Winter Wardrobe Doldrums
Accessories that beat the winter blues by adding variety and vitality to your wardrobe
As we approach the end of winter, I find my current stash of cozy sweaters, warm coats and practical winter footwear starting to feel stale and am drawn to the idea of introducing fresh elements to my outfits. I’m not interested in purchasing new items specifically meant for the current season; that doesn’t feel like a good use of money. At the same time, retailers aren’t yet carrying full inventories of the next season, and even if they were, the weather might not be warm enough to enjoy spring items for a month or more. It is during this transitional period that I rely on accessories to add significant variety to my wardrobe.
A patterned silk scarf, a bold piece of jewelry, or a colorful purse can inject a dose of fun into an otherwise tired look. Below, I’m sharing some of my favorite accessories that can add vitality your winter looks but are versatile enough to be enjoyed in any season, making them a wise transitional season purchase, if you don’t already have something similar in your closet.
To illustrate this concept, the following three images each feature the same top, pants, shoes, and jacket; however, each image includes a different accessory: a scarf, a bold piece of jewelry, or a colorful purse. As you can see, the simple accessory swap takes the look a different direction.
Note that this top, pants, shoes and jacket were components of the January Capsule that I’d tailored for women with winter coloring (linked here). That article contains links for the clothing items; this article shares links to the featured accessories.
Scarves: color, pattern & richness
Silk or cashmere scarves add vibrancy, playful design, and opulent texture to an otherwise straightforward look. I often knot a silk scarf around the strap of my purse (as shown in this Instagram reel). It’s a very approachable way to incorporate a pattern into an ensemble, particularly if you’re hesitant to wear patterns, as the design is limited to a small portion of your overall outfit. This styling tactic gives me an added benefit that’s helpful in transitional seasons; I can untie the scarf from my bag and drape it around my neck when I need a bit of extra warmth (as shown in this Instagram reel). Other ideas for utilizing scarves include tying one around your hair, as popularized by Jackie Kennedy Onassis in the 1960s, or fashioning one into a bow through your belt loops. If you’re in need of more scarf styling inspiration, a quick scroll through Hermes’ online shop is sure to do the trick.
If you’re on the hunt for one of these multi-tasking accessories, I’ve shared four of my current favorites below – one for each seasonal color palette: winter, spring, summer and autumn. For a deeper understanding of seasonal color palettes and the benefits of aligning your clothing and accessories with your innate coloring, check out my recent article on this topic (linked here).
Jewelry: intricacy, shine & dynamism
Jewelry contributes detail, sparkle and movement to your outfit, and a unique pair of earrings, a statement necklace, or a stack of bangles may be all it takes to put a fresh spin on your current wardrobe. Take a moment to peruse your existing jewelry collection or consider acquiring a new piece that can be worn for the rest of winter and as the weather warms.
When it comes to waking up a tired wardrobe, I’m partial to colorful jewelry pieces that stand apart from your day-to-day, more classic jewels. Colorful jewelry can easily become a focal point of your look, allowing your well-worn items to serve as a backdrop. Plus, color has a mood-elevating effect. To inspire you, I’ve shared four of my current favorite colorful pieces below – one for each seasonal color palette: winter, spring, summer and autumn.
Handbags: color, texture & versatility
I own a purple tweed handbag that I'm fond of pulling out when my outfit feels stale, as happens at the end of winter when I’ve worn my warm clothing on repeat. The tactile tweed material and multiple purples hues in the bag add elan to my looks. While purple is not a neutral color, this hue harmonizes well with my skin undertones, eye color, and hair color, so it is flattering on me and, because most of my clothing is in my seasonal palette, it coordinates with a good portion of my wardrobe.
Take a page from my notebook, and consider adding a colorful, textured or embellished handbag to your winter outfits to add vivacity. If you don’t already have one, I’ve shared four of my current favorites — one for each seasonal color palette: winter, spring, summer, and autumn.
Small items, big impact
At the start of this article, I shared the impact that a scarf, a necklace and a handbag had on the same top, pants, shoes and jacket selected from the January Capsule that I’d created for women with winter coloring. The images below illustrate the same concept for the spring, summer, and autumn palettes.
As we transition out of winter and anticipate spring, I hope that you’re able to leverage accessories to revitalize your wardrobe without committing to new, season-specific pieces. Did I inspire you to try something new? Let me know how it goes!