Five Transitional Wardrobe Staples you need in your Closet

Hands down my favourite time of year to dress for, is during those transitional seasons, as we shift from winter to spring, or on the flipside, from summer to autumn. Sydney winters may be milder than most, but that doesn’t stop me longing to bare my legs and stash away some of those oversized winter knits. Experience has taught me that transitional dressing is always short-lived, so I’ll typically use this opportunity to blend my summer and winter wardrobes, which gives me the best of both worlds.

Wearing Everlane linen shirt, Dr Denim skinny jeans (similar), H&M check blazer (also love this black windowpane one), Vaneli two tone pumps (also here), c/o ABLE mini tote bag, RUBY earrings (LOVE this style)

There’s a lot to love about this time of year, and style-wise, it’s all about the opportunity to layer without needing to wear a coat. In its place? A cosy cardigan; a cashmere sweater layered over a pima cotton tee, or a tailored blazer that ties together your whole look. And, it’s an opportunity to start trialling out some new outfit combinations, and get serious about planning my spring wardrobe (which you can read more about HERE). But, as you can come to expect from me, it’s all about the basics. Here are my top five transitional wardrobe essentials for this time of year:

01 | A well-fitting blazer
The blazer has had a major revival over the past year, and in my opinion, it’s one of those styles that never really disappeared from my closet (just perhaps got a little less love). It’s been back on my radar in a big way this year, as it’s such a simple way to elevate an outfit, and it’s often the finishing piece for many of my day-to-day looks. As we make the transition towards spring I’ll probably look to wear some of my lighter-coloured options (including this one from Leith). For now, I’ve been loving the structure of this checked blazer from H&M, and the fabric adds an element of an interest to an otherwise basic outfit, like the one I’m wearing above.

02 | Great fitting jeans
A good pair of jeans has really cemented its place as a foundation piece for my all-year-round wardrobe, and I’ve really come to rely on them more so now than ever. I tend to opt for mid-rise or high-waisted styles as they tend to flatter my figure, and elongate my legs. Some of my favourite pairs of jeans at the moment are the cheeky straight leg jean from Everlane (which I have in bone and the washed black), this mid-blue wash skinny jean from RE/Done, and a faded black skinny jean from Dr Denim – the latter of which was a real workhorse over the autumn/winter months.

03 | A classic bag that goes with everything
A cornerstone of any good outfit is a great bag, and I find that when you’re starting to switch up your closet – especially during the change in season – sticking with the classics is best. When in doubt, I’ll usually opt for something in black leather, as in my experience, these have generally been the most versatile – and most worn – options in my wardrobe. There’s a few that I have on regular rotation at the moment, but I wanted to take a moment to talk about the Elsabet Top Zip Crossbody from ABLE (c/o). The bag itself combines form and function – it has a top handle (which is great if you’re just quickly nipping out) or a cross body strap if you’d rather go hands free, and the leather has an aged appearance, and feels sturdy yet supple to the touch. I love discovering new (to me) brands which are doing their part to pave the way forward from a sustainable or ethical standpoint, and ABLE’s mission to invest in women who have overcome extraordinary circumstances, or have been trapped in a cycle of generational poverty really resonated with me. Most recently, the brand made the bold step to publish their wages – a total game changer in an industry where there’s often little transparency.

04 | Denim mini skirts
One of my fail-safe outfits for the transitional season is a big oversized sweater, paired with a fitted denim mini. I love a good uniform, and this simple combination has always just worked. I tend to prefer styles that hit just below the mid-thigh, and love a frayed edge hem for something a little more casual. Two of the most worn denim mini’s in my wardrobe have to be this high waisted style from J. Crew, and this faded black version from ASOS. I’ve since also added a caramel denim pelmet mini from ASOS to my wardrobe too, which I think makes a nice change from my usual go-to monochromatic looks.

05 | Lightweight knit sweater
As much as I love my oversized knit sweaters for winter, after wearing them pretty much exclusively for the last few months, I’m looking forward to having options. I’ve got a couple of cashmere sweaters from Everlane and Grana, which I find a nice alternative and bridge that gap until the spring weather has well and truly set in, while still feeling a little fresh. I like to throw these on over a thin singlet, with some necklaces layering over the top for some visual interest. For something a little less heavy, I think a good cotton sweatshirt is a must – one that I’ve been wearing a bit lately is this one from Tradlands in the grey.

What are your transitional wardrobe essentials? x