I don’t know what it is with this winter in particular, even though it isn’t even technically winter yet, it’s kicking my butt. It’s bad enough that I am already vitamin D deficient, but the gloomy weather and cold really had me bummed out. For the first time ever I actually find myself thinking about what it would be like to live somewhere it never gets cold and gray.
During this time of year, when the weather is unforgiving, it is important to do whatever it takes to feel better. You can do things like eating better, pampering yourself, buying scented candles, it doesn’t matter. I think another way to feel better is to think about what you are wearing and making sure you feel good. You can do this is with your accessories. It’s easy to start feeling blah in your winter clothes; we dress more for warmth, function and comfort when the thermometer drops. Think of accessories as little pops of excitement that can cut through the blahs and make you feel better. Here are some suggestions.
Accessorizing to Get Rid of the Winter Blues
Tip #1- Get yourself some new gloves, hats and scarves
If you’re breaking out an old coat from last winter, or even if you are buying a new one, think about adding some cold weather accessories to your coat that will make you feel better and more alive. For the sake of versatility, you may have purchased a coat in a neutral shade, but what you wear with it can be much more interesting and joyous to wear. In addition, an old coat can feel new again with a new hat, scarf and gloves.
Take, for example, how I am styling this basic black Reiss coat. I added a teal hat from Modcloth, a multicolored scarf from Echo and bright yellow gloves from Nordstrom. With these bright pops the coat is a lot less dull. Another tip is to get a bright handbag, which is another way to feel better during the bleak months. Yellow is one of the friendliest colors around, not to mention a very versatile shade to use regularly. I particularly love this yellow Dooney Bourke handbag. Lastly, I added a pair of black Cole Haan boots and black earrings from Banana Republic.
Tip #2- Add some bright jewelry
Jewelry is another place to add some brightness. Take a dark, somber dress and try adding a colorful necklace, like I did here with this J. Crew knit dress and orange necklace from Bauble Bar. Like yellow, orange is also considered a happy and friendly color. You can keep the rest of the outfit understated, like I did here with navy booties from Circa Joan & David, that would be worn with navy tights and a navy handbag from Piperlime. The outfit is finished with a pair of simple stud earrings from Max & Chloe and a gold bracelet from Ann Taylor.
Tip #3- Add a colorful scarf
Before you run out the door in your sweater and jeans, grab an easy scarf that is colorful and you can just wind around your neck, like I did here with these J. Crew jeans, a grey Madewell sweater and Nicole Miller scarf. Not only does the outfit look more polished, but it’s brighter looking. To this look I added a pair of pink earrings, a grey Frye handbag and, for another fun accessorizing pop, a pair of burgundy booties from TOMS.
Tip #4- Buy accessories that make you feel good to wear
Feeling good in what you wear isn’t just about wearing a lot of color to brighten up your dull outfits, it’s about choosing things that make you feel good or energized when you wear them. Look to things like some statement jewelry, a fun bag or a playful scarf to make you smile. Sometimes all it takes is the addition to one fun thing to an outfit to feel better. Imagine it like the equivalent to a bubble bath after a long, hard day.
Here, for example, I added this statement necklace from Modcloth. I chose it because it is fun to look at and it’s an easy piece to not only add to this outfit, consisting of an eShakti top and Reiss skirt, but anything, like a sweater, white button down shirt, basic dress, and more. If your jewelry is boring, look for some pieces that just make you happy to look at and wear. The rest of this outfit is styled with a pair of teal pumps from DV Dolce Vita (colorful shoes used again to add some excitement), a black Ann Taylor handbag and hoop earrings from Nordstrom.
Tip #5- Shoes in pop colors
If working out and getting to the gym seems harder now that it is cold, you might need some new sneakers, new colorful sneakers, that is. Again, this goes back to wearing things that make you happy or smile. Often it can be the littlest of things, like a new pair of shoes in a bright color. And this doesn’t just apply to sneakers, you can look for a colorful pair of shoes for all types of outfits to jazz up your look and how you feel.
In this outfit, I styled a pair of bright New Balance sneakers with a pair of camouflage workout pants from Calvin Klein and a top and support tank, both from Athleta. Lastly, I used this LeSportsac bag in gold to add even more fun to the outfit.
A little goes a long way
If you’re waiting around to feel better as it gets darker and colder, you never will. However, it doesn’t take much to feel better when we do little things to care for ourselves. Use light therapy, like I have been, add some bright colors or fun accessories to an outfit or throw an extra marshmallow into that hot chocolate, whatever it takes to get through the winter.
