Whenever I think about dressing for spring, I hear Meryl Streep’s line from the film The Devil Wears Prada: “Florals for spring? Groundbreaking.”
Her delivery is of course what makes the quote so memorable; the truth about the predictability of seasonal style advice makes it sting. Streep could have easily said, “Layers for spring?” and made any style columnist cringe.
But looking good in this type of weather – when days transition from rain to sunshine, and warm afternoons become cold evenings – means putting together outfits that are versatile and adaptable.
Spring temperature is also perfect for a certain kind of sartorial play. “There’s freedom in mixing textures you don’t often get to wear together, like wool suiting with a silk camisole underneath,” says Lauren Trend, a Melbourne design consultant.
A lightweight jacket adds ‘polish’
Transeasonal dressing means balancing pieces that protect against the chill but are forgiving when the weather warms.
The Melbourne stylist Sally Mackinnon loves to wear a blazer and T-shirt with a pair of shorts. “The temperature’s got to be just right,” she says. “Warm enough for you to have your legs out but not too warm so you can add a blazer.”
Trend says it’s important to opt for lightweight outerwear – such as an unlined trench or an oversized blazer – to transition between temperatures and to “add polish”. “They work with almost everything, from tailored trousers to crisp shirting. You stay warm without feeling stifled if the sun breaks through.”
Incorporate layers made from natural fibres such as silk, cotton, linen, wool and cashmere into your outfits, as they have thermoregulating properties. “A woollen jacket or pair of trousers is going to be a lot more breathable than something synthetic and polyester,” Mackinnon says.
Cashmere or merino jumpers and cardigans can also be worn like an accessory, tied around the waist or shoulders. They’re also light enough to be carefully folded or rolled and stored in your bag.
The versatile button-up shirt
The ability to easily shed layers is key to writer and podcaster Maggie Zhou’s spring style. “A button-up shirt is super versatile,” she says. “You can wear it open or closed, or ditch it entirely if it gets too hot.” Her spring outfit of choice is an A-line miniskirt and stockings, or an ensemble built around a pair of trousers, with interchangeable layers: a singlet, a button-up shirt and a jacket or trench.
Zhou also suggests adding a cap, especially for casual weekend dressing. “They provide an element of effortlessness – not to mention helping with bad hair days – while offering extra sun protection.”
And for the evenings …
Dressing for the evenings can be particularly tricky, since the temperature can drop dramatically once the sun goes down. Loose, flowing, full-length silhouettes is one good style solution. Mackinnon suggests wide-leg pants in silk or cotton, or long skirts, which enable good airflow.
If she knows she’ll be out from the afternoon into the evening, Trend opts for relaxed suiting with a fine-knit top or silk shirt. “I also love high-waisted trousers with a tucked-in shirt and a sharp blazer – it’s the kind of classic combination that never fails,” she says. When it comes to footwear, she prefers loafers or sleek ankle boots.
For Mackinnon, moving from boots and socks to loafers and sandals is one of her first priorities in spring. “Anything that exposes a little bit more skin at the foot – whether that’s a ballet flat or a loafer or a sandal – there’s something about it that makes everything feel a little bit more fresh.”
