How to Avoid Black Entirely in the Winter and Go Bold

Bold, bright winter outfit: Orange animal print coat chunky white roll neck sweater camel wide leg trousers (pants) white Stan Smiths red tote bag camel felt fedora | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

So after my little run of wearing a lot of black in my last few outfit posts, I’m back to my comfort zone of colour.

I know it’s totally alien to some people to be so afraid of black (especially in the cold months), but I get really uncomfortable knowing that I’ve worn black on three out of the last four occasions. I feel like it’ll affect my mood – January can be depressing enough as it is, so this time I avoided black altogether and went for bold!

The star here is, of course, the orange animal print coat. It’s Marks & Spencer AW15 I’m afraid, and even when I bought it a year ago it then almost instantly sold out because they reduced it by a whopping 70%. However don’t despair: I’ve found a selection of warm-coloured animal print and different orange coats for you to consider instead – just keep scrolling to the end of my pictures and you’ll see the thumbnail selections.

This was a weekend outfit for a quick trip to the shops and then the cinema in the evening – I left off the hat for the evening to avoid the wrath of the person behind me… I know you can take it off but it would have meant having “hat hair” for the duration. And yes, I know it’s dark, but I can’t stand flat, limp hair.

Bold, bright winter outfit: Orange animal print coat chunky white roll neck sweater camel wide leg trousers (pants) white Stan Smiths red tote bag camel felt fedora | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

SHOP THE LOOK:

 

Anyway! the other non-black parts of the outfit included my lush (and still available in lots of colours) Winser jersey trousers – probably my comfiest non-tracky bot trousers I own. They’re so squidgy and comfy that they’re my go-to trousers for wearing to meetings, etc. if I have far to travel. Smart, but not at all restricting.

With any bold colour and/or pattern (it doesn’t get much bolder than bright orange animal print!) your best bet is to team it with neutrals, and although black is a safe choice I often think it can deaden the lush look of brights. Camel, winter white, beige, taupe, tan… They all enhance without detracting from your gorgeous bold print.

Apart from the neutral-toned camel fedora, winter white sweater and taupe gloves, the only other colour was a shot of red from the leather tote. Red is a natural accompaniment to orange – they’re so close on the colour wheel that they can only enhance each other.

And there you have it – easy peasy winter outfit without a hint of black.

(Well, apart from those black buttons on the coat, but I won’t tell if you don’t…!)

DO YOU MANAGE TO AVOID BLACK ALTOGETHER IN YOUR WINTER OUTFITS? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS!

Bold, bright winter outfit: Orange animal print coat chunky white roll neck sweater camel wide leg trousers (pants) white Stan Smiths red tote bag camel felt fedora | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Bold, bright winter outfit: Orange animal print coat chunky white roll neck sweater camel wide leg trousers (pants) white Stan Smiths red tote bag camel felt fedora | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Bold, bright winter outfit: Orange animal print coat chunky white roll neck sweater camel wide leg trousers (pants) white Stan Smiths red tote bag camel felt fedora | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

Bold, bright winter outfit: Orange animal print coat chunky white roll neck sweater camel wide leg trousers (pants) white Stan Smiths red tote bag camel felt fedora | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

Bold, bright winter outfit: Orange animal print coat chunky white roll neck sweater camel wide leg trousers (pants) white Stan Smiths red tote bag camel felt fedora | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Bold, bright winter outfit: Orange animal print coat chunky white roll neck sweater camel wide leg trousers (pants) white Stan Smiths red tote bag camel felt fedora | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Marks & Spencer animal coat (AW15) | ASOS sweater | Winser London trousers c/o | Adidas Stan Smith sneakers | ASOS hat | Brenda Mcleod tote bag c/o | Driving gloves | Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lip ‘Orange Shot’

OTHER ANIMAL PRINT/ORANGE COATS TO TRY:

 

 

LIKE THIS POST? YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ…

Feeding My New Orange Obsession | Orange Animal Print Coat
Styling a Plain Grey Sweater Dress

RELATED  Second Hand September: Charity Shops and Shopping Your Own Wardrobe

28 Comments

  1. C
    8 August 2019 / 12:51 am

    Just found this post and LOVE it! What a great outfit.

