A. My boyfriend has surprised me with a last minute ski trip to Italy, which I’m wildly excited about but I haven’t a clue what to wear! Can you suggest any looks that will make me look a slick bond girl slinking my way down the slopes …rather than the Michelin Man?
Q. For most people being at the top of a mountain in the winter sunshine and contemplating a fast - and probably bumpy descent - is not the time or the place to be asking themselves "does my bum look big in this?" Some, on the other hand, wouldn't dip so much as a ski-boot in the snow without full make-up and the latest designer shades.
Dressing for the slopes is an art and a science. It takes a renaissance woman to mastermind an outfit that keeps you warm, doesn’t add bulk – or cost a fortune.
Stylish, affordable skiwear used to be as easy to find as a snowflake in the Sahara. But the high street has caught on to the fact that more and more of us are taking up the sport during the cold winter months. And now you don't need to spend a fortune to look like a sexy snow bunny. TK Maxx, Dorothy Perkins, Topshop, M&S and even the catalogues are stocking hi-tech, high fashion ski wear that, thankfully, won't break the bank.
So what is cool on the slopes (apart from the weather) this season?
On the fashion front, things are anything but subtle: the trends for this years clothing have the eighties look make a major comeback, with neon colours and prints that you can see coming for miles. The hottest item of ski wear is the all in one suit which uses the latest fabric technology for maximum warmth and minimum bulk- but opt for styles in slimming black if you want to recreate true ‘Bond Girl’ style.
For bargain skiwear try your local branch of TK Maxx, last season the store added skiwear to its stock for the first time, with its usual discounts on label prices of about 60%. Because it relies on other brands’ castoffs, there is no guarantee of what you’ll find, but rumour has it that if you’re very lucky you may unearth offerings from Prada, Gucci and even Fendi for about E500.
At many of the ski resorts you can rent jackets and pants, which can be the most expensive parts of the entire trip but there are even some sports shops in Ireland who also offer this service. Specialist stores such as The Great Outdoors offer a hire service, so it’s well worth paying them a visit as you want to make substantial savings by renting high quality branded goods.
As your extremities are most vulnerable to the cold, get a good (waterproof) pair of gloves and try to find a hat that covers your ears. Thermals are imperative and waterproof is the only way to go for jackets. Accessorise your look with Dr Zhivago style fur hats, woollen socks, chunky knit scarves and cute furry ear muffs to finish your look.
The winter sun can also get extremely bright out on the snow, so invest in a pair of Tom Ford aviator shades if you want to protect your eyes and look glamorous on the piste. Speaking of winter sun, don't forget the sun screen even in the dead of winter.
There's nothing worse than trying to looking good in the hot tub after a day of skiing with your face peeling off…
