The Transitional Guide: Winter to Spring Edition

Now spring is starting to awaken, we’re finding ourselves looking in our wardrobes full of chunky knits, thick jeans and big, bulky jackets. While we can still use these from time to time, we want to transition into the warmer, crisper spring days without revamping our full wardrobe.  

As Joe’s top style experts, we’ve put together a guide on transitioning from winter to spring, that’s easy on the wardrobe and the purse strings. After this crash course on swanning through the seasons in style, you’ll be begging for spring to bloom! 

Every man and woman needs a statement jacket or four. The top layer to any ensemble is the cherry on top of a knockout outfit. A core range of jackets is the classic leather jacket, a denim jacket, a blazer and a longline coat. Other coats that work tremendously are long, lightweight and waterproof camel or trench coats that pair with almost anything.  

Knitwear, cardigans, jumpers, plain tees, blouses, collared shirts, slouch sweaters. All of these and more are items anyone has in their wardrobe that can be transformed into layers that draws the eye to the rest of an exceptional layered outfit. All you need is the know-how. (Handy that we’ve got a couple of guides on that, isn’t it?) 

A no-brainer; these are great layers that allow you to wear lighter items and give you an extra layer of warmth on days that are still a little breezy. Long, thigh-high socks are also a great choice, albeit not for everyone. A great way to wear these is with a rara skirt, tight jumper and chunky or slouch cardigan with either ankle boots, combat boots or knee-high boots. 

Every wardrobe needs a thick, chunky knit that provides a layer of warmth for an ensemble. As a plus, knitwear is a textured fabric that matches thinner, flowing items and creates an eye-catching look as these opposites attract. Any piece of knitwear can be transitional. See what outfits you can create with knitwear that’s currently in your wardrobe! Essentials are cardigans, slouchy jumpers, cable knits, hoodies and wraps and shawls.  

From the ankle to the over the knee boot, and every style in between, these are the ultimate transitional shoes for winter to spring. The versatility of them knows no bounds, and while towards the warmer months you may opt for a different footwear type, the boot will remain your go to. We love a good ankle boot, as this is the perfect neutral shape with many different heel types to choose from.  

Gone are the days of hot water bottles and thick, baggy clothes that drown your shape and your #Mojoe. Say hello to hip-hugging pencil skirts, ruffled blouses and cosy, chunky-knit cardigans.  Swap your tired, dark trousers for a high-waisted wide legs, a collared shirt and a slouchy jumper for a smart, put-together look that’s bang on-trend.  

The secret to transitional workwear is keeping it light on top, durable and efficient on the bottom with a piece of essential knitwear and a long, lightweight coat over the top, so whatever the weather has to throw at you, you can stay chic. Looking good is feeling good, and we all need to feel good at work! 

Athleisure is a trend that’s crept up on us over the years, and now it’s everywhere! It’s easy to get wrong, but it’s so easy to get right, and when it’s right, it’s fabulous! This is the perfect style for those on-the-go women who want to take their outfit to Pilates and beyond. Our Sloe Joes range is amazing for this, and the items coordinate exquisitely. Choose a pair of retro printed flares, joggers or leggings and throw on a jumper or hoody to complete the look. A simple baseball cap is all you need to take this outfit to the next level, and a jacquard coat or similar practical mac is perfect to throw on when the weather is a bit on the nippier side.  

When dressing in athleisure, the trick is to stay away from structured items and jazzy or typically “stylish” patterns. Let your athletic wear hold the print or pattern and the macs, duffel coats and hoodies will add to the practical vibe to give off that on-the-go look.  

Dresses are more versatile than you’d expect. Strappy dresses with spaghetti straps can be paired with a plain white tee underneath or a simple blouse, and a chunky cardigan under a long coat will complete this sweet, pretty look. To rock up a long summer dress, opt for some chunky boots, throw on a sweater and team it all with a leather jacket and beanie to give a feminine dress a healthy dose of attitude.  

A key factor of a great ensemble is to choose a lightweight, flowy dress and pair with heavy materials like knit, denim and leather. Alternatively, if you have a heavy, bulky dress or pinafore, opt for lighter knits, tights and fitted jumpers' underneath to give some texture and dimension to your layers.  

A transitional lifesaver, knitwear is your best friend. If your knitwear selection is looking a little thin, why not take a look at our range or get thrifty and shop the charity shops? Bulky knits work well as a throw-on piece and thin knits work well with thick jeans and boots. Big scarves keep you warm without the need for a big bulky coat, and even woolly hats are great transitional accessories. The possibilities are endless, and as long as you bear the material thickness in mind, you can’t go wrong! 

Grab your winter coat... And throw it to the back of the wardrobe! You won’t be needing that for a while. Coats and jackets are an essential and can really make or break an outfit. If you generally opt for plainer clothes, a statement jacket is a great option, whereas a good leather or suede jacket can last years and take an outfit from plain to insane! A classic trench coat is light enough for warmer days while keeping you protected from a breeze or light showers and a duffel coat or mac is a practical choice while keeping you snug and warm and goes perfectly with athleisure wear. 

The coffee date outfit, browsing the shops or even just a casual day out, the smart casual outfit is the ultimate go-to. An ensemble like this can be dressed down during the day for a family day out or dressed up for drinks with the gang by evening. Think skinny jeans, stripy tops, an ankle boot and a light coat with your favourite accessories thrown in.  Wear white pumps by day and a strappy sandal by night and you’re good to go! 

