Check out The Denver Post article from today for my “Five Tips…” and then be sure to come back and scroll down the blog post for additional tips including a clothing collage with lots of examples– all regarding ways to freshen your winter wardrobe.  

The Denver Post, March 1, 2012:

 “Five Tips: Beat winter wardrobe blahs”  

With the remnants of winter stubbornly refusing to yield completely to spring, March brings high spring fever amplified by deceptively sunny days that are still too chilly to forgo a jacket. Fortunately, just because you can’t put away the sweaters and boots quite yet doesn’t mean you can’t punctuate your winter wardrobe with a pop of spring to stick it to the last weeks of cold.

This season’s brights may seem intimidating, but done the right way, they provide a great way to refresh your winter wardrobe. Spring is also an ideal time to introduce color into a wardbrobe full of of neutral black, navy, gray and camel – after all, whether in a vibrant print top, a cherry leather jacket or simply a bright scarf, the splashes of color will go with everything you already own.

Starting small. For those still wary of spring’s sorbet and primary hues, bright accessories pack a lot of punch on a monochromatic outfit. You can keep it classic with a scarf knotted around your neck or a cuff in cherry red against a neutral backdrop. A bright handbag, belt or shoe also has the same effect. For the more adventurous, pair a coral bib necklace with a top in a contrasting color, like aqua, or pick up a pair of leather driving gloves in deep teal. Whatever you choose, accessories prove that good things do come in small packages.

Also consider the option of making bold colorblocked or patterned shoes your main statement. With a monochromatic or otherwise neutral outfit, bright shoes have an impact much bigger than their size. Draw attention to them by cuffing your jeans or wearing them with your favorite mid-length skirt.

Stepping out. If the promise of spring has inspired a bold, carefree attitude in you, don’t feel constrained to accessories for your fix of color. Swap out the traditional shell under your work blazer for a breezy chiffon blouse in candy-dish hues, or set off a classic camel pencil skirt with a luxe teal bow-neck top. For all things leisure, a leather jacket in cheerful red makes a great weekend staple, and you can rework your favorite navy cardigan and jeans by pairing them with a casual aqua spring-weight sweater.

The final touches. One key to pulling off this season’s brightest trend is to keep the silhouettes classic – there’s enough going on in the material. As for shoes, your favorite black pumps will prove reliable once again, but nude and metallic shoes also play extremely well with saturated hues – and the same goes for handbags and belts. (And given a few weeks, you’ll no longer have to worry about splashing slush on light-colored shoes.) Jewelry, if worn at all, should be kept simple to avoid competing, unless the jewelry itself is your statement.

Finally, as with any trend, know what works for you, both in terms of colors and silhouettes. Don’t be afraid to say no to bright yellow!  And don’t buy anything that isn’t distinctly “you”.

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