Well, it’s finally here. With the holidays now firmly in the rearview mirror that means it’s… just winter. All that quaintness of a chilly snow-covered morning? Without a Christmas tree, sparkle lights, or festive mug of hot chocolate it’s just flat out gone. The sentimentality has left the building.

Now it’s just plain cold and dreary.

Last year I wrote a post about the importance of brightening up this time of year with a colorful winter jacket. It’s really for my own personal sanity. When you wake up before the sun comes up and get home from work after it’s already gone down, the last thing you need is to look down and see that same black coat you’ve been rocking for the last two months.

One year later I’m still all about the color. But let’s not go too crazy. Unless you want to, then by all means rainbow it up! For me, I love the idea of donning a bright color, but I don’t always like the idea of drawing all of the attention within a three-block radius of Manhattan streets because I’m wearing a coat that doubles as a homing beacon.

So, here is my compromise. While I think you can’t go wrong with a classic red coat, for some of us—and in certain circumstances—it’s just a bit louder than we’d like. Which is where burgundy steps in as your winter hero.

With this rich jewel tone you get all the upside of a deep color, without the fear of blinding the winter color-blind city folk. It’s really a win-win for all. And it will slowly help everyone’s eyes begin to get adjusted to the brightness that will re-emerge in the spring.

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