A Spring Outfit for Chilly Days

Mar 9, 2018

Early spring weather is so deceptive.  The sun’s out, the trees are blooming, and it feels like a warm, sunny day…until, you step outside. And once that cold, brisk wind blows through the folds of your wrap dress, you’ll wish you’d double checked the temperature before leaving the house.

So how do you dress for spring, when spring feels more like fall?

Scarf Light Fringed Scarf ($38) // Jacket Polo Leather Jacket ($798) // Tee J.Crew Striped Tee ($40) // Earrings Kenneth Cole Square Hoops ($24) // Jeans Rag & Bone Distressed Jeans ($259) // Shoes ASOS Latch Flats ($23)

{image found here}

The answer is to dress for chilly spring days like you’re dressing for early fall, but with pops of color.  This chic, layered look is perfect for the weekend and can be slightly retooled for the office.  Here’s how to recreate it.

Scarf. I love this bold, mustard-yellow scarf.  It’s a light weight, so you can layer it without getting to hot.  If yellow isn’t your thing, try an aqua scarf or an emerald-green scarf.

Jacket. Gosh, leather jackets.  So cool, so expensive.  Like, buy a jacket or pay your mortgage expensive.  This Polo jacket is so cool, but so out of my reach.  This BlankNYC jacket has a similar look for much less.  If cognac isn’t your favorite color, this grey Lucky Brand jacket looks great.  Plus-size?  Try this suede Rebel Wilson jacket.

Tee. A good striped t-shirt is an essential wardrobe staple for me.  There are just so many cute ways to style it.  It’s a lifesaver for days when you’re like, “What goes with jeans? And now, what do we layer over that?”

I like this white-navy stripe, but my preference is a navy-white stripe.  This Gap t-shirt has the darker color scheme that I like.  Plus-size? This Ralph Lauren tee is a nice option.

Earrings. Round hoops are great; square hoops are where it’s at.  These Macy’s hoops have been appearing on the blog for years.  I also love these rectangular, demi-fine Moon & Meadow hoops.  I don’t like to wear really large hoops, so mixing it up with an unexpected shape is fun.

Jeans. I still like distressed denim, though the trend has lost some of its steam.  I like the casualness of the look, and the devil-may-care hipness of ripped jeans.  Though, in a more professional office, you may want to try a trouser jean instead.

Now, if you can’t wear jeans to work (yes, these places still exist), try a skinny navy pant.  If the shirt with the pant is too much navy for you, keep the pants and switch the blouse out for something in ivory or white.  This simple crepe blouse from Brooks Brothers will get worn a million times.

Shoes. The original photo features tortoise flats.  I couldn’t find any for sale right now, so I decided to keep with a dark brown patent-leather shoe.  This affordable ASOS flat is a nice choice.  They also come in wide fit.

When dressing for those early spring days, make sure to check the weather and not the skies.  A glance out the window is not the accurate barometer you’re hoping for.  And when the wind whips and chills the air, layer up in cool separates and pops of color to feel like spring, but be warm enough for fall.

{image found here; this post contains affiliate links}

How To Wear It, Style

share this post

Leave a Reply to Emily Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. cLARA says:

    Yep, my leather jackets get the most wear in spring.

  2. Allison says:

    This type of post is my favorite, Abra. A fresh, seasonal take on the things already in my closet. Thanks!

  3. Em says:

    Love this! Fall is my favorite season to dress for – so it’s nice to see how to get more mileage out of those items with just a few tweaks!

  4. Liz says:

    I’ve been hesitant to buy Asos shoes for fear they’ll tear my feet apart (as cheap shoes have done in the past). But they have so many cute ones! Does anyone have experience with Asos shoes that can share?

  5. Susan says:

    Great post! Two questions….if distressed jeans are losing steam, what is replacing them? Just plain light denim, cuffed?

    Also—speaking Of losing steam, aren’t those big scarves getting tired? They’ve been around for a while, and I feel like everywhere I go I see girls in leggings, boots, big fluffy oversized scarves and a Starbucks cup. Lol.

    • Wendy says:

      When it has been 25F and snowy outside for the last three weeks and another Nor’Easter might be headed our way, keeping warm and dry is the number-one priority. I’m keeing big scarves wrapped around my neck until the weather warms up past 50F. Scarves really can help you feel warmer, especially during the long cold spells. Warm scarves are far more than a fashion item, trust me.

