Anna Harvey on why we should never be afraid to wear colour
While people-watching on the occasional overcast and damp days we’ve had recently, I’ve noticed how monotone neutrals suddenly predominate after all the summer brights. Be it beige or black, grey or navy, there’s something about a leaden sky that brings out the monochrome in us all. However, there’s no doubt in my mind that when one sees (or wears) a bright spot of colour, one’s spirits lift.
I recently had breakfast with a very chic friend, who was wearing a deep cherry red Massimo Dutti cardigan over a crisp white shirt. The cardigan was beautifully finished with a lovely flat edge – to find something similar you could try Uniqlo, Jigsaw, Next or M&S.
A pair of gold hoop earrings completed the look. It was all so simple but she looked really good.
Wool cardigan, ￡115, Toast; PS Paul Smith wool blend coat, ￡495, John Lewis
It isn’t difficult to find pretty, colourful items to erase those rainy day blues. I’ve always thought that reds are a good place to start. They go well with so many other colours, particularly neutrals (basically the primary colours, red, yellow and blue all work well with neutrals, as does a good, clear green). A red jacket, for instance, might be a worthwhile investment; Cefinn has an excellent single-button jacket in brick red, and The Fold a double-breasted coat in garnet-red wool.
I once saw a woman in top-to-toe dark navy, including her tights, but with deep red suede shoes. She looked so glamorous; I might not have particularly noticed her otherwise. Manolo Blahnik, Mango and LK Bennett have great coloured suede shoes. On another occasion, a past editor of mine, the great Drusilla Beyfus, now many times a grandmother, arrived for lunch on a pouring day in a lightweight emerald coat. She looked fabulous. Another time, when going for a job interview, an interested party recommended I wear a particular Chanel jacket in shocking pink. I did and it did make me feel optimistic, though I didn’t get the job!
Court heels, ￡80, Dune; Knotted satin bag, ￡49.99, Mango; Corduroy jacket, ￡49.99, Zara
Toast has a chestnut corduroy jacket in store now, and in Cos, a moss green wool coat. Eileen Fisher, & Other Stories and Joseph also do colour very well. One of my great friends, as mother of a winter bride, wore deep purple velvet to the wedding. It was ravishing, so much more beautiful in this case than a bright colour. Always choose the colour for the occasion carefully: primary brights tend to work better for day and more subtle colours for evening.
Never be afraid of colour: it’s so important. It will set you apart from the crowd and give you an all-important boost, whatever you’re doing. So add a bit of colour rather than play it too safe, I say. See what happens. There are enough shades of grey around in winter without you adding to them.