How to dress for a weird spring: 6 items that will have you armed for crazy weather
Well. It looks like spring is finally here. (The key words in that sentence being “looks like.”) It’s been lovely and sunny out and I even let my bare, pasty legs run free on the way to dinner last weekend. Then those bare legs and I walked home freezing when the sun went down and took all the day’s spring-like heat with it.
I’m not buying it. And neither are you, I’d bet. It’s not that we’re cynical, it’s just that we’re Canadian. We’ve been burned before. After last Tuesday’s snow-y tantrum, I just don’t trust this spring weather, no matter what the 14-day forecast has to say. With this in mind, I approach spring (and my spring wardrobe) the same way every year: cautiously and with a plan.
It’s not that you can’t have fun with this season—you absolutely can. And you should! You’re probably still fighting off a case of the winter SADs.
Here I give you six key weird weather apropos staples to wear all schizophrenic season long.
A Tea-Length Skirt
The floodpants of the skirt world, tea length skirts (definition: ones that graze your calves) are long enough to look weather-appropriate even if you’re feeling the breeze underneath. Dainty, lady-like and on-trend, a tea-length skirt won’t slosh around and get gross and slushy like the also-trendy wide-legged trousers, a less condensation-friendly option for your bottom half.
Halston Heritage satin twill midi skirt ($275, shop.fashionmagazine.com)
Florals
You’re not getting what you want from the weather, so fake it! On your body. Optimism is why florals are perennially (get it) on spring trend lists.
Swear Charlotte floral flats ($264, asos.com)
A Bomber Jacket
Tracy Reese, Marc Jacobs and a slew of other spring shows featured our good friend the bomber jacket, and they’re right to. It’s the perfect spring/winter/spring transition piece. Sporty, chic, yet basically a windbreaker, a nice bomber will keep you warm and dry until the warmer, drier months. Then, simply unzip and wear open. You did it!
Cropped jacket with zips ($159, zara.com)
A Bold Sweater
It’s always a tragic time when you have to properly tuck away your sweaters for the summer. Fortunately the more temperamental months of April and May provide ample opportunities to complete a look with the perfect piece of knitwear. Just keep it springy in colour and texture: light knits that are bold, bright, graphic, even. This ain’t December.
Maison Kitsune fox print sweater ($285, shop.fashionmagazine.com)
A Big Bag
To hold your sweater. And umbrella. And an emergency scarf and some sunscreen, because you never know if you’re going to need either… or both! In transitional seasons, a big ole bag is your best friend. Try a sturdy canvas backpack or professional-looking top-handle satchel.
Rachel Comey perforated tote ($650, clubmonaco.com)
Let’s be honest… a rain coat (and boots)
For when a bomber just won’t cut it, zip yourself into a proper raincoat, pop on some wellies, and keep sloshing on. Summer will be here soon.
Joe Fresh camo print jacket ($49, joefresh.com)
 It's been lovely and sunny out and I even let my bare, pasty legs run free on the way to dinner last weekend. Then those bare legs and I walked home freezing when the sun went down and took all the day's spring-like heat with it.
I'm not buying it. And neither are you, I'd bet. It's not that we're cynical, it's just that we're Canadian. We've been burned before. After last Tuesday's snow-y tantrum, I just don't trust this spring weather, no matter what the 14-day forecast has to say. With this in mind, I approach spring (and my spring wardrobe) the same way every year: cautiously and with a plan.
It's not that you can't have fun with this season—you absolutely can. And you should! You're probably still fighting off a case of the winter SADs.
Here I give you six key weird weather apropos staples to wear all schizophrenic season long.
A Tea-Length Skirt
The floodpants of the skirt world, tea length skirts (definition: ones that graze your calves) are long enough to look weather-appropriate even if you're feeling the breeze underneath. Dainty, lady-like and on-trend, a tea-length skirt won't slosh around and get gross and slushy like the also-trendy wide-legged trousers, a less condensation-friendly option for your bottom half.
Halston Heritage satin twill midi skirt ($275, shop.fashionmagazine.com)
Florals
You're not getting what you want from the weather, so fake it! On your body. Optimism is why florals are perennially (get it) on spring trend lists.
Swear Charlotte floral flats ($264, asos.com)
A Bomber Jacket
Tracy Reese, Marc Jacobs and a slew of other spring shows featured our good friend the bomber jacket, and they're right to. It's the perfect spring/winter/spring transition piece. Sporty, chic, yet basically a windbreaker, a nice bomber will keep you warm and dry until the warmer, drier months. Then, simply unzip and wear open. You did it!
Cropped jacket with zips ($159, zara.com)
A Bold Sweater
It's always a tragic time when you have to properly tuck away your sweaters for the summer. Fortunately the more temperamental months of April and May provide ample opportunities to complete a look with the perfect piece of knitwear. Just keep it springy in colour and texture: light knits that are bold, bright, graphic, even. This ain't December.
Maison Kitsune fox print sweater ($285, shop.fashionmagazine.com)
A Big Bag
To hold your sweater. And umbrella. And an emergency scarf and some sunscreen, because you never know if you're going to need either... or both! In transitional seasons, a big ole bag is your best friend. Try a sturdy canvas backpack or professional-looking top-handle satchel.
Rachel Comey perforated tote ($650, clubmonaco.com)
Let's be honest... a rain coat (and boots)
For when a bomber just won't cut it, zip yourself into a proper raincoat, pop on some wellies, and keep sloshing on. Summer will be here soon.
Joe Fresh camo print jacket ($49, joefresh.com)){kind=link}