Looking hot when it's cool

As the big freeze hits the capital this week, shop rails full of fresh spring pastels and lightweight summer dresses seem crazily optimistic to say the least. With temperatures more akin to the Arctic Circle than Antigua, beleaguered retailers yet again look wildly out of sync with the realities of British weather.

But if you too have put your money on global warming rather than a sensible coat this year, don't despair; believe it or not it is possible to buy warm winter clothes in January - but only just.

The basic rules for keeping the heat in when the temperature dips below zero are simple: get a hat (30 per cent of body heat is lost through the head), layer-up (to trap in warmth and enable you to strip off when you hit the overheated top deck of the number 38) and boot-up (yep, those Ugg boots again).

Department stores are the best places to start. Fenwick has a great selection of furry hats, scarves and gilets (many at sale prices) and the lingerie floor offers thermal underwear so cool you will want to wear it well in to the summer (look out for Hanro's cream wool and silk mix long-sleeve tops at £55). For more great thermals head to Shop in Brewer Street - its Shopgirl range of cosy-knit underwear starts at £10 and comes in great colour combinations such as hot pink and raspberry (020 7437 1259).

For another perfect warm winter layer look out for cashmere. Whether the label says five per cent or 100 per cent you will find most stores are putting a little of the luxury yarn into many of their spring knits. Gap has great fitted sweaters, hooded tops and knit trousers in a cashmere/cotton mix (from £34.50), and Marks & Spencer has a vast selection of rainbow-bright cashmere/wool knits from only £32.

The ubiquitous Ugg boot has finally come into its own this week, and you can expect a raft of new deliveries hitting stores any day now. Head to Hoxton's Antipodium (020 7729 9455) to snap up the cosy, longer style at £140 or try your luck at larger outlets (0800

Alternatively, hunt out the last of the big-label skiwear - you are out of luck at Chanel but Prada and Christian Dior still have a few key pieces in store. You may even be lucky enough to get hold of a pair of Dior's super-cool moon boots, just like Mariah Carey's.

But if your budget is a little more down to earth you will be pleased to know that Topshop's Moto Sno skiwear range is sensibly available until the end of March. Perhaps the savvy high street store knows something we don't.