It's January, it's freezing and anyone with an ounce of sense will be wrapping themselves in a horse blanket before leaving the house. But what will those of us with more fashion sense than common sense be wearing? JO HAYWOOD finds out.

BABY, it's cold outside. Not exactly a world-shattering statement of international importance, but true all the same. If you are not planning on hibernating for the rest of the winter, you'd better wrap up well before venturing out. But how can you keep cosy and remain at the cutting edge of fashion at the same time?

The truth is that you can't. Something has got to give if you don't want to end up looking like Frosty the Snowman with Jack Frost nipping at your nether regions. A mini and a micro-mesh halter top might be the height of fashion, but they are also your quickest way to casualty if they constitute your outfit of choice when it is seven degrees below the big 0.

If you have any sense of the common variety you will always opt for a hat. You can't really beat a beanie - a trend that just won't die - for comfort and warmth, but other cosy alternatives include Debenhams' red knitted bobble hat (£10), Accessorize's pastel pink tweed beret with bows (£18) and Topshop's black knitted beret (£10).

If you prefer a more refined type of titfer, Gap has an angora and wool mix hat (£16.50), Per Una a mushroom cap (£18) and Warehouse a black suede baker-boy cap (£16).

Gloves are also a must, unless you actually want your hands to become as smooth, silky and moist as the Gobi desert in a sand storm.

George has an affordable selection to choose from (£2-10), as does Debenhams with its pink suedette mittens with faux fur trim (£12), Tie Rack's sheepskin mittens (£6.99), Gap's angora and wool gloves (£12.50) and Topshop's dusky pink suede scallop edged gloves (£14).

If you just can't live without leather, you might want to consider counselling or investing in a pair of Next's leather gloves with button detail (£14.99), Dorothy Perkins' black leather gloves (£15), Tie Rack's leather gloves (£19.99), Accessorize's pink gloves with contrast stitching (£25) and Principles' chocolate leather gloves with faux fur cuff (£25).

So you've got your hat and your gloves, now all you need is a scarf to keep the chill at bay when you are standing waiting for a bus in three feet of snow. If you love chunky knits, you'll love Next's brown check chunky scarf (£12.99), George's red knitted fringe detail long scarf (£7), Warehouse's cream fluffy scarf (£8), Dorothy Perkins' blue long chunky scarf (£12) and M&S's peach scarf (£15).

For finer knits, check out Gap's mohair scarf (£16.50), Debenhams' beige check cashmere scarf (£45) and Accessorize's mint green spot and stripe scarf (£20).

There is some hope for those of you who can't survive the winter without a serious style injection in the form of a new range of fake fur Mukluk boots.

The original version, notorious for being made with real rabbit fur, soon developed a healthy list of celebrity devotees including Kate Moss, Rachel Stevens and Kate Hudson. The new animal-friendly boots are available from www.asos.com for £40 and come with fleecy lining, faux fur and suede effect on the outside, ethnic-style beading and cute fluffy pompoms.

If none of these fashions tickle your fancy - and with all that wool and fur, it's difficult to imagine how they wouldn't - there is only one other alternative. Hide in your wardrobe until March.

Updated: 09:40 Tuesday, January 04, 2005