Baby it's cold outside

So wrap up warm, says DEIRDRE MCQUILLAN

DECEMBER IS THE month for all sorts of wrapping up. Sunny and crisp winter days, no matter how short, lure us outside for brisk walks in the wild that demand layering up against the elements.

When a coat can be too heavy, or too city for the outdoors, chunky jumpers are a good alternative and the best are those in natural fibres that are lightweight yet warm; cheap synthetics look awful after a few wears. Both Gap and Marks Spencer have long jumper dresses in currently modish Fair Isle, good over red jeans and boots or worn with thick tights and thermals.

But the season’s hit item is the faux fur or shearling gilet, a stylish, yet toasty alternative to a jacket. It’s been seen all over New York, looks great worn with skirts of any length, with jeans or trousers, with high or low boots, or with 1970s floppy hats and shades. And it’s a look that’s a little more luxurious and less sporty than the quilted padded Puffas, of which Zara has a huge variety of choice in style and colour. The practical advantage of gilets is that they leave the arms free to allow contrast or toning knits underneath to show.

The robust new Arans and cable knits also look fresh under waistcoats, and snowy winter white is always flattering. Zara’s take on the Aran has a small stand-up collar; chunky collars can overwhelm short necks and are best avoided. Tommy Hilfiger’s cabled cape leaves arms free, although shoulder bags are out, and worn with sunnies and wrist warmers cuts it for style, as does a cable knit cardi topped with a shrug.

Tweed flat caps or trapper hats bring the country look on to city streets. Berets come in all colours – at Costelloe Costelloe they are trimmed with a bow, while the more traditional black berets are updated with jewelled bands in the Kilkenny shop. Electric Sheep’s fun striped beanies can be found in Bow in Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, along with Eilis Boyle’s cashmere arm warmers and loop scarves. Mitts and gloves from Paula Rowan, fingerless gloves in leather and knit from the Marvel Room in Brown Thomas or from Róisín Gartland, the leather and sheepskin diva in the Tower Design Centre in Pearse Street, complete the look.