Should You Pull Out Your Spring Wardrobe Now?

It's the weekend and I am still debating to bring out spring and summer clothing because of the crazy inconsistencies with the weather. For those of you living in cold weather states with a few months to go before you start experiencing balmy weather one day and freezing temps the next day, bookmark this blog and come back in a month or so. Spring will get there - I promise.

Back to me and my closet issues. Getting the weather update from my husband for the week brought me to a few quick conclusions. Although I am steadily working with clients on their spring clothing and in stores daily purchasing, I am not personally ready to give up my tights and boots, but I will agree to put away my heavy wools, warm weather sweaters and coats.

 

Here are some tips on transitioning for the next few weeks until Mother Nature decides to commit to warm weather:

• Plan your daily outfits for cold mornings and warming around noon or 1 pm by incorporating layers. This is the time of year also when not only is Mother Nature trying to decide how warm or cold it is, but your office or building administrator is also trying to decide if the heat or the a/c should be on.
• Start with a camisole, blouse and a jacket or sweater. By lunchtime, if the sun is shinning and the sweat begins to bead down your chest, begin by taking off the sweater and keep on the camisole and open the blouse and wear it like a jacket. I have even gone as far as to rid myself of the blouse and just wear the jacket or sweater with the camisole. Call me crazy, but I'm alway thinking that if my outfit is going to take on another look, I need to have a back up plan. So I generally plan to add a silk scarf or necklace if I am left with a camisole and an open neckline. Scarves are easily carried by tying them around a purse strap.
• Since I am all about making it really easy, I like to wear dresses. Many of my dresses are short sleeve or sleeveless. I may start with a coat, but again, carry a cardigan or a shrug and usually switch it out by late morning. Another crazy thing I have been known to do is wear tights and boots and once I have my first hot flash or urge to rip off the tights underneath my boots, I do. I may carry an extra pair of socks, so I don't have to go sockless with my boots. That would just feel icky, right?
• Go ahead and begin taking out of your closet any heavy pants, wool tweed jackets, corduroy, velvet items, heavy long sweaters, turtlenecks, long leather skirts and furs from your closet. Pull out any long sleeve blouse or tops that scream winter and you won't wear into the spring.
• Add heavy scarves and shoes to the list, as well. Suede shoes are still worn in the spring, especially the lighter colors like grey, camel or blue. Anyone besides me out there own denim blue suede peep toe shoes?

Keep these in your closet for now:

short height or ankle boots
cowboy boots - I so enjoy wearing them into the spring and summer
non-wool scarves, like the nice silk and linen ones we know you own
fedora hats
basic white blouse
jean jackets
short sleeve sweaters
short and long sleeve dresses
leggings
anything in lighter color palettes
poly, spandex, nylon, cotton model, silk layering items
basic black or neutral pumps
jeans, of course

skirts and jackets that are either lightweight tropical wools or unlined items.

winter white - keep and wear

 

So hang in there, and don't let this global warming get the best of us. Spring is right around the corner and stores are full and awaiting your arrival! This is a great time to evaluate your wardrobe needs for spring and begin budgeting for new spring items. In the meantime, be sure to read my latest article in Wake Living on Tone on Tone Dressing for Spring.

 

From my closet to yours,

Suzanne

Spring Sales Shopping!

Fill ‘er up! This is a great time to purchase some sale items or early spring hits to continue building your lifestyle wardrobe. I recently was checking out the company Madewell, who has been around since 1937 in Massachusetts, and they seem to carry some cool, well made basics. Madewell has a few stores sprinkled around the country, but like most stores these days, offers free shipping when your cart total reaches $100.

Check out what I have pulled together for my own lifestyle closet!

Dots and color blocking are making a big presence this spring, as it does so often. I found a really simple ink with red dot, slightly retro dress that is an easy lifestyle piece for me. Although it is not on sale, I can wear it with a white blouse, jackets and tights now, and in the spring I have a cropped white jacket that has a side tie closure I can wear with it. I'm actually thinking that I have a brighter red and navy thin silk scarf that would be fun, as well, to wear as a similarly patterned accessory.

I fell in love with this mulberry tickertape shift dress, with its’ loose fit, that was on sale. Often times I layer dresses with long sleeve fitted tees and tiered necklaces. Notice the cute pockets? Dresses like this either work or not, so if the pockets make you look wider in the hips, it's not for you, even if it does look cute on the hanger or website. I personally look for dresses for everyday wear that take me from day to evening, but mainly dresses that will easily take me into the next season in fabric. I prefer dresses that I can wear nine months out of the year. By the time June hits, I am looking for fabrics that are cool and wrinkle free. I call those dresses "throw and go” - I put them on and head out the door.

I also found a great retro inspired stretch jean on sale for $59.99. Jeans are hard to buy on the internet, but I especially like the front slit pockets and simple design, so I am going try them. I also appreciate the medium color wash. I see myself wearing this with my boyfriend style cardigans, fitted jackets, and a heel now. In the spring, I have several loose fitting tops that will work paired with a wedge sandal. When purchasing jeans, they need to be really versatile otherwise they aren’t a great lifestyle item to invest in. I do like to have a few different styles: one casual pair for running errands on weekends, one nice pair for going out, and lastly, a pair that might potentially be worn classically enough to go to work in.

Scouring the internet for potential fill in's and early spring items is always fun. I always try and make sure I buy items I can wear several ways for various occasions. A one occasion wear just doesn't fill up my closet much these days. Most every item I purchase now is multi-purpose and my challenge is to find it.

I would love to hear your tips on how you do that with your wardrobe!