How to Build a Spring Wardrobe - Women

Spring is a transitional period when you're dying to shed your winter coat but the weather just isn't cooperating yet. While the sun may be out, it's still not warm enough to throw on the tanktop and sandals, but these transitional pieces can make spring dressing a bit less frustrating.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blazers
• Cotton Blouses
• Denim Jeans
• Khakis
• Microfiber Raincoats
• Silk Knit Twinsets

1. Investigate your closet for essential spring clothing you may already own, such as colorful silk scarves to pair with suits and dresses. Check for clothing in pastel colors or light-colored woolens to wear while the weather is still cool.

2. Consider switching over from wool to wool blends, and from silk to cotton or linen, when adding pieces to your spring wardrobe.

3. Identify five warmer-weather outfits already in your closet, since spring tends to come on very suddenly.

4. Start building your spring wardrobe with a crisp white cotton shirt. It can easily be dressed up with slacks, or dressed down when you tuck it into jeans or khakis.

5. Find a silk knit twinset. This can be dressed up by pairing it with a skirt or by using just the cardigan over a dress. Wear it with jeans or khakis when you want to dress down.

6. Select dark stretch cotton pants to add versatility to your wardrobe.

7. Pull together any outfit with a sharp blazer.

8. Acquire a spring suit in a neutral color such as taupe, cream, navy or beige. This will take you from business to cocktails by adding a few accessories, changing your shoes or removing the jacket.

9. Include hats as part of your spring wardrobe. Consider a straw hat or one adorned with springtime silk flowers.

10. Dress up for evening with a short slip or sheath dress in a pastel color and strappy sandals.

11. Complete your wardrobe with a microfiber raincoat for the rainy days still on the horizon.

Tips & Warnings

• Spring is all about wearing color. If you hate bright and pastel colors or shy away from them, consider navy. It's a timeless classic and goes well with almost any neutral color. Adding one colorful item to every outfit you wear will also help ease color phobia.
• Make a pair of sunglasses a staple in your wardrobe.
• Feel free to add an "item of the moment" to your look for variety. Accessorize, accessorize!
• Avoid wearing white shoes before Memorial Day on the East Coast, or before Easter in the South.

[JRAPPYELY]

on 5/28/2007 Finding pants that make you look fabulous! – Do not. I repeat DO NOT wear skirt, pant, short or otherwise that hase pleatsin the front. This only makes you look like you are carrying an extra 25 lbs. Choose flat fronts. Fit your pants from the widest part of your body and go straight from there. That means no tapered legs. This just makes you look topheavy and makes your hips look 3 times wider than they really are. So look for boot cut or straight leg jeans. Unless you are pregnant lose the elastic waist pants. These do you no favors. Sure, they are easy and comfy, but there are alot of easy comfy things that so not make you look older than 75. Put those elastic waist pants away until your arthritis is so bad you cant fasten a button and zip a zipper.

on 11/22/2005 Layering makes you look slimmer and taller. If it gets hot you can always throw the t-shirt off and have a tank top underneath. Get basic colors when layering, you'll have more options!

on 11/22/2005 Get a pair of blue jeans or shorts and with scissors, cut them from the hem up to the crotch. Then carefully sew the sides together so it looks like a skirt. Now you will have a fashionable skirt that is way cool!