6 Ways to Brighten Up Your Winter Style

I know there are people who absolutely love the winter months. I am not that person, although you'd think I was by my wardrobe, which is heavily layered with thick jackets and the like. Winter months for some people are a reason to hide away or make things very black and grey heavy. I’ve often been like that, hidden away in the darkness, feeling that colour was only socially acceptable when the smallest hint of spring arrived.

Yes, winter brings darker days and darker nights, so we can dress for our mood and succumb to a pit of darkness, or, we can take the plunge for an uplift in spirit by being inclusive of colours we’d normally associate with other seasons. This is especially helpful if you experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D).

Adding some vibrant colours, or complimenting the dark with the light - and no, I do not mean analog colours of black and white (although small steps do count) - is sometimes all you need to make your winter wardrobe have less Edgar Allen Poe vibes (i.e., dark and sombre for anyone not familiar with his fantastic poems/stories).

You don’t need to be all the colours of the rainbow if you don’t want to. Here are a few pointers to help get you started.

6 WAYS TO BRIGHTEN UP YOUR WINTER STYLE

1. The power of a colourful coat:

Out of everything, this is a tip I swear by and have got the most compliments for. You might not live in your coat 24/7 but investing in a colourful coat can make such a difference to an outfit. One thing darker colours do well is their ability to compliment other palettes.

So if every other part of you is black, navy or dark grey, adding a splash of colour with a coat can really make a bold and striking contrast.

2. Head above the rest:

If you’re a hat person, utilise the range of colours available in headgear. A brightly coloured beanie, or even a subtle multi-coloured hat can make all the difference. If you’re too scared to go full whack with a bright colour, while it might seem counter-intuitive, try a darker shade you might not usually go for - i.e., plum or dark green.

If your ‘safe’ colour is usually black, this is still a great deviation. Light grey, whilst by no means ‘colourful’ can be paired very well with a more neutral or stone-coloured palette. Additionally, if you are required to cover your head for religious or cultural reasons but there is nothing prohibiting the use of colour, give it a try.

3. Accessorise with sparks of colour:

Never underestimate the power of accessories. Throwing on vibrant coloured neckwear, a pocket scarf, a pair of gloves, a bag, a belt etc can truly be a game changer. It’s also a safe way to add colour in an understated way, especially if you are a beginner to adding colour, or your office or place of work calls for more formal attire.

Don’t forget accessories like bandanas, hair beads, braces or wristbands. For the sporty amongst us, think about wrist wraps, colourful sports watches, sweatbands etc. One of the most colourfully dressed guys I ever met was a bubbly Spaniard who would always wear brightly coloured wristbands or tie his hair back with colourful clips.

Hell, he even sported the occasional yellow or orange fingernail… and this was during kickboxing practice. Though the additions were subtle, they made a difference to our uniform and lifted people’s moods.

4. Playing with Patterns:

If you’ve not considered it before, try including a few patterns in your wardrobe. This could be as simple as patterned trousers. Equally, you can go loud with patterns on shirts, scarves, trousers or the insides of coats. While the latter is far more understated, sometimes that slight change or a subtle nod to being appreciative of more than a dark inner lining is all you need.

5. Walk that walk:

Don’t forget your feet! Sometimes the easiest thing to do is compliment an all-black outfit with a pair of brightly coloured footwear. But there’s so much you can do with footwear - add some brightly coloured shoelaces, mix it up with various coloured boots or trainers.

Or, if you can’t do that, blend in some brightly coloured socks. Just because you’re in an all-navy or black suit, doesn’t mean you can’t let a small part of your leg say hello by dressing them in brightly coloured socks.

6. Layer Smartly:

Embrace the art of layering. Choosing that brightly coloured hoodie and pairing it with a darker or more neutral-toned blazer can provide such a simple dose of personality. Layering doesn’t have to be too difficult. Start simple - try experimenting - with one brightly coloured item and when you get a bit more confident, see what works for you. Sometimes, less can be more but this can also depend on your own individual style, choice of colours and skin tone etc.

Conclusion:

Winter can be miserable and bleak, but your wardrobe doesn’t always have to be. Winter also welcomes celebration, cosy nights, mulled wine, fireworks and reflection. I think about the reds, greens and ambers alone around Christmas. While colour might not be for everyone, for those of us looking to re-invent our wardrobe’s wheel, let’s not allow the Christmas tree or New Years’ to be the only thing that provides a spark.