7 Outfit Formulas for Spring
And 15 outfits showing them in action.
Is it just me or have we collectively been desperate for the first whisperings of spring this year? I know I have. One sighting of the sun and a degree over 10°C (or higher!) makes me feel completely transformed and I know I’m not the only one.
But as exciting as a new season can be, there’s always that tricky period in the beginning when you think: “Wait. How do I dress at this time of year again?”
We’re so used to dressing for winter; putting on our thermals, our thickest knits, and wearing layers upon layers that there can be a wobbly few weeks as we navigate dressing for days that suddenly aren’t bitterly cold. I’ve fallen into that trap a few times recently, venturing outside only to regret the many items of clothing I’ve put on.
There’s a bit of fun to be had in re-learning how to get dressed at the start of a season. But I find it also helps to have a bit of a steer. And my steer comes from looking back at outfits from springs (and autumns) past, and reminding myself what I like wearing most (and what works, on a practical level) at this time of year.
Here are seven of my favourite spring outfit “formulas”, with outfits showing them in action.
Off-white trousers with darker colours
Spring is officially the season of new beginnings. Nature starts waking up (as do us humans), days get lighter, and everything feels fresh. And nothing says fresh quite like the colour white — or off-white or ecru, which I personally find easier (and less stark) than white white to wear.
But winter isn’t too far behind us, so pairing that off-white (or white or ecru, whatever shade you go for) with a darker colour feels like a way to ease in. For me, a pair of off-white trousers with a darker jacket, top or shoes is a winning combination in spring. It’s fresh but it’s balanced and I can still wear the darker, slightly heavier pieces that will keep me warm. It’s the ultimate “transitional” blend.
Short light jackets with knitwear
One of the trickier parts of spring dressing is the temperature shifts throughout the day. Yes, 3pm can be delightfully warm on a sunny day, but it’s often bookended by cold mornings and evenings. You need layers that can suit both and the combination of something knitted — a cashmere jumper, say, or a knitted neckerchief — under a short light jacket is a fool-proof option.
Too cold? Keep all your layers on. Too warm? A short light jacket is easy to carry, tie around your waist or pop in your bag during that pocket of bliss. I find thinking about whatever your base layer is pays off here too. If it’s really warm, would you be happy to shed both jumper and jacket and wear whatever you have on underneath? Not-so-basic plain T-shirts are a solid bet, as are classic Breton tops (I’ve had this one from Armor Lux for years).
Waxed jackets with everything
A waxed jacket is such a useful piece to have in your wardrobe. They’re great for every season because they really block out the cold but I think they lend themselves particularly well to spring.
Speaking purely from the perspective of a UK resident, spring can be warm(ish) but aside from the odd global warming-induced heatwave, it’s never really hot. You still need a solid layer to brace yourself against any cold breezes but the wool coats of winter are probably going to be too much. A waxed jacket is the perfect middle ground. Plus, they’re a classic — just look at the lasting endurance of Barbour — so they go with everything and won’t date. Look after them well and they’ll last forever too.
Vests for layers
I’m a big fan of a cotton vest in spring. Seasonally-appropriate warmth? Tick. Easy to take on and off? Tick. Outfit silhouette enhancing? Tick, tick, tick. A vest like the one featured below can instantly add something to whatever you’re wearing. I like popping them over a shirt or a long-sleeved top in a contrasting colour so that it becomes a main character in an outfit, rather than looking like something you quickly pulled on when you got cold.
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