How to build a Transitional Wardrobe

Step 2: Sort & Build

Sort your closet into categories, starting with LAYERS. Winter-to-spring layering is as much about transitional dressing as it is undressing. That is, cozying up in a knit on frosty mornings, then shedding it by afternoon. Underneath, you want lightweight fabrics that breathe. Opaque European jersey and sheer European jersey are our two top picks for appropriate base fabrics, as seen in The Frankie Top and the Tatiana Bolero.

Color plays its part, too. Think Marcy in blue, Harling in pink, or Alyssa in periwinkle – shades that mirror the natural world and shift your wardrobe’s mood toward spring. A palette refresh like this can make your transitional outfits feel like one big serotonin boost. 

No list of capsule wardrobe essentials is complete without a one-piece. The Dumont Jumpsuit and Winslet Dress are true throw-on-and-go staples, making transitional dressing as practical as it is effortless. To make your versatile clothing work even harder, you’ll want a convertible design or two on hand. Exhibit A: Mona, with hidden snaps that let you switch from a one-and-done maxi dress to a sleek sweatshirt and act like you planned it all along