How To Wear Pastels In Winter

At the start of winter, I’m always ready to embrace a darker and moodier color palette. But as the season goes on, those colors can start to feel a bit heavy. Adding colorful pastels to your winter outfits is a refreshing way to add variety to your wardrobe. Pastels like blush pink, mint green, powder blue, and butter yellow, can feel just as cozy and seasonally appropriate when done right. The key to wearing pastels in winter is pairing them thoughtfully, and choosing accessories that ground them for the season.

Today I’m sharing simple tips for incorporating pastels into your winter outfits. It’s all about balancing the colors to suit the season while still adding a feminine touch to your looks. If you’ve ever wondered how to wear pastels in the winter without feeling out of place, I’m here to make it easy and stylish!

How to Wear Pastels in Winter

Winter is the perfect time to experiment with pastels and incorporate them into your wardrobe while staying warm. Here are some easy and timeless ways to make pastel colors work for the colder months.

Pair with Neutrals

Pair pastels with neutral tones like beige, gray, or even with winter white outfits for a chic, balanced look. Neutrals create the perfect backdrop for pastels, letting them pop without overwhelming your look.

Mix Textures

One of the best ways to keep pastel outfits interesting is by mixing textures. Combine soft pieces with sleek fabrics- like a pastel sweater with dark denim jeans, or a pastel wool coat with a leather bag. Mixing textures adds visual interest and keeps your look layered and cozy for winter.

Add Depth with Layers

Layering is essential for creating a stylish, winter-ready pastel look. Try wearing a pastel knit under a classic wool coat, or pair a soft pastel sweater with a warm scarf. Not only does layering keep you warm, but it also adds depth to your outfit, making it feel polished and effortless for colder days.

 

Add Pastel Accessories

If you’re looking for a simple way to wear pastels in winter, start with accessories. A pastel scarf, bag, or pair of gloves adds a pop of color to your winter outfits without overwhelming them. These small touches bring a feminine vibe and offer an easy way to experiment with pastels in your everyday look.

5 Pastel Winter Outfits

Now that you know how to wear pastels in winter, here are a few simple and classy outfit ideas. These looks keep the winter vibe without appearing too spring-like.

Light Blue and Navy Outfit

Icy blues look chic and sophisticated when paired with camel or navy. Style a light blue cashmere sweater (I’m wearing this one which is so soft and cozy) with dark jeans, cognac accessories, and a navy coat for an effortlessly refined winter outfit. I love how the dark tone of these jeans complements the dark tone of the navy coat.

Cool-toned pastels like light blue also pair beautifully with grays and metallics, creating an elegant icy winter aesthetic. Try styling your icy blues with these classic cognac shoes, or these chic metallic flats!

Soft Pink Outfit With Neutrals

Soft pinks add a feminine touch to neutral outfits. To keep the look grounded and winter appropriate, pair pastels with deeper neutrals like camel or gray. Lighter neutrals, like ivory, can feel more spring-like, while darker tones balance out the softness of pastels, keeping the look from feeling too springy or overly feminine.

For this outfit I’m wearing a soft pink cashmere tee with a coordinating pink cashmere scarf. The subtle pink adds warmth to the camel coat, creating a classy, layered look. You can finish this look with a neutral bag or opt for a blush pink color like I did.

Burgundy is also a beautiful choice for pairing with soft pink, These hues are in the same color family, creating a balanced but bold statement.

Lavender in Winter: Office Chic Outfit

Lavender is usually thought of as a spring color, but it actually works beautifully for winter when paired with darker shades like black, gray, or navy. For a softer look, try pairing lavender with camel. The warm camel tones balance out the coolness of lavender, making a chic outfit combination.

This lavender blouse styled with navy blue pants creates a sophisticated and office-ready look. Add navy or black heels to complete the outfit (yes, navy and black can absolutely be worn together- it’s a very French-inspired combination). Top it off with a navy or black wool coat for a polished winter look. I love these navy suede heeled loafers for a chic office vibe (take 15% off your first purchase with SF-TARA-15).

Mint Green Outfit

Mint green is a refreshing and unexpected pastel for winter, and it pairs beautifully with neutrals. To keep it seasonally appropriate, style mint green with deeper neutrals like charcoal gray, camel, or chocolate brown. These darker tones help ground the soft mint hue, creating a balanced and polished look. As we move toward spring, you can swap in lighter neutrals like ivory or beige for a softer, more transitional vibe.

For this outfit, I’m wearing a mint green crewneck sweater, tailored camel pants, and a camel wool coat. The mint adds just the right amount of color while the neutral tones keep everything grounded and elegant. I finished the look with camel boots and a light bag to keep things monochromatic and cohesive.

If you’re feeling bold, try pairing mint with navy or emerald green. The richness of the jewel tones contrasts beautifully with mint, creating a combination that works for both casual and more elevated looks.

Butter Yellow: Weekend Cozy Outfit

For a relaxed weekend vibe, layer an ivory coat, like this one, over a butter yellow fleece. Pair it with crisp denim and taupe Chelsea boots for a look that’s effortlessly chic and casual.

I love how the soft texture of the fleece contrasts with the structure of the denim. The ivory coat and taupe accessories add a touch of understated elegance, creating that quiet luxury feel in a simple, approachable way. Plus these boots are the perfect winter companion since they are made from a water-resistant suede!

Butter yellow also looks great styled with camel and gray. Any neutral pairs beautifully with this cheerful hue, making it super versatile and easy to style for winter.

What Are The Best Pastel Colors For Winter

When choosing pastels for winter, look for shades that capture the season’s cozy, muted vibe. Cool tones like icy blue, mint green, and lavender feel crisp and fresh, while warmer hues such as blush pink or soft yellow add a cozy, feminine touch. These colors give your wardrobe a refreshing update while still fitting the winter mood.

1. Icy Blues- This cool shade pairs beautifully with gray or navy for a sophisticated look that feels both chic and seasonally appropriate.
2. Soft Pink- This hue brings a feminine charm that’s perfect for winter. It pairs beautifully with neutral tones like beige, cream, or gray.
3. Lavender- Pairs effortlessly with neutral tones like gray, white, beige, or even navy and black. This combination creates a refined, versatile look that transitions easily from casual to polished outfits.
4. Mint Green- Pair it with darker greens, navy, black, or rich camel tones for a stunning contrast. This mix creates a balanced, sophisticated look that adds depth and warmth.
5. Butter Yellow- Pairing it with soft neutrals like beige or ivory creates a balanced, cozy look, while deeper tones like denim adds a sophisticated contrast. Yellow’s versatility makes it a perfect option for adding a subtle pop of color to winter outfits.

Wearing pastels in winter is all about finding the right balance. By pairing soft hues with deeper neutrals like navy, black, gray, and camel, you can create outfits that feel both effortless and cold weather appropriate. Whether you choose pastel accessories or statement outerwear, pastels adds a touch of elegance to your winter wardrobe. With these simple tips, you can easily incorporate pastels into your winter looks and bring a little brightness to the season.