ANGIE SHEEP
<Staff Writer>
The great thing about fashion is that it always looks ahead and always moves forward.
While designers around the world have been occupying themselves with their next big hit, I’ve been busy cleaning out my closet to make room for spring fashion. With reading week behind us, and the dreary winter finally coming to a close, it’s time to prepare for the impending arrival of sun, warmth, and cheer. I simply cannot wait to break out my summer dresses. Some of you may think this is premature, but I have devised a few great ways to make summer wear perfect for the cool spring.
Leggings & Tights
This is perhaps the most conventional way of keeping warm in a summer dress. To make your ensemble more striking, however, opt for unique colors and patterns instead of the traditional opaque style. Wild colors, animal prints, fishnets, and floral designs will be the focus this year. You can try planning your outfit around that. H&M and Forever21 have great selections at a reasonable price, so you won’t feel as bad about switching them out if they go out of style.
Cardigans & Blazers
If you want to let your legs see the light of day instead, try adding layers upon light layers. See Olivia Palermo for inspiration. You’d be surprised how much difference covering your shoulders can make in Canadian games of staying warm. For the colder days, opt for outerwear that is thicker, such as knitted cardigans or tweed blazers (but let’s hope there won’t be many of those left).
Wrap Up
Scarves and winter go hand in hand; we strangle ourselves in oversized knitted scarves all the snowy season. Surprise, surprise! Spring is also all about wrapping up. Wraps, shawls, and ponchos are great accessories to throw over your summer dresses. They are also perfect for the bottom floor of the library, where the draft always makes it chilly. Instead of hauling your big winter coat around, simply carry a shawl with you and drape it over your shoulders to cure the dreaded study goose bumps. Moreover, these versatile accessories can be worn in many different ways to flatter your figure, so never overlook the power of a nice shawl.
Summer… Shirt?
If you’re like me and own quite a few mini-dresses, a great way to make them wearable for spring is to layer them under a longer skirt. This transforms your dress into a top and allows you to show it off. The added skirt also makes the ensemble look more elegant and professional so you won’t stand out unfavourably at Osgoode.
T-Shirt Your Dress
Putting a t-shirt under your summer dress may seem a little strange and perhaps uncomfortable; nonetheless, it remains an excellent way of staying warm and giving your feminine maxi an edgier vibe. Be sure that you pick a fitted t-shirt or else it will bunch and make the dress look frumpy and unflattering. For those of you who are still doubtful, just look at the brilliant model in the picture and hopefully that will persuade you to try a new take on this classic 90s style.
Boots
Don’t put away those tallboys yet! There are several reasons I personally believe boots may be the best type of footwear ever created: they keep your legs warm, they look incredible with almost any outfit, and they keep your feet dry in the slushy springtime streets. Like the T-shirt, boots provide a great contrast to your usual graceful dresses, especially if you pair them with bikers. And once the weather gets even warmer, switch out the knee-highs and go for a pair of ankle boots or booties instead.
There you have it Ozzie fashionistas: great ways to wear your summer dresses in spring weather. We are always told to plan ahead, read ahead, start our essays ahead (though we never do), but I think dressing ahead is a lot less work and much more fun. I hope you will consider some of these styles while spring-cleaning your closet.