Some thoughts on spring fashion

Early spring is such a tease.

Stores tempt us with short-sleeve shirts, breezy dresses, and opened-toed shoes, but temperatures in the high-50s to low-60s call for pants and jackets. It’s too soon to swap our winter wardrobes for the latest spring fashion.

Instead, the transition from winter to spring calls for some creative dressing. Mixing and matching heavy clothing with lightweight fabrics. Warm pieces with pieces made for warmer weather.

Take this shirt, for example. It’s a drapey short-sleeve top in the prettiest shade of persimmon. Everything about it, from the color to the fabric, makes it the perfect warm weather shirt. I almost didn’t buy it when I saw it hanging on a rack at J.Crew last month, as I was wearing my winter jacket while shopping and a linen-like shirt seemed an unnecessary purchase.

I probably wouldn’t have purchased the top if it hadn’t randomly been 25% off. I try not to pay full price for clothing unless it’s something I desperately need for a particular event, which means I usually don’t buy clothing for a particular season until we’re several weeks into that season.

I also might not have bought it if I didn’t have a photo shoot scheduled with Megan Tsang for my Secrets of Stylish Moms feature. Since several of my blogging friends have been encouraging me to share more outfits (ahem, Sarah, Jeran, Rachel, and MJ), I thought it’d be fun to work with Meg on a spring fashion post.

Specifically, how to wear one top two ways: First, in an early spring look and then in a late spring one.

We shot the photos in my sister’s New York City neighborhood. I was worried I’d feel terribly self-conscious posing for the camera in public, but Meg quickly put me at ease. Plus, my photography session didn’t seem to phase the busy New Yorkers around me. Nobody acted particularly curious or interested in what we were doing.

That’s NYC for you.

Still, I’m not sure I could be a full-fledge fashion blogger. Having my picture taken while hailing a cab among a crowd or standing in the middle of a busy intersection for the typical street style shot seems like it might be a little bit out of my comfort zone. Luckily (or not), there aren’t very many cabs or busy intersections in the suburbs where my parents live!

And now on to the fashion…

This month, while it’s still a bit chilly outside, I’ll be pairing the brightly colored tee with a blazer. I love the way black and white makes the coral pop! My favorite wedge ankle boots finish the look.

I pretty much always wear booties until the weather stays in the mid-60s; I have a condition that causes my toes to get red and itchy if my feet get too cold. Sorry, was that TMI?

Hopefully you can’t tell from these photos, but I was freezing when we shot this late spring look!

I wore the same cap-sleeve top and cuffed jeans but with loafers instead of boots and a patterned scarf instead of a blazer. (Psst…the scarf is on a big sale right now!) Black and white became navy blue and white, making the outfit feel less edgy and more preppy.

So what do you think? Would you wear either of these two looks? Should I start posting fashion content more regularly? I’d love your feedback!