How does one deal with extreme weather?

Having just moved from a very tropical enivironment to a very cold one. I have a few questions to ask. Do you think one adjusts? If so how? Which types of clothing work well in cold weather? (I think thermal would work, but none of that is in the stores here now). Do you have to walk about looking like a snow bear in order to keep warm? So tips would be great! both in a practical sense and perhaps fashion sense too would be helpful.