...only the wrong clothing.

It's easier to cope with the cold, the wind and what weather forecasters refer to as 'wintry showers' - which seems to encompass everything from drizzle to hail to blizzard conditions - if you're properly dressed. What's on your feet and your outer layer are most important - here's what you need for your winter wardrobe...

KEEP-OUT-THE-COLD COAT

One key piece for cool dressing in chilly weather is your outer layer. It needs to be windproof, warm and water-resistant - and it should look good. So I'm delighted with my Carissa coat from Regatta, which ticks all of those boxes. It's padded with Warm Loft filling to trap lots of pockets of air, keeping me cosy. It's feather-light and has a water-repellent finish - raindrops roll right off! - and you can compress it if you need to bundle it into a bag once you're indoors. For me, length is very important: my backside and thighs really feel the cold, and this keeps them covered. Although Regatta calls this a jacket, it finishes well down my thighs (and I'm tall) so to me it's a coat. I also love the snug-fitting hood and adjustable cuffs to keep out cheeky up-the-sleeve breezes. And it's fitted at the waist so you don't look like a Michelin man, which can be a concern with this type of coat.

The Carissa costs £70 from Regatta - click here to buy it online.

FOUL-WEATHER FOOTWEAR

If your feet get wet, you'll be miserable. Fact.

My top tip is to invest in a pair of bad-weather boots. And best for bad weather is not leather. Preparing for autumn/winter I've recently bought these bang-on-trend biker boots from Marks & Spencer. Although they're not described as waterproof, they have stood up to cycling in showers and pavement puddles, while keeping my feet warm and dry. Manmade materials have come a long way since the obviously plasticky boots of my youth.

The Limited Collection Double Buckle Biker Boots cost £39.50 from Marks & Spencer - click here to buy them online.

Here's more advice on what will keep you warmest

See more warm winter coats