What coat colors are better than black for the 3 Winter types?
Previous two posts presented alternatives to black, gray, navy, and beige coats for Summer and Autumn color types. Today it’s time for the three Winter types. For these Seasons, black is easy — widely available and more forgiving in terms of aging effects on the skin than for all the other types.
But we already have enough black on the streets at this time of year. So what to wear instead? What colorful options for autumn and winter outerwear do the Winter types have? How can they choose something from what’s available in stores that will harmonize with their color palettes and serve them even better than black? And how should they find hats, scarves, bags, and shoes to go with colorful coats?
Dark Winter
True Winter
Bright Winter
Dark Winter
Dark reds are becoming increasingly popular and widely available among autumn–winter outerwear. You can choose from various shades, from crimson through cherry, merlot, and burgundy, all the way to deep rusty wine tones bordering with Dark Autumn. Royal blue looks truly regal on Dark Winters. Compared to black, it is a level up in elegance and sophistication.
True Winter
Cool emerald green is soothing and pleasing to the eye. It’s a color, not a neutral, yet it radiates tranquility and harmony. Acidic yellow is for the bold and for those who enjoy fashion experiments — no one will walk past you indifferently.
Bright Winter
Fuchsias and purples are key colors in the Winter palettes. But if anyone can pull off such a color and shine at the same time, it’s Bright Winter. Daffodil yellow is unexpected and serves as a wonderful reminder that on the other side of these gray, overcast weeks, a beautiful, sunny spring is waiting for us.
What to wear these colors with?
Dark Winter
On a Dark Winter, red creates such a great combination with black that it would be a shame not to use it. Shoes, handbags, hats, or other accessories in black emphasize the depth typical of Dark Winter. A checkered scarf introduces a few other colors, but in small amounts — the midnight navy, pine green, and the yellow reminiscent of Christmas tree lights evoke a festive atmosphere.
With royal blue, there is no room for fashion jokes or playful color winks. If you want to highlight its elegant, strikingly simple, and slightly austere tone, complete the outfit with white and black.
True Winter
Green paired with purple is one of my favorite color combinations. This pairing will give you a moderate value contrast (light–dark), but a generous dose of color. In an ideal scenario, the handbag would have silver hardware rather than gold. In this outfit, I chose to keep it because the metal is quite light and cool, and none of the other garments include metals in clashing colors.
One strong color over a large area can push the comfort limits of many Winters. Anchor it with a familiar and safe neutral — in this case, black works well, as it is already present in the coat’s finishing details. This way, you’ll ensure the contrast your color type needs.
Bright Winter
Extending the spring-like theme of the parka to the rest of your look, you can pair it with similar yellows and a vibrant, sunny green. If you feel that there’s too much going on color-wise for your taste, add a bit of black in a small dose.
In the outfit with the hibiscus-pink puffer jacket, silver takes on the role of the neutral instead of white or black. The cobalt accent isn’t necessary, but it adds a mischievous and intriguing finishing touch.
The perfect coat
The coats chosen for this post were selected mainly for their colors. I didn’t take into account fabrics, styles, prices, or current trends. My goal is to show you that you’re not limited to classic colors like black, navy, or beige.
Lastly, I’d like to remind you that colors in photos don’t always reflect reality perfectly. If you order something online, check the color at home with your personal color palette to make sure the coat matches your Season.
The last post of this series will cover colorful coats for the 3 Spring types.
*The links included in this post are not affiliate links. I do not collaborate with any stores or brands, and do not receive any benefits from linking to their products.
