3 Easy Outfit Formulas for Spring’s Most Confusing Weather

Call it Katy Perry, because this so-called “spring” feels straight out of her old lyrics: It’s hot then it’s cold; it’s yes then it’s no; it’s in then it’s out, it’s up then it’s down. And above all, it is tricky to dress for. When the temperatures can go from frosty to summery in a 24 hour period, figuring out what to wear for the day requires some careful calculations.

I am fully ready to put my coats away and live in warm-weather styles, but the temperamental temps have made that impossible. I don’t want to default to boring basics though, so I’ve been falling back on these three easy outfit formulas for failsafe spring transitional weather looks:

Oversized leather bomber jacket + fitted maxi dress + knee high boots

I’m simply not willing to forgo all the cool spring dresses on my to-wear list, so this combo is one of my go-to styling hacks to make them work for our weather. Slouchy, oversized bomber jackets are having a major moment lately, so this vintage one (similar) I got from the excellent Philly AIDS Thrift has been in heavy rotation. If you are looking for one of your own, I always recommend sizing up one size if possible to get the casual vibe right - and this style always looks better being a bit too big than it does a bit too snug!

The dress I wear underneath really depends on the temperature - I wore basically this same combo to a rooftop event with a Pthalo green sweater dress on a cooler day, and brought the spring vibes with fragrance (the light, fresh BCBG Soie de Poire that I fell in love with at the Marie Claire NYFW party). But I was chomping at the bit to wear this oversized fruit-and-floral-motif mesh maxi, so the moment the temps rose into the 50s, I decided it was time to make it work.

This dress is from the newest Bloomingdale's collab with indie designer label Lisa Says Gah, which is full of its signature tongue-in-cheek prints. This one in particular reminded me of the blown up floral that adorned the gorgeous final look at Sarah Burton’s latest Givenchy, but in a wearable layered mesh. The Bloomies-exclusive collection goes up to an XXL, and that is what I am wearing here as a size 20. For plus babes above that size range, I recommend AFRM (up to size 3x), Eloquii (up to a size 26/28 in most items and some up to a 32), and Ashley Graham’s collection for JCPenney (up to a size 5x and generously cut).

To stay warm when the sun went down, I went with one of my favorite pairs of wide calf knee high boots, and completed the look with a cute bag from NYC label Min + Mon. This look took me from a day spent writing at a coffee shop to a cute rooftop event at night, and I got compliments about how wonderfully springy I looked at every stop.

Nipped waist leather jacket + oversized button down + wide leg jeans

I’ve been having a lot of fun playing with layers and proportions lately, and this particular outfit formula is one I keep coming back to because it just works. A nipped waist jacket is another super versatile piece, and this one from Finesse has become a workhorse in my wardrobe since I got it last fall. I throw it over everything, from simple jeans and tee looks that need a little zhuzhing to billowy dresses that I want to add a little structure to.

But the one I keep coming back to is worn over a button-down. I love a good button down, so I have a bunch of them in my wardrobe, and I have a particular soft spot for boxy oversized versions. I’ve long since let go of the idea that everything needs to highlight my waist, but I’m not always in the mood for a shapeless silhouette, so this layering technique is a great way to get even more mileage out of my oversized favorites.

For this look, I went with this Madewell button-down, which hits all my hallmarks for a good boxy button-down: Crisp poplin, oversized without swallowing me up entirely, and with generous bust darts for shape and proper fit. (Sadly, this stripe colorway just sold out in this cut, but there is a cropped version on sale right now if the pattern is what you are after). Layered under the jacket with the waist tie cinched, the button down flares out in a way that feels peplum-adjacent (perfect for trying the burgeoning trend without commitment). For a casual Sunday out and about with my husband, I finished the look with some more wardrobe regulars: Wide leg jeans from Silver, my beloved large Luar Ana bag, and the platform clogs I wear on days when real shoes feel like a bridge too far.

Straight leg jeans + fitted top + longline lightweight coat

My other go-to combination for transitional weather is all about a longline coat and slim denim. I’ve worn so many variations of this look this spring, with jackets ranging from a sleek navy trench coat with a distinct Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy vibe to a maximal python-print trench coat to a cozy faux-suede trench coat to a cool denim one for a modern twist on the Canadian tuxedo. For cooler days, I default to either leather or lightweight wool, like this classic car plaid car coat from Cynthia Vincent’s excellent plus size label Baacal. I’ve had this coat since 2019, and I wear it so regularly that the cost per wear is now lower than my fast fashion impulse buys. It is currently sold out (though Vincent keeps an eye out for similar vintage stock fabric for re-releases), but if you love the style there are some similar options on the market now.

Whatever the fabric and cut of the lightweight longline coat, though, the key for a no-brainer outfit formula is pairing it with slim cut straight leg jeans. Now I’m never one to shy away from a good volume-on-volume look, but that combo definitely takes a little more care and consideration to put together well. But straight leg jeans are a natural balance to the proportions of the longline jackets, and this Abercrombie pair in particular just looks so good in this outfit formula. I appreciate that they come in both regular and Curve Love cuts, with the latter being for anyone with more of a waist-hip differential (and what I’m wearing here!)

I went for a little pattern mixing with this ruched layered mesh zebra tank from Ashley Graham’s new collection for JCPenney, and picked up on the red accent in the plaid of the jacket with these incredibly comfortable perforated slingbacks from Andre Assous. Topped off with a No Ordinary Life hat from emerging handbag brand Esthera, it was just the thing for a sunny but chilly Sunday uptown.