How to switch up your wardrobe for the big freeze

“There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”... Let me count the times Alfred Wainwright’s famous quote has rung through my head over the past few days as my family, friends and I have headed out for our New Year constitutionals/attempted to kickstart our 2025 exercise regimens in varying degrees of wind-whipping, rain-drenching January weather.

Ah, suitable clothing. The stuff of Girl Guide camping trips and old fashioned British childhoods. (I was brought up in the north and barely left the house without a Peter Snow packable cagoule about my person.) But what of modern adult wardrobes? How suitable are most of our clothes for life on this chilly, meteorologically unpredictable isle?

A quick survey of The Telegraph fashion team revealed that a (normally toasty, not to mention eye-wateringly expensive) Woolrich parka sadly leaked in water at the seams in driving rain, and your regular Sweaty Betty leggings may be okay for a jog over Primrose Hill on an ordinarily chilly day, but are not really built to withstand proper amber warning extreme chill factors.

With January’s icy blasts heading our way, this is the time to swap some proper weatherproof clothing into your wardrobe – if you want to enjoy the great outdoors for more than a wimpy scuttle to the coffee shop and back. Forget fashion puffers that gape at the wrists, you need poppers and elasticated cuffs; try investigating specialist outdoor brands like Acai – founded by Kasia Bromley, who started her career at Alexander McQueen – instead. Here are our tips for the sturdy (but stylish) pieces to help you survive the cold snap.

Switch ups for the Big Freeze

These are pieces to swap in your wardrobe when the mercury plummets.

Gloves

No matter how fluffy and cosy knitted gloves look, they can quickly get soaked (not to mention take aeons to dry). Get thy freezing hands to the Uniqlo HEATTECH department instead.

Swap: Accessorize touchscreen gloves

Accessorize Touchscreen heart embroidered knit gloves, £7, Accessorize

Try these: Uniqlo HEATTECH gloves

Uniqlo HEATTECH Lined Touchscreen gloves, £19.90, Uniqlo

The outerwear

You need a coat with cuffs, a covered zip and a hood if you are going to avoid water leaking through the seams and soaking your under layers. Acai, which specialises in outdoor wear for women, offers an excellent selection of jackets and coats that are not too heavy.

Swap: Arket quilted coat

Oversized Quilted Coat, £83 reduced from £169, Arket

Try this: Acai River Waterproof Jacket

Acai River Waterproof Jacket, £160, Acai

The shoes

Chilly weather calls for footwear that you can still fit a substantial sock into, but doesn’t have to be utility. Russell & Bromley’s zip front ankle boots will pair well with jeans and if it’s dry weather you’ll be safe in suede, although the leather version in black can combat stormier skies.

Waterproof and good sole grip are the key things to look for in your extreme weather shoes. Avoid slipping on icy streets with Tretorn’s rubber boots, which are built for demanding terrains but are sleek enough for the city as well.

Swap: Suede ankle boots

Suede zip front ankle boots, £325, Russell & Bromley

Try these: Rubber boots

Rubber boots, £125, Tretorn

Leggings

Last year’s wide-leg jeans trend means you can still wear all your favourite denim with a layer of thermals underneath. For skirt lovers, M&S have an excellent thermal range which includes fleece-lined tights in varying thickness so you won’t overheat.

Swap: Sweaty Betty leggings

Power leggings, £88, Sweaty Betty

Try these: Thermal fleece leggings

Heatgen maximum thermal fleece leggings, £20, Marks & Spencer

The base layer

There are base layers and then there are base layers. For amber alert weather, take a style lead from the Scandinavians and opt for merino wool thermals, which keep you warm while remaining breathable. This crew neck by We Norwegians is lightweight and soft, so won’t feel too bulky underneath the rest of your outfit – if you tend to feel the cold generally, it’s a worthwhile investment.

Swap: Pointelle vest

Pointelle vest, £12 for two, M&S

Try this: Merino wool crew neck

Merino wool crew neck, £129.50, We Norwegians

The headwear

Your trusty beanie won’t cut it when the temperature dips below zero. Instead, you need something that will cover your ears, and as much of your face as possible. The good news is that balaclavas are in style right now, so you don’t have to forgo fashion to keep warm. Brora’s emerald-trimmed lambswool version has a drawstring to ensure a snug fit around the face.

Swap: Cashmere and merino beanie

Cashmere and merino beanie, £49.50, Tbco

Try this: Lambswool balaclava

Lambswool balaclava, £95, Brora