Secret ways to stay warm but still look slim and stylish this season: FEMAIL presents the ultimate guide to chic dressing in cold weather

By India Sturgis

PUBLISHED: 17:06 EST, 1 January 2014 | UPDATED: 17:06 EST, 1 January 2014

Rain, gales and sub-zero temperatures forecast into February could mean weeks stuck in the fashion wilderness. Piling on endless layers can mean we spend winter looking like over-inflated Michelin men. So can you beat the chill and still look elegantly slim? INDIA STURGIS presents the ultimate guide to chic dressing in cold weather - without a bulky thermal vest in sight...

HIDDEN LEGGINGS

Thermal leggings are the secret to wearing summer pieces in the winter. This lined elasticated pair are made from acrylic, viscose and elastane. Thermal leggings, £15, marksand spencer.com; Black Fur Bolero, £99.50, banana republic.co.uk

Thermal leggings are the secret to wearing summer pieces in the winter. This lined elasticated pair are made from acrylic, viscose and elastane. Thermal leggings, £15, marksand spencer.com; Black Fur Bolero, £99.50, banana republic.co.uk

Don’t ditch thin maxi dresses or wide-legged trousers just because the mercury has dropped.

Thermal leggings are the secret to wearing summer pieces in the winter. This lined elasticated pair are made from acrylic, viscose and elastane, so are thin but warm, and are cut slightly higher than normal leggings, so they’re easily concealed.

To complete this stylish look, a faux-fur bolero is the perfect way to cover your shoulders and keep snug without hiding under a bulky coat.

ALPACA COATS ARE WARMER THAN NORMAL WOOL

Pick a coat that's immaculately tailored so it doesn't appear bulky. The belt and wide lapels are very slimming. Coat, £299; Jaeger at johnlewis.com; Fingerless gloves, £35, johnstonscashmere.com

Pick a coat that's immaculately tailored so it doesn't appear bulky. The belt and wide lapels are very slimming. Coat, £299; Jaeger at johnlewis.com; Fingerless gloves, £35, johnstonscashmere.com

Look at the fabric blend of a coat before buying it.

This one is more than 70 per cent alpaca and under 20 per cent wool. Alpaca fleece is warmer than sheep’s wool, so you get more warmth for the bulk. It’s also naturally water-repellent — ideal for the British weather.

Pick a coat that’s immaculately tailored so it doesn’t appear bulky. The belt and wide lapels are very slimming, and the ankle-skimming length is warm enough to allow you to leave the long socks at home.

A flash of bare ankle can add sex appeal to your look.

THE SLINKY SLIP  YOU’LL NEVER SPOT

Peekaboo! Layer up under this tight-fitting leather pencil skirt with a super-thin Lycra slip. Thermal polka dot top, £19.50, and slip, £12.50, marksandspencer.com

Peekaboo! Layer up under this tight-fitting leather pencil skirt with a super-thin Lycra slip. Thermal polka dot top, £19.50, and slip, £12.50, marksandspencer.com

Woolly jumpers aren’t sexy on a night out. So this seemingly skimpy thermal top will keep you sizzling without a cable-knit in sight.

A mix of acrylic, viscose and polyamide, it’s designed to retain heat within the fabric. The mesh upper body and full-length arms show off a hint of skin without exposing you to the elements.

And layer up under this tight-fitting leather pencil skirt with a super-thin Lycra slip.

A cosy combination — and no one need know what’s under your slinky outfit.

SECRET THERMAL VEST

You won't be able to see its outline under your dress, but if you want to show it off the delicate lace straps are pretty enough to be on display. Thermal top, £17.50, marksandspencer.com; HeatTech tights, £9.90, uniqlo.com

You won't be able to see its outline under your dress, but if you want to show it off the delicate lace straps are pretty enough to be on display. Thermal top, £17.50, marksandspencer.com; HeatTech tights, £9.90, uniqlo.com

Thermals are no longer the saggy grey heavyweight sacks they used to be. This vest is made from modal, a heat-retaining and extra soft semi-synthetic fabric and silk, which makes it thin but effective.

You won’t be able to see its outline under your dress, but if you want to show it off the delicate lace straps are pretty enough to be on display.

And these tights by Uniqlo are thin and lightweight, but they also contain Spandex, an especially insulating material.

The tights hold their shape and keep you lovely and warm.

BELT UP COSY COATS TO LOSE BULK

A jacket filled with down feathers is a great investment if you can afford it. Down coat, £280, harrods.com; Boots, £195, celticandco.co.uk

A jacket filled with down feathers is a great investment if you can afford it. Down coat, £280, harrods.com; Boots, £195, celticandco.co.uk

A jacket filled with down feathers is a great investment if you can afford it.

The super-fine feathers are efficient insulators and incredibly lightweight. Remember to always pick a jacket that’s belted to flatter your figure, like this one, which will neatly nip your waist in.

Continue the slimming theme with fleece-lined knee-length boots that will keep your feet toasty warm.

Boots to the knee are flattering to your figure and this concealed wedge heel adds height.

HIDE CASHMERE SOCKS UNDER LONG BOOTS

Let cashmere become your new best friend this season. Cashmere socks, £14, falke.com; Faux fur collar, £35, helenmoore.com

Let cashmere become your new best friend this season. Cashmere socks, £14, falke.com; Faux fur collar, £35, helenmoore.com

Conceal long cashmere socks under knee-high winter boots. Then you can flash a little skin on even the coldest days without needing bulky woolly tights, keeping your silhouette around your bum and thighs slim.

Forget bulky scarves. Add a faux fur Peter Pan style collar to jumpers or thin jackets to keep you snug around your neck and shoulders.

Tie your collar on almost anything: dresses, tops, jackets, sweaters with a ribbon.

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The " faux-fur" (ie acrylic) bolero wouldn't keep your arms warm, nor would the " slinky slip", the white coat is unaffordable, as is the down jacket, and the coat's impractically pale, while the idea that a pair of cashmere socks would keep more than your feet warm is plain silly. In any case, it's hardly Arctic out at the moment.

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and I'd STILL be frozen!

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Me too, Willis, me too.

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1st picture... I swear that's the same pair of shoes Ferne from TOWIE is always wearing!!

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Wear a sneaky pair of socks under boots? Really? Who wears boots with bare legs in winter? Everyone I know at least wears tights with boots and skirts, and most people swap tights for leggings and 2 pairs of socks in winter anyway.

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She is absolutely gorgeous - she can wear anything, I would keep her snuggled up warm ;0)

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back in the real world, where we cant afford 300 quid coats cos we need to pay out inflated fuel bills.........

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This is new How,,,, anyone with any sense would know that super thin thermal tops fit great under fitted top, just leggings work well under trousers.. long socks never heard of them !!!!

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Model in first pic - please wear long sleeves on your dress.

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WHY?? Nothing wrong with her arms - she is gorgeous

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Jings this woman has never lived anywhere north of Watford Id guess! You get really lovely silk or silk/merino lingerie these days, goes under anything and everything. Looks & works a lot better than that man-made Marks stuff too!!

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Actually, back in the 70s I used to wear footless dance tights under thin evening trousers. It was also fashionable to wear them under big 50s style skirts.

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