No Need For Spring Clothes- a recent revelation

I recently had an awakening around spring clothes. This may seem like a strange topic for May 29th when it’s been spring in the Northern Hemisphere for over 60 days… and summer is less than a month away. Please hear me out.

This aha moment occurred in my closet last week and I’ve been gently pondering it ever since. 

I’ve always loved spring clothes. Not so much for the actual clothes, but for what they represent. An awakening. The cusp of warming and greening that ultimately leads to summer. 

The clothes of spring are fresh and crisp and filled with promise. They hint at less bulk and more skin. Navy and cream stripes appear everywhere. 

Léontine Jumper - Sezane

For the past eight years, I’ve dutifully and eagerly unpacked my spring clothes, and even excitedly purchased a few pieces that heralded ‘SPRING’. This wardrobe work usually happens in late March or early April when a string of sunny 75 degree days cause my cozy sweaters feel out of place and way too warm.  It’s a time-honored process, this changing of the closet, when I carefully arrange the new arrivals amidst the old favorites.

And then I wait. 

And wait…. it’s cloudy and chilly. 

And wait… it snows 8 inches and the high is 28. 

Well, this year I’ve had an awakening.

The spring clothes light bulb finally turned on! 

I do not actually need spring clothes in Boulder, Colorado.

Here, we go directly from winter to summer… usually around the first of June. There is truly no need for a ‘normal’ spring wardrobe. 

I now realize that I have little use for things like:

Three-quarter-length sleeves

Short-sleeved tees that can’t easily be layered, ditto for most blouses

Mid-weight pants, too thin for winter and to thick for summer

Open-weave sweaters that don’t actually provide warmth

Flirty knit dresses with short sleeves

I grew up on the East Coast where spring and summer clothes are largely the same. There Spring/Summer is essentially one season and the clothing is basically interchangeable. Maybe a few pieces become too warm to wear in the heat and humidity of July and August, but most things work from April 1st through Labor Day. 

Not in Colorado. I feel like I’ve been let in on a secret. Like I’ve finally lived here long enough to get it. I do not need a spring wardrobe in this town.

Wow. What freedom! This realization will save me time and money. I won’t buy pieces that have too short a wearing season. I don’t want items in my wardrobe that I can only wear a handful of times when the weather is fully cooperating.

And the best part of this revelation?

Next year, I’ll confidently purchase pieces like the navy and cream striped cotton sweater (above) that I’ve been wanting for 6 months! Now I know that I’ll happily wear items like this every week from February until June!

How do you handle your cravings for spring clothes?

Have you had any style awakenings lately? I’d love to hear about them! Simply comment below.

Thanks for being here. I hope you enjoy a beautiful weekend. Our weather forecast shows 53 degrees and rainy. Brrr! I hope it’s warm where you live… can I come visit? ;-)

xx Kristen