How to Dress for Spring

Spring represents renewal and rebirth. The warming weather revitalizes plant life, adding color to the drab outdoors. Dress yourself for the season by adding color and life back into your wardrobe. Start pulling out breezier materials that can keep you cool as the weather warms up.

EditSteps

EditFinding Spring Fashions

1. Aim for bright colors and patterns to give your outfit some style. Light colors give a cheerful, happy, and fresh look to spring fashion. Dark colors, however, tend to feel like winter. Ditch the black and navy items and go for something yellow, blue, or green instead.
   
   • Pastels are always a go to in spring fashion. Sea foam green, lilacs, and pale yellows add pop to any outfit.
   • Imagine wearing the color at a picnic, or out on a walk in the garden, and ask yourself if the colors fit the scenery.
2. Stock up on neutral colors. Spring is all about color, but you need a good stock of neutrals to match things with. Neutral tops also carry over well into other seasons, making them a worthwhile investment.
   
   • Neutral colors include tan, gray, navy, white, and brown.
   • Use white for a classy spring look. It can be dressed up with sweaters and accessories, or you can play it down as a casual piece by keeping it unadorned.
3. Dress in layers. Spring is characterized by quickly changing temperatures, so be ready for whatever nature throws your way. Always bring a sweater, cardigan, light jacket, or pair of leggings handy -- it is always easy to take off layers if you get hot.
   
4. Aim for lighter fabrics. The increasing heat means you need to ditch the heavy winter clothes for something more comfortable. While cotton is always popular, you have several other options for spring fashion as well.
   
   • Tropical Wool
   • Chiffon
   • Linen
   • Hemp
5. Know that floral patterns are always in style during the spring. When the flowers come out, people love to see more flowers. Big floral dresses, shirts, and even pants are in style come March no matter where you live.
   
6. Show a little more skin. As the weather gets better, more and more people start losing layers. Spring fashion takes advantage of this with exposed shoulders, shorts and skirts, and open back or v-necks. This will not only keep you cool, it will make you stand out on the street.
   
7. Have rain gear ready. Spring is often the rainiest, wettest season of the year as spring rains come and old snow melts. Invest in an umbrella, have a light raincoat at the ready, and keep some rain boots at your front door. Even the best dressed spring reveler can have their outfit ruined by a surprising April shower.
   

EditTops

EditWomen

1. Wear blouses made of lighter fabrics. Light cottons work perfectly for most occasions. Nicer fabrics like chiffon work well for dressier occasions, and lightweight linen makes a nice choice for casual days.
   
2. Look for “flowing” cuts. Blouses with a loose fit and "breezy" feeling pay homage to warmer weather, helping you look stylish and feel comfortable. Loose-fitting garments do not mean oversized or baggy, however.
   
3. Look for printed tops. Delicate floral prints look especially nice and pay tribute to the blooming flowers outdoors. Many other prints may also work well, though. Look into polka dots, paisley, and navy stripes.
   
4. Try a maxi-dress. If the weather is just starting to warm up, the maxi dress may help you regulate your body temperature. Breezy cuts and designs keep you from overheating, but the length of the skirt also prevents your legs from getting too cold.
   
5. Wear a knee-length dress. Knee-length dresses are classic and flatter nearly any figure. This length also helps you to stay cool once the weather really starts getting warm.
   
6. Look for bright colors and patterns. Think floral prints and pastel shades like buttercup yellow or sky blue.
   

EditMen

1. Consider a basic cotton polo. Choose a short-sleeve, tailored design in a light color. The polo shirt is a smart wardrobe piece for semi-professional dress and other occasions that require a little more structure in you apparel.
   
2. Start stocking up on tank tops. You can layer them beneath other clothing while the weather is still cool, or wear them on their own if the temperature starts climbing early.
   
3. Keep a supply of short sleeve t-shirts handy. Fitted t-shirts are incredibly versatile. Wear them on days you feel like being casual, or dress them on days you feel like being more stylish.
   
4. Try a shirt tunic. A tunic is a loose-fitting garment that comes down to your mid-thigh. They are often made of cotton or some other lightweight material, making them perfect for spring weather. Choose one with short sleeves or three-quarter-length sleeves to keep yourself feeling cool.
   

EditJackets

1. Keep a light wind-breaker. Wind-breaker jackets are remarkably helpful during the first month or two of the season. They block out the chilly breezes of early spring, and also protect you from light rain. Just make sure you choose one with a hood.
   
2. Consider a stylish trench coat. Trench coats are lightweight, making them suitable for spring weather. The belt that wraps around the waist of the coat flatters a range of figures, and trench coats that come in fun colors and patterns can give your outerwear personality.
   
3. Pull out your raincoat. After all, springtime is known for its showers. A trench coat or wind-breaker may protect you from light sprinkles, but a raincoat is essential for stormy days.
   
