Baby it's cold outside. It is time to wrap up in a great scarf -- an accessory that will keep you warm all winter.

The most obvious choice is wool, a natural fibre that lets skin breathe and feels soft to the touch. If wool irritates your skin, try a cotton and viscose mix or cashmere, a luxurious option that's warm and softer than lambswool.

The catwalk has decreed that it is acceptable to wear thick, collegiate-style scarves like those favoured by Gwyneth Paltrow and legions of Doctor Who fans.

Opt for lively stripes and knit patterns to brighten up dark coats. Tweed-look wraps and scarves complement the slate and dove greys that are favoured this season.

Also popular are tablecloth scarves -- cute squares that promise to revive even the most tired winter wardrobe.

A more subtle approach would be to look for bright solids to mix, match and wear by the pair.

The exchange-student look demands a doubled-over-and-looped-through technique. The tucked-under-the-lapels technique suggests that you're concerned about drafts. The double-sided hang works only when the mercury soars well above freezing.

The latest from the catwalks is triangle-fronted, like a baby in a bib. It looks slightly less ridiculous if you leave a gap at your neck.

Anyone who has looked at the long-range forecast will probably opt for winding their scarf around the neck as tightly as possible.

Kellie Ann Zupet reports on fashion for The Hamilton Spectator.

gostyle@thespec.com

Photos by John Rennison, The Hamilton Spectator Model from Vogue Models and Talent Hamilton-Toronto

Makeup by Greta Medley, gmedley@sympatico.ca or 416-575-0158