Bringing out your spring things
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| Spring's first moments |
You know the moment when the seasonal axis tilts, when the street suddenly starts dressing differently?
I thought that moment would come yesterday, escorted by 10C (50F), sunshine and breeze without ice in it. But the streets were still full of black parkas and winter boots, despite dry pavement.
Youth gets there first. I saw kilted schoolgirls in bare legs and ballerinas, a couple of boys in shorts. Youth always insists it isn't cold, is the first to cast off sensible cover. But grown women are still huddling in long coats, leery of colour.
Dressing for spring is a wistful flirtation, advance and retreat, but one day we take a hint from the crocus and push forth.
I will take out a printed skirt to wear with tights, like this Parisienne shot by Scott Shuman, The Sartorialist, bridging winter and spring.
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| How to sneak into spring |
But it's still chilly; cashmere in spring colours is cozy under a trench or leather jacket.
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| Out of storage, into the dresser |
And scarves; this is perfect carré weather. With my usual simple, neutral clothes, the scarf provides colour, a light layer and a flag for the season.
Which to choose?
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| Roses, bees or the goddess of growing plants, Ceres? |
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| Vibrant oranges piqued by leaf green or leopard? |
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| Rabbits in hats, butterflies in branches, merry-go-round horses? |
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| Flowers, birds or flâneurs? |
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| The delicate feathers of the first hatchlings? |
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| A nautical sextant in ochre, green and coral? |
Isn't it a pleasure to say, "Oh! I can wear this again!"?
What are your favourite spring things?
Comments
As for your thoughts on how to transition into spring, I couldn't agree more.
Skirts, woll sweaters, scarves, a trench and a pair of light boots are my staples for this time.
We seem to have been recently plunged smack back into winter, with temps between 40-60F and lots of rain, more in the forecast. So it's still boots pour moi, but with sun (cold sun) in the forecast today, think I'll add one of my brighter scarves for a pick-me-up.
I've already started reorganizing my closet for Spring and put away the tweeds and took out the bright colored sweaters.
So sweaters and scarves it is for a while, but even if the weather gets warm, I'm not ready for white jeans yet.
C.
P.S. I'm with Deja Pseu--love your scarves, especially the flanneurs and feathers.
A stunning collection...thank you for the images.
A little spring sunshine and you'll be sporting your silks and what appear to be cashmere sweaters...
I am so longing for the warmer weather...and am definitely bored with the rain.
Personally I feel wearing a scarf is a great way to add cheery colour and it puts a bounce in ones step.
Me gusta tu blog. Felicidades.
Pseu: That's part of a 25 year collection, but fewer bought lately. 40-60F is downright balmy here:)
Belle: White jeans don't show up here till May, but bright sweaters, bring on!
C.: I love the sound of your muffler! Yes, you too have made the colour turn of spring.
hostess: All cashmere in that stack, as it is only 0C today, spring according to the calendar, winter according to body.
Chicatanyage: I've seen some girls in light cotton skirts but just can't muster it. Colour plus warmth is the plan for at least another six weeks.
materfamilias: 17C, how divine... and unusually warm for Paris, wonder if it will last.
http://cgi.ebay.com/250-ANNE-KLEIN-NY-GAUZY-BROWN-WOOL-FLORAL-SKIRT-L-14-/230577968828?pt=US_CSA_WC_Skirts&hash=item35af8496bc
(but a different print of black background with grey, beige and light blue print) that I have been wearing for "spring" with black tights and black jacket. I am larger on bottom and probably shouldn't have the focal point there, but darn it, I can't wait!
Since spring colours look off in fall, too, the true Easter-egg colours are as short lived as the eggs themselves, and not very popular here except for church ladies in their magnificent Easter hats.
I look forward to light cotton sweaters.
"My favorite things of spring are to work in the garden, and to wait/hope for long walks in the sun and the gentle breeze, renovate the looks of the house, plan the summer... I like your blog. Best wishes."
My Spanish is not great, but that's the gist of it!
Jane W.: It's such a perfect spring theme, enjoy!
Jill Ann: Thank you so much!
Memories Collection, I enjoy long walks without ice underfoot, and hearing songbirds as they return.
LPC: Put them on a wall rack to shoot, they live in a drawer. Otherwise would fade.
Pseu, 40F is possible on a balmy winter day in Toronto or even Montréal now (with global warming), 60F not so much. I'm in sandals at 60F. You wear boots at such a temp?
I loved those spring coloured cashmere sweaters. Admit I'd have been scardily anticipating smarmy pastels, but knew that was not the taste of la Duchesse. Those are colours of actual life-forms that emerge in the Spring.
To say nothing of the beautiful scarves. I like les flâneurs et les flâneuses as well.
We got a tiny but discouraging dump of snow yesterday, but I did do a short jaunt on my bicycle today (just for errands). The snow had melted from the streets but there are little gobs here and there, as it is just a bit above freezing.
As for coffee addict - on bicycle a skirt, leggings, obviously a scarf, a light coat and light booties or sturdy but not sportive shoes.
I'd need another body and another life to wear white jeans, and even then, I think I'd be Jane Birkin and just wear ordinary ones.
Materfamilias, I'm happy to hear about the 17° in Paris, as they have had a hard winter for the second year running and often the temp would be lower than Montréal! I was working in Amsterdam not long ago and it was quite chilly.