You wake up at 7 a.m. in the middle of January, stumble into your closet and pick out what to wear. Your iPhone alerts you with an extreme cold warning, forecasting that it will be -18C with a windchill that makes it seem that Antarctica might be a tropical destination. You start to seep into depression as your clothes; black skirt, black pants, black sweater, black boots stare back at you. While injecting a little colour into your winter wardrobe won’t cure SAD, it can lift your spirits and boost your confidence, even when everything you own is salt-stained. Here are some tips to incorporating colour into your drab winter wardrobe.
Coloured outerwear
When it’s cold out, it’s as if everyone is a black-cloathed clone walking down the street in dark wool coats or parkas. Break the cycle with a bold-hued piece of outerwear. Whether you want to invest in a Canada Goose parka or a new wool coat, opt for a cheery colour. Reds are still winter classics but will add more style into your life. If you are fair-skinned, look for true reds, and if you are olive or dark-skinned, a rich burgundy or blue-red goes well. Other rich jewel tones like eggplant or emerald are very pretty for outerwear. Parkas also seem to be coming in every shade of the rainbow, and while you might not want to show up in a hot pink Montebello Goose parka, a pretty cobalt or purple shows off your personality. Even navy is enough to stand out, and is less depressing than black or grey.
Accessories
If you don’t have the budget for a new coat, inject a little colour into your outerwear with vibrant accessories. This season, simple tuques in neon hues or classic primary colours are everywhere. It’s an inexpensive trend, and you can match your tuque to your mood. If you’re looking for a fun, elegant yet practical accessory, a fur stole – real or faux – in an unexpected jewel tone or red fox will add some pizazz to last season’s coat.
Plaid skirt
This season, tartan is taking over. One of the most wearable ways to wear this trend is to go back to your school days with a tartan skirt. Skip the short length and pleats and opt for a sleek pencil silhouette or peplum. High tech fabrics like scuba neoprene are warm and their prints are extremely crisp. Style it with your favourite black or cable knit sweater, statement jewelry and opaque tights and booties for a sophisticated, on-trend look.
Cashmere
When it’s freezing out, there is nothing like getting cozy in a classic cashmere sweater. Choose your favourite cut and pick up a sweater in one of your favourite colours. Pastel hues have been a hit the past few seasons at cashmere mecca retailer, J. Crew. However, Hudson’s Bay and Winners also stock more affordable options. As Carrie Bradshaw said in Sex and the City, it’s a cashmericle!
Boots
While your winter outfit may be all black, there’s no harm in adding some colour into your footwear. A sexy pair of stiletto booties in a rich purple or red will be your best friend when it comes to going out. If you’re looking for a waterproof pair of winter boots, a wellie in a bright, poppy hue or print will brighten your spirits and will be wearable when the snow (finally) melts.
