Frock It [#595]

Transitioning Outfits from Winter to Spring
Say it with me … “sprinter”. It’s that weird in between time when crossing over from winter into spring: not quite warm enough to crack out your thin flirty sun dresses, but not quite cold enough to warrant donning your chunkiest knit. It’s a very confusing time for fashion, what with there being no real rules or guidelines for what to do about this strange in between weather we experience in this transition time. Not to worry though, here are a few tips and tricks to get you through this battle of the seasons.
First things first, I’m the realest. Okay, now that that’s out of the way, always keep in mind that you’re trying to channel the season we’re heading into. Swap heavy black boots for tan or brown boots, dark hosiery for bare legs and bulky coats for lighter jackets, in favour for the trends we’re starting to see coming through for spring and summer.
It’s time to start thinking about layers, because they’re about to become your best friend. Layers are great because they can keep you super warm when you need it, and when you don’t, you just loose a few. The key to successfully pulling off layers is making them as thin as possible. I like to layer with a long sleeve tee that is somewhat fitted, then a looser-fitting long sleeve tee. The key here is to have all your layers showing so that it looks fashionably intentional, rather than it appearing as if you’re trying to preserve body heat, which we are, but we’re looking good doing it.
I also happen to be a self-professed lover of the trusty old flannel shirt, or ‘flanno’ for all my true blues out there. If it’s extra chilly, I like layering a flannel over top of the tanks we started off with. If it’s the right colour and print flannel, it can look effortlessly cool topped with a leather jacket for a sleek but casual look.
Now is the time to bring out your ripped-up boyfriend jeans. For starters, they’re basically sweat pants that you can wear outside. As if that weren’t reason enough to love them, boyfriend jeans are usually cropped or full-length, which makes them suitable to wear in cooler weather when team up with ankle boots and a cosy knitted jumper. However, the loose-fitting nature of the jeans, paired with the ripped aesthetic, serves as a sort of in-built air ducting system, so that when it does warm up, you’re not risking over-heating as you would wearing other types of full-length denim. In warmer weather, team them up with a pair of footbed sandals and a white t-shirt for ultimate comfort, without having to sacrifice fashionability.
Being just over halfway through the month of September, I don’t know about you, but I can’t help but smile at the thought of the weather warming up. But for me, styling myself isn’t the hardest part of the transition, it’s dealing with the undoubtedly and unavoidably whiteness of my legs. Bring on the sun!
By Jessica Alves
Instagram @jessicazalves
youtube.com/msbonvivants