Yesglasses. Leggings. Jumper. Sunscreen. Coat. Bikini. Wool cap. Umbrella.
Each of these items was in my bag over the weekend. I was simply packing for the day; I had planned a walk along the coastal path and had proposed meeting friends at the harbor for a late lunch. But, like every other Brit at the time, I had no idea how to dress for a day that might include any or all of the following: sun, rain, wind, fog, cold, heat, hail.
I don't have any evidence to support this claim, but that won't stop me from telling anyone who will listen that this month of May feels more moody than any other in living memory. I have never been so anxious when choosing an outfit in the morning. Wear a pair of socks and boots and you'll find yourself sweating in the twenty-something degree heat. Opt for short sleeves and no jacket, and you'll be asking to be caught in a strange monsoon. Leave the straw hat at home and prepare to feel the wrath of the sun, as your hair part gets badly burned in real time when the clouds suddenly dissipate without warning. Then enjoy explaining to everyone that “it's not dandruff, it's honestly sunburn” for the next two weeks.
“Can't live like this!” My friend suddenly and dramatically shouted as we sat shivering on a restaurant terrace, after the Meteorological Office assured us that spring had officially arrived, just one more falsehood in the web of lies that have formed the climate “forecast” since time immemorial.
As I write this, over the course of four hours the sky has turned from pewter to a dazzling blue, making my heavy faux fur jacket completely superfluous. And yet, I'm sure that if I charged per diem and suggested after-work drinks outside, Dr. Drizzle would show up to urinate on the entire parade. We just can't win.
“There are a lot of people who just don't know what to do this time of year,” observes men's personal stylist Nick Hems. “When you go out in the morning you see some people in winter coats and sweaters, and others in shorts and T-shirts; it's always strange when the season changes and you see everyone dressed for something completely different.”
The fickle weather has already impacted some of the UK's shopping habits, according to market research agency Mintel. Their data suggests that 52 percent of women agree that seasonal clothing has become less important in fashion.
“The changing climate, in addition to people being more cautious with their discretionary spending, has meant that people are purchasing more versatile items that can be worn in different seasons and different occasions,” says Tamara Sender Ceron, associate director of retail. fashion from Mintel. As consumers prefer to buy clothes they can wear immediately, retailers could benefit from holding off selling some summer items until later in the year, rather than spring, the firm's research suggests.
“We've seen retailers adding more transitional collections that can be worn for different types of weather and mixed and matched,” adds Sender Ceron. One example is Next, which launched a new online women's clothing brand called Florere in September 2023, made up of garments that can be worn all year round.
According to experts, when putting together an outfit that can survive the rapidly changing climate, the key is to wear light layers. But while it sounds simple, “if you make a mistake, you could end up looking like Mrs. Pigeon.” home alone 2”warns stylist and consultant Krishan Parmar. Feel free to get creative with your layering, advises Susie Hasler, who runs the award-winning personal shopping service Styled By Susie: “When it comes to layering, it doesn't have to be a cardigan — it could be a cotton shirt or a kimono. Nothing too thick or heavy.”
Hems agrees that fabric choice is everything here: “Consider the materials; if it's really hot, opt for things like linen or a lightweight cotton overshirt that's looser and allows air to circulate through.” the body”. For colder days, she recommends something like a very light wool or merino cardigan to help regulate body temperature. But he emphasizes the need for a lightweight base layer underneath that will actually look good in case the mercury rises. “Make sure it's something you'd like to be seen in if you have to take off your other layers, not some horrible dirty vest.”
Just because you're layering, the style doesn't have to go out the window.
Parmar's advice is to start with a thin layer and get progressively thicker as needed, as well as keep it to a maximum of three items so nothing is too bulky and pieces can be quickly removed and added to change with the weather. “For spring I would always choose a T-shirt as a base layer and pair it with knitwear and a thin rain jacket,” she says.
But just because you're layering, the style doesn't have to be lost: have fun with it; Play with color and pattern. “When mixing patterns, it's really nice to break them up with a block color,” says Parmar, who also recommends wearing shades if bold statements aren't in your sartorial style: “When in doubt, choose different shades of the same color for achieve the most chic look.”
Her final tip is to increase the “stylish” factor by 10 percent, since layers can often look and feel less stylish. “Do you want to throw a jacket over a dress for a daytime look, but are worried it's too casual? Instead, try a jacket. Swap out the cardigan for a nice button-down shirt; Either way, styling it up a notch ensures you don't give up all your good clothes for the better and instantly makes you feel like you've made an effort.”
Heading south, for women who feel too hot to wear jeans, “try the denim midi skirt that's available right now because it's warm enough for the changeable weather,” says Hasler. You can wear it with a t-shirt, a knotted shirt or a cropped sweatshirt, and combine it with a denim jacket. When it comes to men's fashion, Hems is a full-fledged Chinese outfit.
When it comes to footwear, forget flimsy ballet flats or sneakers in the current climate—these are “sturdy shoes that won't be ruined by a sudden downpour,” Hasler says. “Save canvas shoes for dry days. But also try not to put your winter boots back on; “opt for leather sneakers instead.” The hems are wide for minimalist white loafers or sneakers this time of year, or even blue or brown alternatives, as they go with most outfits, with the caveat that you should treat them with protective spray when you buy them in case you get caught in the rain. .
If you're cold and not ready to brave your bare ankles in sneakers and jeans, Hasler recommends embracing the bold and throwing on a pair of colorful socks, “particularly bright red,” which can be paired with a loafer and skinny jeans. pants. “Or you could wear bright yellow socks with white or colored sneakers,” he adds. The style of the sock should match the shoe you choose for a cohesive look, according to Hems. “If you're going to wear minimalist sneakers, keep the socks plain and minimalist,” he says. “If you wear designer sneakers, try pairing them with sports socks from the same brand; that continuity makes you look a little more stylish.”
And finally, despite my exasperation with my backpack packed with accessories for every type of weather, it looks like I might actually be on to something.
“It's always good to have a backpack or a bag that you can carry,” says Hems. “If you're going to take off an overshirt or put on a raincoat, buy a really nice backpack to carry your layers.”
I'm not sure we'd describe my depressingly practical, cement gray, waterproof backpack from Decathlon as “nice,” but let's go ahead and pretend I'm fashionable for once. It turns out that choosing substance over style might be the trendiest choice of all this spring.
