Cheryl Cole's superscarf is on every girl's Christmas wishlist

Her head is barely visible above the woolly folds but Cheryl Cole certainly wouldn't have complained about the cold when she was pictured wearing her grey superscarf last week.

"Remember to wrap up warmly and don't let your neck get cold," our mothers anxiously advise, just as we're leaving the house with nothing but a skimpy dress on in midwinter. But the superscarf, an oversized, chunky woollen scarf, will just about fit in your bag and covers everything from the waist upwards.

Giles Deacon is the reason the superscarf has made a hit this season. Always ahead of the high street, the fashion pioneer had most of his models bundled up in bright orange superscarves on his autumn/winter 2007 catwalk. Topshop Unique designed an elephantine black one earlier this year which is now available in its stores for £50. It may seem a lot for one scarf but you get your money's worth.

Made of mohair, longer than your thigh-high boots and as wide as two Birkin bags, it's bigger than a poncho but smaller than a full-length coat and, best of all, it promises to protect you from any winter snowstorms predicted by the weatherman. No more fashion advice from Mum, then.

Find one from Hobbs (£49, www.hobbs.co.uk) or try Y-3's reversible blue and red version (£150, www.zeeandco.co.uk).