Feeling Bright
or, ideas on how to survive winter through your clothes
We have officially entered what I consider to be the hardest stretch of winter. The festive glow of the holidays have passed, we’ve made it through our transition into the New Year, and the excitement of the change in the calendar and our resolutions has faded. January was 1 million weeks long. I don’t have an officially work-endorsed long weekend until Memorial Day Weekend. The high for the net two days is 19 degrees.
It’s a lot of cold weather! And a lot of dreary days where the sun doesn’t really ever come out. This year, in Massachusetts at least, there has been a lot of rain and sleet instead of snow. Snow at least generates excitement (I don’t know if the feeling of waking up to a snow-covered yard and street will ever not make me so happy) and brings with it a flurry (pun intended) of activities that we can participate in only when there is snow (build a snowman, make snow angels, go sledding, ski on fresh snow, etc.). The cold is just…cold.
Last year, I repeated to myself, “There is no such thing as bad weather,” over and over again. But man, this year I have two toddlers, each with their own opinions on the cold, so it’s hard to motivate everyone, all together, that getting outside is worth it. And then, to also stay out there! It’s no walk in the park, ha! But of course, we have to get outside - it’s a sanity exercise for everyone. Especially since some weekdays I never make it outside with my work schedule. That’s a terrible habit that I’m trying to break, but it means that getting outside on the weekend is even more important!
Getting dressed and curating a closet full of pieces that I love brings me a lot of joy, and I think this winter-time ennui is a normal part of my annual cycle. I’m at the point, where, even as a neutral-lover, I cannot fathom the idea of adding another neutral, muted-toned item to my closet. I’m barely even excited by the idea of a new sweater (and truly, I love sweaters!) I want to be clad in bright, happy, warm-weather-appropriate clothes. I need the winter brights to channel the mood I want to have in these dog days of winter (it’s totally possible that I just made that term up).
And, as much as I want to be transported to a bright, happy, tropical climate where I will wait out the rest of winter, maybe with an occasional break to hunker down for a snowstorm or two, that is not in the cards for me. So, while it feels like everywhere I look I see winter getaways and resort-ready picks, I am pretty far off from wearing any of those items. I’ve never been great at buying pieces I won’t be able to wear for months on end — it might give me a little endorphin hit right now, but it ultimately hurts my budget if I do it too much in advance because waiting until May is very hard (realistically, I have to remind myself that May is when it will be warm enough to wear true spring pieces in the Northeast).
So, despite scrolling through and being inspired by (yearning for?) resort and early spring pieces — (I’ve also been doing a lot of pinning to capture my inspiration!) — the itch is really being scratched by late-winter, wear-now pieces that are bright and happy. Maybe even some things that I could keep wearing into early spring, but not, like, full-on sundresses just yet. I will confess that I did buy these sandals because they sold out last year and I really wanted them in the brown color!
So today, to brighten (and warm - it’s going to be a frigid weekend in MA) up your Friday, a roundup of my favorite happy winter pieces, as well as some styling notes, that might be just the thing to refresh your winter wardrobe, pull you out of the winter doldrums and put a little pep in your step. If that doesn’t work, we can all hope for the best from Punxsutawney Phil.
1: Pink PJ Set - Not just for Valentine’s Day, baby! This is such a happy, statement outfit, and bright pink is IN. I am picturing the full set with black booties for a date night, or the pants with a black or white tank
2: Striped Sweater T - Something to brighten up your look, and then pull out again in the spring with white jeans and some cool sneaks!
3: Shaker-Stitch Sweater - This is a great choice if you want a little color but aren’t into neon or hot pink.
4: Pink Blouse - or maybe you’re good to go on the hot pink, and this is your choice. In the spring, I am picturing this with denim shorts!
5: Collared Cardigan - This is giving me major Alex Mill vibes! I’ve pulled a few Boden pieces in this edit, but just in general, they take joyful winter dressing to the next level. I highly recommend a gander through their selection if you are feeling similarly moved to bring some more color into your winter wardrobe.
6: Green Floral Dress - Love La Ligne for some color inspiration and beautiful dresses. I love how this is styled with black boots and you could pop a chunky sweater on top, or equally beautiful with sandals and the sleeves pulled up!
7: Green Floral Blouse - this top makes whatever you are wearing instantly chic and pulled together.
8: Blue and white Blouse - A great print from H&M that I would love to wear tucked into trousers right now, and then with white jeans or denim shorts as the weather warms up!
9: Button-Shoulder Sweater - A very good green piece with the button detail that makes it special!
10: Double-Breasted Blue Blazer - Okay the full matching set with this blazer is AMAZING, but I also love the idea of pulling on this blazer with just a really simple jeans and turtleneck or t-shirt!
11: Vintage Straight-leg Jeans - I’m not making the case that we should wear colored jeans, not yet, anyway. This is a great, simple pair, at an awesome price point that you can wear all year round!
12: Purple Blazer - This is a great wear now and later piece - we know purple is in for spring, and I’m not yet sure where I will stand on it personally, but dang…this model makes it look GOOD.
13: Floral Smocked Dress - This Doen lookalike from Gap is a snag! Wear it now with a blazer or a sweater and chunky boots, and then as the weather starts to warm with a jean or leather jacket.
14: Puff Sleeve Floral Dress: I’m picturing this with a big sweater or chunky cardigan over it, maybe with tights and boots!
15: Blue Loafers - Another great pop of color in your shoes, and loafers are an ever green style!
16: Green Sweatpants - I think a wide-leg sweatpants is going to be the silhouette we all want in the next few seasons.
17: Green Slip Skirt - I consider a slip skirt a wardrobe staple now, and I think you can make a strong case for a colorful one, as well as a more neutral option. This looks great with an oversized sweater, a button down, a t shirt & sneakers, the list goes on!
18: Relaxed Button Up - Another wardrobe staple, you can wear this with anything in your closet!
19: Edie Bag - A classic shape in a fun color!
20: Splatter Paint Dress - Perfect choice for a special occasion you have coming up in the winter time!
21: Blue Floral Sweater: I love blue anything; I always feel happy and good wearing the color. So, I know I’ll reach for a piece like this when I’m craving color and even when I want something more simple or neutral.
22: Ballet Flats - There are so many good colorful shoes right now, flats especially. I think its a sign that we will all want colorful shoes is upcoming season, so I would get on the trend now!
23: Red Trousers - Another great way to bring color into your wardrobe is with a statement pair of pants. You can go tonal, add another bright color for a festive occasion, or round out with a neutral!
24: Rixo Dress - This is gorgeous - I love that it can be dressed up or down, and it feels a little different from a lot of other pieces I have been browsing!
25: Red Striped Marin - Love this sweater so much!
26: Rose Bloom Sweater - Gorg color and knit!
27: Rainbow Striped Marin Sweater - the queen of sweaters in a pretty bright!
28: Pink ballet flats - go all in with color throughout your outfit, or opt for a simple pop of color. Pink shoes will never not brighten up your day!
29: Pink Jeans - Okay, maybe I am saying we should all wear colored jeans!
Hope you enjoy, and are able to brighten up these cold winter days with some fun clothes!