– by Rachael Coates-Holland –
Do you ever wake up in the morning, look outside and think, “what the heck am I going to wear?” I’ve been thinking about what I have in my closet that will work for the upcoming winter and spring, and what I always go for in transitional dressing, and I’ve come up with my favourite “must haves.”
JEANS: It’s so important to have a great pair of jeans. There are many different styles available, from Skinnies that you can wear with tunics and boots, Pull On that have comfort around the tummy and so much stretch you could wear them to yoga, to the relaxed “Boyfriend” that looks good on everybody because they are slightly wider through the leg, cuffed on the bottom and sit comfortably on the hips. Denim can be worn around town, curled up at home or with your favourite pumps for a night out. I love the versatility of a good pair of jeans.
SWEATERS AND CARDIGANS: I cannot say enough about sweaters, in particular merino wool. I say that because merino has almost magical qualities: it has the ability to keep you warm on a winter’s day and cool on a warm spring day. It’s an active fibre, reacts to changes in body temperature, and can absorb moisture. It’s breathable, static resistant and easy to care for.
Cardigans are perfect for layering, and look great with almost everything. Long cardigans create a pleasing silhouette of being long and lean, and can be worn as a coat if you’re planning on an evening soiree. A shorter or cropped cardi looks great with pants (especially boyfriend jeans), and skirts, creating adaptability in your wardrobe … which is exactly what you want for transitional styling.
A BUTTON DOWN SHIRT: I get so much wear out of my button downs. Whether I tie one up over a maxi dress, tuck it into my jeans (which happens to be my favourite look), or throw it on as a layer over a tee or under a sweater, the different outfit options are endless. It’s not hard to find a great shirt around town.
A BLAZER: Almost everyone has a blazer jacket kicking around. It’s a staple piece, and it’s multifunctional. I love to see it paired with jeans and a button down shirt for a casual look; throwing it over a sparkly tank and palazzo pant dresses it up. Blazers aren’t meant for the office anymore; have fun exploring the options and create a look you love.
A BOOT: Ankle boots specifically. For me, ankle boots are practical because they work with everything in my closet. They are easily transitioned from season to season, and can be worn with jeans, skirts, dresses and even shorts for a Boho look. Ankle boots make finishing any look a cinch!
With so many great shops in downtown Sidney, you won’t have any trouble finding exactly what works for you and your style to transition from this season to the next. Have fun, be creative and most of all BE YOU.
Photo courtesy www.railsclothing.com.
