When to break out spring wear? - YouLookFab Forum

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When to break out spring wear?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

It's still cold here (it was -26 Celsius this morning) and we still have 5-6 feet of snow on the ground. But it's the end of March and officially the spring equinox.

So do you let the weather or the calendar dictate when you start to break out your spring goodies?

For example - it would look silly if I wore my pastel blue suit and laser cut cream oxfords right now but could I pair the light blue blazer of the suit with black trousers and still look spring-like as well as weather appropriate?

I'm so sick of my winter clothes...

Dressing

37 replies

Latest reply was from Laurapickle

Tina

Veteran

Spring is in the air and that is what counts. Bring it on Shannon, it's time.
Do what you must to commute safely and to stay warm, but once inside it's time to let your spring wardrobe shine
(you may need to start in small doses but by the second or third week in April you should be at full capacity).

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Weather. But sometimes I get impatient.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

ARGHHHHHH!!!

Thank you for letting me get that off my chest. Do you realize that at this time last year, I had already broken out the spring clothing? And the year before that, I was starting to wear some SUMMER items by early April?

But not this year. I go mostly by temperature. So...I was still wearing a cashmere sweater yesterday. And needed it.

But I also really like the idea of starting to add more lights and or spring colours as weather permits. I think you can definitely wear the pale blue jacket with dark trousers if it is warm enough at work for that fabric.

As for me, I hope to store the heavier wools and cashmeres soon...maybe by the end of this week. I'm still wearing my wool coats (and even my puffer) but I think I'll put the serious snow boots in the basement. (I'll still have my La Canadiennes). And I tend to reach for the lighter weight sweaters more often now, and some of those are in more spring like hues, as well.

carter

Veteran

You can definitely pair your light blue blazer with black pants right now! I Springify by lightening up a piece or two at a time in an outfit. It's a great way to transition.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I'm rebelling against the snowy weather by wearing sandals indoors.

MRL

Veteran

I kind of mix things up at this time of year. The light blue blazer with the black trousers sounds right to me.( I, too am sick of winter/tired of winter clothes, but we're expecting snow this week).

Anonymous

I switched my closet to early spring on February 15th, although we are still getting plenty of cold weather and snow including last night. I'm trying to feel spring with warm layers in light or bright colors and neutrals, adding as much white as I can. It was 24F this morning when we went to Mass. This is what I wore, hoping the color and white would say "spring". ( I did resurrect the black puffer coat though to keep warm).

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Dee

Veteran

I also woke up to another several inches of fresh snow this morning, so I definitely understand the seasonal frustration right now. I'm working in some of my spring pieces into my winter wardrobe, in terms of color and shoes when possible, but still also including many of my sweaters when the temperature drops. It's like a wardrobe free for all! Although there are definitely days where I dress a little more hopefully weather-wise than is probably practical.

Gaylene

Veteran

One of the very best tips I got from Angie's blog a few years ago was to buy some fall/winter items in lighter colors and stash them away until the end of February. Since then, I've collected a small capsule of cream, mid-grey, aqua, and pale yellow winter wear that I start wearing in March. Wearing my navy winter peacoat with grey boots and jeans, an aqua cashmere sweater, and a pale yellow belt makes me feel like I've transitioned to spring wear, even though I'm still facing a pile of snow on the ground and -10C daily temps.

Gigi

Veteran

I generally go by the weather and also by my "gut." I noticed that about a month ago, I started reaching for more brightly colored items in my closet instead of the neutral or dark items. So my "gut" was telling me to start incorporating spring stuff into my outfits. However, I have not worn a complete "spring" outfit from top to bottom yet. So until the weather cooperates and I feel in my gut like it's OK to wear a whole spring outfit, I will be doing a hybrid of winter-spring stuff.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I can't stand being cold, so I'm wearing my winter clothes and trying to brighten things up with some springy colors. I thought about getting out some of my spring blazers, but then again I'm still wearing my long underwear, so maybe it's not time just yet...

This afternoon it got all the way up to 28 F, but with the wind chill it was oh, say about 15. And yep, more snow is due mid-week. I heard it's one of the top 5 coldest March's on record

Deborah

Veteran

It's a weather thing for me. We are on the other side of things waiting for Autumn to really kick in. I like the idea of mixing your jacket with something warmer to give a bit of a Spring feel. I am doing similar at the moment as I am so OVER my summer things.

Thistle

Veteran

I go by temperature as I hate being cold. And my office is cold.

