Left: Christina from For Show; right: Kate from Scathingly Brilliant.

Every winter, I get into a goth phase where I want to be “dressed in all black like the Omen” (hat tip to Lil’ Kim), but after a while that can get pretty boring, especially for someone who table-hops around with her style, like I am known to do. Sooner or later I start to long for the warmth of spring and COLOR! Everyone gets that itch after the holidays, right? So let’s karate-chop those winter bores, mah boos!

The first thing to do is get a bright peacoat. I offered some options back in October. You probably have to wear a coat every day if you’re in the middle of a cold winter, so this is your easiest way to inject some cheer into your daily clothings. But let’s not stop there. Let’s parade around in every color of the rainbow, like a gang of happy clowns.

Top row: Owl Face Jumper and Raccoon Jumper by Emma Cook for Topshop ($120 each, Topshop). Bottom row: Peaked Collar Rose Shirt, $52, Romwe; Knitted Crazy Bobble Jumper, $80, Topshop.

Another easy way to incorporate the rainbow an outfit is by layering like a maniac, and winter is the perfect time to do that. Start with thrift-store button-downs in crazy prints—Christina from For Show does this lewk well—and throw a patterned cardigan or loud sweater over it. Don’t think “pops of color”—think EXPLOSIONS!

Left: via Fashionist; right: Eline from A Fluffy Blog

Next step: tights. You can have a whole lotta fun with brightly colored and/or patterned hosiery. So much variety, so many options! Look for fun novelty prints like these octopus socks from Sock Dreams; I’m also in love with two-tone tights like these and these.

Top row: two-tone tights, $13, Alex Blake; Over the Knee Socks, $9, ASOS. Bottom row: hot-pink opaque tights, $11, ASOS; Multi Poppy Floral Tights, $20, Topshop; Opaque Fairisle Tights, $14, ASOS.

We Love Colors makes tights in every color imaginable. For extra warmth/colorfulness you can layer bright knee socks, or even these long, scrunchable socks over your tights.

L-R: Nicole from Fashion Forestry, Lydia from Style Is Style.

Finally, jazz up your hooves with some fun shoes. I’d kill for those vintage fringed gold-lamé rodeo-babe boots that Nicole is wearing up there on the left. Until she loses her mind and gives them to me, I’ll make due with Irregular Choice, my favorite source for crazy shoes. Look at these kitty boots! These bubblegum Docs look like the thrifted H&M boots Lydia from Style Is Style is wearing on the right; in my opinion they go with everything.

Now all you have to do is paint your nails a bright color and put your Smiths playlist on pause (listen to something light & happy like the Crystals instead!). And once you’re ready to cleanse your color palette, it’ll be time for you to pull all your black stuff out again to get your summertime goth look going. ♦