As the holidays have ended and the harrowing reality of life reveals itself as anything but a winter wonderland, it’s hard to maintain that zeal you once had for your wardrobe. The subzero temperatures we’ve been experiencing give me the chills as I type this, making it easy to slip into a dip of negligence.

Enter Michelin Man! His silhouette is far from defined. He does not care about formfitting skinny trousers or camel trench coats. He is a white warm blob whose only wardrobe coordination is compromised by his habitat, a concrete jungle peppered with the debris of dirty snow and ice.

Fear not my cold but wardrobe-conscious minions. Here are ways to brave the elements in style:

1)    At this point, especially if you’re dressed for an event, you must invest in thermal underwear. There are several different brands out there to consider. Go for something form-fitting, keeping your contours insulated and defined. At only $15.50, Uniqlo’s Heatteach line offers great slinky inner-wear.

2)    Change up the fabrics! Not only has flannel made a tsunami of a comeback (Think, Gap and their most recent Buffalo Plaid craze), it’s a thicker weave, making for the perfect winter shirt.

3)    Cashmere is perfect. It insulates without the need to excessively layer.

4)    A lambswool cardigan is a great piece to own. Lambswool brings a certain sort of heritage to your ensemble, keeping you warm but looking cool.

5)    Oversized scarves. Have fun with these. Layer them around your neck or even around your head. This is one instance where volume can work fashionably and warmly. For even more interest, consider wearing two different scarves together.