Rescue for the "overly sanitized" wardrobe

 I've recommended stylist Bridgette Rae's blog for a few years; though all posts are good reads, her post "Bored by Your Go-To Looks? What to Do When Your Wardrobe Has Become Overly Sanitized" felt as if written for me. "Overly sanitized" means the clothes are your kind of thing, but the thrill is gone. 

Bridgette's wise advice: The biggest mistakes are born from an attempt at too much change, so try a wide cuff on your trousers rather than your usual hem,  or a wrapped rather than button-front shirt. Go slowly; just one or two pieces can lift a tepid closet's temperature. She mentions upgrading, and resisting repeating the tried and true. And for me, that includes colour.

As I hung my fall-winter clothes, I noticed the blue/black/grey panorama and thought, Oh, you again. The closet begged for a shot of something. 

Quick, what colour injects life into all those darks? Who shouted, "Red!"?

I found this soft warm-toned red mohair cardigan by a Danish maker, Selected, in a consignment store. The slightly wide cut works alone or over a shirt. A similar alpaca-blend pullover, the "Amiel,  is in this season's lineup from Sézane,. Also in navy and grey, just sayin'.

If a sweater is too much, a scarf with a good ratio of red also works nicely. Some standouts in various tones:

Left: The more the berrier! A 35cm x 180cm plaid cashmere long scarf, SlipIntoSoft; price, $CAN 179.
Top right: The chic red silk 90cm "Regalia Placée" carré, La DoubleJ; price, $CAN 490.
Bottom right: Tango red printed cashmere twill mini-square (63cm x 63cm), Eric Bompard; price, $CAN 240.

Just the neck?

The snood (aka gaiter or cowl) is a tube-shaped accessory with a funny name. It swaddles your neck in a squashy, soft layer; if you can wear wool, cashmere is divine and if not, a brushed fleece, bamboo or cotton knit feels cozy too. 

Golightly Cashmere make a terrific one, in red and other thrilling colours. At $US 145, it is a worth-it wonder. Shown, Golightly gaiter in Robin Red. 

Photo: Golightly Cashmere

E's red spree

When looking for red, we just can't grab anything. A sales associate once told me to look for "a kind red".  

Here's E., who wanted a winter coat that was not black. She found two coats, both red. On the left, a wool sweater coat by St. James from a consignment shop. On the right, a down puffer from 100,000 Coats and Jeans with a temperature rating to -30C, which we have here, with the wind chill.

E. in her reds

Reader, she bought both. The cherry coat is light enough to work indoors (she is chill-prone), and as outerwear in spring. The puffer will stand on guard when the frostbite warnings arrive. In E's defence: she needed both coats; she'd been making do with an unlined rain parka.

She has neutral undertones in her white skin, more pink than peach, so can wear both cool and warm reds of medium intensity.  

If red's on your radar, try on various tones, because you might be surprised. Thrift shores are great places for experimenting without sales pressure. I'm advised (as a True Winter) to wear the blue-based reds, but  they can feel too harsh.

Here are some red swatches; do you see yours?

An "overly-sanitized" wardrobe results in a sombre impression, and now, when it's dark by 5 p.m., that is handily done by nature. Red pushes back, supplying vibrancy and energy.

Even after the holidays pass, red is a sure pick-up and no, our lipstick need not match, but the delightful and always red-lipped Gwen of perfumeniche might add, "And why not try that, too?"