Keep the gloom at bay with these joyful outfit ideas …
In the age of personal style, curating a wardrobe with joyful vintage buys is the goal. Look to Jenny Walton, pictured, for inspiration who loves a full skirt in candy pink.
During dull days, fashion’s nod to Napoleon dressing seems entirely appropriate. Think: military jackets with jaunty epaulettes, metallic details and brilliant flashes of colour.
Dopamine dressing needn’t involve dressing head-to-toe in searing brights that resemble a paintbox, rather it’s about tapping into clothing that inspires a certain rush of happiness. In this case, it might mean wearing an eclectic animal print trench coat in place of a neutral beige one.
The idea of bright yellow or vivid green may seem counterintuitive at this time of year, but chartreuse is actually tipped as one of the biggest colour trends for the SS26 season. Some will introduce it in a flash of colour, others will colour drench it from head to toe. If you opt for the latter, the above is a reference on how to do it in a sleek way.
On the topic of green, a bright knit in a shade of olive or apple will boost an otherwise somber (read: all black) outfit. It’s also the perfect piece to knot around your shoulders as a makeshift scarf atop your favourite coat.
If all else fails, a pair of excellent tights or socks (teamed with OTT heels) can uplift any look. See this animal print pair as a case in point.
While some are doubling down on last year’s pop of red styling trick, why not consider a flash of yellow? Butter yellow is set to continue its winning streak in 2026 and, if a dress or blouse isn’t for you, look to accessories such as pochettes, clutch bags or scarves.
Red is a neutral, according to creative director of J Crew Olympia Gayot who teams geranium red cashmere V-neck knits with wrap skirts in the same hue.
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