Beat the Winter Blues: Dress it up!

After the fun of the holidays, winter can seem to go on forever. Making matters worse are the short, dark days and the typically dreary weather. Rather than letting yourself succumb to the winter blues, treat yourself to some retail therapy and plan a fun night out with friends.

Though it's tempting to go straight home from the office and throw on your baggiest pyjama bottoms, fight the urge to curl up in bed and go out for some post-work fun instead. One of the best ways to motivate yourself is to dress up, despite the chilly weather. Shop for some sparkly going-out tops that will add a splash of glam to your new year wardrobe. One-sleeve tops are very hot at the moment and are perfect for a high-fashion look that's sure to make you stand out in the crowd. Also in style at the moment are metallic, cowl neck going -tops and sexy wrap shirts.

Indeed, sparkly going-out tops can be great inspiration for an amazing night. However, sometimes it takes an additional bit of oomph to get you out the door on those extra lazy nights. Having an amazing dress can be just the thing you need, and you have plenty of chic winter dresses to choose from. Particularly popular at the moment are sexy bodycon dresses with capped sleeves, mesh cut-outs or a one-shoulder neckline. Even though it's freezing cold outside, this figure-hugging silhouette will perfectly accentuate your curves and make you feel hot.

Another popular dress style is the 60s-inspired shift dress of mod fashion fame. This trend has been given a contemporary makeover with the addition of elbow-length sleeves and angular hip detailing for the perfect vintage-inspired yet fashion-forward look. Go super trendy and pair a winter white or muted colour shift dress with bold red lipstick, minimal jewellery and platform heels.

Finally, you can't talk about winter dress styles without mentioning the knitted dress, which is ideal for a more casual day-look. Cable-knit sweater dresses are the perfect day-to-night look, ideal for wearing to the office and then to an after-work function. Also popular in knitted styles is the tunic dress, which you can pair with military-inspired lace-up boots for a chic edgy look.

So, if you're feeling a bit down in the dumps, let fashion cheer you up with these dressy winter trends. From fun going-out tops to elegant, fashion-forward dresses, there are plenty of great styles to help cheer you up during these dark winter days.