The Art of Weather-confused Dressing
My favorite outfit formula + what i'm wearing this spring.By Ally Quirk
My favorite outfits ever can best be described as weather-confused — think a cashmere sweater with baggy shorts and flip-flops, a basic tank with wool trousers, or a sundress and wellies. You want to be simultaneously prepared for a sunny day out and walking up late-night to the busy spot down the street, where they can only sit you outside. That’s the sweet spot. Unlucky for me, this seasonally ambiguous outfit formula only works a few times a year for us insufferable Northeasterners, undoubtedly one of the reasons it feels so special. The magic window briefly opens in April and May and we get to play fashion ping pong as the weather constantly fluctuates from 40 to 75 degrees. Game on.
For me, it’s all about getting the best use out of my wardrobe. Why wait to wear my favorite pieces until it’s technically warm enough? It’s a fun challenge to pair things together that you normally wouldn’t, unlocking a whole new set of outfits. This is especially helpful as we’re in the final stretch of winter and if you’re like me, in a complete style rut.
This formula is most easily followed by pairing a sweater or jacket with shorts OR something bundled up and open-toe toe à la Ashley Olsen. As if schlepping to your car after a winter pedicure.
Weather-confused dressing is not for the faint of heart. It takes guts to risk not feeling weather-appropriate at all times. I’m bound to be too hot or too cold somewhere at some point, but it’s a reality I’m willing to face. Dress it up or dress it down — I am imagining a sheer blouse + oversized wool blazer + silk shorts + thong sandals for date night. And then a light sweater + boxer shorts + boots for a walk around the block with Nel. The practicality is sparing, which makes it so elusive. It helps if you have a great lightweight trench (I do not).
The weather-confused formula also goes hand-in-hand with the “wrong shoe theory,” apparently coined by stylist Allison Bornstein, where you pair your outfit with a shoe that doesn’t traditionally match — track pants + ballet flats, trousers + sneakers, silk skirt + motorcycle boots. I have always been drawn to this way of dressing but it is best put into practice once the sidewalks have thawed and you’re not confined to boots or traction-laden Salomons.
As for my spring wardrobe, I’m sticking to what I’ve got with just a few exceptions. Disclaimer: I am aware that the monochromaticness of this lineup is nothing shy of tragic. Despite what it looks like, I do have color in my wardrobe. These are just the pieces I have been gravitating toward lately and I want to be realistic with myself. Although you won’t catch me in pastel florals this spring (never say never), I do aspire to add leopard print, polka dots, and pops of red to this lineup.
What I love about this assortment is that even with such few pieces, I can already think of a million different outfit combinations, and the fact that everything pretty much goes together makes for a wide scope of weather-confused opportunities.
Everything on the list above I already own minus the shorts. The Adidas track pants, which I scored on Depop for $12, are on the way and fingers crossed they fit so my vintage Armani blazer + Uniqlo t-shirt + track pants + flip-flop dreams can come to fruition1.
Within this lineup, I’ll of course substitute a white and black jean here and there — I finally own 3 different shades of denim, a fact that has ignited a newfound superiority complex in me. My trusty rotation of sneakers will be on standby (my Kill Bill Onitsuka tigers, Salomons, Converse, et plus), but I am SICK of wearing them and ready to branch out. I’m on a real ballet flat kick and only own one comfortable pair so perhaps I’ll be on the hunt when I’m in New York next week. Watch this space.
Spring is on the way, people, and my excitement for warmer weather cannot be contained. Feeling like I’ve worn the same two outfits on repeat for 5 months, I can’t wait to start mixing it up. I might be a little premature since it’s 39 degrees in Boston right now, compared to New York’s 79 (life isn’t fair). Even if I can’t ditch my winter coat just yet, at least I can start pulling my sandals out from their timeshare under the bed. And there’s no better way to celebrate the end of winter than braving a bit of cold for the sake of wearing your favorite outfit.
Enjoy your sunshine, New Yorkers.