Lighten Up This Winter
While I’m someone who deeply enjoys wearing head-to-toe black outfits for several months of the year, this season I found myself wanting a bit of a change. Maybe it was the prospects of Spring right around the corner, or maybe I’ve had my rose-tinted glasses on for my favorite holiday of the year (yes, I really do love Valentine’s Day THAT much). Either way, I decided that I wanted to lighten up my wardrobe this winter in a way that still felt like me. I’ve always shied away from fluorescent colored pieces, because while I love them on other people, I think my personal palette is more on the muted side of things. And that’s perfectly alright! So if you’re anything like me and you’re ready to inject some color into that winter wardrobe, here are a few tips to get you started.
Accessorize with Color
One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to revamp your dark winter wardrobe is to add colorful accessories, such as gloves, beanies and scarves. Every winter I find myself lusting after a long, thick knit scarf that I can wrap approximately 5 times around my neck and head. I’ve managed to refrain from purchasing one thus far, because it is often not cold enough for more than a jacket here, but when I’ve lived in colder climates, a scarf was an absolute necessity for me. Some great colors to look for are pastel and lighter wash colors that will go well with black, navy and browns, aka your entire winter palette. I personally love a blush pink, light lilac and beige shade. And try sticking to neutrals for the rest of your outfit to make the accessories really pop.
Brighten Base Layers
The best part about winter dressing? Layering, of course! My favorite piece to do this with is a thin knit sweater, which I’m sure I’ve mentioned several times before. The latest addition to my growing collection is a beautiful peachy pink number from Mango. This one is a nice cashmere blend, so it’s super soft and warm without being too bulky. Another great variation of this is a thin knit turtleneck or mock-neck sweater, that looks so cool when layered under a t-shirt, collared shirt, a dress, and even a chunkier knit. This is a great way to ease yourself into wearing more color because it doesn’t have to be the focal point of your top half. It can be as little as a cuff peaking out of your coat but it’s still working to keep you warm and toasty (which is really the end goal, right?).
Keep Neutrals Light
I know it can be tempting to reach for the black pants day in and day out when the weather gets dreary. One way I’m challenging myself this winter is to incorporate lighter neutrals into my every day pieces. So for outerwear, I try to switch up my black coat with a brown teddy coat or my camel coat, from time to time. Another fun way to do this, and something I’ve been seeing everywhere lately, is to opt for winter white. This is a really refreshing take on the monochrome looks that dominate this season. It’s amazing how many more styling options you get from incorporating a pair of white or off-white pants or a knit. Pieces like this go a long way in a winter wardrobe and are definitely worth experimenting with.
Fancy Footwear
Who says that practical winter boots have to be dark? I’ve seen some really beautiful shoes this season that come in so many fun colors and finishes. We know snake print and western styles are having a moment and there are even more variations on these trend now that we’re heading into Spring. I love the look of white ankle length boots to add a retro pop to an outfit. There’s also the snake and croc finish that adds some interest to your basic heeled boots. An oxblood or a brown shade are nice alternatives for a neutral outfit, to switch up the basic black boots.
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Photos by Jenna Nicolas