Things I like: My spring outfit rotation
8 outfits from my personal lookbook for spring, the hardest season to dress for IMO
Every year, at the end of winter, I’m totally thrown out of my groove when it comes to getting dressed. Steve will be ready to go on a dog walk, and I’m ripping off my third outfit. It’s just a freaking dog walk. But who am I without my beanie, sweater, and boots? Who chose these weird clothes, and how do I wear them? With warmer temps to consider and pits to air out, I’m slowly peeling back my comfortable layers and unearthing my spring self. It’s vulnerable to emerge from hibernation! This is why I think springtime is the hardest season to dress for.
To help myself combat some of the indecision that comes with choosing outfits for crisp mornings and baking hot afternoons, I decided to put together a little lookbook with 8 outfits. All the Substack girls are doing it. (Taking these photos reminded me of my 18-year-old self posing for self-timer photos in my parents’ backyard to post on my Blogspot. We never really change, do we?) These are some of the new, old, handmade1, and secondhand pieces I’m excited to wear this spring—for sipping iced coffee on sunny patios, laying in the grass at the park, walking to the neighbors’ house for dinner, and working from home in the yard.
If you like this kind of fashion/style post, let me know in the comments! I might be whipping up more posts related to slow fashion this summer…
I bought this shirt for tennis at the adidas employee store here in Portland, but I knew as soon as I picked it up I knew that I’d wear it for more than sweating as a twist on the classic white tee. Paired with elasticated pants I sewed this winter, plus my trusty black Mary Janes, I feel both preppy but casual. A pop of green comes from a leather bag, which I’ve actually been having trouble styling but worked well with the neutrals.
This outfit feels very me. I’ve worn some version of this formula—sandals, baggy shorts, long sleeve, tote, and ball cap—for as long as I can remember, and you probably have too, and that’s because it’s timeless. I will be wearing exactly this to the park, in the garden, on dog walks, to the river. I can throw on a coat for chilly nights or strip off the henley and sandals for river plunges. All I need is SPF.
Skirts aren’t the first bottoms I reach for. I’m a pants and shorts gal first and foremost. But this skirt that I sewed last fall has completely converted me. I added a vintage trucker hat and rubber clogs to balance out the sweetness. I love that I can wear this skirt in every season, and I anticipate having fun remixing this outfit for spring and summer with different tanks, hats, and shoes.
Though extremely practical, the jeans-and-chore-coat outfit feels exhausted to me. It’s just too easy. So in an effort to complicate it, I’m donning a print I don’t normally wear: camo. The blue tinted shades add another level of interest. Jewelry helps too. But the rest of the outfit is pretty standard. I’ll be experimenting with adding some sort of pop until I can put this outfit to rest until fall.
In an unexpected twist, an outfit featuring pink pants has risen to the top as my favorite. My mom bought me these Le Bon Shoppe pants last year for my birthday, and I’ve only worn them a few times. Bubblegum pink is not my first choice, but I thought they were fun. I’d probably wear them more if they were blue. In the meantime, here’s my attempt at toning down the girly-ness. The sweater will come off when it’t hot out, and the bag holds dog (and people) treats.
Without the extra layers and socks, this outfit would feel a little too hopeful for spring. I would get cold. But I’m just so excited to wear the denim dress! Stripes is the theme. I’d probably add a canvas tote or boat bag to hit up the farmers market or sewing store. Maybe even a woven hat, and definitely any of my sunglasses.
Gorp sandwich: Nerdy up top and down below with handmade garments in between. I also made the blue beaded necklace. With any other sunglasses, I feel like this would be a pretty normal outfit, but the weird bug eye shades add something that I really like here. Is she hiking, or is she a ballerina? Both bb.
Steve called this outfit “Western chic.” I like the blend of the hard boots and structured coat with the lace shorts and frilly scrunchie. Not too precious but not too cowboy either. With a white tee underneath, I can shed the over shirt (which I made!) for a monochrome look. All I need is a big basket or dark brown leather bag.
I hope this inspires you to peer deep into your own closets, make a total mess of your bedroom in your creative frenzy, and come away with outfits you feel excited to wear this spring.
XO
Just bought the Henrietta pattern because of this post!
Omg. This is so real. Thank you for posting! And I love your handmade stuff!!