Buy Now and Wear Later – Spring

Springtime in Chicago means two things; new clothes in all the stores and about an inch of snow on the ground.  We seem to never have a true spring in Chicago. It can be a bummer because by March 1st I’m dying to trade the dark, heavy clothes in my closet for fresher, lighter clothes.  I usually buy a few pieces to curb my urge to shop, but probably won’t end up wearing them for another month. By that time there is more new stuff out and I want to buy it too. It’s a vicious cycle that plagues women everywhere.  What if I told you after years of this cycle, I developed a list of what to buy now and wear later.

 

Spring can be a hard season to shop for, as the clothes in the stores all look so fun and Springy. Lots of light and bright colors, stripes are everywhere and floral patterns have never looked so cute.  You’re dying to shop and probably still have Christmas money and gift cards burning a hole in my pocket.  So what should you buy when new Spring clothes hit the floors and there is an inch of snow on the ground? You buy now and wear later!  It takes a little creativity, but I’ve really done all the work for you. Check it out below, you’ll be glad you did.

 

Cream Color Shell

You can never have too many cream colored tops; long sleeve, short sleeve or sleeveless.  Right now I have 5 in heavy rotation in my closet. A cream color top is classic, chic and you can wear it in all seasons.  It brightens up a wardrobe in the dead of winter and looks great in the summer against a sun kissed glow.  This type of top screams buy now and wear later.

 

Some of my top picks for cream colored shells are this one,  this one and this one.  The one I’m featuring here is my favorite though.  I love the length of the top, as it’s longer – like a tunic – and covers more.  Having a longer length in a top is great if you want to wear it with tighter jeggings.  The v-neck on this top is also perfect, as it’s not too low. That allows me to wear it to the office and on weekends.  I work in a conservative office and being dressed properly is very important.

 

In the colder months you can pair this with a cardigan or a blazer.  I’ve opted for a longer cardigan just given the length of the top.  You will want to play around with what looks right on your body. A longer shell paired with a shorter jacket might not look right. Pairing it with something longer may look better.  Try on several options and pick what makes you look and feel best.

 

In warmer months wear the shell alone as a sleeveless top and pair it with jeans and a heel.  You can dress it up for a night out by adding a large necklace and an oversized clutch.

Floral Dress

The older I get, the more tendencies I have that remind me of my mother, and I’m sure you can relate. You may say something or use a hand gesture that is similar to your mother.  My first thought is, oh no, I’m turning into my mother! Then I think, yep, I’m my mother’s daughter and I laugh!  My mom has always loved a good floral pattern and the older I get the more I love floral patterns too. 

 

The stores are full of beautiful floral patterned dresses, skirts and tops right now.  I always like to have something floral in my closet.  The problem is I don’t want to look like the first rose of spring (that’s something my mom would say!) when I wear it in March with snow on the ground.  If styled correctly though, the floral dress is a prime pick to buy now and wear later.

 

Fear not ladies you can still wear a floral dress in March, with snow on the ground when styled correctly.  This floral dress (another option) from the LOFT is the perfect piece to style for winter and then for spring when it gets warmer.  I think you can also wear it in the Summer and Fall. 

 

For a colder, late Winter look (think February and March)I have paired this dress with an oversized open cardigan and knee high boots.  The sweater keeps me warm and the knee high boots keep my pale legs covered up and warmer.  Alternatively, you can pair this with black tights and black booties.

 

For a warmer Spring time look it’s super easy to do, just wear the dress as is with a classic nude or black pump.  You can easily take this dress into the summer as well, as its a lightweight fabric and a beautiful classic  pattern.

Utility Blouse

The utility blouse is best described as the new collared blouse for women.  It’s a less structured version of its former sister and is usually a silky blend that lays perfectly on anyone who wears it.  It’s a lightweight fabric which makes it great for any season. The LOFT,  Ann Taylor and Express have been adding this piece to their seasonal lineup for years now.  

 

During colder months I will wear this top under a cardigan or blazer for warmth and a pop of color.  Worn with black ponte pants  and a heel make it polished for the office.  

 

During the warmer months I’ll wear this top alone or even with the sleeves cuffed for a breezier look.  I could also see this on a cool summer night paired with jean shorts or black shorts, sipping wine on the Chicago Riverwalk.  Can you tell I’m craving Summer? 

What I absolutely love about this top is the versatility.  It can take you from day to night, dressed up or causal. I’ve been wearing this red one non-stop since I got it.  In fact its in such heavy rotation that Mike has asked if I own another top 🙂  I let him know that the red utility blouse is the black turtle neck of 2017 .  It’s funny I find a top (a true essential) every once and a while and wear it on repeat for weeks or months and then get tired of it and never wear it again.  I guess you can say I really get my money’s worth out of the top immediately and in the long run.  The utility blouse is the perfect buy now and wear later piece.

 

There you have it, my top three items to buy now and wear later.  The cream colored shell, floral dress and utility blouse. These items can get use now and later in your wardrobe making your money go a bit further.  By buying classic items that can be worn across multiple seasons your wardrobe budget will go farther.

 

Looking to define your wardrobe budget, pop over here to see how I created a fool proof budget for clothes.