My Essential Pieces for Winter to Spring Trans-seasonal Style

When it comes to putting together outfits, more often than not it’s the weather that throws a spanner in the works.

Increasingly, it feels as if seasons are less important than individual weeks, as the weather ricochets from warm sunshine to torrential downpours through frosty mornings and back again.

Globally, the weather is becoming less predictable, which on the catwalks has led to a huge sales surge for ‘resort’ collections – clothing that can be styled for any type of weather. Magazines seem to be full of articles on ‘transeasonal’ dressing, and this is how I like to build my wardrobe, because in Britain you can never be sure what weather conditions you’ll get from one week to the next.

Wardrobes need to work hard and they need to work smart, otherwise you end up with piles of summer dresses that don’t get worn.


Now we've emerged from the depths of winter, I thought I would share the pieces I’ve added to my wardrobe recently that are helping me tackle this tricky, back-and-forth tango with the elements.

These are all items that work well with my personal style, something that I would term ‘edgy classic’, to borrow the vocab of my favourite stylist, Lauren Messiah.

Spring for me doesn’t mean a lot of colour either – I’m unapologetically monochrome in most of my purchases because that’s what feels right personally. I like sophisticated, clean pieces that can do duty for work or for play, to get the most out of what I buy.

Here are the hero pieces reshaping my wardrobe right now:

Jackets 

Black boucle biker jacket | Great Plains 

Khaki leather jacket | Zara 

Monochrome collarless blazer | Topshop 

For colder mornings, I’m really loving this black boucle biker jacket. The mix of traditional fabric and biker styling really speaks to me, and the cut of this is incredibly flattering, with sharp shoulders and a nipped in waist. It works really well for the office or with jeans at the weekend and is also my go-to cover up on a night out.

I’m also loving this leather jacket, as the khaki shade brings a lightness that works with more summery pieces, as well as with black outfits. You can actually unzip the bottom panel to make the shape more cropped, which works really well with high-waisted pieces, and the finish is butter soft and an absolute pleasure to wear.

Finally, this collarless blazer brings a tailored vibe to slouchy jumpsuits and boyfriend jeans as well as being a key piece for the office.

Dresses

Long sleeved breton stripe dress | H&M 

Black sequinned chiffon tshirt dress | All Saints 

Black silk tshirt dress | Zara 

I’d been searching for a breton stripe dress for quite a while when I landed on this, and I would call it the ultimate timeless buy. I’ve worn it solidly throughout winter with black tights and ankle boots, and it works just as well with gladiator sandals and a panama in spring and summer. It’s fresh, chic and classic.

I’m also majorly into tshirt dresses for their easy, breezy elegance. They’re so easy to dress up for a night out with heels and a long necklace, but equally at home with a pair of flats in the daytime. So I picked up this plain black silk version and a more dressy version with sequins.

Skirts & Trousers

Studded leather mini | Zara 

Black leather pencil skirt | Oasis 

Grey leopard and black leather panel jeans| Whistles 

One of my all-time style icons is Carine Roitfeld and she is queen of the leather skirt, so of course I updated my transitional look with a couple of these. I adore them dressed with smart, high-necked chiffon blouses, crisp white shirts or equally with a slouchy boyfriend tee – in fact, I would say that outfit is one of my ultimate style hallmarks and something I’m always returning to. I like offsetting the aggression of the studded mini with a pair of Converse and a band tee, while the pencil skirt is a classic with pointed flats.

I’ve also added a couple of pairs of jeans into my rotation – I live in black skinnies, but these ones have a leather panel down the side which adds a point of difference. The grey pair have a subtle darker leopard pattern – it’s a lot easier to wear than I thought it might be, and having a little bit of print elevates a simple jumper and jeans combination.

Tops

Grey bell sleeved jumper | Modern Rarity 

High collar eyelash lace blouse | H&M 

Black silk cut out blouse | Iro 

White crochet blouse | Zanzea  

Cream silk shirt | Jack Wills 

When the sudden cold snaps hit, a classic grey jumper is always a great layering piece, and this one has a really directional cut with bell sleeves and a high collar.