      Abra’s spring pick outfit definitely me a reason to pull out my moto jacket out of the closet! But with all the salt, snow, slush, melted slush puddles, and well, mud, on sidewalks, I don’t think I’ll be able to confidently wear flats for another month.

    • I saw lots of great giant scarf style in Paris in November, lots of creative color combinations and nonchalance makes it feel fresh!

  6. RKT says:

    For another GAP alternative, I have had great luck with any T in their “Modern” fabric. It’s a soft, thick cotton that is great for this time of year. Right now, they don’t have the Navy/Thin white strip, but I know they have had it before because it’s hanging in my closet. I love those t-shirts and have replaced many older t-shirts with them. The only disappointment is that the white still lets bras show through. Here are some striped options available now.

    https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pcid=5058&vid=1&pid=272556022&searchText=modern+stripe

    https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pcid=5058&vid=1&pid=904974022&searchText=modern+stripe

    But they update regularly, and seem to sell out pretty quickly.

  7. Emily says:

    Thank you so much for the specific notes about the non-denim alternates and subsequent styling for this very cute outfit. For those of us who can’t wear (or choose not to wear) jeans to work, your blog is an INVALUABLE resource. Thanks!

    • Belle says:

      I remember the pain of working in a no denim office. It was even worse because the boss wore black denim almost every day!

  8. Monica T says:

    This is such a cute look. To convert it for SoCal in Spring – a striped short-sleeved tee, a light cotton scarf and sandals! Great inspiration.

  9. Annie Q says:

    It’s time for this scarf fad to fade away. The outfit here is so cute except for the fact that this woman disappears into all the fussiness around her neck.

Join The List

Stay up to date on the latest from Capitol Hill Style!

sUBSCRIBE

Beauty Review: Bondi Boost

As I age, I notice many changes in my body. Most are fine. Some are frustrating. Like many women, I lost a lot of hair in my postpartum phase. Being anemic for more than a year after, it didn’t grow back in to its former glory. So I’ve tried any number of shampoos, pills and […]

0

READ MORE 

Recent Posts

The Find: Shirts That Don’t Gape

I remember when Rochelle Behrens launched The Shirt — a button-down blouse with anti-gape technology (a patented internal button that keeps the look smooth). The idea seemed brilliant, but at the time, my bust didn’t require an extra button. One baby later, I understand the need for some extra security.

5

READ MORE 

The Range: Printed Shirt Dresses

If you’re preparing your wardrobe for the warmer weather, don’t sleep on shirt dresses. Casual when worn with sandals or sneaker, dressy with flats or heels, they’re great for any work situation. They’re a great piece that you can throw on any time you need to look pulled together. Here are a few choices.

6

READ MORE 

VIEW ALL POSTS

Beauty, Top Posts | March 27, 2024

Beauty Review: Bondi Boost

As I age, I notice many changes in my body. Most are fine. Some are frustrating. Like many women, I lost a lot of hair in my postpartum phase. Being anemic for more than a year after, it didn’t grow back in to its former glory. So I’ve tried any number of shampoos, pills and […]

0

READ MORE 

Fantastic Finds, Posts, Style | March 27, 2024

The Find: Shirts That Don’t Gape

I remember when Rochelle Behrens launched The Shirt — a button-down blouse with anti-gape technology (a patented internal button that keeps the look smooth). The idea seemed brilliant, but at the time, my bust didn’t require an extra button. One baby later, I understand the need for some extra security.

5

READ MORE 

Features, Posts, The Range | March 26, 2024

The Range: Printed Shirt Dresses

If you’re preparing your wardrobe for the warmer weather, don’t sleep on shirt dresses. Casual when worn with sandals or sneaker, dressy with flats or heels, they’re great for any work situation. They’re a great piece that you can throw on any time you need to look pulled together. Here are a few choices.

6

READ MORE 

Features, Monday Mornings, Top Posts | March 25, 2024

The Mondays: March 18, 2024

This weekend was a tricky one. The warm weather and bright sunshine of last weekend disappeared in a flurry of wet snow trapping our very active 18-month-old in the house with us. Plus, our babysitter cancelled, so neither of us feels ready for the week ahead. But in between making mac-and-cheese and watching Aristocats for […]

6

READ MORE 

RECENT POSTS

©2023 CAPITOL HILL STYLE | SITE BY LEIGH THE STUDIO