Angie, you always give such good explanations. I was reading and wondering “why is she posting this now, rather than in February?” And then you explained why. So smart!

My favorite spring coat is light pink wool. Its similar to a JCrew coat being sold this season, but mine is thrifted, probably at least 10 years old and looked unworn. I did have to cut out some bulky shoulder pads, but my shoulders are broad and fit the coat perfectly.

Excellent advice! I kinda caught on with this idea last spring, when I coveted your cream booties, and went looking for something along the same lines, only to get really frustrated. So I have been shopping around for something similar NOW, to wear in our cold springs, but right now all I’m seeing is dark and darker colored footwear.

My cream pleather jacket got a workout last Spring. So much, I’ve gotten bored with it and it’s getting a rest now. But come Spring, I’ll be living in it again, I’m sure.

Timely post as always, although like Cricket, I was puzzled by the timing until I read the explanation. You always make perfect sense, Angie. I am all shopped out right now. I am loving my wardrobe, but I do not want to buy another winter item. This is the first year where I feel like I did everything right. However, I am going to start planning my early spring list right now.

I’m a new reader and fairly new into feeling stylish and I am LOVING your blog. I love pops of color in my wardrobe and am currently feeling the real need for that in my shoes. I have black shoes of every variety, but recently bought a few new pairs of colorful work shoes and I can’t wait to wear them. My big problem at the moment though is finding the perfect pair of boots. I have never before owned a pair, but with my newly found sense of style I picked up a couple of skirts and dresses that really need boots. I have a rather large foot – size 10-11 and am finding that my calves seem to be on the small side for this size boot. The foot will fit perfectly but I’m swimming in the calf and it looks ridiculous. Thank goodness for Zappos, but I’m a little tired of sending boots back and I felt awful when I went to Nordstroms and had the guy going into the back room for an hour with no luck. *sigh* My perfect first pair is out there somewhere. I’m going to hit up Aldo’s in SF tomorrow and try on boots until my feet go raw. Maybe I’ll even find a few perfect pairs. Like you’re saying, I need variety!

Fantastic tips, as always! I’m still wary of nude legwear of any kind, so I wear light and brightly colored tights come spring. And so smart to recommend shopping for some of these supplies NOW. Come March, when we really need this stuff , it’ll be nothing but lightweight sundresses and sandals in the shops.

This is one of those things that has been kind of a revelation for me this year. I don’t even think about it, but I tend to wear darker colors in the fall/winter. I have added some brighter items this year, and I will continue to keep this in mind. Normally, we don’t have much of a spring (even so, wearing the same dark items for three months does get boring). We come out of winter the same way that we go into it- all of a sudden one day the weather just changes completely. Last year, though we had a very drawn out and cold spring. I am trying to keep spring layering pieces in mind when I am shopping (which is sadly not very often lately).

Okay, I saw the post title and when “haunnnn!” but I get it now. Honestly, here in WI Winter is 6 months out of the year! and spring lasts 4, yes, if you do the math that leaves a month each for Fall and Summer. I joke that you could be Angelina Jolie here and it wouldn’t matter. Winter is the great beauty equalizer, who can tell what you look like or what you dress like under enough layers to tackle the arctic chill and blowing snow. But it is nice to at least think about Spring!

Angie I SO appreciate this post! Here in the south spring-like sunshine comes early even if it is still somewhat cold outside, so wearing dark winter clothes always feels odd to me even in Feb-March sometimes.This post will definitely be on my mind with this year’s shopping plans later this year

Huh. I never knew they made textured nude tights — I want some! They would be a good alternative to my sheer hose that I usually switch to in spring.

I have certan colors I tend to crave with every season. Come spring, all I’ll want to wear are the colors of the ocean – blue, turquoise, and green. In the middle of the summer, I’ll want to wear tans and browns and creams – colors that I associate with the warm sun. In the winter, I always plan to wear more color, but I end up wearing charcoal and black most of the time. So I’m not sure I can really “buy ahead” because of this -
but I do hear you on cold springs and being so tired of wearing warm clothing! Happens to me every year.

Wise thoughts!

Thank you Angie, this is a good reminder!! The shoe issue was a big one for me so I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for the light-colored footwear you listed well in advance of March/April, when it becomes a quixotic search.

Great tips! Now I have a new shopping goal – light/brightly colored boots and booties.

By following your blog, I have inadvertently been preparing for Spring. Pre YLF I was a neutral girl, however I’m slowly incorporating more colour. Living in Scotland I would say you have six weeks of wearing your winter wardrobe, six weeks of wearing your summer wardrobe and the remainder of year is breezy and damp!

I should invest in a trench, I will invest in a trench!

I have yet to find “nude” microfishnets in an appropriate shade for me. The so-called nude colors I have tried make my skin look very ashy and dull rather than shimmery. I have yet to find a darker color that isn’t brown or black though. It seems like I have plenty of time before spring to find a decent pair but I don’t know if I will succeed! Angie, when you say polkadot hose, do you mean the kind with little tulle dots? If so I already have them, but if not, I would like to look into it!

I’m set with everything else. I guess I still continue to wear a lot of black in spring and even summer but that’s okay in NYC. I always pair it with brights anyway.

Maya and Rae, have you cehcked out the Spanx “nude” fishnets? That is what I wear all winter when I was soemthing on my legs, but do not want any color. The fishnet is very small and tasteful. I have not seen them this year on the Spanx web site, but perhaps Nordies or they may be available in the less expensive Spanx line they sell at Target. Good luck!

Great tips, as usual. You make dressing up so much easier.

-meream

Another great article Angie! You are so right about this, I have noticed the need for these items last spring when the weather was still pretty cool. I could use some pretty cream ankle boots, but that will have to wait for the next year.

Angie, good reminder! Like you, I also get extremely bored of wearing the same dark colors as soon as the snow starts to melt. I do notice that I wear different colors with each passing season, but to actually purchase the colors that I wear in the spring in winter-weight fabrics is genius, and I only think of it when there is nothing decent and weather appropriate to buy at the stores! I’m now keeping my eyes open for those pieces needed to plug in those holes. Thanks!

Angie, great idea! I did a little of that last spring, when I picked up some clearance boots at the end of the season and then had to wait patiently for it to get to fall! Same thing with NAS, too, now that I think of it; I am just wearing items I bought in July.

I generally buy ad wear lots of bright colors all year round so I won’t be saving them for spring, I am wearing them now too.

I have the same problem with Maya. As a light-skinned Black woman, it’s almost impossible to find nude hose that works for me. Even if it’s the right color, the tone is off. That’s one of the reasons why I almost ever wear nude hose.