Survival of the fashionable: The 5 items you need to brave the Scandi winter

When you're born and bred in the Nordics, you know the basics needed to survive another freezing season. However. recently some of my non-Scandinavian friends and colleagues have met me flustered, fingers and earlobes bright red from the cold. Of course, being ex-pats – recently moved to Stockholm from faraway places known more for their white sandy beaches than their white snowy mountains – it's only natural that they're unprepared for our notoriously chilly winters up north.

Whether you are a cold-weather expert or a total novice, there's always guaranteed to be something you need to update in your wardrobe. Here, I've collated the Vogue Scandinavia approved survival kit for the sartorially savvy. So layer up for the long winter ahead with Scandinavian sensibility, investing in the best basics for a warming winter wardrobe:

This season we appreciate the functional fix that the fashion world is currently on. The sporty aesthetic fit for the great outdoors allows means that there's no need to choose between sensibility or style. Take the beanies and bucket hats for example. Fuzzy, padded and perfect for freezing temperatures, they're the very first thing on our shopping list when the weather turns. Pair with this season's style staple, the glove to keep all of your extremities warm.

Related: From opera to mitten: These are the 3 types of gloves you need for winter

A fine knit makes for a fine investment. This base layer helps break the sartorial boundaries when styled with your spring/summer wardrobe. Wear your skin-tight polo underneath a floral sleeveless dress and tall leather boots to instantly transform the garment for a colder climate. Or why not layer the multi-purpose piece under a cotton blouse or sweater vest to create both warmth and dimension?

Here's a trick that locals rarely let on: Long-johns and thermals are worn much more frequently at home than on our skiing holidays.

As temperatures drops, you will find most of us dive into our wardrobes for a pair of leggings to layer underneath wide-legged denim or sharply tailored suit trousers. If you find your feet getting cold from chilly winds around your ankles, fleece tights will be your newfound best friend. Enabling us to wear skirts in the middle of winter, this warming essential is equally great when layered under trousers to avoid tucking leggings into socks. These are the best ones to invest in now...

We've previously listed the best coats from Scandinavian brands, shearling jackets and floor skimming coats to invest in right now, but even the warmest faux-fur could do with a boost of the warming variety. Enter the gilet, an essential in any Scandinavian outerwear wardrobe. Layered underneath any coat, this vest is the epitome of Scandinavian sensibility and trans-seasonal dressing.

Related: Mastering the art of wearing two coats at once

A black ankle boot is a basic, no matter your geographical location. However, it won't last long as the roads freeze over and snow starts to fall. That's why investing in a winter boot is essential to survive the Scandi winter. Here, a thick sole and sturdy support are key considerations. Whether lace-up or Chelsea, avoid any remnant of a heel to keep on your feet and look for lining that will keep your toes warm when the temperature falls below zero (which it will).