As much as we wish we could go on wearing our perfect leather biker jackets all season long, the time has come to either pack them away or learn how to layer  them underneath a more sensible choice of outerwear. Winter is here, meaning it’s time to figure out how to make that bulky sweater you need to wear, go with the velvet skirt you want to wear.

To help you turnover your closet, we’ve rounded up the trends with the most practical — and of course stylish — applications this winter. While you may miss the sun, the colder months allow us the chance to wrap ourselves in luxurious fabrics (ummm…cashmere anyone?) that never wear quite look as beautiful as when worn against an idylic snowy backdrop.

Leather can take the form of pretty much any item of clothing — and this season’s leather craze ensures it does. It can give even the most feminine pieces a modern edge, while for guys it adds sleekness to any look. On this season’s runways, leather dominated with a touch of the fabric found in everything from ties to coats to evening dresses destined to grace a New Year’s Eve party. For a sophisticated twist, incorporate a wool coat with leather sleeves into your wardrobe like those seen at Helmut Lang and Altuzarra, amongst other leather hits from the labels.

This cozy pattern is never more perfect than in the winter; it’s just something about how it recalls bonny Scotland and the resurgence of the punk days that conjures up a thirst for warming whiskey drinks. And, as much as we loved when tartans dominated the ’90s, today’s checks and plaids are best worn as a sleek pin leg pant or as a tailored jacket, than a free flowing grunge-look. Feel free though to maintain the comfort element by picking up a tartan neck warmer — they’re out there. Though personally, our preference would be for women to try on a box fit jacket as seen at Stella McCartney or for men, some form of checkered accessory like Black Fleece by Brooks Brothers handsome pair of loafers available this season.

Before you begin the nightmarish flashbacks to middle school dances, trust us when we say that this fabric has been re-imagined by the best of designers for this season’s runway. Defining opulence, velvet makes for one of the most sophisticated trends of the season. Elegant and effortless, velvet will wow in dress form or a slick blazer to make any outfit pop this holiday season and New Year’s Eve. Even High Street has embraced the decadent fabric after seeing it on the runway at Balmain and Zadig and Voltaire. How can you refuse?

Hats from Burberry’s classic cap — a nod to gentlemanly structure — to the floppy variety Rag & Bone have on offer, have evolved from pedestrian style to modern day Parisian chic. A staple on any gentleman’s or gentlewoman’s bureau this winter, this simple accessory is synonymous with class. Hats, like the many berets we’ve been eying in stores, are versatile and an idea vehicle for colour. Or, if you want to go for a stronger look, take on a brimmed hat that looks suave on both men and women.

Whether it’s a warm scarf or a fitted sweater, cashmere makes any outfit just that little bit more glamourous. The soft texture isn’t the only thing this beloved fabric offers though, this season’s many varieties of cashmere goodies will keep fashion mavens busy trying to choose just one. Pick an interesting cut — cropped, drapped, oversized — seasonal colour, graphic print, or detailing (sweaters can have leather sleeves too says Club Monaco or be enshrined with crystal cuffs as Autumn Cashmere prefers them) and you’ve got yourself a modern look that is miles from the ladies who lunch crowd. No one said cashmere and pearls had to go together, it looks just as good with a leather skirt, you know.