6 Ways to Reinvent Your Winter Look

The winter blahs may be setting in, and with them comes the inevitable sartorial flurry of black and grey. Our prescription: Experiment with color, texture, and statement accessories to mix things up, without sacrificing warmth or comfort. Here, our edit of instant outfit upgrades—all reminders of just how much fun dressing up can be.

A Pop of Red

Against a winter backdrop, vibrant red reads more warm-and-welcoming than bright-and-loud. This overcoat, together with Parisian brand MSMG’s peplum candy-striped sweater, would pair well with dark jeans or tailored black trousers.

Add a Ruffle

Ruffles are a game-changing flourish on a blouse, skirt, and even otherwise sedate socks (they’re brilliant with ankle booties), all of which are positively transformative in the winter. For daytime, it’s all about the details: A collarless coat shows off the ruffled collar on this gorgeous silk blouse, even when you’re bundled up. Come nighttime, Prada’s charming, colorblocked silk dress is a love song to the warmer days ahead.

Speak Your Mind

We won’t mince words: Playful typography and sayings are the perfect way to add impact without going full-on with a print, while nailing the cool vintage thing at the same time.

Keep It Light

Fashion rules are meant to be bent, so we’re big fans of white year round, particularly as temperatures dip. A white tuxedo jacket feels like a fresh update to a black le smoking, and a Phillip Lim shoulder bag adds a pop even if there’s still snow on the ground.

Subtle Sparkle

A little sparkle goes a long way to enliven basic black. To dress things up a little—day or night—without taking it over the top, choose classic accessories that each have a little something special (and shiny) for an eye-catching twist.

Make It Shearling

The antidote to boringly practical winter-appropriate footwear? Shearling. It upgrades a pair of lace-up hiking boots from strictly utilitarian to cozy-chic. As for those of us for whom winter averages a mild 65 degrees, a pair of shearling-lined Boston Birks or Miu Miu espadrille platforms will do the trick.