14 Stylist-Approved Colors to Add to Your Winter Wardrobe

Cold-weather dressing comes with a multitude of challenges; not only are you trying to keep toasty and warm, but you also don’t want to lose your personal taste in the process. It seems the standard winter color palette falls in the category of standard black, white, gray, and a few neutrals. While there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that, it can easily feel stale.

We tapped 11 fashion stylists to help us identify some of the hottest colors for winter 2025 and how to easily incorporate them into our closets. Colors that you might have been wary of adding, like an eye-catching burgundy or pastel shades of blue are surprisingly easy to incorporate to your everyday looks. Check out the stylist-approved products below to help you liven up your seasonal wear.

Top Stylist-Approved Colors to Add to Your Winter Wardrobe

Burgundy

“Burgundy is a deep, rich shade of red with strong purple undertones resembling red wine and is a spectacular addition to a winter wardrobe for several reasons,” says Brenda Cooper, a celebrity stylist and the genius behind Fran Dresher’s iconic looks from the Nanny. “It is an enduring classic and a rich alternative to traditional black. It also pairs beautifully with other colors of the season and elegantly with black, brown, and grey to give a sophisticated touch to any outfit, whether casual or dressy. Burgundy and black are the best of friends, so If you want to stick with your classic black, simply add a burgundy purse, tote, scarf, and shoes to elevate a black silhouette outfit to new heights. I would even try a top to toe full burgundy outfit, such as a burgundy turtleneck, pants or jeans, and suede boots or loafers.”

Aqua

To add a more daring shade, Cooper suggests opting for aqua pieces. “Think of it as a lighter and more vivid version of turquoise. [Aqua] adds a splash of both excitement and tranquility for winter that compliments the traditional darker colors of the season. Combine the icy, lighter shades of aqua with winter white for a refreshing, sporty look, and the deeper shades of aqua with deep browns, burgundy, or black for a rich, vibrant, and elegant look. It can also totally be repurposed going forward to spring and even into next fall/winter.”

Sky Blue

Founder of Style by Color and color analyst, Shari Braendel, tells Real Simple, “Sky blue’s light, cool tone contrasts beautifully with the warm undertones of khaki and camel. This pairing feels fresh and modern and adds a touch of brightness, making it perfect for transitional weather or winter outfits that need a soft, uplifting vibe. Camel trousers with a silky sky-blue blouse create a sophisticated yet unexpected color combination.”

Camel

According to stylist Bobbi Schwartz, “Camel is next in line in terms of my favorite cold-weather colors. It is timeless, brings warmth and richness to any look, and pairs beautifully with most other colors. Camel is fabulous when worn with black or other complementary shades and varying shades of brown and grey. Though subtle, it is a look-popper.”

Mocha Mousse

“Complaining about Pantone’s 2025 color of the year seems almost customary at this point, but we love it,” raves founder of the lifestyle site Mom Edit, Shana Draugelis. “It’s rich, calming, timeless, smooth, and chocolate/coffee-reminiscent. It’s so rich, in fact, that I see wearing it head-to-toe in loungewear perfect for all four seasons. I’ll even be trading in my black bikini for one in mocha.”

All the Blues

Draugelis confesses, “I’ve been swapping out my go-to black accessories for a range of blues that are brighter than navy but still read like a neutral. And thanks to the mermaid-core trend, there are more choices than ever. My favorite ways to wear these ocean-inspired blues have been with accessories like bags, winter beanies, and in some playful and unexpected ways like earrings and eyeliner.”

Chocolate Brown

Celebrity stylist and author of Style for Everybody, Kim Appelt, insists that “chocolate brown is dominating this winter because it’s timeless, versatile, and flattering. It adds a cozy, grounded feel, perfect for colder months, and is approachable yet elevated, making them staples for any wardrobe. Chocolate brown is an excellent base color for winter. Think wool coats, corduroy pants, sleek midi skirts, or structured leather boots. It’s a friendlier alternative to black for fairer skin tones, adding warmth and richness.”

Powder Pink

Dianne Boyer, stylist and founder of Dianne in Style, loves the “softness and coziness” that powder pink brings to your winter wardrobe. “It’s definitely a little more toned down than the bright Barbie pink of recent years and, therefore, can easily be paired with more colors. I especially love coupling it with other unique shades; you can blend in pink with the burgundy pieces you already have in your closet. Think pairing a pink silky blouse with a burgundy blazer. I also love pink with chocolate brown and Mocha Mousse.”

Butter Yellow

“Is there a better color to express joy and optimism than yellow?” asks Boyer. “While we may think of yellow as more of a spring color, [it] is perfect to lift your mood in winter. After all, it’s the color of sunshine, which is what is making it so popular right now. If you’re not ready to go all-in or monochrome on yellow right now, think of pairing it with light gray or navy for winter. If you like the feeling yellow represents but don’t like too much of it close to your face, this is a great color to bring into your wardrobe through accessories. A yellow handbag will brighten any winter outfit, just as a pair of sneakers will do the same.”

Matte Pearl

Jackie Schiavone, stylist and founder of My Someday Project, believes that matte pearl is the new take on winter white. “It’s just as soft and creamy as winter white but not quite as bright. This muted tone helps to hide the normal wear and tear that we see on clothing during inclement weather. It won’t wash out your complexion the way that black will when your skin gets dry and dull, and it can be paired with a traditional winter white for a monochromatic look. The matte pearl color is chic yet versatile.”

Midnight Navy 

If you want to be a little more “deep and dramatic,” stylist Jessica Armstrong insists, “Midnight navy is your winter staple.” It’s bold yet versatile, and despite what you may have been told in the past, it is incredibly chic when paired with black,” she explains. “Opt for midnight navy in matte fabrics like wool or cotton, and contrast them alongside glossy black leather or satin. I love to accessorize this color combo with silver jewelry for heightened elegance. It also pairs effortlessly with Mocha Mousse for a sophisticated look as well.”

Rich Red

Blogger and stylist Jackie Condura says, “The color red has been on trend for the past few seasons, and it’s still going strong. Red resonates because it’s complementary to so many other colors and works well with neutrals alike. You can even wear red with a leopard print, which is also currently in style for an excellent pairing. Red is a great way to warm things up during the colder months when it lends itself to holidays like Valentine’s Day, too. An advantage of red is that it’s a universally flattering color to wear on everyone and is easy to incorporate into your wardrobe as a focal point or just as an accent color.”

Sapphire Blue

“Sapphire blue is a rich and regal alternative to navy or black,” according to expert stylist Sharon Warten. “I love it for outerwear, knits, and pants. It pairs beautifully with silver boots or soft gray and transitions effortlessly into spring.” It’s the perfect shade for an incredibly eye-catching statement piece without feeling over the top.

Deep Crimson

“Deep crimson came on the scene full force for fall, and it’s trickling over into winter and spring of 2025,” begins fashion expert Dawn Del Russo. “It is a rich jewel tone, and I love this color as a full head-to-toe look, matching tops, skirts, and tights. Another easy way to incorporate it into your wardrobe is through bags and shoes, but you can try it as an accent silk scarf, too.”