I like the vibe of this modern classic, yet trendy outfit. I love that the trousers, jacket and lightweight trench coat are in exactly the same equestrian checked fabric. The fluid fits are comfortable, and the fabric drapes well. Earth tones for Spring look lovely and new. Although I’d shorten the length of the sleeves on the yellow top, the pop of sunshine makes me smile. The cropped length of the bottoms create a Spring integrity, and the layers are dead right for a fresh Spring morning or day.

But for me the outfit falls flat because of the slides. The very Summery open-toed hot-weather shoes combined with an insulated transitional outfit with two long-sleeved toppers looks seasonally confused and jarring to my eye. All I can think is very cold feet. Mules would have looked less jarring, because the toes are closed. Ideally though, I’d have liked to the see the outfit with closed shoes like loafers, pumps, oxfords, cut-out booties, or very covered sandal booties. Or fewer layers up top with the slides.

Maybe the point is to remove the layers during the day as the weather warms up so that the outfit looks right with slides. That would make more sense. The second outfit shows what that combination would look like although the slides and trousers are a little different.

Ignore the impractical length of the sleeves, which can be shortened and scrunched to an unfussy length.

Granted, I can’t handle cold feet and wear closed-toe shoes even in hot weather because I like the insulation. I also visually prefer the polished look of a closed-toe shoe, but don’t mind an open heel. These sensitivities and sartorial preferences are causing the bias against the first look shown here. I do have a double standard, because I don’t mind boots and booties worn with sleeveless Summer tops, Summer dresses, and shorts. That’s as much of a seasonally confused look, but a more grounded combination to my eye.

Over to you. Is the first layered outfit seasonally confused to your eye? And if so, does it matter?