by Laura Tomase
The runways are tempting with delicious candied shades of pink, yellow, and
green, soft floral mini-dresses, and playful wedge sandals and all the while
snow flitters about the windy streets and tree branches are still bowing with
excess weight.
It's still March, but here in Chicago it feels (and looks) more like January. So,
when exactly should you pull out the spring and summer items and put away the
winter clothes?
As a general rule, I follow the "no white SHOES" after
Labor Day rule, but I do wear white year 'round as it is becoming less of a
"rule" and more acceptable in the fashion world. Something about a black fitted
turtleneck, snow white sateen pencil skirt, and black boots is very chic during
the winter months and I would never put that skirt away once Labor Day rolls
around.
So, what can you wear and when? I would say any white bottoms are okay
in fall and winter as long as they are not in a summer-y fabric such as linen,
chambray, denim, and lightweight cotton. Once it starts to warm up and look
like spring is on the horizon, you can begin the transitional phase.
A lot of
people seem to have problems with this and are confused as to what to where, so
here are some guidelines to follow when "seasoning" your wardrobe...
Come spring, put away the following:
- Heavy-weight sweaters
- Winter coats
- Anything with fur or
suede accents
- Heavy wool wraps (invest in a satin or lightweight wool
one for spring-time)
- Anything velvet (as a general rule, though, try
and keep the amount of velvet at bay in your wardrobe--it very rarely works on
anyone and tends to look dated)
- Wide-wale corduroy
- Wool-blend
pants
- Heavier-weight tweed separates
- Boots
As it
gets warmer, gradually bring the following pieces INTO your closet:
- Lightweight sweaters in pretty, spring-y colors (for the transitional period
these work well and keep them throughout the summer as well in case you need to
throw on something extra on those chillier nights)
- Cotton-blend skirts
(can be paired with sweaters or a tank and cardigan on warmer days)
- Any
top with floral, spring-y prints (these will not look out-of-place when paired
with jeans or pants on a sunny day--add a cardigan or great jacket if it's still
kind of chilly)
- Any skirt with floral, spring-y prints (again, this
will not look out of place when balanced with a lightweight spring
sweater)
- Anything pastel that's in a heavier fabric (I have a great
pair of very thin-wale corduroy trouser-styled pants in a mauve pink that I wear
with a black thin turtleneck and black sling-backs during transitional periods
and while it hints at spring, it still is functional and keeps me
warm)
Jewelry can also make or break the look--I have a brown sleeveless
top with a little tie at the bust that I hate to say goodbye to every fall, but
I recently wore it on one of our few sunny days here in Chicago with a
khaki-colored jacket, a bright red beaded necklace, chocolate, white, and red
printed skirt, and chocolate brown leather boots and it worked great. It was
warm when paired with the jacket, was fun and colorful, and was a good
transitional look.
Overall, you will be fine if you pair one lightweight
item on top with a heavier item on the bottom (like a pair of jeans). On the
flip side, you can make the top portion the heavier item (like a tweed jacket)
and pair it with a satin or lightweight cotton skirt.
Play around with what you
have--just because something is sleeveless or cotton doesn't mean you have to
wear it *only* during the summer months. It is all in how you mix and match
what you have--just have fun!
Happy spring! (if it ever gets here) Oh and feel free to comment (below) if you have more ideas or questions on transitioning your wardrobe between seasons!
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