@Brooklyn how do you manage early spring dressing? - YouLookFab Forum

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@Brooklyn how do you manage early spring dressing?

Anonymous

I don't know about you, Brooklyn, but I Struggle with early spring dressing. All the rich dark colors and patterns that work most of the year just feel really off to me in March and April. That's when I make the most missteps-too bright, patterns that include white, not quite right lighter colors. It doesn't help that all the shops are full of pastels, blues, and whites then either. But it's SpRiNg and I'm finally AliVe again (and tempted to have a big flurry of activity, inc shopping).
How do you manage it, and still be authentic to DA?

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from cat2

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Is your spring warm? I want the summer colors, but in a recent epiphany, I realized that temps are much too cool here for my clothes in those colors. Recalibrating….

I realize that im not Brooklyn. I assume that by posting this to the general forum, you intended to draw other people in

Brooklyn

Veteran

Oh, pressure!

I think this is a question for anyone who enjoys wearing darker or deeper colours. It’s hard to transition to warm weather. I think Spring is the hardest! It gets easier in Summer when you can show more skin.

I think my basic strategy is to go for lighter colours near my face but to stay dark and deep on my lower half. That’s why I like separates.

So colours like camel, light olive, light teal, sand, rust, dark gold etc on top then a dark or black based bottom.

I prefer this to wearing a lighter colour on bottom (more flattering and practical for me).

Spring jackets are really hard to find. Denim jackets don’t suit me (light blue is my worst colour). Tweed is usually the wrong colour. I look for cotton and linen jackets. But they are hard to find in colours that I like. Blue is everywhere.

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Anonymous

Specifically to Brooklyn, cause I want to see how she approaches it, but could be of interest to many. I may do a more general version some other day, or feel free to start one too if you want! Seasonal dressing vs temperatures is a big topic on it's own for sure.

My question is about personal palette vs the palette and general energy of nature (and retail) at that time. My palette feels fine most of the year, including high summer, it's just those 2 months that are problematic.

I'm asking Brooklyn specifically cause we wear the same colors and types of prints, but I think she's much better about sticking to the vibe than I am.

Anonymous

Thanks Brooklyn! True summer is definitely easier than early spring. I think it's about the change of light in the early spring that makes it so challenging. And the flowers are light pink and yellow then, and light green leaves. The changes may not be as drastic there as here though.

Anonymous

Oops duplicate post!

Brooklyn

Veteran

I agree. It’s the light changing. And some colours, like forest green and burgundy, can start to feel wrong. But black doesn’t, at least if you don’t go overboard with it. Black based patterns are a blessing to DAs!

Anonymous

I actually prefer not to wear as much black in the early spring. Plus a lot of the patterns with black that show up also have white. Thought I could sub navy some years back- fail!
Having rust available in the shops has been a game changer though. Olive is workable too.
Buying a camel coat helped though. Illusion of bare arms or something...

Brooklyn

Veteran

I prefer not to wear black jackets but I’m ok with black patterned skirts. Navy is a fail for me too. What about brown? Brown patterns are around here ATM. Don’t forget teal

Anonymous

I have been adding brown in the last couple years- and wore it a lot this past spring. Black still dominates in my closet though. At least half the days I wear only black with cognac or gold accessories at this point.
I've been off teal for the most part, as I don't like it with black (too Winter), but may re-add a little since I have more brown and rust.

The Cat

Veteran

Gold accessories look sunny and spring-ish to me. And how about tops/toppers/scarves in cream/camel/toffee? Perhaps also consider touches of coral and/or green-turquoise?

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I think relying on different textures in dark colours can help too - I have a sisal/ straw bag that I plan to dye dark brown for example. I imagine something like a tulle skirt or gauzy scarf in a deeper shade could also pass as springy?

Otherwise agree with @TheCat about gold accessories - copper & bronze work too.

Chiara

I wonder about lighter fabrics eg finer or more open weave, or less coverage (depends on your preference, temperature of course). Also respect your contrast level in lighter colours? Anyway I thought these images were fun to spark inspiration. You are right that most DA involves waterfall coats and knee high boots!

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SarahD8

Veteran

I see some light terracotta colors in the dark autumn palette. So maybe look for rust, but lightened up a bit? That way, if not the new spring greenery you can match the vessel it's planted in. (I know, super literal...but it seemed like you were feeling out of step with springtime activities/happenings.)

Brooklyn

Veteran

Now’s the time to stock up. Who knows how long the warm colour trend will last.

I agree with Chiara that open weave knit tops can look Springy. I wear these in Spring.

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Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I’m an autumn too but I don’t control it as well as you two…. I am tempted by all colors! But I do get annoyed that there is always soooo much blue at retail. Especially in swimwear, it used to be all blue though finally some warmer colors are available. Blue is not great on me.

In spring I always want to wear orchid pink. Also not great on me but matching it with gold accessories helps. For hotter weather, wooden beads and straw or sisal.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Very interesting - I never thought of Spring being more difficult than Summer for these reasons. And the light where I live is always pretty harsh. Hmm.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Brooklyn and Suntiger, I just saw these and thought of you two. NOT blue, not black, not oversized, not too long, very comfy and earthy:

Banana Republic

Utility Fleece Jacket

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Banana Republic

Utility Fleece Jacket

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Anonymous

Thanks Angie, but leaving the breast pockets to those less "endowed" than I :/ I have a minimalist olive suede jacket that works well actually.
I used to buy a lot of brights in spring, including orchid, coral, turquoise but I'm soooo off them now. I just don't picture myself wanting to attract that much attention anymore.
Lighter texture is a good idea, though often requires more layering than I like to do. It's definitely a thought, since I'm shrinking my color pallet.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Blast those pesky breast pockets. They are not for everyone

Anonymous

You can have my share of them!
Hopefully that "new vanilla cream" color will appear in some other pieces. That looks like My White!!!

cat2

Veteran

SA, not DA, but what about pairing your white with the greens you usually wear? That feels Spring to me.

Anonymous

I don't wear true white, just beige, but yes with greens (olive/avocado). And I wear it with rust too. And yes "white-out to me" outfits work.

YKK

Growing up on the Mojave desert there wasn't much change in season. It's there but not anything like Europe or the Eastern US. I guess if you count these things blooming like pic related in the spring. It's more like something form Kepler 36 B than what you'd think of as spring though. I often wondered growing up what it was like to have the very noticeable seasons that I would see illustrated in children's books or talked about in school.

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Anonymous

I'm in the eastern US, and our climate is extreme. January and February are generally bitter cold, 30 or below, usually not snowy but we have gotten 2 feet at once. March and April are cool to mild and often rainy. May, early June, late September, and October are the best months- high 70s- 80s but not super humid. Late June- September are consistently in the 90s and very humid. November and December are wildcards, sometimes cold but sometimes in the 60s and 70s.

YKK

@suntiger
On the Mojave the winters are very mild but you pay a price for that. In the summer it can get to 110 F though it's usually more 98 to about 103. LA is what I would think of as sub tropical maybe? Never really gets very hot or very cold.

cat2

Veteran

I would look for Spring weight pieces in your beige, and since I think you wear it, maybe some jewelry that makes you think of Spring.