HOW THERMALS GOT HOT
OH NO, Babygro season again, is it?’ asked my husband, when he saw me lounging on the couch in my new outfit. I wasn’t wearing a Babygro, I’ll have you know, but I admit the brown knitted hoodie and trousers from Florence & Fred (third from right) looks a bit like one. It’s loose-fitting, in head- to- toe beige and, made of 100 per cent cashmere, it’s just so comfortable and . . . warm. Which, of course, has become an obsession, seeing as we’re all resisting every urge to turn on the heating.
Whatever the temperature, my husband teases me so much about what I wear that a few years ago I
started an Instagram hashtag — #clothesmyhusbandhates. It has become a bit of a movement, as tens of thousands of women post pictures of the outfits they adore, man-repelling or not.
Until now, loungewear belonged very squarely in the hated-by-husbands camp, and they probably had a point. Sexy it wasn’t. But this season that has changed.
Just look at this sleek, chic co-ord from skiwear experts, Perfect Moment (far left). The lightweight wool is soft and warm and its slim fit makes it a winner if you’re trying to steer clear of frumpy. If you want to nudge your sensible woollies up to sexy, my buzzword for you is tactility: Massimo Dutti is particularly brilliant for cosy looks that are luxuriously sensuous to the touch. Wear this creamy knit (third from left) with the soft-knit trousers from Oysho and you’re ready for a box-set binge with someone you might want to impress. (It would also look great for a night out with a leather midi-skirt or skinny jeans.)
For stealth warmth, you can’t beat Uniqlo. For years, I’ve been delightfully insulated during the most bitter of early morning dog walks thanks to its lightweight tees and leggings (far right). But this year I’ll be using them to great effect indoors, too. They’re so thin, yet so warm, you can easily put them on under anything else without feeling as though you’ve bulked up like the Michelin Man.
So yes, you really can stay warm and still be chic, and possibly even sexy, this winter. In fact, my husband said that white rollneck jumper is ‘not the worst thing you own’. Progress?