Colour commitment issues? How to embrace colour stylishly this winter

3 August 2023

By Fashion Quarterly

A monochromatic palette of black and white has its upside when pulling a fail-proof outfit formula each morning. But nothing comes close to a tasteful combination of timeless colours to lift the spirits and turn heads. The same can be said for your environment.

Colour influences your mood and serves as a means of self-expression. Studies have shown that certain colours can enhance cognitive performance, boost productivity, and stimulate creativity. So, if you’re in need of a confidence boost or want to potentially harness these psychological influences, read on for our guide to surrounding yourself in the right colours this winter.

Warm Neutrals

Even minimalists are partial to colour from time to time. If you’re unsure where to begin, pick a hue close to nature and style your home and your outfit tonally from there, sticking with shades in a similar family with varying textures and materiality. From here, you can dial up the intensity with accent shades through accessories or beauty.

For interior walls, seek out Resene Pearl Lusta and Resene Champagne for a better-than-barely-there base before introducing woody tones like Resene Toffee or Resene Whiskey or turn to the sunshine and embrace Resene Harvest Gold. These colours layer sublimely for a tonal moment and complement more a decadent hue like Resene Blackberry or brazen Resene Trinidad.

New Zealand designers Georgia Jay, Paris Georgia and Laing have all embraced warm neutrals in their fall/winter collections – it’s safe to say that you can too.

Shop now: Georgia Jay Boobie Baguette in ‘Clay’, $530

Shop now: Paris Georgia Herb Trouser in ‘Sand’, $640

Shop now: Laing Giles Open Cardigan in ‘Donkey’, $459

Cool Brights

Green and blue are seldom seen together but they can be used interchangeably. Offering coolness, interest, and an inherent serenity, they are the ensemble peacemakers making you feel at ease. This season we’re seeing matte, one-dimensional renditions at play, pairing with wardrobe staples (think: denim, black, grey, and off-white). They add a focal point to an outfit without being overbearing and, when employed correctly, can transition a look for work for leisure. If you wear silver, these are hues you’ll want to track down this season.

To create an idyllic backdrop within the home, gravitate towards Resene Sea Fog or Resene Silver Sand dressed up with either a punctual blue like Resene St Tropaz, earthy greens including Resene Pine Tree, and Resene Madras or, for more playful settings, Resene Tusk, Resene Green Smoke, and Resene Verdun Green.

Our muses? Maggie Marilyn’s ‘sage’ and Mahsa’s ‘jungle’ colours.

Shop now: Maggie Marilyn Challenge Accepted Dress in ‘Sage’, $850

Shop now: Mahsa Ruffle Blouse in ‘Jungle’, $425

Shop now: Georgia Jay Little Ombre in ‘Silver’, $510

Intense Blues

Regal, sophisticated, and punchy, these are the hues you need to track down to make a statement this season. As cold as they may be, they have an intoxicating intensity that overpowers even the most mundane outfit for a lasting impression and are routinely found on the walls of elegant homes. For lighter versions of the colours, look for flat materials to keep it cosy and matte and deep sheens such as leather, PVC, or acetate finishes for darker shades to keep it feeling premium.

Combinations we adore include Resene Blue Night with Resene Logan, Resene Boston Blue with Resene Regent St Blue, and Resene Violent Violet with Resene Minsk.

Shop now: Karen Walker Wrap God Sunglasses in ‘Indigo’, $240

Shop now: Deadly Ponies Mohair Scarf in ‘Jam’, $329

Shop now: Aje Clara Tie Back Mini Dress in ‘Azure Blue’, $490

Potent Pinks

Whether your accessory of choice is pearls, gold, silver, or beige, you can crank up your style with colours falling on the red to purple spectrum – including pink. There are references aplenty this season suggesting that blushing pinks are arguably a neutral in their own right, opening the door to potent purples and lip-smacking reds as your statement colour options. We love seeing these colours heightened in tactile suedes, faux furs, and sleek leathers or paired with make-up looks utilising similar shades. Plus, they’re cropping up in the chicest retail spaces too, which means they’ll make a playful addition within your home.

Cool ashy hues like Resene French Lilac and Resene Maverick add a youthfulness to your capsule wardrobe, while emotive Resene Seance and Resene Blue Haze offer a deeper layer of sensuality. At the darker end of the range is the regal red-inspired Resene Blackberry and Resene Hot Chile – impactful alone and equally stunning when paired with warm neutrals… Which brings us full-circle and proves that embracing colour unlocks a plethora of styling options.