Joanne Hegarty: The in-between season… sorted

There comes a point every year when my feet stage a fashion protest. The boots I’ve been happily stomping around in for months suddenly feel like two leaden weights and my toes can’t stand being trapped inside them.

Suddenly, the thought of a winter coat seems absolutely ludicrous, too. How on earth did my shoulders ever carry that much weight around?

When these feelings – which have nothing to do with weather forecasts – start bubbling up, I know we have entered that tricky trans-seasonal dressing time of year. This calls not for panic or impulse buys, but just a little thinking outside the seasonal box.

When the warm sun leaves us feeling like a hot-flushed mess – yet the same day brings grey skies and chilly winds – our wardrobes and addled brains need to be prepared. Here’s how…

Loafers and trainers

This is the part of the year when both these footwear favourites come into their own. I’m a huge fan of chic loafers to carry me through to summer. Find the right pair and you can walk for miles. If the day starts off grey, wear them with light cotton socks (Falke is my go-to brand for luxe breathable styles) and simply slip them off and into your bag if the weather warms up. White trainers look very alluring under tailored trousers, giving old winter favourites a new spring freshness.

A haircut and opera gloves

Nothing powers us through this time of year better than a new haircut or colour. It says: I’ve shedded winter and I’m ready for a new start. This year, the bob has returned with a vengeance. For weddings or black tie dinners, take a style tip from Sienna Miller (right) at the Baftas last month. Opera gloves are back, so be the first in your gang to give them a whirl. And watch everyone else copy…

Blazers and trench coats

Take a bow you two! You’ve been sitting in the back of the closet waiting patiently for your time to shine. Trenches are now a staple on the catwalk, but will keep you dry and warm, too. Layer a blazer with a poloneck or light knit to replace a coat. These are excellent with jeans and over dresses. For spring/summer, a white trouser suit is perfect for a social event. Bring an extra knit in your bag to shrobe over your blazer if you think it might turn chilly.

Dresses and cardigans

I love a long, knitted cardigan at this time of year. Replacing a coat, you can layer it over your dress or trouser suit and look like you have trans-seasonal dressing nailed.

 

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