By Josie Gudgeon
So, it may not feel like it yet as we are living in the lovely miserable stormy England. However, spring is nearly upon us and we should be starting to transition our wardrobe into our spring wear.
It’s that awkward transition from winter to spring which we all find tedious in the clothing-department. Trying to figure out how to dress for transitioning weather and when to stop wearing winter clothes is just so hard. Here are some of my tips that help me in the transitioning period:
Key clothing items & a versatile wardrobe for the transitional season
The trouble with the transitional period between winter and spring is that it leaves us with the dilemma of is it hot or cold? How should we dress for this weather? Don’t be too hasty freeing up space in your closet for the spring season. The best transitional clothes for winter to spring are probably already in your closet. So, don’t be putting aside all of your jackets and coats, because on those chilly spring days we need to look at our “winter” items that can be layered to create spring looks like oversized blazers, sweaters and boots. I know we all want to immediately eliminate our big chunky sweater as we are feeling optimistic for the sun on our skin. But, it’s time to try wearing our sweaters in a new way. For a perfect transitional outfit scrap your big sweater with jeans, try it over a lightweight chiffon maxi skirt or culottes. Pairing different fabrics like chiffon or suede with heavier fabrics like wool allow for a perfect transitional wardrobe. It’s important to pick breathable fabrics, but also those with enough weight and warmth. If the right fabrics are combined it creates a very stylish look. My favourite layering combination right now is a lightweight dress or skirt with a chunky knitted jumper. All of these looks can be totally versatile season to season.
How does one describe a spring dress? Not quite as heavy and warm as cashmere-knit, but at the same time, not as breezy as a chiffon dress? The exact definition may be indefinable, but that’s what gives our outfits opportunities especially in this in-between weather of winter and spring. The best part of the transitional periods is restyling old garments and falling in love with them all over again—by spring we can free ourselves from heavy coats over the top, uncomfortable tights below, as well as smothering turtlenecks underneath every outfit.
Clothing items that are ideal for the transitional period for example. Culottes are the perfect item for this period. Are they pants or are they shorts? Who knows, but you’re comfortable, warm, and we are still able to feel a little breeze on our ankles. Mule shoes are another fantastic piece for this period their idea for when you are wearing something more covered over your legs like jeans. Mules allow you to show off some skin on your feet making the shoes have a more sandal like vibe creating an extra summery feel to the outfit. Another go-to for me is a statement jacket like a trench coat. As winter moves into spring this period is all about layering. I love that trench coats are the perfect weight for spring weather and you can throw them on over anything.
Finding your own transitional clothes for winter to spring can be a creative way to declutter your closet. It also means you don’t need to go out and buy a ton of new items when the seasons change. By incorporating different seasonal fabrics, you can save money and space.
Storing bulky winter pieces
While there’s plenty of transitional clothes for winter to spring, there are some items best stored away until winter comes back around. No matter how creative you are, there are some things you just won’t need taking up space for the next 8 months. What I am talking about, is those really bulky things like parkas, puffer jackets and pea coats. Other things that won’t be needed for instance are woolly hats and mittens. For the spring and summer season, you might think of storing these accessories away for a few months. That way you’ll have more space for seasonally appropriate options.
What about footwear!
Boots, in particular, are shoes that can take up a large amount of room in your wardrobe so it is important to invest in some transitional shoes such as over the knee boots or biker boots. These can easily be paired with jeans in the winter and dresses or skirts in the spring. When it comes to spring weather and what to wear the best options is boots providing a bit of warmth and a dress/skirt to reveal some skin for the perfect combo.
For all those other winter boots that you can’t style for the spring, store them somewhere for the season. That way you can enjoy a little extra breathing room in your wardrobe. Spring cleaning and decluttering go hand in hand. So, give yourself a break and think about the transition from winter to spring as an opportunity to declutter your closet.
Wear a mix of fabrics
As I mentioned earlier, a good way to transition your wardrobe from winter to spring is by incorporating those typical winter fabrics – like wool, cashmere, leather, and chunky knits – with lighter spring fabrics such as poplin, suede or chiffon. Mixing these seasonal fabrics is both practical and stylish.
Brightening up your wardrobe
Most of us feel more comfortable during the winter in blacks and greys. So, there is no need to feel pressured to jump right into bright spring colours. Start by adding a brightly coloured accessory, then you can develop to adding a few more pieces of colour to your wardrobe as we get further into spring. A monochromatic colour palette can be easy to work with as everything can be easily matched together and your wardrobe is interchangeable. However, getting used to more colours can allow you to be more playful and make bolder statements with your fashion choices. Making your spring wear feel more vibrant and seasonal.
For instance, you can slowly brighten your wardrobe with minimal effort by swapping your jeans for a lighter wash denim. Another quick and simple way that is not stepping too far out of a monochrome colour palette, is by adding a white pair of trainers. This instantly lightens a look effortlessly.
Layering is your best friend
Outfit-planning can be tricky in the spring, when the temperature might be chilly in the morning but has warmed up by lunchtime. On days like that, layering is your best friend. Pull a blazer, trench coat or blanket scarf over your outfit. However, you must pay attention to how your outfit looks without the warmer piece. You want your outfit to still look good if you take off layers during the day. In winter this is not something you necessarily have to account for because the weather is generally cooler throughout the whole day.
I hope these tips may have helped you when thinking about transitioning your winter wardrobe into your spring wear. Keeping in mind that our wardrobes can be versatile; incorporating those typical winter fabrics into our spring outfits for stylish and practical looks that can be worn season to season.
