Egad, it's fricking cold out there. OK, not cold compared with Winnipeg, Canada, where every January is a battle to appease the gods of boilers, grit trucks and cashmere supplies. Not even slightly parky in relation to Yakutsk, where winter temperatures hover around minus 50, thereby rendering all references to our “Siberian” winter not just risible but possibly offensive to all those who live in countries where people's noses regularly drop off because of frostbite.

On the other hand, minus 10 in the south of Britain is going it a bit, especially now that we've all got used to the lagging effects of CO2 and being able to wear our favourite summer dress all year round, just like Gwen Stefani. But then, imagining that we're all Liz Hurley dressing for a night out with Sir Elton is part of the problem. And designers never properly addressing the cold on their catwalks - sure, they'll make a huge concession by running up a coat or two, but then they slice it at the crotch and show it with 18in sandals - is another.

But what if these chill winds turn out to be a Very Good Thing? A website devoted to all things Chicagoan, and clearly written by redoubtable types who sweep two tonnes of snow from their drives every morning before smashing the ice on the nearest lake for a bracing dip, re-examines the theory that weather shapeth the character of the man and woman. Admittedly, it does this mainly as an excuse to tell all those Chicagoans whingeing about the slidy sidewalks to get the hell out and move to Miami. But perhaps there is a link between climate and character. In the days when British winters were proper winters we were stoic. Now we're not. Spot the link.

Once you get used to not breathing too deeply in case the air turns your lungs to shards of ice, this weather's really quite nice. And - big revelation - it's even nicer if you're dressed for it. Obviously this takes a bit of practice after years of under-insulating. It took me a few goes this Christmas to work out what that uncomfortable feeling around my midriff was every time I went for a walk, for instance. Answer: a draught. As a result, all smocks and fashionable A-line tops have been packed away - yes packed away, isn't it quaint? - in a summer box, along with the squillions of sleeveless tops that I've acquired over the years on the basis that a) you could wear them all year round and b) there wasn't anything else in the shops.

Other eureka moments? Discovering Celtic Sheepskin's insoles (£6 from celtic-sheepskin.co.uk) is up there. I've since stuffed them into boots and shoes and am considering lining my trainers. I also love Fitflop's sheepskin Billows (£88, www.runningbare.co.uk). So far I can't vouch for their efficaciousness at eliminating cellulite, as I've worn them mainly while sitting by the fire reading Great Expectations and eating Rococo chocolates, but, my, they're cosy.

Cashmere wrist warmers are another find. I'm too old to do the Peaches Geldof thing of wearing them on their own - I'll look like Miss Havisham - but slipping them over a pair of glossy long leather gloves is quite chic, in a Marni sort of way. In fact, novel ways of layering are one of the pleasures of cold-weather dressing, along with discovering new ways to wear forgotten favourites and, of course, breaking some of those po-faced fashion rules, some of which are set out below for the pleasure of seeing you all trample them into the snow.

A touch of frost: rule-breakers

1 Tights with trousers

Ever since we got sophisticated sometime post-1992, this has been the unsexiest of no-nos. It's still unsexy, but so is having gangrene as a result of frostbite. As of now, tights with trousers are just lovely.

2 Socks with Uggs

Officially, Uggs do not require socks. But gosh, they're nice with them, especially cashmere Burlington socks that you pull high up the leg.

3 Killer heels

They may be de rigueur for every fashion-conscious woman this century, but they look ridiculous in the snow. It's flats from now until April.

4 Thermals are a passion killer

Frankly, we don't give a damn. Who can resist Marks & Spencer's thermal tights? And M&S has a dazzling (I never thought I'd use that word in conjunction with thermals) range of products in sizes 8 to 22, priced from £6 to £30, in grey, cream, black, pink and purple. They're star-rated according to their mission, be it Arctic or Accrington. Other excellent sources are Uniqlo, for its affordable heat-tech products, Xcelcius for serious polar conditions, Damart for reliability and Icebreaker, for styling.

5 Hat-wearing

You never wear one. Start.

6 Wearing your weekend duvet coat to work

OK, normally you feel embarrassed letting your dog see you in this, but it's way warmer than your smart work coat. So jazz it up with accessories - cashmere scarves, stylish gloves, fabulous boots, a great belt, statement jewellery (very Burberry), whatever it takes. Shivering is not chic.

7 Tucking things in looks uptight

Stop forthwith, if only for the duration of the cold snap. True, there is the Simon Cowell factor, but no one need go to quite those extremes. The simple rule of buying and wearing only tops that are long enough to tuck into a normal waistband will banish midriff draughts for ever. Bliss.

Thermals stockists:

Uniqlo 020-8247 9200; www.uniqlo.com

M&S 0845 3021234 ; www.marksandspencer.com

Icebreaker 020-7292 9750

Xcelcius www.xcelcius.com

Times recommends

• Live fashion advice: what to buy in the sales
• How to learn to love a cold climate
• Think yourself slim with our hypnodiet podcast