If your winter wardrobe reflects the moodiness of the season and you want to brighten it up a bit, we’re here to help. Sydney-based stylist Caroline Tran knows a thing or two about adding a touch of quirk to your everyday outfits – without looking like you’re auditioning for The Wiggles – and she’s shared some of her top tips and picks with us.

The new UNIQLO x Anya Hindmarch collection is playful and creative without overdoing it, thanks to embroidered googly eyes, deconstructed details and contrast stitching. Pairing pieces from the collection with the season’s top trends, Tran shares four chic ways to make your wardrobe more fun while still keeping it cool and classic.

Socks with Personality

After the influencer obsession with red for a hot second earlier this year, we seem to have settled into a love for a pop-colour sock with our winter greys, blacks and creams. It’s an easy way to add some interest to your look, without breaking the bank. Tran suggests easing into this season’s sock obsession by adding it to a trendy shoe.

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“I think it’s a nice way to add personality to your shoes,” says Tran. “It’s that kind of balletcore trend of wearing a sock with a ballet flat, or with a sneaker.”

The Uniqlo x Anya Hindmarch Heattech socks have the British designer’s signature eyes motif embroidered right under the cuff for a fun twist.

Layering Made Easy

Layering has always been a winter staple, but this year we’re seeing a lot more interesting silhouettes and contrast, as well as cropped hemlines returning to the fold.

“I feel like layering adds really great proportions,” says Tran. “I would do an oversized T-shirt with quite a fitted long-sleeved tee, and I feel like that’s a great way of layering. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a colour-blocked layer. It could be tonal, like you could do a white long-sleeved tee with an oversized T-shirt on top.”

To keep it warmer when the temperature dips, Tran also suggests adding an on-trend turtleneck by sizing up to keep your look current. “Rollneck, oversized sweaters look really great with a slip skirt, or denim, or trousers. And it’s a good layering piece under a trench coat, or a wool coat,” she says. Her pick? The 100 per cent cashmere sweater, featuring exposed seams, darted elbows, a high-low hem and the same eyes motif.

Colour Clash

It’s been hard to avoid the all-out leopard onslaught of late. But if you’re intimidated by the idea of working with such a strong print, Tran suggests that this may just be the best time to take it to the next level.

“[Experiment with] different prints and colours; I think now it’s a time where people are able to clash colours and prints as well,” she says. “Because I see, you know, tartans or like animal prints with different colours and it is scary, but I do feel acid green with an animal print does work.”

Thankfully the Uniqlo x Anya Hindmarch collection includes pops of colour such as orange, green and blue, in addition to more neutral hues.

“I think trying to keep things tonal as well [works] – if you had a red sweater you could do a burgundy trouser, or pair it with denim. I feel like denim makes things really fresh as well,” Tran adds.

Channelling Tech Chic

Technical clothing is having a moment. From oversized puffers to clothing usually found on the trail rather than in the office, everyone is getting technical in 2024.

“Normcore and gorpcore – they’re big,” Tran says, pointing to a Heattech knitted beanie from the collection. “[Pair it] with a puffer jacket and a scarf. Add a really good sneaker and denim.”

She suggests leaning into winter dressing by going for a cosy look. “Do a big coat, and then add a scarf, and add the beanie. You don’t want to just dip your toe in – I feel like when you [accessorise], it needs to be that whole mood.”

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Uniqlo.