Thoughts on being à la mode in winter... Is that possible in Gent??

Really.

I'm asking this question with all my heart because I am desperate.

Help me!

I used to love winter. I loved the feeling of the stings on my nose and cheeks in a very cold January morning, the snow, the chilly sunny days when the ground is pure frost but there is no cloud in the sky, the Christmas atmosphere and wearing coats, scarves and gloves.

Now I understand that I did because I am Italian and I lived in Italy for 25 years untilI came here. Even though I lived in a quite cold place (especially veeery foggy and humid) now I know the truth:

In Italy, winter is a choice. 

(Exception: people who live on mountains above 800 m)

In Italy, you CAN be happy if your cheeks freeze and you have to wear coat+hat+scarf+gloves. Because it is not like this EVERY day, 3-4 months a year. 

Moreover, it can be really cold during mornings and evenings but if the sun shines you can really feel the warmth and benefits of the light in the middle of the day. You don't have to look like the Michelin-man all day long in your padded jacket.

In Italy you CAN choose to wear flats in January, if it doesn't rain. You CAN fix your hair because the wind is not going to destroy all you efforts in olympic record time. You don't have to wear anti-rain superstuffed-with-warm-materials jackets if you don't want to be sick and all wet after half a day out (well, Belgians are an exception but maybe I'll talk about these iron men and women later on).

Basically, in Italy you can dress (and do your hair...) with style effortlessly. All year long.

Here... No.

But I want to! There must be a way!! 

There must be an intersection between the set of fashion and the set of Flemish weather!!

But how?

So, let me describe my situation now.

1) In Gent it's cold, very cold. 

It's on average -5 °C all day long (max temperature these days = -2 °C) and if I remember correctly from last year it will go on like this until February.

So you have to keep warm. Forget those cute capes and lovely camel coats that are so chic this year.

OK, you'll say. In Paris it's very cold too, but Parisiennes are oh so fashion! 

If you're cold, you can wear (fake) fur! It's totally in this year, Chanel approved!

Well, if you believe that I can wear fur and solve the problem let me add one thing.

2) In Gent it's cold, very cold + In Gent always rains/snows.

"Use an umbrella you stupid girl! Don't you see those cool Londoners? Don't use rain as an excuse, come on!"

Let me add another thing

3) In Gent it's cold, very cold + In Gent it always rains/snows + Gent is windy as hell. 

Translation n° 1: Forget your umbrella.

(why: the umbrella itself will be disintegrated after 2 minutes and/or it will act as a sail and you'll find yourself on the other side of the English channel without even noticing).

Translation n° 2: Forget your hairstyle. Any kind. 

It's harder now to find how to be fashion in these conditions, uh?! Tsk...

And it's not even finished:

4) In Gent it's cold, very cold + In Gent it always rains/snows + Gent is windy as hell + Gent streets in winter are often covered with ice

Heels?

Leather soles?

Forget them

And now, last but not least, the cherry on the cake:

5) In Gent it's cold, very cold + In Gent it always rains/snows + Gent is windy as hell + Gent streets in winter are often covered with ice + In Gent the city center pavements are  undergoing a huge, massive maintenance .

There are, litterally, abysses in the ground, cables coming outside the sidewalks, mud and stones everywhere (I also have some perplexities about their safety policies but I don't want to talk about this, I have other concerns right now ahaha!), new unexpected and partially fixed tram tracks...

And even the parts where there are no works are completely covered with very old and protruding cobblestones, so it's very difficult to walk with nice shoes (I think you got what I mean...) and they also get ruined quite easily.

You have to have comfort shoes, really.

I am wearing almost only sneakers lately. And a 35 € Coveri version of UGG boots (if it doesn't rain/snow). For God's sake.

So how do I cope with this? 

I don't know, really. I'm totally hopeless.

I don't know if I'll ever find a stylish, comfortable and warm way to dress in these conditions. Do you think it's possible? Or do I have to suffer?

In the end, to cheer up the mood of this post, before I'm going to bed whining and crying over my misery, I leave you with a very beautiful picture from a 2007 Issue of New York Times T magazine:

Dior by Joh Galliano. 

Image from NY Times T magazine

This is how winter should be like. Always.

Al