When you’re stuck between the two major seasons of the year you often find yourself in the predicament where you’ve dressed for the cold in the morning only to find yourself sweating a river by midday. And if you live in the great country of Oz you’ll agree that Sydney and Melbourne can have drastic changes in weather within just a few hours. If you’ve been travelling around like I have overseas and interstate, then the importance of having those barely there pieces to just layer on and off as the weather fluctuates is just crucial. Or if you’re like me four months ago and sitting in a refrigerator aka the office thinking the ice age was here only to walk outside and find myself in the Sahara then you’ll definitely need invest in some transitional pieces.
I’ve chosen a few pieces from Grana’s arsenal of basics for every occasion to showcase trans-seasonal dressing. We’re heading into Summer here in Sydney and Hong Kong in the opposite direction but the same principles apply for the in-between months. My rule is that if you choose a fabric such as cashmere or merino wool then you will probably need to balance that out with either a light fabric on the bottom or just a shorter length. I can’t tell you how soft the merino rib feels on and being the die-hard nanna that I am, I just love anything wool based.
For those who have trouble regulating body temperature like I do, opt for lightweight denim shorts below to balance out the warmer fabric. I tend to wear everything oversized and the merino rib v-neck sweater had the perfect neckline for off the shoulder goodness that seems to be the all the rage at the moment. I’m not complaining – a little skin is always good. Throw in some leather boots and darker accessories and you’re pretty much set for fall. It’s important to note the difference between chunky knits and light sweaters because one is great for layering and the other is just a nightmare to manage when you need to remove your layers. The trick to trans-seasonal dressing is to find pieces that don’t add clutter and too much volume to your overall look.
My other go to transitional look will forever be the oversized boyfriend shirt look styled with either denim jeans or chinos. To give your look the sport-luxe edge; add a pair of kicks and you’ve nailed the trend that’s been taking the world by storm. The new French poplin shirts make a great piece to wear on its own or used as a cover up over lighter and skimpier pieces. You could also give your look a streetstyle touch by tying the shirt around your waste over denim jeans and a light cami. I think I could go on for hours on how you can wear a simple oversized shirt so if I were to impart any styling advice then I would always recommend having the go-to white oversized shirt.
Let’s see what you’ve learnt:
ONE: Pick your area of exposure, if you’re wearing shorts or a skirt then wear something long sleeved up top and vice versa.
TWO: Invest in pieces that leave you feeling naked – not literally of course. Thin and lightweight cardis and ribbed wool sweaters are all fabulous to have handy for layering.
THREE: Have a staple oversized boyfriend shirt (in white, stripes or black – pick your poison) and don’t be afraid to wear it as is, layer it over camisoles or just tie it around the waist in place of a belt.
Oh and of course, as a treat for all you lovely readers – enter ‘HELENxGRANA’ at checkout to receive 10% discount and free shipping.
