How to Dress in the Colors of Winter

In the Winter, the colors of the natural world we live in become cloudy, with stark black and brown branches covered in glistening silvery white snow. It’s not the most colorful season. That lack of color tends to cause melancholy (or the blues, which tinge the cold season in a wide range of hues). Blue tends to also a give us a calm and peaceful feeling, so it definitely has it’s upside. As the daylight shines through the clouds, there are other subtle colors of the rainbow that can shine through the ice, especially at dawn and dusk. So there is a lot of beauty in the colors of Winter.

We can copy the beauty of this icy season in our cold-weather outfits. Or, we can brighten our spirits with colors we love and spark our energy with sequins, crystals and gems. Age doesn’t matter. Just choose colors that make you feel and look good.

Another thing you might need in the Winter if you lose a tan and become pale is a color scheme that adds a glow to your skin. Maybe pinks look good on you, or reds, blues, purples. Wear what brings out your true colors. For instance, wear colors that match your eyes, such as blues or greens or golds.

If you like the ease of dressing in black and white yet need some color in your skin, you can always add a colorful scarf or statement necklace for a touch of glow.

Following are the Pantone winter colors 2021. And then, below that are some of the best colors to combine them with. I hope you enjoy using winter colors for the next month until the first day of spring! It will come soon enough.  😉

Here are the Pantone Winter colors 2021 from N.Y.C.:

PANTONE 16-1350
Amberglow

A radiant autumnal orange, Amberglow promotes self-confidence and creative self-expression.

PANTONE 19-1662
Samba

A voluptuous sultry red, Samba introduces an upbeat energy.

PANTONE 16-1328
Sandstone

Tied to nature, earthy Sandstone speaks of the rustic outdoors.

PANTONE 19-4052
Classic Blue

A boundless blue hue, Classic Blue is evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky opening us up to a world of possibilities.

PANTONE 13-0648
Green Sheen

Optimistically rebellious, Green Sheen is a bold acidic yellow-green shade that will always stand out.

PANTONE 16-1511
Rose Tan

A gentle dusky pink, Rose Tan imparts a sense of composure.

PANTONE 18-5338
Ultramarine Green

Ultramarine Green, a deep cooling blue-green, exudes self-assurance and poise.

PANTONE 19-1337
Fired Brick

Strong and sturdy, Fired Brick adds gravitas.

PANTONE 14-1220
Peach Nougat

Nurturing Peach Nougat embraces with its inviting warmth.

PANTONE 19-2428
Magenta Purple

A hypnotic purple shade, Magenta Purple intrigues and mesmerizes.

PANTONE 12-0713
Almond Oil

Tasteful Almond Oil is a smooth and subtle off-white shade.

PANTONE 19-3940
Blue Depths

Blue Depths implies an air of mystery and the unknown.

PANTONE 16-3916
Sleet

Highlighting our desire for longevity, Sleet is a timeless gray that is dependable, solid and everlasting.

PANTONE 19-0622
Military Olive

Military Olive is a strong and stalwart foundational green tone.

Combining Winter Colors

Toughen up pale pastel hues by teaming them with dark, wintry shades.

You can mix and match the following Fall/Winter colors to good effect:  purple, rust, pumpkin, navy, teal, camel, moss green.

The Basics:  Black and White

• Let’s start with basic black and white. Angie Cox of You Look Fab started by combining black and white with cobalt. She named a combination of black and white with poppy red and light blue the “Superhero Effect.” Lol! Maybe that would be a good combo for those days when you want to really apply your energy to accomplishing something big!
• Take white or ivory and combine with touches of gray and chocolate brown (i.e., an undershirt beneath a sweater under a vest with a jacket on top).
• You know black and white go with anything!  😀

Gray

• Enhance grays with rich reddish browns and coppery neutrals
• Gray + pink; you might also like to add some black
• Gray + coral (a pinkish orange)
• Gray + wine (or tawny port, burgundy, aubergine)
• Gray + red
• Gray + navy
• Gray + cobalt
• Gray + light blue; you might want to add green
• Gray + lavender
• Gray + black, white, ivory or taupe (any neutral)

Red

This attention-grabbing hue calls for textural contrast, so vary your materials — try slick patent leather with wool, or add shine to crepe with silk satin. If that’s too much color for you, just use red as an accent.  Neutrals like black and gray underscore red’s vibrancy and lit it take center stage as the star of your outfit.

• Red + black
• Red + gray
• Red + white
• Red + plum
• Red + gold (adds a luxurious feel)
• Red + cobalt ups the wattage with bold contrast
• Red + navy

Yellow

• Yellow + white, khaki, gray, navy or brown

Blue

• Blue + gray
• Blue + white for an icy, Snow Queen feeling
• Blue + burgundy
• Blue + silver

Navy

Navy is a good alternative to black.

• Navy + Lime
• Navy + blue
• Navy + cream

Purple

With its blend of warm (red) and cool (blue) hues, purple complements the undertones in every complexion. It’s beautiful on its own. Or you can substitute it for a neutral, where you would normally select a dark tone such as brown or charcoal.

• Purple + red
• Purple + teal
• Purple + ivory or winter white
• Purple + yellow
• Purple + navy

Aubergine

This hue of deep purple should flatter every skin tone.  Like navy, it’s subtle enough to serve as a neutral. Consider it for a coat. If that’s too much of a commitment, swap a little black dress for an aubergine cocktail dress. When wearing aubergine, use a purple shade of eye shadow.

• Aubergine + orange pack an extra punch when worn together
• Aubergine + navy
• Aubergine + blush in a streamlined silhouette because it’s a girlie combo
• Aubergine + cobalt

Pink

• Pink + taupe
• Pink + red
• Pink + white
• Pink + deep green

Khaki

• Khaki clothes + pastels (i.e., lavender top + khaki pants)
• Khaki clothes + exotic-looking prints, including accessories (i.e., blue snakeskin bangle, black snakeskin leggings, leopard-print, zebra-print, etc.)
• Khaki clothes + lace of any color

Orange

• Orange + tan, olive, brown, navy or purple

Turquoise

• Turquoise + navy, brown, white, gray or beige

Sand

• Sand + white, brown, light blue, navy or blush
• Sand + an animal print

Camel

Camel is good for Winter, as in the classic “camel coat.” 😉  Here’s the beauty of camel:  it makes everything look expensive, and any color can be worn with it. Camel is a neutral and, like black, can be worn with any shade. And it can be worn with black, too. If you are looking to warm up all that black in your wardrobe, camel is a great shade to add. What doesn’t go with camel? Below are a few of the myriad colors that go well with it.

• Camel + black
• Camel + blues (especially navy, royal blue and cobalt)
• Camel + red
• Camel + purple
• Camel + coral
• Camel + burgundy
• Camel + gray
• Camel + cream or white
• Camel + green
• Camel + orange
• Camel + pink
• Camel + turquoise
• Camel + leopard

Let’s Connect!

Was this helpful to you? Let us know in the comments below!Like this post?  You might also want to read: 

•  How to Make All Black or All White Look Special
• How to Easily Chart Out Colorful Outfits
• and other posts in my Color Series HERE.

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Angie

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