Snug

This is the perfect jacket for an arctic Languedoc. Supple Goretex, fleece lining, drawstring waist, zips/buttons and velcro fastenings, grippy wrists and two sizes too big so lots of layers can go underneath.

I bought it last year from the second-hand clothes stall on Pezenas market and hoped it would do for the chilly job of pruning. It's proved to be the jacket of choice for either of us when it comes to dog-walking in sub-zero gales. Frankly, once it's on, you can't feel a breath of wind nor any chill. Perfect.

As it has a relatively local phone number on the makers' tag I looked it up on the internet. Apparently it is from the uniform of the transport workers who run the wonderful trams in Montpellier. Like all french uniforms it is fantastically well made and functional. It was made to keep someone warm when working outside all winter long.

How much would you pay for such a terrifc jacket? More than the 15 euros it cost me?