Insider dealing

Instead, we will stay indoors (at home, whenever possible), curling up with a good book and clutching a warm mug of cocoa although, of course, this does not in any way mean that we are letting ourselves go, style-wise.

On the contrary, we need lots of cashmere in lovely pale pastel and neutral colours – tops, cardigans, leggings, tights, leg warmers, wrist warmers, socks and more socks, all topped off with deliciously soft cashmere throws. If you can get your mitts on any two-piece cashmere leisure or tracksuits, snap them up, although my searches have so far failed to unearth anything suitable (I did say, buy them before Christmas, and now I wish I had followed my own advice – some M&S stores might still have stock, though).

As ever in the cold, layering is the key to sleek and cosy winter dressing. Twinsets are looking rather neat, but steer clear of pearls if you are over 28-ish, or you'll just look like you're auditioning for a role in Miss Marple. Tweed mini skirts over woollen tights take the whole look away from the school-marmish. The tunic and long cardi is still an acceptable

and practical option, especially if you go for a lovely knitted shift or tunic dress. Try a matching or toning cardi for effortless chic.

Jeans are just not very cosy at all, except sometimes if they have some stretch in them, but they work reasonably well teamed with crisp cotton thermal vest and cardigan (for those of you blessed with efficient central heating systems).

It's ironic and amusing that much of the clothing and footwear designed for exercise actually works very well as lounging about gear – a pair of well-fitting stretch pants (the ones with fold over waistbands and wide legs can be flattering), topped off with simple vest and luxe hoodie zip top can take you easily and stylishly through an entire day at home, from leafing through to papers in bed first thing in the morning right through to getting back to that novel in bed at night.

So much more stylish than a pyjama day.