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Jennifer Mellis, manager of Bodacious Lady Boutique, and daughter of Donna Mellis, owner.
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Lightweight wraps, like this one from Ocean Palm, are ideal for changing seasons and add flair to a sleeveless dress or jumpsuit.
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Jean jacket with faux pearl embellishment is a fun twist on a classic staple, available at Three Sisters Boutique.
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Flowy floral tops are great layering pieces and offer the perfect seasonal print, available at Three Sisters Boutique.
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Sam Edleman’s Odila in cornflower blue boosts a scalloped strap at the toe that defines the barely-there look of a must-have sandal elevated by a covered block heel, available at The Shoe Attic.
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No matter the season sunglasses are an essential accessory, available at The Shoe Attic.
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The French Twist boutique has a line of soft and flowy organic cottons and washable silks in a beautiful rainbow of colors, perfect for layering.
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Add a scarf, The French Twist boutique has a lovely selection imported from Paris.
Locals can all agree that if there’s one consistent thing in life—it’s how inconsistent the weather can be in the Historic Triangle.
And the most unpredictable season of them all? You guessed it…. Spring.
“Once upon a time we had four seasons, but now we basically have three: a hot summer, a cold winter and what comes in between,” said Williamsburg-based certified image consultant Suzanne Douglas.
That time “in between” is what proves difficult, particularly moving from a winter wardrobe to a spring wardrobe.
For example: It’s April, 48 degrees out and windy with a chance of rain.
Do you:
A. Grab your jeans, open-toed boots and the warmest wool sweater you own?
B. Find a thick pair of corduroys, thermal top and your favorite pair of sandals?
C. Call a stylist to come pick out your clothes for you?
It’s challenging, but Douglas has some wonderful tips on how to make the most out of your current wardrobe to help you through the “in between” as well what to watch for.
When Douglas works with clients, she emphasizes the importance of “wardrobe management.”
For instance, she instructs local clients to avoid buying too many pieces of clothing specific to hot or cold weather, since those seasons aren’t especially long in Virginia.
“Make sure you have pieces that can work in multiple seasons. Think of your wardrobe as season-less,”said Douglas.
In other words, as much fun as shopping can be, there’s really no need to have 20 different sweaters, 15 pairs of pants, 17 sundresses and five winter jackets.
Instead, Douglas recommends the following transitional staples that will make dressing for erratic winter-to-spring weather much easier.
The Third Piece
A third piece is an extra outfit element such as a jacket, blazer, sweater, vest or statement accessory that you can add to a top and bottom that adds style and function.
Adding a third piece is also called “layering,” which Douglas said is one of the best and easiest ways to prepare your wardrobe for Virginia weather. But she cautions that even layering can result in fashion faux pas if you mix the
wrong fabrics. For example, don’t mix clothing that is specific to season. For instance, a heavy wool sweater would not make a good “third piece” in the spring and a linen blazer won’t work in the winter.
For a work day outfit in March, you could add a colorful, long-sleeve cardigan to add some fun and warmth to a buttoned-up shirt or camisole, or a patterned scarf to a skirt and blouse combination. The French Twist boutique on Duke of Gloucester has an amazing collection of colorful, one-size-fits-all, cardigans made from viscose, which is a versatile, breathable fabric that adds warmth but isn’t too heavy.
Douglas said popular third-piece styles this season are capes, ponchos and dusters. A duster is a long lightweight jacket or cardigan that comes to your mid-calf.
“Dusters are a very chic way to cover up an outfit that may be too summery but will still make you look like a million dollars,” said Douglas.
At the Lily Pulitzer boutique Ocean Palm in Merchants Square, you can find a selection of lovely cashmere ponchos as well as cardigans made with Coolmax technology that transports moisture away from the body, keeping you cool on warm day and insulated on cold ones.
Rain or Shine
Now that you have the basics down, here are some hot trends to consider this spring.
“Don’t take rain seriously,” said Douglas. “Have fun with it.”
Transparent and patterned raincoats matched with a Hunter or Barbour rainboot will make an otherwise dreary spring day much more palatable. The W&M Bookstore in Merchants Square has decent selection of rainboots, which are sturdy enough to withstand the snow, too.
Fun Fitness
Athleisure is a trend in fashion in which clothing designed for workouts and other athletic activities is worn in other settings, such as at the workplace or a casual or social occasion. The Shoe Attic and French Twist both plan to carry “joggers,” which are loose fitting pants with a tapered bottom. Jogger pants can be sweatpants-like, or if made from a different material like leather or linen, dressed up for a day at the office or an evening out.
In addition to finding the perfect transition pieces, be sure to have fun with your style, said Douglas, and don’t feel boxed in by antiquated “style rules” such as no white after Labor Day or no mixed patterns.
“Ninety-nine percent of those rules are out the window. Be inventive,” said Douglas. “If you think you need a new outfit, go in your closet and try to create something new. You will be amazed at how many outfits you can make provided that all the items tell the same story.”
It only took 15 minutes of talking with Williamsburg-based certified image consultant Suzanne Douglas, and I immediately began rethinking every piece of clothing I’ve ever bought.
Suzanne Douglas, Style Consultant · Style Capital USA · 757-903-1136
Bodacious Lady Boutique · 757-707-3653
French Twist · 757-585-2676 · frenchtwistboutique.com
Ocean Palm · 757-229-3961 · oceanpalm.net
The Shoe Attic · 757-220-0757 · shoe-attic.com
Three Sisters Boutique · 757-378-3494 · shopthreesisters.com
