Cute & Cozy - Bright Idea

In the winter, the gray days can make it easy to get bored and settle into a humdum routine of looks that are more comfortable than anything else.  It’s so simple: grab a couple of black basics, stick them together and you’re good. But I also find that I feel better and happier when I have on a look that I really enjoy wearing…and there are plenty of ways to be both cute and cozy during the chilly weather!
One of my recent favorites is playing with bright colors – partly through the influence of Sea of Shoes :). Combining colors in a look is totally doable and Jane does it better than almost anyone. A less daunting approach is to go for a single-color-family compilation that incorporates different shades in the same genre. Blue is always the first color I think of because blue jeans instantly solve the “omg-I-don’t-really-have-that-many-colored-pants” conundrum.  Red is a close second. What I love about this look is that you don’t have to worry about matching; if you get enough shades of blue together, the sheer numbers will allow for bridge hues that let everything blend. So, grab your favorite, comfiest pair of blue denim. Slim, wide, flared; silhouette matters not. This look is all about the color!  If they’re a year or three old and are full length, no sweat: cuffed is all the rage right now, so just roll your own ;). If you’re craving extra warmth, add a pair of leggings below and cuff them to just a smidge shorter than your pants. Add a blue chunky sweater; oversize is fab, cropped is stellar. For warmth, I add a light but warm base layer. My favorite is the 200 weight Siren tee from Icebreaker, but a thermal Henley or even a basic cotton tee will do nicely. Next: footwear! Add a piece of statement jewelry for a shot of chic: statement earrings, a long pendant, a massive ring (or collection of slim ones!). Alternatively, toss a blue wrap over your shoulders or knot a scarf at your neck for visual interest and a little extra warmth. Finish with blue pointy pumps, or suede ankle booties (neutrals are a 100% acceptable alternative if you a colored-footwear-free atm). Let slim pants rest on the top of slim boots, or cuff them to just above the top of the shaft. Cuff wide or flared pants to one inch above the shaft for wider-style boots, or to just above or even with the narrowest part of the shaft of narrow boots. The key is to make sure there’s a defined slimmer area between the base of your jeans and  your ankle, whether it is your bare ankle or boot-covered ankle :). Don’t forget about adding a blue bag, or blue leather glove (again, think neutrals if you don’t have blue pieces in that genre). I hope this inspires you to try all-blue-everything (or all any-color everything!) sometime soon :) Happy styling!
More cute and cozy looks coming up next!