. I live in a very warm house and still had to answer the door this morning in a hat and fingerless gloves. It's punishingly cold here, and when I think about how people are struggling it it makes me feel so impotent.

In many ways, considering the economic/fuel issues and divisive, toxic news/doom we are all exposed to in society right now, style feels rather outré, pointless. Although I agree that it is a pleasant distraction.

Forgive me, my relationship ended this week, not a great time for that to happen (is it ever?) so I am feeling a wee bit philosophical.

And I'll be you look just lovely, op. Good grace and self confidence has always been more visible than fashion.

I’m much more stylish in winter weather than summer by far, lovely coats, jumpers, boots, hats, scarves, absolutely love winter styling.

I found out yesterday, @SnowyPheasants, that a good friend of mine, who's a single mum to a disabled child, has been without heating for over a week now, and it'll be Saturday before an engineer gets to her to fix it. She says it doesn't really matter as she can't afford to turn it on anyway. So yes, I agree there are much bigger things to worry about in this cold than looking stylish.

However, I'm going to give it a go tomorrow, as I have a cinema date with DH. I'm planning on thermal leggings under wide leg jeans, a thermal top under a silk shirt, and a jumper (a nice one, not my old faithful) over that. Plus two pairs of socks and boots. And a faux shearling jacket and a beret and scarf for the walk there. I will hopefully look like a slightly chic-er

Hit send too soon! I meant to say I will hopefully look like a slightly chic-er overgrown Womble.

@MrsElm , whilst I'd love to claim to be intellectual enough to know who either of them are, it's actually in honour of a paranoid bassoon player from an episode of R4 comedy series Cabin Pressure.

@MistyRock, I'm the opposite - I look my best in summer!

I think wearing plenty of wool is the answer, and thermals. She might not be able to just wear the same jumper all week if she is going to work.

What's your secret? I always feel like a state.

Do you want salt on your peanuts or powdered glass?

I do work, but freelance, so not all the time. I'm working from Saturday through to Christmas Eve, so yes, will have to be parted from my beloved jumper!

I could not give a shit in the winter. If I'm going to be outside, comfort beats style every time!

I don't sweat very much, @MistyRock, I go brown rather than red in the sun, and my hair, which is dry and frizzy and under a hat in winter, goes into naturally sun-streaked beachy waves in the summer. I was definitely born in the wrong climate!

@Swissnotswiss - salt! Only salt!

What seems to be very effective for me at the moment is the perimenopause, possibly not very helpful for you but couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m loving the cold! 😂

Fall is the best season to look good. Hides all the bumps.

It is impossible to look good when it's really cold - I have never seen anyone look good in a floor length parka.