In the dead of winter, it's easy to just give up and play it safe with shades of black and grey. But the darkness out there offers even more reason to turn on the lights. Big bold brights lit up the season's runways, particularly in outerwear. Breathe new life into your office uniform (pencil skirts, jackets, trousers) by playing around with new colour combos. And don't be afraid to stand out.
1. Remember colour blocking? Last spring's massive trend has trickled down to winter with only one difference: Candy tints and neons have been replaced with bold primary colours. When combining such bright hues, pair a softer shade, such as yellow, with a deeper one, like red.
2. If you're a novice to the colour wheel, mix in some (safer) pastels. Look to Derek Lam's fall runway presentation, where bold red trousers were paired to perfection with a pea coat in a more understated shade of blue.
3. To avoid looking like a Mondrian, be sure to play with textures. A jacket in nubby tweed takes the edge off an outfit composed primarily of, well, primaries. And don't kid yourself: It's still February – you need those thicker fabrications to keep you warm.