There’s a great fashion mystery that’s been occupying me for years, and which I haven’t managed to answer satisfactorily. Namely, how do all those Jack and Jill types manage to look so incredibly stylish during New York Fashion Week’s snow hazards, and, above all, strut their stuff BARE LEGGED? For instance, Aimee Song from the blog Song of Style showed up last February dressed comfortably in a blue mini dress with bare legs even though it was −10. ‘the sun was shining’ she explained.

That might be the case, but it most certainly wasn’t warm.

Anna Dello Russo knows like no other how to completely ignore wintry weather conditions.

Snow storms that stop airplanes from taking off? Perfect day for a wafer-thin dress, say, Dior, Dolce or whatever. And no, of course not paired with a coat.

Coats are for people with nerves that register temperatures, and fashion people don’t have them.

Anyway, it’s bothering me, that much is clear. Fashion and cold hardly go together, say ‘Mukluk’ and you won’t say ‘front row’. So today in the explorer, how, how, HOW are we going to brave the approaching winter stylishly yet warmly?     

A couple of years ago I went to a friend in Dublin. We were there in December and believe you me when I say it was incredibly cold. Not just ordinarily cold, but Irish cold — and that’s really cold. Almost every night we saw dozens of girls wandering from one pub to the other through 30 centimetre snow, dressed in little more than very short dresses and peep toe, platform pumps.

Eventually, I went to one of those girls (I was dressed in seven jeans, nine jumpers, and UGGs), and asked her why she wasn’t writhing on the street in pure agony and cold. Her answer: “well, it’s always cold in Dublin so if we have to wait for good weather to wear our party dresses then we could just as well pack our things and move to Mars.” I think it was probably due to the booze (and cold) that she started talking about Mars, but I kind of understand where she’s coming from.

It’s also Amelia Diamond’s explanation, who is one of the editors at The Man Repeller: “you need some serious dedication to your outfit despite weather conditions.” Though we mustn’t forget that the really big editors and fashion people only move around in cars + driver, and so hardly spend time in the open air.

We’re of course as high in demand as the Anna’s of the world, but I think I’ll be spending a bit more time outside, and so in the cold. Besides, it isn’t particularly omg-it’s-so-hot in the Netherlands so we can all use some tips. The first tip is perhaps a bit too little too late, but it doesn’t hurt mentioning it. Don’t give in too quickly to the cold, and wait as long as you can before wearing your warmest coats. This way, you’re training yourself to better handle the cold, and, eventually, you’ll be able to brave the cold wearing less. Dublin style. But there’s more to think about so read and learn:

• You probably already know this, but it doesn’t hurt repeating it: wear layers. And not three layers of viscose and polyester, but of cashmere or mohair. It may be more expensive, but keep in mind: two cheap jumpers of 30 euros is the same as one pretty mohair or merino jumper. Just saying.
• Work with big shawls. They keep you warm, top off your outfit and they’re multi functional. You can drape them over your shoulders when you’re wearing a jacket that’s a tad too thin, but which becomes winterproof when paired with this shawl.
• Heat mostly leaves your body through your head so headwear’s absolutely essential. Think ‘Maison Michel’ and not ‘beanie’ because otherwise we won’t be on speaking terms.
• Stock on some pencil skirts and other items of leather. Leather isn’t only incredibly hip, but it’s also very warm. Whatever’s warm enough for cows in a meadow is most certainly warm enough for us.
• You can buy those heat pads to put in your pockets (or gloves/caps/socks), and which will heat you up tremendously. Terribly unstylish, but also terribly practical and this is fashionably sound just as long as no one knows about it.
• Invest in good thermo stockings. 100 dernier stockings already help a lot, but if you’re going outside in black legs then why not wear special ones? You’ve got ones that are lined with fleece, and oh they keep you warm.

All of this will help you a lot, and I feel more prepared for our trip to New York. And just when you think you’ve solved everything, you bump into one more problem. All those thick clothing and dozens of layers, HOW WILL THEY EVER FIT IN MY SUITCASE?