    I totally agree that black deadens bright colors. stopped wearing black a year ago, and sartorially it’s definitely been my best year yet! 🙂

    • Catherine
      Author
      8 August 2019 / 10:59 am

      Wow C you must have done some digging to find this post… it’s still one of my favourite-ever winter outfits! Thank you! And I’m happy to hear you stopped wearing black – colour for the win I say 😉 xx

  2. 30 January 2017 / 9:27 pm

    I'm gutted that this coat is sold out! It's a dream combination of orange and leopard which are both favourites of mine. You look fab, as ever, dear Catherine x
    Anna
    http://www.annasislandstyle.com

  3. 29 January 2017 / 12:21 am

    I love, love, love that coat! I know what you mean about staying away from black. I wear black, but I really love color, especially in these drab, cold days of winter. So that coat is a burst of sunshine. Love the whole outfit. You look amazing. – Amy
    http://stylingrannymama.com/

  4. 28 January 2017 / 6:23 pm

    Terrific outfit. Although I am a great lover of black and white, I often throw in a bright jewel tone. This orange coat of yours is perfect. And you styled it so well with the trousers and the hat. My my, you and hats.. they look so good on you.
    Fortunately I have a lot of colour in my winter wardrobe and I even have an orange coat.
    Greetje

  5. 27 January 2017 / 2:17 pm

    I've been trying very hard not to get anymore black in my closet—it's just not the best color for me! I think the one aspect that makes it hard, it that retailers always have almost everything in black (sometimes other colors too—but always a black one)! If we could get the stores on the same page—it'd be so much easier!! 🙂
    jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • 27 January 2017 / 6:07 pm

      Jodie I had to specifically go and get a black coat last year because I just had all brightly coloured ones in my wardrobe…!! Yeah it is a bit frustrating that black is what they always have in the shops, isn't it 🙁

  6. 27 January 2017 / 11:09 am

    I remember when you got this coat last year; I SOOOOO wanted it too! It is such a showstopper. I love black, but it is so refreshing to wear these punchy vibrant colours, especially when the weather is so grey and cold. You look amazing, and are always a source of colour inspo! xx

    • 27 January 2017 / 6:05 pm

      Yes we NEED bright colours on these grey days, Lisa!! xx thank you xx

  7. 27 January 2017 / 8:11 am

    wowww, such a fabulous coat! it would cheer up any cold Winter day! I love it!
    And I avoid black (actively) as it's not appealing to me anymore, I embrace a colorful style these days!
    besos

    • 27 January 2017 / 5:36 pm

      Colourful's the way to go, Mrs Allnut!! thanks hon x

  8. 27 January 2017 / 8:04 am

    Haha, that is funny! I just showed an all black outfit today! But it was a while back that I wore totally black! That coat is amazing and I love the stylish gloves!

    • 27 January 2017 / 1:04 am

      Hmm that's rather the way I feel about black too, Laurie!! And thank you, I can see you wearing these colours and looking wonderful in them 🙂

  9. 26 January 2017 / 6:37 pm

    Oh I just love this! Orange is really my favorite color, then green, then pink. I have been wearing too many dark colors lately, and I am working on correcting that! Color makes me feel alive. Great post! Peace! Cheryl Tucker

    • 27 January 2017 / 1:02 am

      Cheryl bright colours will aaaaalways make you feel more alive!! Thank you my lovely xx

DISCLOSURE: Items marked* are PR products (I never accept anything I wouldn’t choose for myself) and my opinions are 100% honest. I also use affiliate links where I may earn commission if you click through and buy, at no cost to you.