How To Do City Chic In The Snow When We’re Not Accustomed To It

Polar temperatures and overnight snowfalls don’t loosen up office dress codes unfortunately. City chic is still the order of the day. If you have a week of important meetings and presentations ahead, here are a few ideas for staying warm, while looking professional and appropriate.

1 Swap your button-front shirt for a polo neck. Equally smart, but far warmer than a cotton or silk shirt, a polo neck will keep you cosy whatever the temperatures. Choose a slim-fit merino wool or cotton-silk blend rather than mohair, as it will sit more neatly beneath a blazer. The closer the knit is to your skin, the better protected you are against the elements.

Silk-wool polo neck, €49.95 at Massimo Dutti

2 Choose a narrow leg trouser suit instead of a skirt or wide-leg pant. The trick is to avoid too much ventilation, so wear a narrow leg when temperatures really plummet. It looks smart and efficient and will keep your legs as warm as if you were wearing tights (but more comfortable). Wear with a block heel sock boot.

Trousers with belt, €39.95 at Zara

3 Leave your puffer jacket at home. Even though you’ll be taking it off once inside the office, you may have to attend an external meeting and arriving in a puffer jacket simply won’t make the right impression. Choose something in faux fur instead. They’re super-warm coats, plus they have the added advantage of being beautifully tactile, which creates a really warming, cosy feel overall.

Black faux fur coat, €241 (reduced from €345) at bimbaylola.com