Spring Back into winter with a wardrobe update

A pandemic has struck. No, I’m not talking in medical terms here; I’m talking about a fashion pandemic. This weekend, we woke to find our streets buried underneath a white blanket of snow and low and behold, absolutely nothing to wear to substitute the freezing weather. Having already started stocking up our wardrobes with beautiful fresh spring/summer 2012 clothes (I blame you River Island and Warehouse!), it would be a shame to let the weather beat us back into autumn/winter of 2011. So instead, how can you translate your new season buys into pieces that are wearable now? Well, that is if you’re brave enough to step outside into the cold in the first place.

Unless you’ve been living in a fashion-free cave for the last few months or so, you will be well aware that the printed trouser is going to be the staple-buy of the upcoming season. With River Island clearly paving the way with this trend (we’ve already had bright tropical patterns and Versace inspired scarf prints!) it would be simply rude not to indulge in the trend right now. So to keep the cold at bay, pair yours with an oversized knit jumper for a slouchy effortless look and then, come springtime, team with a lightweight blouse.

Thanks to the Olympics being held in London this upcoming summer, the urban sport trend has been massive on the high street and will continue to strongly influence your wardrobe choices through the warmer months. You’ve probably noticed that most of the dresses with athletic inspiration are barely here nor there, due to the ‘underwear as outerwear’ rule still applying from previous seasons. Fear not; as a simple tailored mac from Miss Selfridge will not only keep your style sport-luxe, but it will also act as a handy waterproof against sleet and snow.

 

If you have had the opportunity to visit Topshop lately, you will have seen all the gorgeous summer time dresses they have on the shop floor sitting there looking all pretty just dying for us to try them on and then, inevitably, buy them. If you’ve been guilty of this fashion crime like myself, just ensure you’re wearing yours now with an oversized ‘Grandad’ cardigan, woolly tights and a pair of biker boots to brave the snow in – resulting in the perfect investment purchase for now and the new season!

Trust Warehouse to go straight to the top of the trend board introducing the clash of the prints with this palm mirage inspired blouse and skirt. Wear them together for the ultimate style statement; think Mary Katrantzou and Peter Pilotto. Before we get too eager with the bold summer prints, why not tone them down with a pair of black tights and a leather biker jacket for an added edge during this unsightly weather?

Last but not least, you can’t have a spring/summer wardrobe without a few pastel colours thrown in for good measure. I love these candy pink jeans from New Look teamed with a feminine floral blouse from Warehouse but, again, due to the weather we can’t exactly be going to our local dressed like it is the middle of summer.

So for now, it’s all about the layering. Mix denim on denim by pairing your jeans with this ripped pocket effect denim shirt also from Warehouse and roll up the sleeves of an oversized chunky marl cardigan to reveal a bit of the denim underneath – super glam and totally layered to suit the forecast!

As I write this article, the snow is beginning to fall again so get preparing your transitional spring wardrobe now – it may be cold outside but you’ll still be looking hot in pre-season fashion!

Mel Jeffery