How to Wear Color All Year Long—Even (Especially) in the Fall and Winter
Inject some happiness into your cold-weather wardrobe.
I love color, and I love wearing it. It brings me joy in the simplest, most immediate way. Every morning when I’m getting dressed, I reach for a bright hue—no matter the time of year. Yes, even (especially) in the colder months. I've found it's the easiest way to lift my mood.
It’s very rare that I wear black—only on gloomy, rainy, or freezing days. Just because the temperatures drop doesn’t mean you have to start exclusively wearing burgundies and browns. Whenever I can, I gravitate toward brightness. Color truly brings me joy, so I seek out whimsical pieces to carry me through the colder months. I have a whole section of my closet dedicated to what I call "happy fall pieces"—and I'm always looking for more.
I've had a pair of turquoise tweed pants from Alessandra Rich for a couple of years that are equal parts warm and cheerful. That's a "happy fall piece". I recently scored an amazing Chanel cashmere jacket on The RealReal in a beautiful peachy color that makes me smile every time I wear it. That's another "happy fall piece".
Ahead, I break down how I style unexpected "unseasonal" colors in the fall and winter.
With grounding everyday staples
My Uniqlo crewneck sweaters are my wardrobe heroes. I have them in every color—navy, gray, lilac, you name it. They’re made of soft merino wool, long-sleeved, under $50, and the quality is impeccable. I wear them year after year, and they never let me down. They're especially useful in balancing my "happy fall pieces," grounding what might feel like an otherwise unseasonal piece.
With bright accessories
Lately, I’ve been obsessed with my friend Kirsty Stone’s Bond collection for her brand Retrouvaí . Her flower pieces are so joyful—like carrying a bit of spring with me wherever I go. I love layering one of her necklaces over my simple Uniqlo or Aritzia sweaters; it’s such an easy way to brighten up an everyday look. I adore everything she does.
With a bright, white shoe
Another simple trick: a bright white shoe. It might sound small, but it completely changes the energy of an outfit. I love pairing a crisp white loafer with an old Marine Serre suit—it adds a modern sharpness that feels fresh and cool.
Other ways to incorporate bright colors into your fall and winter wardrobe
The more I recognize this about myself, the more I seek out these happy colors when shopping for my winter wardrobe. On weekends, I’ll wear colorful sneakers with a pink Aritzia cashmere turtleneck for something relaxed yet cheerful.
If you’re hesitant to wear a turquoise pant or a pink sweater, though, one easy way to add color to your look is with a bright, colorful pump. I’m loving the Larroudé by Nicolò B. capsule—it’s so chic. Gwyneth Paltrow recently wore a pair of the black ones.
It’s also a reflection of what I’ve been seeing on the Paris runways—a reminder that color isn’t just for spring or summer. It’s a state of mind.
Whether it’s a bright shoe from Larroudé by Nicolò Beretta, a colorful sneaker, a soft candy-colored sweater, or a vintage find that sparks joy, these are my small, everyday ways to make winter a little warmer and my day a little brighter.
