We’re going to let you into a secret: there’s an extra-wow way we’ll be keeping warm this winter, and it starts with a gilet.

Bodywarmer, sleeveless jacket, call it what you will: but this season gilets are hot, and they’re guaranteed to keep you snug – and seriously stylish – when the temperature drops.

Adding super-luxe texture to any look, this season’s gilets are all about feel-me fabrics – faux fur, shearling or suede (the shaggier the better, we say) – to create depth and interest, but styling them can be tricky.

Get it right, you’ll look like one chic chick; get it wrong, you’ll look like the local cat lady.

The trick? Keeping the rest of your silhouette simple and streamlined. A long-sleeved top and second-skin trousers (bonus points for leather) will look effortlessly cool teamed with a contrasting centre-piece, while layering a frizzy faux fur gilet over a fitted maxi dress and cuban heels will create an inspired boho edge.

We’ve picked out our favourite five gilets to help you on your way to warm this season – see below for our top picks.

Isabel Marant Linka curly lambskin gilet, £2,870, available at Matches.

Roland Mouret Sorcar vest, £1,485 £595, available at mytheresa.

Fischer fur section gilet, £1,350, available at Harrods.

Premium sheepskin gilet, £185, available at Topshop.

Vince shearling drape gilet, £1,188, available at my-wardrobe.