Cold at eight, warm at two
Transitional Weather Outfits
Transitional weather is the hardest to dress for: you leave home at 50 °F and by noon it’s 72 °F. Neither your winter coat nor your summer tee works on its own. The answer is layers: a light base and a piece on top you can take off and put back on without thinking.
These real looks for women and men work in fall and in spring. The formula: a tee, shirt or fine knit as the base; a mid layer (sweater, overshirt, denim jacket, blazer or trench) and closed but light shoes. Neutral colors work best, so any layer goes with everything.
If you only buy one transitional piece, make it a trench coat or a light jacket that goes over everything: jeans, a dress, a suit or sweats.
How to get it right
Three layers, none heavy
A thin base, a light mid layer and, if needed, a third one that fits in your bag or ties around your waist. Three thin pieces keep you warmer and adapt better than one thick one.
The wildcard pieces
A trench, a denim jacket, an overshirt, a blazer and a fine-knit sweater. With two of them you’ve got most of October and most of April covered.
Closed, light shoes
Loafers, leather sneakers, slim ankle boots or flats. No more sandals, and not winter boots yet: your feet go through both temperatures too.
Frequently asked questions
What is transitional weather clothing?
It’s what works in the months between seasons (fall and spring), when mornings and evenings are cool and midday is mild: trench coats, light jackets, fine knits, shirts and mid-weight trousers.
What should women wear in transitional weather?
Straight jeans or a midi skirt, a tee or blouse, a fine knit or denim jacket and a trench for the morning. With a dress, add sheer tights and a cardigan or blazer. Loafers or leather sneakers.
And men?
Chinos or jeans, a tee or shirt, an overshirt or fine crew-neck sweater and, for the morning, a light jacket or short trench. Leather sneakers or loafers.
Styles for this plan
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