JACKET - IRO, TEE - Goldie, SKIRT - Nordstrom (halogen), BOOTS - Frye

If you live in a chilly climate like we do, this may be about the time you’re beginning to fall out of love with winter – and your winter clothes! Have we been wearing these same sweaters, chapeaus and snow boots, like, forever?! And why is it spring in magazines but 100% winter outside?? This is when we need the closet equivalent of a makeover: same face, different way of making it look pretty. So today, we’re sharing five ways to breathe new life into your wardrobe without necessarily buying anything new. That way, we can squeeze a little more joy out of our winter wear while saving up to savor the sartorial joys of spring!

1. Sneak in spring color

blazer - veronica beard, jeans - rag & bone, tee - l’agence, shoes - wirth

In the winter, many of us retreat to a backdrop of black – or other dark neutral. Even if we sport crimson cords or a berry blazer, chances are they’re paired with something low-key. So how about doing some counter programming and coupling color with color? Red can look refreshing with pink, light blue, army green and camel – to name just a few. Emerald green is a gem with sapphire blue and citrine yellow and more. Plus, color tends to cheer up your complexion and your mood – making winter feel a little more welcoming.

2. Make opposites attract

blazer - ted baker, joggers - pam & gela , tee - claudie pierlot

jacket - hobbs, dress - &other stories, belt - ada

For some time now, fashion has been giving us permission to mix and match with abandon. Yippee! So, why not take it up on its offer to blend leisure and work, nighttime and day, dressy and casual? You could add a little edge at the office with a leather jacket (still a staple for spring) in place of your blazer. Or embrace the enduring athleisure trend by swapping your trousers for joggers or shoes for trainers. Ditto borrowing your button down to layer under woolies on the weekend or your blazer to couple with a cami for an evening out.

3. Layer while you can

sweater - club monaco, jeans - mother, shirt - jcrew, shoes - isabel marant

dress - topshop, boots - stuart weitzman, vest - soia & kyo

Hard though it is to believe, there will come a time when it’ll be so hot, we’ll feel like naked is overdressed! So, now’s the time to seize the opportunity to layer. With each item you add a bit of interest – fitting winter’s cozy, pile it on vibe. You could sneak one of spring top trends – the waistcoat – under your work blazer or over a shirt. Or add dimension to a dress with colorful tights and roll-neck underneath or a belted blazer or vest on top. Come the weekend, a light puffer vest can add interest without too much bulk. Ditto a hoodie or cardi over a tee or sweater over a shirt.

4. Mix and match patterns

blazer - smythe, sweater - nordstrom (halogen), belt - isabel marant, jeans - mother, shoes - jibslife

dress - ulla johnson, belt - veronica beard, boots - the kooples

Mixing and matching patterns can be bit daunting – which is why many of us steer clear. So, what better way to try something new than to give pattern-on-pattern dressing a go! Stripes, I find, are almost akin to a neutral. They pair well with everything from leopard to florals to polka dots, which are spot on (sorry, ridiculous!) for spring. Leopard is another good mixer. You can even pair two patterns with different sized spots so the mismatch looks intentional. Inverting colors is another way to make two patterns gel - say a black jacket with white windowpanes and a white shirt with black lines. Break things up with a solid here and there to keep chaos at bay.

5. Embrace your accessories

belt - b low the belt, jeans - trave, shirt - maison scotch, vest - smartwool

There’s a reason why capsule wardrobes often lean on accessories – they can completely transform even the most basic of looks. Just imagine you’re wearing a plain blazer and pants to work. Now add in a pair of leopard-print shoes. Ta-da! Instant interest and conversation opener. Or maybe you’re sporting a neutral knit and jeans on the weekend. A silk scarf can add some je ne sais quoi. Almost anything can look more pulled together with a belt – be it a dress, blazer or denim. Then there’s jewelry. If you’re used to defaulting to a pair of small studs, how about swapping in a necklace - or three?

How about you? What are you doing to keep your winter wardrobe interesting? Please let us know with a comment - and happy February!