Unfortunately, just because it’s spring according to the calendar doesn’t mean it’s warm enough to pack away all the cold weather clothes that have been hogging your closet space.
I’ve put together my best tips for conquering the cold weather while still appreciating your favorite spring fashion trends (cough, right here, cough).
Wear all your spring clothes at once. Seriously.
Layering is, by far, the best defense against a chilly spring day. Denim or a lightweight bomber jacket is a good choice for outerwear to keep you warm while staying in line with spring. Not into jackets? No big deal: don’t forget that you can layer underneath your favorite spring tops and dresses as well.
Don’t shy away from color and patterns.
Reintroducing color to your wardrobe is an easy way to visually radiate spring. Long pants and a jacket say winter. Long, printed pants (maybe cuffed a little bit with some floral socks underneath) and a hot pink jacket? Definitely springtime territory.
Keep your sweaters on hand (or on body, I guess).
A chunky knit sweater is one of the best transitional spring pieces you can have. This season, instead of pairing it with your winter pants and jackets, try showing off your legs and layering it over a floral dress or skirt. Temperature permitting, you can even roll up your sleeves (so daring, right?).
Wear your Birkenstocks with pride, not cold toes.
Trying to break out your favorite spring shoes again? Layering works with feet, too--according to Man Repeller (long live!), it’s never too soon to wear sandals so long as you pair them with your favorite socks. Wooly socks for the extra chilly days, and slightly thinner ones for when the weather hits the 50/60s is perfectly acceptable. Don’t worry too much about the shoe you choose: socks and sandals, socks and heels, socks and wedges, socks and Birkenstocks… if you think it’s ok, it’s probably ok. And if it’s not ok, who cares? Your feet are cold, you like socks, and you like spring shoes--why not solve all these things at once?
What’s your best tip for transitioning into springtime?
I bought some suede culottes from H&M and honestly fell in love.
I can assure you they feel like a soft heaven on my legs, and I feel like someone who probably just rode into town on a horse in an old western movie.
That would count as a win-win situation, in my book.
I specifically remember getting dressed the morning I put this on. It was last Sunday, while still in the city. I was glancing into the hotel mirror after stealing my mother's denim jacket.
What was initially a panicked "Oh god, I look like a cowgirl..." reaction turned into a much more pleased "Oh yes, I look like a cowgirl" after a few moments of intensive outfit scrutinization.
When life presents you suede culottes, you buy them and you wear them.
Trust me on this one.
H&M culottes | Forever 21 top | Converse shoes | Vintage jacket (similar at ASOS)
High school running nationals are hosted in New York City every year, and this past weekend was my very last trip to the city for the event.
I pretty much get triple the experience, since (a) I get to participate in my favorite sport with some super fast people, (b) I leave school to go to one of the coolest cities, and (c) my oldest sister lives in NYC, so I get to spend time with her!
Because I'm me and I do these kind of things, I forced her to let me take pictures of her outfit to feature them on the blog.
I definitely consider her fully transformed into a real New Yorker.
She wore black every single day I was with her—and if that doesn't say New York City, then I don't know what does.
Free People jacket | Zara pants | C. Wonder sweater | Olivia and Joy purse | Zara boots
To add a little more NYC to your timeline, you can follow @therealcaraenright (not the fake one) on Instagram!
Fun fact about me: I'm actually kinda scared of butterflies.
There's this certain show that I watched as a kid (errrr and maybe teenager and maybe currently) and I totally tried to base these pictures off of the specific episode that inspired that fear.
10 points for you if you can guess it!
Anyways, when I saw this shirt online at ASOS I just felt like I really was destined to buy it. If you can't face your fears you may as well wear them, right?
Forever 21 Jacket | ASOS shirt | Nordstrom jeans | Kohls booties
There's only a month left until spring begins, and that means we're getting close to ditching our winter coats and scarves (and yes, turtlenecks). The good news is, spring has a bunch of new styles up it's decently shorter sleeve.
Here are five of my spring 2015 favorites including links, so you can go online shopping and daydream about warmer weather as you are hiding from the cold!
1. Wide leg pants and culottes are going to be huge (ha) this spring as the runway has been reinventing the 70s. I'll be pairing mine with tighter fitted tops as well as sportswear influenced t-shirts (see: number 4) to avoid looking too much like my clothing came straight off Party City shelves. Culottes are also a bit like glorified gauchos, and a nod to the mess that is the early-mid 2000s clothing is always interesting.
2.
Midi skirts are one of my favorite spring wardrobe additions. I got into midi's last year after ordering this
white ASOS gem and lusting after a
tutu inspired one (which are likely to still be seen on the streets come April). This season, however, I've fallen for the more polished look of the
fitted midi, which can be paired and layered with just about anything so you can feel justified spending your money on it.
3. Off the shoulder tops, as seen on the Michael Kors spring runway and in American Apparels near you, will be a popular new way to get yelled at in high schools across America as even more shoulder is shown in class.
4. Athletic shoes/socks/clothes/everything will return again to the mainstream after becoming widely popular on street style blogs last year. Neutral colored athletic shoes (Nike or Adidas brand are favorites) can be paired with almost any outfit imaginable, and adding athletic socks to a usually fancy outfit can be a way to dress down clothing. On the runway, sportswear can be seen through lots of mesh paneling, which is perfect for keeping (and looking?) cool as spring and summer start merging together and you begin to melt.
5.
Neoprene fabric isn't just for wet suits and the ultra cool Triangl bikinis found all over Instagram. This season, we can see the material (also known as
scuba) as the main ingredient in beautifully structured skirts, dresses, and tops. The thick material is is perfect for pleating and also poking when you get bored.
What are you looking forward to wearing this spring?
