The metamorphosis into spring and out of summer are the two trickiest fashion times of year for women who are excited to experiment with new looks. Yet, as a Minnesotan, as well as a world traveler, I have spent years transitioning between climates, wearing the latest looks without looking ridiculous. We have all made the mistake of going barelegged, or underdressed, freezing when there is still snow on the sidewalk, yet when it is May and the threat of snow still lingers, you want to break free of the winter dark colors and heavy fabrics.
What I tell my clients is that the keys are to layer and to mix winter clothes with spring clothes. The other key is to not repeat any winter ensembles. If I wear a suit or dress from the winter, I will wear spring shoes. If I wear a springy top or dress I will leave the sandals in the closet, and instead wear my dark shoes. Most of all, it is time to abolish the wool winter coat, the heavy boots and the dark winter makeup and nail polish. Accessories are the easiest and most subtle way to transition into a new season.
Once the weather stays above 50 for a solid week, it is time to put away the wools and the heavy clothes. I find solid colors such as grey, black, navy and red work great for transitioning into the spring. This year, I am adding camel and brown colors to mix up with this season’s African inspired prints, bold print and metallic trends. And as much as I love them, I have put away my favorite black motorcycle boots. On occasion, I will pull them out and pair them with a long floral skirt, tank top and light colored jacket, otherwise, they are at the back of the closet until September. With these trends, I am transitioning from winter into spring:
Color Blocking: One of the most popular trends of the year, color blocking is essentially chunks of bold color in tops or dresses. I am pairing my springy color blocked dress with black tights and shoes to add another color block. The key to this look is big blocks of color.
Metallics: This is one of my favorite trends this season. Just a pair of silver ballet slippers will transform any outfit from a winter to a summer outfit. The key to the metallic trend is to not overdo it and look like disco Cher in the ’80’s. A shiny belt with a floral skirt, a long boho silver necklace paired with a sherbet colored t-shirt or even a metallic bag shimmers and lightens darker colors.
Bold Prints: This year, bold and African themed prints and big bold florals are a huge trend. This is about huge, beautiful, chunky, floral, animal and geometric prints. Whether a big fuschia colored, or brown toned neutrals, this is the easiest trend to transition from fall into winter. My personal fav look is my long leopard print skirt with a black tank top and my favorite black, winter cotton knit sweater.
Pastel Colors: Powder blue, pinks and yellows are a huge trend this year. The easiest way to transition, is to wear a cotton pullover sweater or t-shirt with a darker colored suit. Or throw on a pink jacket with black pants or a skirt and lighten up. An over the hip, pastel t-shirt with a cropped cotton sweater is a great look over jeans, neutral pants or skirt. I personally love pink and black together. The key to the pastel trend is to not wear this look from head to toe. This is a great place to include pastel accessories: purses, scarves, makeup and nail polish. This transitions well into spring, without looking out of place.
Black tights with shorts or skorts: This is the perfect solution for when you are tired of wearing long pants and skirts, but it is still too chilly for bare legs. When I was recently in Stockholm, a place where winter and spring clothing really overlaps, I saw a lot of women wearing their shorts or skorts with tights and colorful Converse tennis Shoes, short boots or even ballet flats. A few brave souls were wearing flat woven Romanesque sandals. Toss on a pastel t-shirt and either your winter pullover or sherbet colored crop top and you have my favorite casual springtime look.
Peplum: Whether a jacket or a dress, the peplum look is one of the most feminine trends of the season. The easiest way to wear this look is to get a summery peplum jacket, in either kelly green, tangerine or a pastel color and wear it with darker form fitting pants or skirts. This is a fresh and fashionable look to wear now.
Tangerine and Kelly Green: These two color trends offer great transition opportunities, separate, not together. Replace black shoes with either tangerine or kelly green shoes and that pop of color will turn any winter ensemble into a spring look. Add a green or orange bag and you can still look sophisticated without looking like a color wheel.
