Stylists Share the 13 Gorgeous Shades to Brighten Up Your Winter Wardrobe

Dressing for cold weather comes with a set of challenges; not only do you need to stay warm, but you also want to maintain your unique style. While the typical winter color palette tends to stick to basic black, white, gray, and a few neutrals, it can quickly start to feel uninspired.

We asked 11 fashion stylists to help us uncover the must-have colors for winter 2025 and tips on how to easily mix them into your wardrobe. Shades that you may have once avoided, like bold burgundy or soft pastel blues, are actually quite simple to incorporate into your daily looks. Explore the stylist-approved finds below to refresh your seasonal attire.

Top Stylist-Recommended Colors to Refresh Your Winter Wardrobe

• Kenneth Cole New York Diamond Quilted Puffer Coat, $100 (was $168); nordstrom.com.
• Banana Republic Factory Sweater, $32 (was $80); bananarepublicfactory.com.
• White House Black Market Chiffon Ruffle Blouse, $89; whitehouseblackmarket.com.
• Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Pants, $40; quince.com.
• Spanx AirEssentials Sleeveless Jumpsuit, $79 (was $138); spanx.com.
• Mark & Graham Double-Handle Crossbody Bag, $80 (was $149); markandgraham.com.
• GB Holy-Grail Leather Block Heel Booties, $66 (was $110); dillards.com.

Burgundy

"Burgundy is a deep, luxurious red with rich purple undertones that resembles red wine, making it a stunning addition to any winter wardrobe," explains Brenda Cooper, celebrity stylist and the mastermind behind Fran Drescher's unforgettable looks from the Nanny. "It's a timeless classic and a bold alternative to basic black. This hue also complements other seasonal shades beautifully, especially when paired with black, brown, or grey, adding an elegant flair to both casual and formal outfits. Burgundy and black are a perfect duo, so if you're sticking with black, try adding a burgundy bag, scarf, or shoes to enhance your monochrome look. You could even go for a full burgundy outfit, such as a burgundy turtleneck, pants or jeans, and suede boots or loafers."

Aqua

To introduce a more adventurous shade, Cooper recommends adding aqua to your wardrobe. "Imagine it as a brighter, more vibrant version of turquoise. [Aqua] brings a burst of both excitement and calm to winter, beautifully balancing the darker shades of the season. Pair the lighter aqua tones with winter white for a fresh, sporty vibe, or opt for the deeper aqua shades with rich browns, burgundy, or black for a bold, elegant look. Aqua also transitions perfectly into spring and even next fall/winter."

Sky Blue

Shari Braendel, founder of Style by Color and a color analyst, explains to Mytour, "The soft, cool tone of sky blue beautifully contrasts with the warm hues of khaki and camel. This pairing brings a fresh, modern feel, adding a pop of brightness—perfect for the transition between seasons or winter outfits in need of a soft, uplifting touch. Pair camel trousers with a silky sky-blue blouse for a chic and unexpected color combination."

Camel

Stylist Bobbi Schwartz shares, "Camel is one of my top picks for cold-weather colors. It's a timeless shade that adds warmth and richness to any ensemble, effortlessly blending with most colors. Camel looks especially fabulous with black, other complementary hues, and various shades of brown and grey. Subtle yet striking, it's a true eye-catcher."

Mocha Mousse

"It seems almost customary to complain about Pantone’s 2025 color of the year, but I adore it," exclaims Shana Draugelis, founder of the lifestyle site Mom Edit. "It’s rich, calming, timeless, smooth, and reminiscent of chocolate and coffee. In fact, it’s so luxurious that I can picture myself wearing it from head to toe in loungewear, making it perfect for any season. I’ll even be swapping out my black bikini for one in mocha."

All the Blues

Draugelis shares, "I've been swapping out my usual black accessories for a selection of blues that are lighter than navy but still function as neutrals. And with the rise of the mermaid-core trend, there are more options than ever before. My go-to choices for incorporating these ocean-inspired blues have been through accessories like bags, winter hats, and even in fun, unexpected ways such as earrings and eyeliner."

Chocolate Brown

Celebrity stylist and author of Style for Everybody, Kim Appelt, asserts that "chocolate brown is taking over this winter because it’s classic, adaptable, and flattering. It brings a warm, grounded vibe, ideal for the colder months, and offers a sophisticated yet approachable alternative to black. Chocolate brown is perfect as a foundational color for winter wardrobes. Picture wool coats, corduroy pants, sleek midi skirts, or structured leather boots. It’s a kinder choice than black for fairer skin tones, infusing warmth and richness."

Powder Pink

Dianne Boyer, stylist and founder of Dianne in Style, appreciates the "gentleness and warmth" that powder pink adds to your winter wardrobe. "It’s certainly a bit more subtle than the bold Barbie pink of recent years, which makes it easier to mix with other colors. I particularly enjoy pairing it with unique hues; you can seamlessly combine pink with burgundy items already in your closet. Imagine pairing a pink satin blouse with a burgundy blazer. I also love the combination of pink with chocolate brown and Mocha Mousse."

Matte Pearl

Jackie Schiavone, stylist and founder of My Someday Project, views matte pearl as the modern version of winter white. "It’s just as soft and creamy as winter white, but with a subtler brightness. This softer shade conceals the typical wear and tear on clothing from harsh weather conditions. Unlike black, which can make your complexion look dull and dry, matte pearl enhances it. You can also pair it with classic winter white for a sleek, monochromatic outfit. The matte pearl color is both elegant and adaptable."

Midnight Navy 

If you’re aiming for something a bit more "intense and dramatic," stylist Jessica Armstrong suggests, "Midnight navy should be your go-to winter essential." It’s striking yet adaptable, and contrary to past beliefs, it looks incredibly stylish when paired with black," she explains. "Choose midnight navy in matte fabrics like wool or cotton, and balance them with glossy black leather or satin. I love to complement this pairing with silver jewelry for added sophistication. It also blends seamlessly with Mocha Mousse for a refined look."

Rich Red

Blogger and stylist Jackie Condura explains, "Red has been a hot color trend for several seasons and shows no sign of fading. It's so appealing because it complements a wide variety of colors and pairs effortlessly with neutrals. You can even mix red with leopard print, which is also on-trend for an excellent combination. Red brings warmth during the colder months and ties in beautifully with holidays like Valentine’s Day. One of red's key advantages is that it’s universally flattering and can easily be added to your wardrobe either as the main focus or as a striking accent."

Sapphire Blue

According to expert stylist Sharon Warten, "Sapphire blue is a luxurious, royal alternative to navy or black." "I adore it for outerwear, knits, and pants. It pairs beautifully with silver boots or soft gray and flows effortlessly into spring." It's the ideal hue for a stunning, head-turning statement piece that remains tasteful and not overwhelming.

Rich Deep Crimson

"Deep crimson emerged with a bold presence for fall, and it's making its way into the winter and spring of 2025," says fashion expert Dawn Del Russo. "This rich jewel tone is perfect for a full-on look, combining tops, skirts, and tights. It's also easy to add it to your wardrobe through bags and shoes, or even as a statement silk scarf."