In This Post: The best suggestions for lightweight jackets, spring hues, and long dresses so that you never have to wonder what to wear in cold spring weather.
You’ve probably landed on this post because you’re wondering, what do you wear when it’s cold in the spring? Even though the warmer months are still a long way away, you can definitely start building your wardrobe for next season’s spring outfits now! Incorporating some soft-hued, layering pieces into your closet will help give your warm, winter outfits a fresh look while also providing you with the tools for wearing spring looks in cold weather. Here are my top tips on how to dress for spring when it’s cold outside and still feels like winter:
(Some of the photos in this post, like the one below, have been taken by my dear friend Alex Barone)
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When to Wear Spring Clothes
But first, let’s talk about when it’s appropriate to start wearing spring clothes. The answer to that is now! Granted, you have to stay practical for the current weather of your environment, but once the holiday season has past and we turn the page to a new year, it’s perfectly acceptable to start working lighter colors (like these cozy sweaters in spring colors), whimsical textures (like the eyelet ruffle detail on the purple top I’m wearing in some of these pictures), and flowy fabrics into your wardrobe. Let’s start with color.
For Spring Outfits, Color is Everything
When you’re dying to pull out your Spring pieces, but it’s just not warm enough yet, consider opting for lighter shades of current trends to create outfits for cold spring days. For example, colorblocked pieces made a strong presence this fall and winter, and are sure to stick around throughout Spring. A pastel take on the trend, like the sweater I’m wearing here (this is the most similar one I can find – and it’s on major sale), gave me a practical option for staying warm while also allowing me to add a fresh, airy look to my outfit that winks at the shades of Spring.
You can also opt for winter pieces in spring colors like an airy purple, blush pink, or mint green to stay practical while also expressing your excitement for Spring through your outfit.
Invest in the Right Spring Jackets
It can be tempting to gravitate towards dresses, skirts, shorter sleeves, and light cardigans when shopping for Spring, but having the right outwear on hand for the highs and lows of this time of year is key to both staying comfortable and putting together effortless outfits. You’ll want something that has a touch of spring but is still warm and cozy like the blush option I featured in this post on how to style a pastel coat, a chic trench coat for rainy days, and something that you can wear over quintessential spring pieces (like dresses!) to make them practical on chillier days. One of the best pieces I invested in last year was this drape front faux suede jacket from BB Dakota (pictured on the left). It has enough weight to it to make it practical for withstanding chillier breezes and crisp morning without being as heavy as a typical piece of outerwear. It’s such a versatile piece that it was a staple in my fall wardrobe as well. Plus, it’s so stretchy and comfortable that I don’t mind having it on all day either!
Break out Your Spring Dresses
If one of your current limiting beliefs is that you can’t wear your favorite flowy dresses right now, I’m here to tell you that that is simply not true. Now that it’s acceptable to start wearing spring hues, go for it! Long maxi dresses like this one are especially great to wear this time of year because you can style them with ankle booties and add tights or legging underneath as a sneaky extra layer of warmth. A three-quarter sleeve floral maxi dress like this under $30 option from Amazon also gives a spring touch to your look while keeping your arms covered through chilly weather.