4. Stock up on cardigans. Lightweight, fitted cardigans are a nice way to dress up your top while keeping you warm and comfortable. Whites, creams, and pastel colors maintain a delicate, springtime image.
   
5. Think denim. Look for a fitted denim jacket without any interior insulation. The material is already heavy enough to keep you warm on chillier days, and may even prove too heavy once the weather starts warming up.
   

EditBottoms

1. Break out the skirts. All the skirts you kept hidden during winter can finally return to their rightful place in your wardrobe. Flouncy A-line skirts in floral patterns work especially well, but many other styles are also suitable.
   
2. Start wearing capri pants. On some days, the weather may feel too warm for long pants yet too cold for shorts. Capri pants bridge the gap by covering the majority of your leg, while exposing just enough to cool you down.
   
3. Wear long pants made of lighter materials. A pair of linen cargo pants can be both practical and stylish. These sorts of pants typically work best in casual settings, but you may be able to find a few that can be used for dressier occasions, as well.
   
4. Don't forget your jeans. Jeans are a style staple for any season. Light and medium washes freshen things up for spring, but you can pull out your favorite dark wash jeans, too.
   
5. Look for a comfortable pair of shorts. Toward the end of the season, the weather may get too hot even for capri pants. A good pair of shorts is essential for days like this. Consider tailored style dress shorts, like Bermudas, that stop just short of the knee.
   

EditFootwear

1. Stock up on flats. Flats can be decorative or simple, and work well with both casual and semi-dressy outfits. They also expose the top of your foot, keeping your foot cool without exposing your toes.
   
2. Pull out your dressy sandals. For nice occasions, consider throwing on that pair of kitten heel sandals you put away for the winter. The warming temperatures bring sandals back into fashion.
   
3. Don a pair of walking sandals. For casual days, a sturdy pair of leather walking sandals looks appropriate and keeps your foot feeling cool.
   
4. Keep a pair of casual white sneakers. Choose a simple slip-on or lace style shoe. These are good to have for everyday use and running errands. White, as opposed to black, navy, or darker colors, works especially well for spring.
   
5. Try an open-toe heel. While not quite as freeing as the heeled sandal, an open-toe heel also pays homage to the warming weather by exposing a part of your foot you would likely keep hidden during winter.
   
6. Consider a pair of galoshes or other rain boots. You can wear nearly any footwear for light drizzles, but you might want something more water-resistant for downpours.
   

EditAccessories

1. Buy a cute umbrella. Nothing says you have to lug around a boring, drab umbrella with you on rainy days. Treat your umbrella like an accessory buy choosing one with a fun print or in an unusual shape.
   
2. Get your sunglasses ready. Once the rainy months clear up, prepare yourself for sun. A trendy pair of sunglasses keeps you looking stylish while protecting your eyes from harmful rays.
   
3. Tie a belt around your waist. If you stock your wardrobe up with tunics and other loose-fit blouses, add figure-flattering structure by wrapping a sash or skinny belt around your natural waist.
   
4. Look for light, cool hats. Think lightweight cotton and straw. Look for cute caps, or hats with a wide brim that can block the sunlight.
   
5. Wear colorful jewelry. Introduce a splash of springtime color into blander outfits by wearing bright necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.
   
6. Buy some nature-inspired jewelry. Look for pendants and charms shaped like flowers, leaves, and feathers. Spring is when nature starts returning to life. Acknowledge this fact by choosing jewelry pieces with a nature theme.
   
7. Keep a pair of leggings for colder days. For chilly days during the early spring, you may want to wear a pair of leggings beneath your A-line skirt or dress to prevent your legs from getting chilly. Leggings also work well beneath many longer tunic shirts.
   

EditTips

• Dress according to the weather. If temperatures are still cold, wear long sleeves or layer your short sleeve pieces with sweaters and jackets. If temperatures get hot early, do not be afraid to break out summer wardrobe pieces early. The versatility of spring fashions is one of the season’s pluses.
• Head bands are a cute way to stop your hair from getting frizzy or wet with sweat.

EditThings You’ll Need

• Blouses
• Tunics
• T-shirts
• Tank tops
• Jackets
• Sweaters
• Capri pants
• Shorts
• Long pants
• Skirts
• Dresses
• Hats
• Leggings
• Jewelry
• Belts
• Umbrella
• Sunglasses
• rain boots

EditSources and Citations

• http://www.thechicfashionista.com/spring-summer-fashion-trends.html
• http://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing/wardrobe-basics/wardrobe-basics-checklist-00000000000952/index.html
• http://www.glamour.com/fashion/2011/02/how-to-find-the-best-spring-dress-for-your-body

EditQuick Summary

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