I've Finally Cracked the Code to Spring Dressing—Here's My Secret

We’ve finally reached the vernal equinox, signaling the official start of spring. Yes, the air is still biting a bit, but the promise of warmer, longer days feels tangible. However, with this shift in seasons comes the biannual sartorial dilemma in which I ask myself: Winter coat or spring trench? Wool sweater or cotton pullover? Sock or no sock?

This is when I return to my Seasonality Grid: a simple framework that maps the “season” of each piece in my wardrobe—and makes spring dressing easy.

With a given outfit, each item exerts its influence, pulling it back towards winter, or nudging it into spring. At this early in-between stage, the idea is to slowly shift from outfits that live entirely in the “winter” column to ones that begin to incorporate “neutral” and “summer” elements.

In early spring, certain materials start to register differently. Dense wool, matte black leather, and tightly woven fabrics may still be weather-appropriate, but they begin to look heavy. (The opposite occurs in the fall!) The challenge, then, is not necessarily to remove them, but to counterbalance them.

One of the simplest ways to do this is through accessories with the characteristics of “summer.”

Take, for example, a summer bag. It could feature raffia, netting, or translucent beads, all materials that introduce a sense of permeability and airiness. Paired with otherwise winter-leaning pieces, they lighten the overall look, subtly shifting the seasonal vibe of the outfit.

Imagine the following looks with a structured black leather bag instead; the effect would feel noticeably denser, more anchored in winter.

For me, the very first step in transitioning is almost always at the ankle. I don't know about you, but my upper body is the most sensitive to cold, so it stays covered the longest. I’ll bare my ankles well before I consider shedding layers up top.

From there, the shift continues gradually. I begin to reveal more of the foot while keeping the rest of the outfit grounded in “winter” and “neutral” elements. It could be through an illusion via a bare sandal but with a sock, or a mesh flat to suggest skin without fully committing.

If you'd like to follow my lead, shop my favorite transitional shoes and accessories that will help your outfits feel a bit more spring-forward.

Shop My Favorite Transitional Shoes & Accessories: