Right about now youโre getting pretty tired of winter and are starting to yearn for more hours of sunlight and less time wrangling lost rubber boots and mittens. Except for a few minutes in the shower, you havenโt seen your own bare feet in months, youโve forgotten what you look like without a puffy jacket, and if your kidsโ schools declare another snow day this week youโre going to start sobbing.
The sign of the season is that your sweaters have gotten limp, and so have your spirits. Even if you wanted some retail therapy, the only cold-weather clothes in the stores have been relegated to sale racks that are either packed tightly with stuff no one wanted (for good reason) or are as sparsely arrayed as the tinsel on Charlie Brownโs Christmas tree. The stores have moved on to Spring and while you might ache to join them, what you want is something you can wear now!
The answer is sitting right in front of you this minute. Grab a cup of cocoa โ or a glass of wine if it doesnโt make you go all silly and throw caution to the wind โ and settle in for some online browsing. What could be better and easier than to point, click, and have a package delivered right to your door? Actually, there is one better thing, and that is to do your online shopping with some great coupons for many sites like Macyโs, Nordstrom, Kohlโs, and even Sephora!
While youโre at it, here are five things to look for that will definitely help you fight those winter fashion blahs without breaking the bank:
1. Something Colorful
Your natural fashion aesthetic may have lead you to a winter wardrobe of black and tasteful neutrals, but now is the time to kick your spirits into high gear with a color that has some life in it. Beige may be sophisticated, but it doesnโt bring much to the party. If you think red is just for the holidays, and aqua is just for summertime, think again.
The rainbow is full of glorious colors that have no season. Pale pink or peach will reflect up on your face and put a blush in your cheeks even when you havenโt seen the sun for days. Baby blue will bring out the blue in your eyes and is remarkably flattering to brown eyes, too.
If the stores let you down, maybe your more colorful warm weather clothes can be worked into dressing now, layered over or under more utilitarian items to keep you warm. Try a bright yellow cardigan over that wintry navy blue, or a vibrant grass green over something gray.
A beautiful scarf is a great way to leaven the winter doldrums even if youโre not getting dressed up to go anywhere but the supermarket. There are dozens of ways to wear scarves with the most casual outfit to polish your look and add color and pattern. Instructions for how to tie scarves are easy to find on the web; wikiHow has some of the easiest to follow.
2. Something Cozy
Going to bed in sweats and two pairs of athletic socks may be warm, but it doesnโt do much for romance. If you havenโt bought a new nightgown since you lived in the dorm, you might be surprised to know that there are styles out there that wonโt make you look like an escapee from that little house on the prairie.
While we arenโt aware of any fashion designers who have gotten around to creating seductive winter nightwear, there are some really pretty sleep shirts that are both grown up and toasty. Look for satin on the outside, flannel on the insideโฆ the best of both worlds.
3. Something Sparkly
Whatโs better than sparkle to perk things up? Stop envying the little girls who dress with abandon in their twinkly tutus and glittering Mary Janes. Join them! Whether you find it in a headband, a bracelet, or a pair of spangled sneakers, something that dazzles in the light is fun to look at and fun to wear.
4. Something Personal
Maybe itโs some new makeup. Maybe itโs a fragrance that reminds you of something lovely and takes you out of the stale inside air. Maybe itโs a bunch of new nail polishes in the gorgeous colors of French macarons. Maybe itโs a pink wig! Donโt scoff. Itโs a playful way not only to cheer yourself up, but cheer up everyone around you.
5. Something to Look Forward to Wearing
Okay, so Spring isnโt actually just around the corner, but buying one thing you can wear the first day you feel a change in the weather is so hopeful. Put it front and center in your closet and every time you see it, youโll know that winter isnโt forever.