Of all seasonal wears, spring’s wardrobe has the biggest job to do. To tackle helter-skelter forecasts and alfresco-forward schedules, only one attribute makes its lighter layers shine: versatility. We asked an area stylist to demonstrate how adaptable this year’s pieces can be. Encore! Encore!
“Overall, this season is about exploring color and pattern in unusual ways. I started seeing green used as a pop of color last year, but the idea is really arriving in stores now. Fruit patterns are also going to be big. A fit-and-flair dress usually reads very girly, but the green moto jacket adds a bit of edge.” –Metro Denver-based wardrobe stylist Hannah Moon
“Many of us have a leather jacket in our closet, but don’t utilize it as much as we should—a lot of times because the topper feels too heavy for warmer seasons. This jacket is made from a lightweight suede material that looks like leather, which creates a world of possibilities. Also, I think flared jeans are flattering on any body type.”
“A lot of women like the boho vibe, but become concerned that the look is too youthful. This outfit is the solution. The dress offers a more mature interpretation, and the Southwestern flair of the hat and layered jewelry punch up the look.”
“I am a color queen. This bright hooded sweater is a great way to add in lively hues while still being weather appropriate. Whenever you’re wanting to use a dress as a skirt, be sure the functionality is there (midi and high-low dress lengths work best, for example). With the belt, you can also fake a ‘French tuck’ to break up the fabric.”
“Linen pants have always been a vacation staple, but they are really a viable option for the usual day-to-day. Wrinkles are often thought of as bad, but with a wrinkle-prone fabric like linen, I say just let it be creased. This is the kind of outfit to wear to the farmers’ market or while running errands on a Saturday. The light, colorful sweater and the braided slip-on sneakers add chicness.”
“Linen pants are also not just for casual plans. This elevated look is something you could wear to date night or a luncheon.”
“Watercolor and ombré are going to be huge spring trends. The varied hues in this elegant watercolor dress (rather than, say, a palette of only blues) gives the wearer options.”
“This look shows how a dress typically worn to an event or dinner can become appropriate for a more casual day, when paired with laidback pieces like a utilitarian safari jacket and espadrilles. You could go to Whole Foods in this.”
“Women often ask me how to find comfortable workwear that’s not stuffy or too masculine. High-waisted, loose-fitting trousers have heaps of versatility. The right pairs still have some structure, with an ankle length that works with both heels and flats. This periwinkle shade also adds color to your wardrobe without being too overwhelming.”
“A work-ready blouse doesn’t have to be just for the boardroom, nor does it have to be plain and boring. A polka-dot blouse is typically seen as very feminine, but this design has a masculine quality that we lean into with the rest of the outfit. The polka dots are red, which is a more attention-grabbing color, but the tiny dot scale makes the shade more approachable.”