However, I have a few pieces of cashmere in lighter colors for this time of year. So, if you would be warm enough with the pastel jacket, go for it!

April

Veteran

I say break the spring clothes out when the actual temperature is ten degrees colder than the temperature at which you'll actually be comfortable in them.

Jjsloane

Veteran

Weather has to be the deciding factor, but I do start bringing in some spring items for layering to keep me from going mad. I want nothing more than to pack up all the winter coats, but after 65F yesterday it's supposed to snow again on Tuesday. Groan. Even the kids are bored with snow.

Windchime

Veteran

The weather rules me, Shannon, because I can't bear to feel too cold. But I have been trying to incorporate one spring-ish item into each of my outfits since March 21, whether it's lighter colors or leaving the house in shoes rather than snowboots. It's supposed to be really cold here for another several days, but then I expect we'll gradually warm up and I'll transition into my spring capsule.

Echo

Veteran

I agree with everyone else. Spring is not dependent on the date on the calendar, but instead on the weather. But wearing spring coloured items is a great compromise, like the pastel jacket with black pants. Our snow cover was melting fast, but lately it has been too cold to experience much melting, and we can expect more snow this week (hopefully small amounts that won't last long). So no matter how much I crave spring, I cannot actually wear spring items or footwear yet unless they are covered by a thick coat whenever I am outdoors!

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I mostly go by sunshine these days, as long as I am warm enough! So, I've been wearing shoes without socks and rolled-up pants as long as it LOOKS like spring when I look at the sky, despite all the snow that's still around on the ground.

Tanya

Veteran

I am with Gaylene here. For transitions such as these, I tend to wear clothes in weights appropriate for the actual temperature, but in colors appropriate for the upcoming season. That means than now I am focusing on winter-weight clothes in springy colors, and in early fall on summer-weight items in fall colors.

Emily

Veteran

Ugh. I feel you, Shannon. I cannot wait to wear skirts and dresses with bare legs... but for now, I'll be trying to rock some springy colours and still stay warm. So I say bring on the pastels and cream!

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

This is definitely a transitional time where we are getting a few teaser days and I wore pumps and bare feet and even short sleeves only to turn cold windy and sleeting today....I have enough transitional items to get me through but am not unpacking or packing away anything yet...when we have weather with ten day forecast in a row of Spring temps is when I will do so....

Anonymous

I go by temperature too. This week was -10 to -17 C while i was getting dressed. Most of my spring and summer tops are 3/4 sleeve so I think I will have to wait. (But we are only 2-3 feet of snow lol)

I am dying to crack out some 'new' clothes but I just won't be comfortable. And I can't wear white before the May long weekend...I know, I know but I can't do it

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You have my heartfelt sympathy polar vortex survivors (it is in the 70s here, ducking :-))!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Sorry I couldn't get back to this thread yesterday...

Well it seems that most of you have the same idea - dress for the weather but incorporate more spring-like colors and a bit lighter weight knits so that's what I'm gonna do.

I'm going to wear my winter items this week as it's predicted to be very cold and more snow yet and then starting next week, begin adding in some springier items. Maybe it will encourage the "real" Spring to arrive???

Thanks for the feedback ladies.

Joy - gorgeous outfit

Lisa

Veteran

I'm with others, start mixing in spring items with your cold weather clothes. Sometimes I find layering combinations I would not have previously thought to try.

viva

Veteran

I agree with everyone here on incorporating spring through color while the cortex continues. It was 14 degrees F when I drove to an appointment this morning, and we may have another major snowstorm on Wednesday. I am wearing cashmere today for warmth, but the lightest toned cashmere I own. Socks are a must, and I can't wear cute shoes out of the house even on sunny days because the melting snow turns right to mud. Wish we could jump right to May!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You poor, poor people still living in arctic temperatures. You have my sympathy.

Break out Spring as long as it's warm enough to wear. Cashmere, wool, puffers, boots, thermals - you name it. Lighten up the colours and go pastel and bright.

Glory

Veteran

AGGHHHH. We had a snowstorm here this weekend! I don't even have the heart to look through my spring items at the moment. I need to hear some birds and see some snow melting. Then I will get motivated. The closest I have gotten was a brief online fling with a flowy flowery bouse (which I didn't get). I am going back to hibernate underneath a large pile of thick woolies.

beautygirl1992

Member

It's officially spring! I say, break out the pastels. An unusually cold day is the perfect time to retreat back into your grey or navy sweaters, but I say that as long as your comfy why not wear your lighter stuff?

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