How to Wear Colour in Winter
Written by Artemis Clo
Winter has a way of draining the colour out of everything, including our wardrobes. If you have caught yourself in a sea of black, grey and navy and wondered how to wear colour again, the good news is that it takes one piece to start and no rules you cannot bend.
How to wear colour near your face first
The easiest place to begin is right beside your face. A coloured jumper, scarf or collar lifts your complexion and brightens your eyes, which is exactly what a grey January morning needs. Your trousers and coat can stay neutral while you get used to it.
Knitwear is perfect for this. A sunburst patchwork roll neck jumper brings several colours at once, while a single bright shade feels bolder and simpler. Our jumpers collection has plenty of both. If you are not sure which shades flatter you, our guide to seasonal colour analysis is a friendly starting point.
Start with one piece and wear it three or four times. Notice who comments and how you feel in it. That is far more useful than any chart.
Jumpers to start with
A few pieces that fit what you have just read.
Sunburst Patchwork Roll Neck Jumper
Geometric Jacquard Mock Neck Jumper
Printed Roll Neck Jumper with Artistic Design
Choose colours that love winter light
Winter light is low, soft and often grey. Some colours glow in it, and others look tired. Jewel tones are the winter favourites for good reason: emerald, sapphire, ruby, amethyst and deep teal all have enough richness to hold their own on a dull day.
Warmer shades work beautifully too. Rust, mustard, berry and burnt orange feel cosy and pair well with camel and chocolate. If you prefer softer colour, try dusky pink, sage or powder blue against charcoal: they look gentle rather than shy. Building a winter colour palette of two or three shades you love makes getting dressed much quicker.
Let your hair help you choose
Your hair is part of the picture. Silver and grey hair looks wonderful against clear, cool colours such as sapphire, fuchsia and emerald, which make it shine rather than fade. Warm browns and reds sing next to rust, olive and teal. If you have recently changed your hair colour, it is worth revisiting the shades you wear near your face, because what suited you five years ago may have been overtaken by something even better.
How to wear colour with neutrals, and beyond
Neutrals are not the enemy. They are the stage that lets colour perform. A bright jumper with navy trousers and camel boots looks considered rather than loud. Our guide on how to wear neutrals explains which bases work hardest.
Once that feels easy, try a coloured layer over a neutral one. A polka dot colour block cardigan over a plain top adds colour and pattern in one go, and the cardigans collection has bright and soft options to experiment with.
Then, if you are feeling brave, try colour blocking: two strong shades worn together, such as plum and mustard, cobalt and red, or pink and orange. Keep the shapes simple and the shoes neutral, and it looks modern and deliberate. Prints are another route, and our guide on how to wear prints and patterns covers that in detail.
Colour in small doses
Not ready for a whole coloured outfit? Start smaller. A scarf, a pair of gloves, a bag or a pair of shoes in a strong shade will brighten an entirely neutral outfit and can be swapped in seconds. A red bag with a camel coat, or green gloves with navy, is a classic for a reason. These small pieces also travel between outfits, so one bright scarf can lift a whole week of grey and black.
A coloured coat changes everything
In winter your coat is the outfit most people see. A bright winter coat is the boldest move and, oddly, one of the easiest: everything underneath can stay simple, and you will be the one person in the queue that people smile at.
If a fully coloured coat feels like too much, try a print. A leopard print shacket with snap buttons works as a neutral with personality. Browse the coats and jackets for warmer colours and textures, and finish with a scarf or hat from our accessories in your favourite shade.
Above all, wearing colour in winter is about how it makes you feel. On the darkest afternoon, a flash of red at your neck or a teal jumper under your coat is a small, private act of cheerfulness. You deserve that every day of the season.
Next, from our cardigans
Something from a neighbouring rail, for the same moment.
Polka Dot Colour Block Cardigan, Button Front
Fair Isle Yoke Cardigan with Button Front
Relaxed Knit Cardigan with Multicoloured Buttons
Your questions, answered
Which colours suit everyone?
No colour truly suits every single person, but some come close. Soft teal, warm red, deep plum and true navy flatter a very wide range of skin tones, which makes them a safe first step if you are new to colour.
Can I wear bright colours to the office in winter?
Yes. A coloured jumper or blouse under a neutral jacket reads as polished in almost any workplace. If your office is very formal, keep the brightest shade to one piece and let the rest of the outfit stay calm.
How many colours can I wear in one outfit?
Two or three is a comfortable rule, with neutrals not counting. Once you are confident, colour blocking with two strong shades looks deliberate and modern, while a print can carry several colours at once without feeling busy.
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