How to Transition Winter Trends to Spring!

Life & Beauty Weekly: Hair & Beauty

By Michele Meyer for Life & Beauty Weekly

Spring is in the air, and you’re itching to put away your woolens and go for a lighter, brighter look. But there are still plenty of cold days ahead. You’re in luck! Current trends lend themselves to multiple seasons, and many major winter styles are extending into spring.

“Women can ‘springitize’ their fall wardrobe by layering their look with lightweight wools, cashmeres and lace,” says fashion designer Alissia Marciano, who styles and hosts on shows such as “Look-A-Like,” “Sexy Girl,” “The Rachael Ray Show” and “Canada’s Next Top Model.” “You can peel off the layers as the weather heats up, and you can accessorize your outfit with bright colours that will give your look a pop, giving a nod to spring’s bright and fun colour palette.”

Though your faux-fur vest should go to the consignment store (sorry!), almost everything else you own — from leather to lace, pleats to coloured jeans — can take you right through spring. Try these pro tips to wear your wardrobe now and change it up when the weather gets warmer:

LEATHER
Wear it now: Wear your black leather pencil skirt now and stack on the layers to maximize warmth, says Marciano. She suggests pairing leather with a vintage-inspired denim shirt, a rock tee underneath and a cropped, ’60s-inspired camel coat to achieve a layered look for both warmth and fashion.

Wear it later: Swap out your leather skirt for a studded leather vest over a floral dress. “Skins and flowers are a nice way to blend the masculine with the feminine,” says Marciano.

LACE
Wear it now: Go for a head-to-toe lace look, especially for evening. Or break it up — and make it a little edgier — with a cropped jacket, opaque hose, boots and heavy-gauge chain necklaces.

Wear it later: Switch it up for spring by sporting a pair of high-waisted lace shorts circa 1950 to show a little more skin.

BOOTS
Wear them now: Wear boots with wool thigh-highs over skinny jeans or with skirts and dresses.

Wear them later: “Ditch the wool and pair your boots with leg-bearing skirts and dresses,” says Marciano.

PLEATED SKIRTS
Wear them now: Layer away with a sweater and vest on top, and tights and boots underneath.

Wear them later: Switch to transparent hose (made popular by Duchess Kate Middleton) or none at all. “Opt for a sheer, lightweight pleated skirt in a solid pastel to give it that fresh, flirty touch,” says Marciano.

COLORFUL JEANS
Wear them now: “Wear your coloured jeans with a chunkier biker boot and a cashmere cardigan,” says Marciano. If you have bright red or cobalt-blue jeans, set them off with a black, brown or navy jacket and turtleneck. For the final flourish, don high-heeled booties, boots or platform shoes in chocolate or black.

Wear them later: “Pick up a pair of jeans that pop,” says Marciano. Choose from vibrant reds, neon pinks and juicy peaches and oranges. “You can pair those with a neon pump for evenings or tone it down with a neutral flat with a rock ’n’ roll flare for the day.”

Michele Meyer is a freelance beauty, fashion and celeb writer for MORE, Travel + Leisure and USA WEEKEND. The former Allure and Lucky correspondent has also contributed to InStyle and Real Simple.