If we must load up on Winter-weather accessories, let’s at least make pretty choices, like jacquard knit thermal leggings over boring long johns and toques so bright they stop traffic.

You’ll forget how cold it is with these gorgeous handmade mittens ($50) from Isak and Inger. Made in small batches here in Toronto, each pair is lined with fleece and accented with recycled fur, leather and beads.

They really are charming, don’t you agree? Black leather gloves are chic enough, but to get through winter you need personality, and piles of it. —Athena Tsavliris

 
http://shop.isakinger.ca/product/traditional-simple

Nothing pulls together an outfit like a smart pair of gloves does.

These ones from venerable British brand, Dents are timeless, wearable and utterly chic.  

Each pair is handcrafted in luxurious skins and can take up to eight hours to make. The British royalty (past and present) are fans, as are Batman and James Bond. Dents even made the exquisitely embroidered gloves worn by Elizabeth II for her coronation.

Toronto’s Gaspard carries a curated selection of styles like deerskin with a berry red silk lining ($200) to peccary with turquoise Scottish cashmere lining ($350).

It’s a glove story for the ages. —Athena Tsavliris

At Gaspard, 913 Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-546-7480, http://gaspardshop.com

Flaunt your reverse French with these chic fingerless mitts from local designer, Anna Zygowski.

They’re made in cashmere and merino wools, and come in various colours, none of which will clash with your mani.

And hey, on really cold days, you can keep them on at the nail bar. —Athena Tsavliris

Find stockists at www.annazygowski.com

They say you can tell a woman's age by her hands. Beat Mother Nature’s bottom by slipping those pointers into mittens with purpose.

Known for rugged wool hats, these ever-so-soft sherpa lined gloves ($29) from Stormy Kromer are made to withstand tough winter weather. Combined with a super-rich hand cream, (just slather it on, girls) the mitts will save your paws from premature decline.

Now, what to do about the inevitable turkey neck? —Athena Tsavliris

The Drake General Store, 82A Bathurst St., Toronto, 416-703-6518, www.drakegeneralstore.myshopify.com

According to fashion and costume auctioneer, Kerry Taylor, The Duchess of Windsor was the “Imelda Marcos of gloves” with well over 100-pairs.

If you too have a penchant for collecting gloves, you’ll want to stop by the new Sermoneta boutique in Yorkville. You won’t find an inventory of 100, 000 pairs, like at the original store in Rome, but what awaits is still a huge collection of handmade gloves (from $89) in masses of colours and skins. Pick from plain, elbow length and cashmere lined in plum, teal or canary yellow.

Don’t be shy; a bold pair of gloves can really fitz up an outfit. —Athena Tsavliris

Sermoneta, 131 Bloor St. W., Toronto, 416-551-4100, www.sermonetagloves.com

Kids would sooner get frostbite than wear mittens.

Before you start gooping gloves to your child’s wee hands, consider these cleverly designed mitts from Toronto-based mimiTENS.

Anna-Maria Montfort and Maria Dempster’s line of brightly coloured gloves feature Thinsulate lining, are made from bamboo and organic cotton fabric, and best of all, have extra long cuffs to help them stay on properly.

Just another mom-preneurial breakthrough that leaves us wondering, “Why didn’t we think of that?”

For Canadian stockists visit MimiTENS.

Banish winter blahs with a jolt of punchy colour. Chic gloves in bold hues will keep your fingers warm and your style fresh.

One of the finest assortments we know comes from Agnelle, a family business founded in France in 1937 that produces gloves for houses like Vuitton, Dior, Céline, Lanvin, Longchamp and Asprey.

Pick from moss green suede, buttery cherry red leather or cobalt blue deerskin. Our favourite pair has a corset lacing up the back.

Who says winter accessorizing can’t be seductive?

Available at Basia, 161 Dupont St., Toronto, 416-977-7031, www.basiadesign.com

Knitted, quilted, beaded, studded, ruffled – gloves are very much in the spotlight this fall.

So you can imagine our delight when we stumbled upon an eclectic assortment of vintage mitts at The Cat’s Meow.

After all, what could be chicer than a pair of butter-soft teal lambskins ($149) from the 1950s? Or how about polishing a look with a pair in black suede with hand-beaded starbursts ($149)? Pick of the bunch are definitely a dramatic opera pair ($295), elbow-length in gold metallic calfskin – très Saint Laurent.

Vintage magpie/owner Louise Cooper is always adding to the collection, so get your paws down there, presto.

The Cat’s Meow, 180 Avenue Rd., Toronto, 647-435-5875, www.thecatsmeowcouture.com