20 style tips for the end of winter and beginning of spring

Around this time of year, the weather is incredibly unpredictable. Dress as practically as possible by wearing a look made of loads of layers. You’ll be able to shed or add layers as the day goes on, and you’ll look put together no matter what. 

There aren’t many times of the year when it’s both seasonally and stylishly appropriate to wear a short-sleeved sweater, so take advantage of it in late winter when the sun is peeking out and early spring when it’s still too cold for your actual spring wardrobe. You’ll be glad you did. 

Monochromatic looks are super chic, and late winter/early spring is the perfect time for cool-toned neutral monochromatic looks. Try out a stone gray or a pale yellow look, or stick to what you know and wear white or beige. 

Tights are a great accessory from early fall to early spring, bringing a bit of added warmth. By layering with tights, you can begin incorporating some of your spring pieces into your wardrobe earlier than usual. 

On the flip side, you can remove tights from your wardrobe as spring comes into play. Wear a typical winter outfit without the tights to signal that warmer weather is coming. If you want that extra coverage on your legs, get a few more wears out of your over-the-knee boots before all the snow melts. 

Only showing your arms or legs is a classic styling tip in any season, but it’s especially appropriate when transitioning from winter to spring. It’s too warm to be fully covered but not quite warm enough to be fully exposed. Pick one set of limbs or the other for a balanced look and feel. 

Sneakers can be worn every season, but they’re suitable footwear when transitioning from winter to spring. A clean pair of sneakers will give a fresh vibe to your ‘fit, making the transition from winter to spring feel effortless. 

Put away your cashmere and wool and break out your linen and chiffon. Mix and match if it’s still too cool for all lightweight fabrics. A cashmere sweater with linen pants is incredibly chic, and you won’t feel like you’re too springy or wintry. 

One of the easiest ways to dress in late winter/early spring is by wearing a winter outfit without a coat. If you’re in full-on winter fabrics, you’ll feel warm enough without carrying a coat, and you’ll look like you’re preparing for spring. Plus, it’ll take the thought out of deciding which coat to wear. 

Is there any better time than spring to wear pastels? These shades are quintessential spring, and they can be utilized when transitioning from winter to spring by pairing a pastel piece with darker, wintry colors. It’ll be a welcome juxtaposition for a few weeks while you’re moving away from your burgundies and navies. 

Spring is the trench coat’s time to shine. Let it do its thing by acting as a layering piece or the entire outfit. It can be worn with open-toed shoes or boots, and it can be styled with springy or wintry accessories. It’s the ultimate transitional piece. 

Blazers are great layering pieces when the weather starts getting a bit warmer. If you’re ready to break out your lightweight T-shirts and light-washed denim, a blazer is perfect to toss on top to make the look seasonally appropriate. 

Dozens of vest types can be styled well at the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Whether puffy and cropped or long and furry, a vest is an easy piece to layer and is great for transitional weather. It can be used as outerwear and removed once inside or be styled as part of an entire look and kept on all day. 

Don’t stow away your earmuffs and scarves just yet. There may still be a few days when you want a little more coverage on your extremities without hauling your parka around. For a chic look on those days, just use your winter accessories instead of wearing a coat. 

If you stick to the “no white after Labor Day” rule and don’t want to risk wearing winter whites in a slushy climate, now is the time to get some use out of your white wardrobe. A bright white piece makes for a crisp look, perfect this time of year. 

Sweater dresses can be difficult to style, especially as winter comes to an end, but if you want to get a few more wears out of yours, style with spring pieces. Layer one with a trench coat or pair with some open-toed heels. Try wearing a sweater dress with sneakers or with boots and no coat. 

Button-down shirts are excellent pieces for warm weather, but they make great transitional pieces, too. They’re easy to layer with, but they can be worn on their own, too. Pair them with denim or trousers on a cooler spring day or with a skirt or shorts when it gets a little warmer. 

Long-sleeved crop tops have a very, very short season. In the winter, your midriff gets too cold. In the summer, your arms get too hot. In the spring, they’re just right. Now is the time to wear them, so take advantage. 

Cowboy boots are the long-sleeved crop tops of footwear. They can be miserably hot to wear in the summer, but they might not provide enough coverage or warmth in the winter. Spring is the perfect time to wear them. 

A long coat and miniskirt is an undeniably chic look, but it isn’t practical most of the year. Too early in the winter and it’s too cold for a miniskirt, too late in spring and it’s too warm for a long coat. Strike the balance in late winter/early spring for a fashion-forward ‘fit.