As a 40-year-old woman, I’d be lying if I said that dressing to look a bit more youthful isn’t something I think about on occasion. Particularly in winter when bulky layers and dark colors tend to be aging. Luckily, I’ve had 40 years to develop some anti-aging skills in the clothing department.

With winter upon us, now is the time to put into play those tricks to keep your cold-weather wardrobe from inadvertently aging you. Here are a few subtle tips for working a more youthful style this winter.

First, try some colorful winter accessories. So often, hats, scarves, and glove sets come in drab colors. Don’t get me wrong; I love a black knit hat as much as the next person, but for the really dreary days, color will not only brighten up your look, it can also give you a bit of a youthful glow. Wearing lighter and bolder colors like pink, baby blue, or teal will keep you from appearing pale and swallow. You can go with matching accessories, but I’d recommend mixing things up with complimenting colors or shades from the same color family. Think magenta beanie, hot pink muffler scarf, and raspberry gloves.

Next up, sneakers. Swap neutral-colored boots for cool sneakers in the winter, no matter how casual or fancy your outfit for an age-defining edge. I’m a big fan of classic Vans; their black leather slip-ons go great with most looks and are super easy to get on and off at the front door shoe rack. New Balance is always a trusted resource for quality sneakers that are also cool. You may want to spend a bit extra for a sturdy and supportive shoe versus a flimsy canvas pair since it’s winter. Of course, on the truly blustery days when the snow is falling, go with the boots. No matter your age, we all need to keep our feet dry this winter.

From your feet to your head, it’s always a good idea to take care of your hair no matter the season. In winter, especially older hair, can appear frizzier and drier, so be sure to add a weekly conditioning treatment into your beauty routine during the winter months. As trips to the hair salon have been few and far between lately, embrace longer locks with some youthful-leaning hair accessories. To be clear, I am not suggesting bows or sparkly barrettes for an adult woman. Instead, experiment with fabric headbands, velvet-covered hair clips, and leather hair ties. Or try using a vintage scarf as a head wrap or headband. Of course, the best means to look good at any age is with healthy hair, so again be sure to condition and ask your stylist for the best winter products for your hair type.

Another subtle way to bring more youthful energy into your winter look is by incorporating quirky details. A bit of animal print, an insignia detail, some embellishment, or embroidery can make you look and even feel a bit younger on a dreary grey day. Some quirky winter pieces can include a zip-up cardigan with an o-ring, a fuzzy collared knit top, a pearl-embellished sweater, and some bejeweled cat-eye sunglasses. Or get quirky with novelty pins and buttons to liven up your outerwear. However, keep the quirky touches to a minimum. There’s a fine line between quirky and twee, so make sure the rest of the outfit is more polished than eccentric.

Speaking of details, don’t let the winter weather keep you away from the power of statement earrings. Sure, you can’t go wrong with studs, but like brighter color cold-weather add-ons above, a statement earring brings light and energy to the face. Dangling earrings, hoops, chandelier earrings, they’re all up for grabs. Full disclosure: I don’t normally wear earrings, but recently I’ve been trying out vintage clip-ons, and they are just plain fun, which is a great non-aging feeling in and of itself.

More fun can be had in a puffer coat. There are times and places for a classic wool overcoat, but puffers convey a more youthful energy. Unlike their black trash bag forebearers, today’s puffers come in a variety of shades and shapes. They are no longer the overwhelming bulky coats from the early aughts. You can find flattering puffers at Target, Walmart, and online at H&M. Puffer coats are not only a stylish choice this season, but a sensible one against the onslaught of wind, rain, and snow headed our way. Plus, they look great with sneakers!

Lastly, avoid wearing all black. Sure, there will be days when a black turtleneck and black joggers are clean and convenient and comfortable, but in general, try to mix in color, both bold and neutral. Even a brightly colored scarf, headband, or white t-shirt underneath a black cardigan will help break up head-to-toe black ensembles to bring more light and luster to your face, which is what we all want, no matter our age.