Spring?
Same title from this time last year, a lot of the same sentiments too :)
Every year we get to this wonky part between seasons where getting dressed just feels weird. We felt it about 6 or so months ago, transitioning from Summer to Fall, and here we are again, going in the opposite direction temperature wise, yet feeling equally as off balance. Once we get into the groove of a season, we land on our staples, our go-to outfits that feel great, and inevitably we hit a point where they just don’t quite land in the same way, instead feeling slightly off with the seasonal change. And this, is when we panic.
And even though I feel it too, don’t panic! We can do this :). As I was compiling ideas for this newsletter and thinking of how to take a different spin on things (as truly, you’ll see that I’m still standing by the same advice), I happened upon similar themes and guidance from many of the newsletters that are my go-to reads. On that note, I thought I’d shine a light on them too, and simultaneously highlight that we’re all in the same boat here. The seasonal shift is weird! Like most things in life, we need to take a quick pause, collect ourselves, and a few easy tweaks will have us back on track in no time.
Uniform - By Ali Pew
I think I found Ali through Becky Malinsky… A quick disclaimer here - in most cases, I have a distinctly different style to the people I follow, but I think that’s the beauty of it - I’m not looking to emulate someone’s style, but I am looking for ideas and inspiration. This is really what I hope I’m providing here in my own newsletter, and what I strive for with each of my clients. It’s not my style that I’m hoping to sell, but an approach that helps you to unlock yours. Moving onwards :).
Ali gives a few great pieces of advice to start your seasonal transition, two of which I write about often (take a look back here):
Try new colour combinations. She has a few interesting suggestions, but the one that peaked my interest was pale blue and oxblood. The combo is somewhat unexpected and gives a nice nod to Spring with the pastel, while holding onto a colour that you might think we’d be transitioning away from. The two together create this fun merging of the seasons, hitting that perfect balance between the neither-here-nor-there weather that we’re stuck in.
1. Comme Si Shirt this Donni is a great shape too | Baublebar Earrings | Madewell Belt | Theory Pants or this wide leg | Veronica Beard Shoes | 2. Massimo Dutti Shirt | Jenny Bird Earrings | Reiss Belt | Melanie Auld Bracelets | Everlane Jeans | Dolce Vita Sneakers size up a half size - great sleek profile at a great price | 3. Ba&sh Leather Jacket love the cinch waist option | MD shirt | Baublebar Necklace | Nili Lotan Skirt an investment, but the perfect shape | Maje Shoes I would personally remove the gold charm :) I often talk about wearing all white and using black (or dark chocolate) accessories and footwear to accomplish a similar effect, but as Ali suggests, there are lots of other colour combo’s worth considering. A great way to start might be to grab a colour from your closet that you typically associate with Spring and try working it into one of your current go-to outfits - a simple swap can go a long way.
Add in texture. Texture is one of my favourite tools for creating balance and merging the seasons together. If you go straight into raffia, cotton and linen, you’ll likely feel just as seasonally off as if you stick to shearling, cashmere and suede. The magic happens when you start slowly incorporating Spring textures into your outfits - swap a cashmere sweater for a cotton or looser weave, wool blazers for crepe, add cotton poplin, but keep the suede shoes, and so on. It’s the subtle shift here that allows your outfit to accept the new season, while not jumping right into it.
Liffner Tote | Sezane Tote | Smythe Blazer size up, or this very cool red toned Veronica Beard | Massimo Dutti love a collarless blazer and this linen could be worked in with all black to balance it | Massimo Dutti I also love this less structured shirt/jacket… would be a useful piece all Spring and Summer | Madewell Belt | Massimo Dutti Poplin | Jenny Bird Necklace I was luckily gifted this and I’ve been having the most fun with layering it over knits now and wore it just as much with a linen dress on vacation
Scandi Delights - by Antonia
I think the algorithm gave me Antonia - even Substack somehow knows that I love all things Scandi :) - and she truly is a breath of fresh air (The Scandinavian Uniform post was another fav). Again, there are several worthy tidbits of advice in this one, but I’m going to focus on the value of switching up your footwear, and the difference that alone can make.
We have been living in boots at this point, adding an unavoidable heaviness to the bottom of our outfits for months. Freeing the ankle is not only an amazing mental shift, it also feels great, and it immediately changes your overall silhouette. Baring your ankle in a loafer, ballet flat or heel just adds an instant lightness to your outfit - sure, you may be slightly chilly on your walk to work, but overcompensate with a sweater over the shoulders of your jacket to add an extra layer of warmth, and quicken your step :). Again, you’re not jumping into a flat and full bare leg with a t-shirt - this is a simple shoe swap alone. Or, go wild and add in a summer texture while you’re at it :).
The Allison Bornstein Newsletter
Allison doesn’t need much of an introduction as her 3-word method for defining your personal style really went viral and only continued to grow and expand through the release of her book and weekly Substacks - but if you don’t know her, yet, she’s worth a look. I really relate to Allison’s approach to style. Again, her 70’s jam is not mine, but we are kindred spirits in our approach to styling: it should be totally individual. With that said, her advice is along those lines and something I preach about (see here) all the time: when in doubt, go back to your phone outfit picture album and peruse your favourite looks from this time last year (and if you haven’t started this album yet, this is your reminder to do it!)
This doesn’t mean you have to stick to exactly these outfits, but they are an excellent starting point. These are pieces you own, in combinations you like, and often they will fit seamlessly into your current rotation as is, or with a subtle styling tweak. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel every season - sure you may have a hole that you need to fill or a piece you want to add into the mix, but look to incorporate and enhance, rather than totally starting from scratch.
Shopping is fun, or it can be, or at the very least getting new things is fun :). But remember when you buy something new, that ideally this is a piece that you’ll love beyond wearing for one occasion or one season - you bought this piece as an investment in your closet and for what it can bring to your wardrobe as it evolves season after season. Style is wearing the pieces you love in tried and true combo’s that feel like you, and in interesting ways that perhaps push your boundaries a little, but still feel like you too. We usually have the tools we need, sometimes we just need a nudge to remember them.
And so…
Finding a stylist that you like and trust is sort of like finding anyone in your inner circle - the person you listen to for baby advice or career counsel, your hair colourist, or interior designer, your go-to friend for restaurant recommendations… there is an endless supply of knowledge and know-how out there to be found. Being laser focused with who you trust and listen to tunes out a lot of noise and allows you to trust in what feels natural to you and gives you confidence in your decisions, rather than waffling from one piece of advice to another. I like following these women because they have an interesting take on things, which perhaps challenges me to think in new ways, or validates a thought I already stand by. I hope this newsletter does a bit of the same for you :).
Morgan x
Love this 💕