If you can no longer stand the sight of your overstuffed sweater drawer or you’re counting down the minutes until you can finally go sock-free in a pair of sandals, we’re right there with you. Luckily, spring is just a week away (technically, at least!). We’re always eager for a change in seasons: It feels like a fresh start, not to mention an opportunity to change your look. But something about the last stretch of winter makes us especially impatient; not only are we ready to ditch our heavy coats, but we’re also weary of gray, gloomy weather. Spring is a universal uplift, a fact we were reminded of earlier this week when we experienced an unseasonably warm 70-degree evening. Nearly everyone you saw on the street had a smile on their faces—a particularly welcome mood boost in these anxious times.
As for mood-boosting spring outfits, our advice is to ease into the season: As excited as we are to break out our skirts and dresses, the weather in March and April isn’t exactly balmy. What do you wear on a brisk morning that turns into a humid afternoon? Below, we’ve suggested some simple, three-step “formulas,” edited by Vogue’s endlessly creative Madeline Fass. On cooler days, consider a wool shirt-jacket hybrid and camel trousers tucked into knee-high boots, or bust out your favorite summer dress and simply add tights and platform boots. If you’re still loving fall’s oversized blazers, try lightening yours up with a raffia bag, or swap your chunky cardigan for a cute geek-chic sweater vest over a T-shirt. Chances are you already have at least one piece of each formula in your closet; consider this a guide to mixing things up in unexpected new ways. Shop all 10 of our fail-safe combinations below.
Cream Sweater + Cream Trousers + Square-Toe Sandals = Soft Monochrome
Floral Dress + Oversized Cardigan + Lug-Sole Boots = A Touch of Grunge
Shacket + Camel Trousers + Tall Boots = Luxe Utility
Neon Knit + Bold Trousers + Flowery Coat = Color Therapy
Chocolate Trench Coat + Pleated Skirt + Bucket Bag = Arty Bourgeois
Lace Dress + Platform Boots + Lucite Earrings = Dark Romance
Trench Dress + Leather Belt + Loafers = Classic Revival
Check Blazer + Raffia Bag + Aviators = Fresh Textures
Sweater Vest + Canvas Trousers + Zebra Pumps = Geek Chic
Victorian Blouse + White Jeans + Snake Boots = Easy Eclectic
