Dress in Layers To Handle Temperature Swings of Spring

You’re freezing in the morning and sweltering in the afternoon. Sound like a typical workday? Spring can be one of the most fun seasons for fashion, yet with temperatures that can may vary as much as 30 degrees in one day, it also can be one of the most frustrating.Short of actually bringing a change of clothes to work, here are a few tips to keep you comfortable all day long:YOUR BEST BET: Dress in layers. For ladies, a sweater set is the tried-and-true favorite. Pair it with lined linen pants or midweight khakis to get you through the day. Another option in the layering department is a cotton/stretch camisole under your blouse, which will trap heat close toyour body but won’t overwhelm you later in the day when things start to sizzle. (And, if it does, just slip it off in the restroom and tuck it inside your purse. No one will be the wiser.)For men, layering is not only pragmatic, it’s particularly fashionable this year. Go with a patterned dress shirt beneath a pastel V-neck sweater, all under a suit jacket. When it gets too hot, slip off the sweater – or the jacket, depending on your place of business.A MUST-HAVE ITEM FOR SPRING:Seasonal outerwear. Still a chill in the air, but too warm and bright for long, dark winter coats, now is the time for a light jacket. You’ll find a wide range of fabrications appropriate for the season in everything from cotton and corduroy to linen and microfiber.Ladies, if you didn’t take the plunge last year, you haven’t missed your chance to dive into fields of flowers. For a sweet, sophisticated look, check out J. Jill’s Victoria Jacquard jacket, with its peaceful lavender flower print. For a slightly bolder look, Banana Republic’s metallic roseprint topcoat is a perfect piece to transition from the office to dinner.GUYS: Spring has arrived with a range of lighter colors, from ice blues to taupe with a hint of pink. (Don’t worry, you can still find plenty of dark tans and blacks.) Check out Barbour’s microfiber Beauchamp Travel Jacket, for example, new this spring in cane and burnt orange. For something a little trimmer, Polo Ralph Lauren’s Long Twill Walking Coat comes in tan and black and offers a very classic, three-quarter-length look.If you’re still unhappy with the daily climate shifts, take heart: August’s unbearable stuffiness will be here before you know it.Dear Jordan,I’ve noticed gypsy skirts are all the rage this year. What is the best thing to wear with them?– Rebecca, Hackensack, N.J.Dear Rebecca,Because of their abundance of flowing material, gypsy skirts, or A-line skirts, need to be paired with a trim, close-fitting shirt or blazer. A tunic or other drape-style blouse will only look frumpy, overwhelming you and the outfit.Dear Jordan,Is the rule still no white until after Memorial Day?– Cecelia, ManhattanDear Cecelia, It depends on how much white you’re wearing, and in what part of the country you live in. Generally speaking, it’s still too soon for an all-white linen ensemble, but now that spring has sprung, a pair of light corduroys or a white jeans jacket is appropriate.Ms. Speer is the senior editor of an apparel business magazine. Send workplace or corporate fashion questions to styleforsuccess@aol.com.

Dress in Layers To Handle Temperature Swings of Spring

Dress in Layers To Handle Temperature Swings of Spring

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