By Erica and Karen

We have all been living inwardly since March, and now it seems we will all be living inwardly for months to come. We count ourselves lucky if we and our friends and families have escaped without disease and death—or divorce—but there is no underestimating the depressing effect of the tactical social retreat we must all engage in, especially as winter, and the holidays, approach. And no underestimating what a downer it is to wear sloppy clothes all day long.

We have known for a very long time that our clothes influence our moods and attitudes, but we didn’t know there is an actual psychological name for that, “enclothed cognition.” That seems like a good academic foundation for deciding to dress with style. Maybe a little differently than if we were out and about, but we do not have to give in to the sweat pants ethos. We agree with Jil Sander that “radical down-dressing is a drainer.”

Here are our ideas for winter:

First, if you need inspiration, ask yourself: What would Anya Taylor-Joy, the star of The Queens Gambit, wear? Or, browse Menage Modern Vintage—the source for the costumes in The Crown!

Once your fashion sense is stimulated, down to business. Here are some sources, but everything can probably be replicated in consignment stores.

It’s winter. We have to wear coats. Some have to be wet-proof. Here’s a basic that would work, though we wish people who made winter coats understood that if they came in neon they would keep us warmer. Imagine this coat in bright orange. Failing that, try a colorful trench. For dry days, a plain old fashioned but fabulously cut wool coat from Lafayette 148 would be elegant. Or maybe, on an unseasonably warm winter day—to counter the oppressive atmosphere of the last few months—a fringed jacket you could swirl around in. Fringe is in this winter, which makes us happy.

Under the coats—white! White tee shirts and turtlenecks and jeans. This Amazon option is excellent for tee shirts. Lafayette 148 has beautiful cashmere turtlenecks in many colors, including white. So does M.M. LaFleur—here are some good ones. As for jeans, you need some that are Madewell, of course, though you may have to get white ones at a discount. (Some people think it is against someone’s rules to wear white in winter.) There are other good white ones here. (We are told that “Mom jeans”—whatever that is supposed to mean—are in, but we like ours more tapered). Black is necessary, of course, for those muddy days. One of us loves black leather pants, the other faux leather jeggings.

Of course, we love color too. For that, we always check out Gabrielle Carlson. She has cool at-home wear—but we are even more inspired by her lookbook! We seen no reason why her vibrant and flirty clothes are not equally comfortable at home—and you need something fun for the holidays.

Don’t forget skirts, like perhaps this from Akris Punto. Or this from Agnona, both long enough to keep you warm when worn with boots. Dresses are always wonderful, too. Try A Uno Tribeca for some really cool ones.

Speaking of boots—we really like combat boots, with anything. Here are some good Dr. Martens. These Stuart Weitzman’s are cool too. White is especially appealing, like these Stella McCartney’s—and we love thick soles because they make us taller. We also have a serious weakness for metallic footwear, like these silvery boots Paris, Texas), and these pewter Sergio’s. Either pair would be quite fabulous on a dark winter day with a swirly skirt.

You need jewelry with wintry whites and blacks and neutrals. We love this necklace, which comes from the Museum of Arts and Design, one of our go to sources. These days, something goofy would be excellent, too! And maybe some brilliant, but small, earrings. We have learned the hard way that dangly earrings are disastrous with masks, and even worse with masks and scarves!

So yes—we are all heading into a winter that will be unlike the winters we like—but don’t let it get to you. Enable your enclothed cognition options, and use style to keep your spirits up.