With spring around the bend, but winter still lurking in the corner as the proverbial elephant in our closet....is it a wonder that getting dressed in the morning can be such a daunting task? How DO we get our closets in optimum shape to tackle the next few weeks of transition? Pack those fair-isle sweaters away? Trade in the overcoat for an anorak? Shove those winter boots back into their boxes? Give into retail's seductive displays of saturated, punch-drunk colors and breathable fabrics only to be unsure of when we'll actually get to wear them?All fair questions, given we need to survive a 30-degree morning only to step out for a 70-degree lunch date later on the very same day. But winter revelers, rejoice! It's not quite time to pack away your warm snugglies just yet. With the ever-changing tides of not-so-fair weather patterns as of late, the list of in-between-season fashion faux paus is seemingly endless. Here are some tips to help you get a grip on the current state of seasonal limbo....
1. Layer, Layer, Layer - Sure, we hear it every year. But what does it really entail? Coats and jackets are still appropriate, just be sure you have on something equally presentable (for a sunny afternoon where you could break out in a sweat if you didn't shed!) underneath. Ditch that topper with the quickness midday and balance your thinner layer with a season appropriate close-toed shoe (it's still a bit early to pop out that pedi) - ballet flats, smoking slippers, chelsea or ankle boots, brogues...there are plenty of on-trend options to trade in for those chunky dead-of-winter boots. Just keep that top layer within reach so you are prepared for the rapid temperature drop as dusk approaches! If heavy outerwear is not your thing, the number of layers you don knows no limits. A button-up shirt, topped with a cable knit sweater under a light parka works well, as does a long sleeved t-shirt paired with a chunky cardigan, hat, and gloves. The possibilities are endless, so take the time to experiment and come up with a clean and chic (READ: not frumpy) layered look that works best for YOU!
2. Add Some Flow Down Below - While the lowest temperatures of the year may have had you reaching for your snuggest, warmest skinnies, those days are behind us now! This mean a chance to change up our bottoms, given they are styled correctly and in tune to the ever-changing weather patterns. Banking on your favorite spring and summer 2012 maxi finds, simply add some tights underneath, a chunky sweater on top, your favorite ankle boots down below and... voila! You have just pulled together a chic, seasonally diverse, and updated outfit....all with items from your very own closet. The look and feel of your skirt or maxi is now drastically different thanks to the key heavy outer piece and boot vs. the thin cardi and strappy sandal you rocked it with last summer. Work it!
3. Scarves Should Be Your New BFF's - Mother was right. The head and neck are the parts of the body that suffer the most heat loss, so it's natural to keep those parts bundled up for the coldest parts of the day. Once temperatures climb up to a more tolerable level, simply remove and enjoy a few fleeting moments of "spring", as your day allows. With the wide assortment of style available now....(walk into almost any apparel store and find: infinity, chunky, knit, gauzy, printed, solid, textured, square, oblong, pashmina)....anyone can find a scarf near and dear to their fashionista/fashionister heart!
The key to any of these looks is to keep an open mind and to streeetch your current pieces to their maximum potential to get you thru the next few unpredictable weeks and months. By expanding the scope of how you view certain pieces (maxi dresses can be worn year round!), you are opening up the door to possibilities that are easy, chic, and will also look effortlessly new...all from your very own closet!
Written by Saba Ali - stylist, writer, founder, and sole-proprietor of SBD - Image Consulting
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