Thinking nice and très stylish

A Animal Prints: I don’t mean like your usual leopard print or zebra stripes. I mean prints of animals. Wild horses running free, a crocodile about to bite or a tiger ready to pounce, this is like photography on a t-shirt.

B Body Warmers: No one cares if you look like the Michelin Man. Layer up, get a nice warm hoodie and put on a brightly coloured body warmer on top. Fashionable AND toasty.

C Chunky knit cardigans: Everyone is wearing chunky cardigans this winter. They are stylish, warm and so easy to wear. Throw on jeans or a pair of leggings and some boots for perfect winter style.

D Diamonds are a girls best friend. If you can get your hands on Tiffany’s, go for it. If not, fake it. There is lots of great Christmas bling out there, so check out the jewellery section to see what is about. Debenhams have a great selection of dressy jewellery that is perfect for a formal event over the holidays and not too pricey.

E Earmuffs: You may associate them with skiing, Sweden or builders, maybe even all three but these are essential for winter wear in the city. It’s pretty cold out there and nothing looks worse than glowing pink ears.

F Fur (faux): Fur is fashionable and it’s time to get it on. Faux fur jackets look super glamorous with heels and come in so many colours there is something for everyone. They can be pricey it has to be said, but think of it as an investment. Wear it all winter, store it away and wait a year. It’ll come back.

G Gloves: You don’t need me to tell you these are crucial to survive until January. Leather gloves are the most stylish option and smarten up any look. Penney’s have a great selection for around €10. Glovely.

H Hats, hats, hats: Every type is acceptable. Trilbies, bowlers, berets, those weird baggy ones that every man in the country seems to own, anything goes. The lumberjack style hat is huge, warm and though you might thing it looks a little bit mental, the furrier the better.

I Indian Style: As in Native American Indian style. Think Pocahontas. Fringed boots are a fashion must have and look great in either tan or a more wearable black. My own favourites are fringed ankle booties, but they come in every length. Also, there are plenty of Native American themed cardigans, especially in Topshop, that are quite unusual and a different take on the Christmas jumper (see J).

J Jumpers, of the Christmas variety. You know the ones I’m talking about. Nice festive jumpers with pictures of snowflakes and the occasional reindeer. Suitable for guys and girls, Topman have some really nice ones.

K Knee High Socks. These are the cutest way to keep your toes warm and look just adorable peeping over boots. Invest.

L Lace is not just for underwear, although it is pretty nice and he will appreciate you getting some for some Christmas fun. But lace has come out of the bedroom and is now perfectly acceptable day wear. It is classy if worn right and is perfect for the festive season. It can be that perfect blend of sexy and subtle that will leave a queue under the mistletoe.

M Monochrome. Black and white is one of the easier colour schemes to work and it is huge this winter. Black pencil skirts and frilly white blouses are the order of the day and are great for Mass and Christmas dinner before you change into your trackies for Home Alone 2. Add a splash of colour with festive red tights or a corsage and have fun with your accessories.

N Northern Ireland. If you want to save a penny this Christmas, get yourself up to Belfast on the train and take in the bargains of the city. It is so much cheaper than Dublin that it is beyond belief and in places like Topshop, Aldo and even House of Fraser you will save a small fortune.

O Ostrich Feather: odd as it sounds, feather is one of the most stylish textures around. River Island has everything in feather, from bags to jackets to skirts. A feather bag is a nice way of incorporating some fun into an outfit, and also makes for a talking point. If you are feeling a little more adventurous, try a bright feather mini with a plain top. Great for night with bare legs or day time with tights. Make the skirt short and the heels sky high for a perfect combination.

P Puff Jackets: as already mentioned (see B for Body warmers) no one cares if you look like the Michelin Man. It is all about being warm, because it is impossible to be cold and happy. Nice warm coat. Nice warm lecture hall. Nice little snooze at the back of QG13. Jackpot.

Q Quilted handbags. Very early Chanel, very fashionable and very affordable. River Island, again, have the best selection but New Look and Penney’s aren’t to be frowned at.

R Red is the must wear colour this winter. It is sexy, it is sultry and it is seasonal. Sky high red stiletteos are a must for Christmas nights on the tiles, and update your make up bag with a bright red lipstick or if you really want to splash out, Chanel Le Vernis polish in No. 183, Shanghai Red.

S Snoods: The word snoooood sounds slimy and horrible compared to the wonderful item it describes. A snood is like a circle of delicious warmth, be it a cotton snood or a woollen one. It is like a scarf only better. American Apparel has their famous Circle Scarf, retailing at €28, but Penney’s and H&M also have lovely ones. It is not only a scarf, but a blanket AND a hood. It’s a 3-in-1 that you won’t regret the next morning.

T Tight Fit: It’s the woollier the better when it comes to tights this winter. Nice tight tights are practical and fashionable and add a boho edge to an outfit. Team with floral tunics and biker boots for a masculine feminine mix.

U Unisex shoes: Brogues and biker boots are footwear for every one, boys and girls alike. Get preppy with cream and brown dress shoes or rough it up with buckle-covered biker boots. Both look great with jeans and cute skirts on girls and on guys, team with a long well cut coat and festive scarf.

V Vintage: Frills and flounces are all in and the best places to buy these are in vintage stores. Try the Harlequin or other stores around George’s Arcade and if you are taking a lil trip across to merry old England, Camden Market is bursting with great vintage gear.

W Woollens. Wool equals warmth. Warmth equals joy. But that does not mean you can wear any old woolly jumper you find in your attic. Get something nice, second hand shops have some great wool jumpers and then customise it. If you can, get 100% pure wool, it is definitely worth the investment. But PLEASE remember not to tumble dry. It will only end badly.

X Xtra Sparkly: I know, poor effort trying to find a word beginning with “X” but sparkly had to be mentioned somewhere and seeing as “S” was already taken… Sequins, glitter and sparkles are what every girl is going to be wearing come St. Stephen’s night. Exercise caution though; just because a figure hugging sequined dress looks good on the mannequin does not mean it will on you. Dress for your shape and just because it comes in body con does not mean you have to wear it in body con. Try a disco ball skirt or sequined black leggings for a different look.

Y Yves Saint Laurent Touché Éclat: Removes those awful purple lines you get under your eyes from being out in the cold for too long. This will also make you look a lot less hungover come New Years’ Day so you can’t really go wrong.

Z Zips: Visible zips on shoes, leggings and everything in between have been a hit this autumn/winter. Try not to put two zipped items in the same outfit to avoid overkill. Killer heels with zips on them are the sexiest way to wear the look. Office and Schuh have the best selection.