Smart casual options are blouses, jumpers, collared tees, smart jeans, tunics and casual dresses. Opt for small heels, pumps, ankle boots or brogues to pull off the smart casual look effortlessly. The trick is to keep one smart element with one casual and accessorise until you complete the perfect look.  

Knit jumpers and skirts go better together than salt and pepper. When wearing pairing a skirt and jumper, pair with a simple tee or cami and throw the jumper over the top. If your skirt is flowing and light, choose a cable knit. If it’s bulkier, like denim or cord, pair with a blouse and light cardigan.  

Smart work outfit? Jazz it up with leather for humpday drinks. Simple jeans and a tee? Throw a leather on it to elevate the look. Free, flowing boho dress with boots? Leather. Vintage look? Go Grease Lightning style with... you guessed it... leather. The answer. Is Always. Leather. 

A wonderful option that you can wear three seasons out of four, knee-high boots are great to keep your legs warm and looking fabulous. With a range of colours, styles and heel heights, these go well with skinny jeans, any kind of dress, skirts, tunics and even shorts!  

Everyone knows someone who lives in leggings (and if you don’t, it’s probably you!) So, layer up the leggings with jumpers, cardigans and tunics for a gorgeous athleisure look to take you from “ohm” to “ohm-y lord!” Always accessorise with your trusty beanie or baseball cap for a touch of casual chic that’ll leave you warm and feeling fab. 

A classic oversized blazer is a timeless look that’ll give you an edge of Parisian chic. As a smart top layer, pair a casual outfit with peep-toe heels, a red lip and throw on the blazer for a look that has bucket loads of je ne sais quoi. For a more comfortable style, throw on a slouchy jumper, your trusty pair of comfy jeans and trainers to elevate the look. Accessorise with a bulky scarf and beanie if the weather is a little more on the drizzly side.  

High waisted and straight legged, the cropped jean with a slight flare is the go-to transitional bottom and has been for some years now. Pair with a tee or blouse for an effortless look or go all out slouchy with a jumper French-tucked into the waistband. Ankle boots or pumps go best with these, and you can keep it trim or make it chunky, depending on the weather or how you feel.  

Horizontal stripes and blue jeans as an outfit is an iconic look you see on A-listers out in the wild. It’s an absolute essential and can be worn for years to come without looking off-trend. Pair with a leather or trench coat and complete the look with brogues, trainers or a cute heel depending on where you’re heading for a sizzling style that’s simple and effective. 

To create a stunning silhouette, an exaggerated sleeve can be split, ruched, puffed or slouched. When selecting your exaggerated sleeve, keep that silhouette in mind. Opt for skinny or straight jeans for a smart-casual daytime look, or pair with a big, flowing boho maxi skirt for an enviable ensemble. Our Broderie Belle Top is the perfect example of an exaggerated sleeve that can be dressed up or down, depending on the day ahead. 

It’s all the rage right now! Frayed-edge denim can grunge up your look ever so slightly or give off a wild-west or boho look. Our Vintage Embroidered Jeans or Distressed Must-Have Jeans are a great example of how distressed denim can look upscale, chic with a vintage edge. 

Add a pop of colour to your wardrobe with a bright bag! Our Head Turner Bag in lime is a perfect choice to inject an eye-catching element that’ll have heads turning to admire your wonderful outfit. This is best paired with a get-up that has neutral tones, such as nudes, tans, greys, blacks and denim. The best part is, you can choose whatever shoes you like and let the bag do all the talking!  

Nothing says exquisite quite like embroidery. As well as looking high-end, it also adds some fun into an otherwise ordinary garment, which is subconsciously what we’re all looking forward to as the seasons get warmer, and the days get brighter. If there’s any time to transition into funky clothes, it’s as Spring starts to awaken! Our Exquisite Embroidered Jacket from Joe’s boutique or Desert Florals Embroidered Denim Skirt does just the trick! 

Ruffles create a stunning silhouette and draws the eye to the detail in your outfit. Create the perfect spring look with delicate ruffles in our Summer Breeze Blouse or a regally romantic look in our Retro Romance Shirt. You can also play with ruffles in skirts to see what works for you! Ruffled tops go well dressed down with jeans or dressed up with playful skirts and kitten heels for a dash of fun! 

Still a classic, a pair of white trousers will instantly brighten your transitional outfits and are perfect for warmer days when you don’t want to bare all. White jeans go with any colour and pattern, so therefore white jeans are the perfect canvas to build your outfit around. Our Must Have Jeans are a great staple to have as a classic, great-fitting skinny jean, and our Capri Pants are a wonderful option for sunnier days.  

Ankle boots go with just about anything, and any woman needs a pair to carry out life’s adventures. Choose whatever heel size and style suits you. If you tend to lean towards more conservative colours and patterns, make a statement with the Rialto Bridge Denim Boots. For those who love a rocker edge, the Modern Muse Leather Boots are a go-to for a chunky biker look. If you’re a fan of bright, statement clothing items, keep it nude with the Idaho Suede Boots to let your outfit sing. 

With so many styles and colours to choose from, it can be impossible to know where to start. Joe recommends keeping it simple with a beanie for the colder months to dress down an outfit and a Baker Boy when you want to dress it up a little. Both offer wonderful transition styles as you move from winter to spring as well as keeping your noggin’ warm! 

While houndstooth is a timeless classic, gingham is back and it’s here to stay! Effortlessly inject a gingham piece into your wardrobe, whether it’s our fair trade Sweet Daisy Embroidered Bag in mint or red or our Fresh as a Daisy Dress for exciting pattern and colour. If you want to keep it classic and simple, our Dixie Halterneck Dress is a date-night classic in black and white to have you feeling and looking fabulous.