Dressing for transitional weather is hard. It’s cold in the mornings, hot in the afternoons, and then cold again in the evenings. Layers that can be peeled off or pulled back on are crucial this time of year, but nonetheless a little high-maintenance and require some planning that isn’t as effortless as we’d prefer. But hey, we’ll take this beautiful spring sun any day, even if it does have our wardrobe jumping through hoops.
A not-so-small element of our wardrobe–SHOES!–is one easy way to embrace the unpredictable outdoors and still feel confident and stylish while protecting your feet. Full-blown sandals may leave you chilly or wet, but our Nashville stylist Katey Preston has found six great in-between options to get you through to summer.
1. FLAT
These suede Ava Slingback Flats in coastal orange by Madewell are a well-balanced transitional shoe, because the closed toe will keep your toes nice and snug, but the open back says “hello, spring.” Wear with ankle-length jeans or a casual, mid-calf skirt or dress.
2. ESPADRILLE
Just like the Madewell slingback, this Channing Espadrille in navy/white by Sole Society is an ideal transitional shoe because of the closed toe and open back. Espadrilles, however, bring a whole new level of spring with their beachy rope fiber soles and cheeky wedges.
3. MULE
Love this versatile nude color! As effective a neutral as brown or black, it goes with all your favorite spring colors. The stacked heel and sophisticated bow detail on this Charlin Bow Mule in blush suede by Jeffrey Campbell sets it apart from an ordinary flat.
4. BOOTIE
Here, we’ve got a reverse balance with the Sally Column Heel in warm taupe suede by Sole Society, featuring open toes and a closed back. The cut-out at the arch of the sole adds another subtle peep of skin, and the hardware adds a touch of attitude to a casual weekend outfit.
5. SNEAKER
The retro ’80s look of these Effia Lace-Up Jogger Sneakers in gray by DV gives us all the nostalgia feels, and the slip-on feature gives us a reason to wear these on the reg! The coverage is ideal for running errands in the rain, and the perforations allow for the spring breeze to circulate.
6. RAIN BOOT
Everyone needs a good pair of rain boots. Since we don’t live in Seattle and wear them every day, we recommend investing in a high-quality, classic pair that will last you a few years. You won’t miss your regular shoes with the stylish quilted texture and streamlined shape of this Original Refined High Gloss Quilted Rain Boot in navy by Hunter.
[…] the coattails of our Pick Six: Winter-to-Spring Transitional Shoes blog post, we thought it might be helpful to break down the essentials of a full transitional, […]