My daily dog walk is one of the things I least enjoy about the winter months. The rest of the year it’s a chance to get a bit of fresh air and exercise, to enjoy nature, to see my dog having fun; in January, as often as not, it’s a sub-zero mud bath.

Help, however, is at hand in the form of the down jacket, the only garment that will – literally – have your back on the bitterest mornings. It’s like braving the day still wrapped in your duvet.

It may not be your first choice to wear on an evening out – though I am hoping to change your judgement about that later – but the “puffer” coat (we have to be careful with names as “Puffa” is a registered trademark) simply can’t be rivalled on functionality, insulating you from any cold snap and (usually) wet weather-resistant.

On the flipside, they can leave you looking like an over-lagged boiler. Colour-blocking is the best way to steer clear of Michelin Man territory. A jacket that is broken up into bands of colour will look and feel less bulky. Next and Zara have both taken the tried-and-trusted contrast-coloured shoulder. For something less sporty that can be happily married to a suit, try either River Island’s tri-coloured hooded puffer or Uniqlo’s Jil Sander collaboration.