This black eyelash lace top is so delicate and pretty, it's ideal when you're heading out to dinner but you can also layer it with a white shirt or long-sleeved breton tee for an edgier and more casual look.

A loose black silk blouse has served me well – it can pair easily with jeans or a pencil skirt, and the ladder cut-outs on the arm are a great detail.

The white crochet blouse is my internet bargain of the year so far and I've worn it to death – I actually ordered two! It pairs well with almost anything and the crochet detail is so elegant.

Then a cream silk shirt is super versatile. I love the ease of a half-tucked silk shirt with a pair of skinnies and some ankle boots, and you can slip it under dresses and bustiers to give them a new dynamic.

Shoes

Leopard print ankle boots | Dune
Silver snakeskin loafers | Graceland
‘Soirée Spike’ block heel sandals | Jeffrey Campbell
‘Brooke’ suede peep-toe boots | Kurt Geiger
Grey leather and embossed suede ankle boots | Topshop

When it comes to shoes and boots, the right pair can transform a look. I'm a bit fan of making a statement with my shoes, as it counterbalances my quite reserved, monochrome style and adds a little punctuation to that look.

Leopard print ankle boots are a bit of a Marmite item as they're quite far out there, but I go by the decree of Vogue that 'leopard print is a neutral' and I treat it as such! My favourite thing is to clash breton stripes and leopard print -  a look that is easy but has real impact. They also work terrifically with a little black dress. However, be warned, a boot like this is a bit of a man-repeller – my husband can't stand them.

The silver loafers are an awesome addition to any wardrobe – you slip them on, they're super comfortable and they add impact.

Although I don't often wear heels, I literally couldn't resist these perspex-heeled beauties with spike detailing. They're very edgy and appeal to the repressed teenage goth in me I think! I like to balance the bite these have by pairing them with more conservative items, and then they just add that little off-beat detail that makes an outfit.

Slightly more classic are these taupe suede ankle boots, which are a welcome change from black and help edge an outfit into spring – I also adore the ultra-slim metal heel on them.

For day, these grey leather ankle boots have been working hard for me. The colour makes them feel more versatile than my usual black ones, so they're perfect for those tricky in-between weather days that we seem to be having a lot of here in Britain right now.

Accessories

Bronze feathers necklace | Zara 

Rose gold tiered lariat necklace | Orelia 

Rose gold origami fox necklace | Love Hearts and Crosses 

Rose gold, diamanté and tortoiseshell bracelet | Michael Kors 

Trellis patterned scarf | Burberry Prorsum 

Accessories are also a key part of building the look, and as you can see I've definitely developed a taste for everything rose gold this season!

A dramatic necklace is a bit of a style shortcut in that you can pair it with a simple outfit and it will bring the style A-game and do all of the heavy lifting for you. In the past, I've been into really embellished ones with a lot of crystals but this sleek, sculptural bronze piece feels like a step on from that and is really dramatic.

I've also been getting more into delicate necklaces, that pair well with pretty blouses and bring a softer feel to each outfit. These rose gold necklace can be worn separately or layered up for more impact.

The tiered lariat style one is super pretty with a shirt or lower-cut neckline, and the origami fox is really subtle – I've been wearing it to death lately!

This rose gold cuff is ideal for dressing outfits up more at night – the diamante accents bring a bit of sparkle and glitz while I love the tortoiseshell-effect inlay.

Then sometimes at the moment a scarf is still a must, and this oversized trellis pattern is elegant but still has an impact -  a classic design that will go with most colours and outfits.

Hardworking pieces that will suit your life come rain or shine, and for work or play – that is the triumph of trans-seasonal dressing. Identify your hero pieces by working out the situations in your daily life that you need to cater for, and focus on pieces that can be easily styled multiple ways to get maximum value from what you buy.

After all, shouldn't your wardrobe be as smart and hardworking as you are?