it always amazes me that the big spring lines launch in january. in fact, it seems to get earlier every year that i window shop around soho and find myself lusting over pastel colors and resort-style prints. it’s complete torture making a purchase and saving it for weeks – months even – until it’s socially acceptable to start wearing. i’ve decided to throw caution to the wind this winter, because holding off until it’s not freezing out could take far too long. after making my first exciting spring purchase – the sam edelman ‘talia loafer’ from bloomingdales – i instantly started brainstorming. in a perfect, sunny-and-75 world, i’d wear these with some linen shorts and a vivid, printed tank… but the goal of this experiment was to make a bright, sockless & springy shoe work right here, right now, and i certainly succeeded at curing my winter blues with a pop of pink. i threw on some staple denim and a solid “cold shoulder” top (both courtesy of francesca’s) so that my shoes would really stand out. i opted to match them to a bold lip (‘girl about town’ by mac cosmetics) and to some fuchsia tassel earrings (h&m). tied it all together with a topknot & a neutral clutch bag accent (to pick up the cream-colored beading in the earrings), and voila! – a simple, easy weekend outfit incorporating an item that’s technically out-of-season.
tips for styling your spring purchases:
– keep your outfit neutral so colors and prints stand out.
– don’t go overboard; use discretion when choosing prints. do you find yourself wanting to wear palm trees in january? hold off on items that seem blatantly out of place and stick to the solid brights.
– fabric choice is everything! in this case, my loafers are suede – an amazing transitional texture that makes the shoe more interchangeable between the seasons.
– scarves are a great way to keep warm in winter while wearing all the aztec, ikat, stripes and polka dots your heart desires! a featherweight scarf from your favorite resort collection can easily accent jeans and a sweater just as well as it pairs with your favorite shift dress and gladiator sandals.
– don’t forget about pastels… they can be some of the best winter colors. stores like club monoco feature crepe-like, lightweight, multi-season pastel sweaters that you can wear in layers in january – – and then out to dinner with a skirt in may.
rules were made to be broken, right? have you made any big spring purchases yet? comment below and tag us on instagram with your own ideas for incorporating out-of-season pieces into your current look!
