I let a stylist critique 5 of my go-to winter outfits. Here's how she'd make them warmer and more stylish.

• I asked a stylist to improve five of my go-to cold-weather outfits for winter in NYC.
• I wear a lot of black, so she suggested I add color to my wardrobe with accessories or a fun coat.

I've always thought of myself as someone with decent taste. But getting dressed for the cold weather has presented some new challenges for me.

I'm originally from the Northeast, but I spent the last couple of years living in Southern California. Now that I'm back in New York City, I have to re-learn how to dress for cold weather. It's further complicated by the fact that my weight has changed somewhat significantly in that time, so many of my old go-to winter pieces don't fit, or don't look the way they used to on me.

I'm also hoping to inject a little more intrigue and color into my looks, which I'll admit are often on the safe side — meaning, lots of black. I want to look put-together and sophisticated while having fun with what I wear.

So I spoke to Annette Harris, a personal stylist and certified image consultant based in the Washington, D.C. area with 15 years. of experience.

I sent Harris photos of five of my current go-to winter outfits and asked for her advice on how I can make them more stylish, while still paying mind to New York's cold weather and the amount of walking I do on a regular basis.

I heavily rely on this tied-waist wool coat and my black Doc Martens

I wear my Doc Marten boots almost every single day. I like my wrap coat, but at this point, I'm pretty bored of it.

I love that these green pants are as comfortable as sweats, yet look a little more polished. I typically pair them with a fitted black top, like this scoop-neck, open-back bodysuit, to offset their bulkiness.

Harris suggested I add a statement sweater or trendier coat to the look

For the sake of practicality, she advised me to swap the pants for "sleek leggings" and play around with volume on the top half of my body instead.

"Add a cozy, oversized knit/cable sweater, a winter-wardrobe staple for every woman that adds some texture and interest on the top half of your outfit," Harris said. "A charming sweater will instantly level up your look."

When it comes to oversized, baggy fits, I tend to worry that I'll cross the line from "relaxed" into "sloppy." But for my 5'3" frame, Harris said, the meaning of "oversized" is relative.

She advised that, because I have a smaller physique, I don't need to add too much bulk that can just leave me looking bigger than I really am.

The coat is where she suggested really going wild. Instead of my reliable (but sort of boring) black jacket, Harris suggested I try a faux-fur coat or a colorful puffer jacket, which is more on-trend and probably more practical for cold, windy days than my current standby.

"Don't be afraid to take a break from the NYC all-black 'thingy' and slay a bold color like fuchsia, shocking blue, or yellow," she said.

This gold skirt was a recent thrift-shop find, and it's one of my new favorite pieces for dressing up a little

Harris approved of the skirt, saying "the shiny gold lamé is on-trend and knife pleats are a classic in my style playbook."

But, I admit, these block heels sort of scream 2014. Here, Harris actually advised me to go a more utilitarian route with my footwear and just wear my black Doc Martens instead.

Throwing an extra layer onto this outfit is a chance for some added warmth and texture

She added, "If you are headed to dinner or an evening show on Broadway and want a dressier look, add a black boyfriend blazer over your black knit top and accessorize with layered necklaces to show off that décolletage of yours."

She said if I want a more casual look, I can pair the statement skirt with a chunky, oversized sweater instead.

"The juxtaposition of the shiny knife pleats and the chunky sweater says edgy chic," Harris said. It sounds like a lot of fabric and contrast, but in a designer Pat Field-way rather than an "I threw on everything I own" way.

To complete the look with a chic touch, Harris said she would add a wool beret.

Witchy looks are sort of my signature, but I wouldn't mind mixing them up a little

Like I said, I wear my black Doc Martens almost exclusively these days. Harris doesn't disapprove of the classic boot, but she did give me some ideas for introducing some variety.

Harris said to skip basic black leather for the boots and try something colorful, contrasting, or animal-print instead.

"If you just can't live without Doc Martens, why not add a pair of white ones to your wardrobe, so your black pair gets a rest? Seriously, even your shoes need a rest at some point," she said. "The white DMs will be a cool contrast with your black velvet maxi."

Or, for a more classically feminine look, I can swap out the shoes for a kitten-style heel.

"The kitten-style heel is ultra-sophisticated, and the low heel will have you walking for blocks at a time in NYC without feeling like you'll topple over," she said.

There's also room to squeeze some more warm, cozy layers into this outfit

Harris suggested adding a sleek sweater or sweater set, the aforementioned puffer jacket, and some wintry accessories, like a pair of mittens or hat with a pom-pom on top.

I'd wear this miniskirt and cropped sweater on a date or with my friends

I like wearing short skirts, even in winter, because they make my legs look longer. I also like that this cropped sweater doesn't totally swallow me up the way bigger ones would.

But this look, as it is, might be a little young for me.

Harris said I can make this outfit a little more grown-up-looking by adding a motorcycle jacket — an extra layer that's also stylish and sophisticated. And, she added, I should be able to comfortably layer a puffer coat over the moto jacket when the weather calls for it.

Harris also had a suggestion for a footwear alternative: "Try channeling your inner Mary J by putting on a pair of knee-high boots. You'll look sexy chic … and you'll stay warmer in that mini of yours since it is, of course, the middle of winter."

Practical accessories will work here, too

Harris said she would add elegant leather gloves for a final touch to warm up the look.

"To keep your look fresh and interesting, you can add a pop of color with the gloves or go for the monochromatic look by choosing a color in a similar shade to your puffer," she added. "To me, monochromatic done right says, 'style, style, style' every day and in every way."

When I'm struggling to put something together, these light-wash, high-waisted jeans and a baby tee feel classic and safe

You can't go wrong with jeans and a white T-shirt — but Harris shared some ideas on how to shake up my basic uniform.

For starters, she said, my high-waisted '90s-style jeans, are fine, but a slouchier fit might feel more fresh and trendy.

For the top, she'd swap the fitted tee for a cropped twin set, or a sweater vest "in a fun pattern and color." I don't think I've owned a twin set since the actual early 2000s, but with the Y2K revival we're seeing in fashion, maybe now is the time.

Plus cool girls I see online are certainly playing around with fun, chunky retro knits nowadays.

This camel-colored coat was a hand-me-down from a friend — and Harris and I definitely want to see more of it

Typically, black is the only neutral I'm really attracted to. But to my own surprise, I really like how this coat looks and I want to incorporate it into more of my daily outfits.

Harris also loves it. "The camel coat gets two thumbs up," she said. "You'll quickly amp up your outerwear look by adding a chunky cable-knit scarf with your coat.

She also suggested pairing it with camel-colored leather gloves for a monochromatic look.

Finally, to liven up the shades of tan, Harris recommended I "add a bit of unexpectedness to the look with a pop of color; say, a pair of chartreuse sunglasses or an orange handbag."

My major takeaways: More color, layers, and loose-fitting pieces

As of now, I don't own a lot of the sorts of pieces Harris recommended, like brightly colored accessories and sweater sets. But now that I have those items in mind, I think I'll have a little more direction next time I hit up my thrift store.

And if you happen to see a cute orange purse anywhere … give it my number.