How to build a transitional wardrobe
First things first, you don’t need to break the bank and buy a whole new transitional wardrobe to carry you from winter to spring. Transitional styling is all about investing in hero pieces that layer well and flex with both the weather and your existing wardrobe. A great place to start? It’s all about the outerwear, in our opinion.
“Transitional styling should start with the jacket – if the outerwear looks good, the rest can be simple,” says Nikki.
Staple pieces for a transitional capsule wardrobe
Ok, so you’re ready to build a transitional capsule wardrobe, and you’re wondering what the non-negotiables are. We’ve got you. Every winter/spring rotation should include:
- A hero jacket your building block for the rest of your fit
- Layers, layers, layers think: swapping out chunky knits for lighter jumpers and sweatshirts
- Don’t sleep on the accessories scarves are a must for trench coat weather, just in case the temp drops. A statement stomper boot that can be rotated between looks never hurts, either.
Nikki says, “Add colour to every fit. Transitional styling gives you the opportunity to bring freshness to your winter darks.”
Sam adds, “Wear less. Keep your jackets thin and bring the sunnies.”
How to transition your wardrobe from winter to spring
Don’t panic, there’s no need to pack away your winter wardrobe just yet. The trick to transitional styling is intro’ing spring pieces slowly and mixing them with your existing winter clothes. So instead of reaching for a chunky jumper, swap it out for a lighter hoodie under a trench coat and add in a blanket scarf or fluffy hood for extra warmth. Relegate your bulky winter jacket to the back of your wardrobe and opt for a bomber jacket or fleece on top of your spring tops on slightly warmer days.
The UO Transitional Style Guide: Your Winter/Spring Rotation
So, the weather app says Spring, but it still feels like winter. Transitional dressing is that awkward in-between where your outfit needs to do more than one job – warm enough for cold commutes in the morning, light enough for sunny afternoons sipping a matcha in the park, and expressive enough to still feel you-coded.
This style guide breaks down what to wear between seasons, with easy transitional outfits built around UO staples. We’ve included advice from our Urban Outfitters stylist experts, Sam and Nikki, and their tips for transitional styling. Think winter/spring fits that work smarter, not harder, layering pieces you’ll reach for on the daily, and jackets that pull everything together. Read on for our guide which answers the age-old question of what to wear in between seasons.
Layering outfits
UO Lenora Blanket Scarf
UO Red Fluffy Hood
BDG Easy Striped Hoodie
iets frans... Black Panel Fleece
How to re-wear winter clothes in spring
Your winter favourites have range. It’s all about how you style them.
- Think rolled sleeves, unzipped layers and relaxed proportions
- Wear knit jumpers with maxi skirts or baggy denim
- Style puffer jackets open over baby tees with trainers
- Layer sweatshirts under bomber jackets or puffer jackets instead of a heavy coat
UO Lenora Blanket Scarf
UO Red Fluffy Hood
BDG Easy Striped Hoodie
iets frans... Black Panel Fleece
How to re-wear winter clothes in spring
Your winter favourites have range. It’s all about how you style them.
- Think rolled sleeves, unzipped layers and relaxed proportions
- Wear knit jumpers with maxi skirts or baggy denim
- Style puffer jackets open over baby tees with trainers
- Layer sweatshirts under bomber jackets or puffer jackets instead of a heavy coat
Transitional outfit ideas
Need some style inspiration? We got you. These transitional outfit ideas are built around our favourite UO jackets, with style guidance for each category.
Pea coat outfits
Layer a structured pea coat over a long-sleeve top or light turtleneck, and pair it with a corduroy skirt with long socks and clogs. This fit is giving cottage core, and we’re not mad about it.
Nikki says, “Out with the jeans and in with the cargo shorts or utility capris, with a cute ballet shoe to take you into spring.”
UO 3/4 Sleeve Pea Coat
BDG Sara Corduroy Fishtail Skirt
BDG Stripe Long Sleeve Relaxed T-Shirt
Need some style inspiration? We got you. These transitional outfit ideas are built around our favourite UO jackets, with style guidance for each category.
Pea coat outfits
Layer a structured pea coat over a long-sleeve top or light turtleneck, and pair it with a corduroy skirt with long socks and clogs. This fit is giving cottage core, and we’re not mad about it.
Nikki says, “Out with the jeans and in with the cargo shorts or utility capris, with a cute ballet shoe to take you into spring.”
UO 3/4 Sleeve Pea Coat
BDG Sara Corduroy Fishtail Skirt
BDG Stripe Long Sleeve Relaxed T-Shirt
Military jacket outfits
Soft military jackets are here to stay in the winter to spring transition. To look more Kate Moss at Glastonbury and less musician in uniform, pair it with low-rise trousers. If you’re going for denim, we’d suggest opting for bootcut leg jeans, to ward off any indie-sleaze boy band allegations that skinny jeans might invite.
Nikki adds, “Lacy slip dresses also work to soften this trend into the warmer months.”
Sam suggests, “Wear bootcut jeans, Western belts, vests and chunky jewellery. Finish the look with statement aviator sunglasses.”
UO Cate Band Jacket
BDG Jaya Jeans
Soft military jackets are here to stay in the winter to spring transition. To look more Kate Moss at Glastonbury and less musician in uniform, pair it with low-rise trousers. If you’re going for denim, we’d suggest opting for bootcut leg jeans, to ward off any indie-sleaze boy band allegations that skinny jeans might invite.
Nikki adds, “Lacy slip dresses also work to soften this trend into the warmer months.”
Sam suggests, “Wear bootcut jeans, Western belts, vests and chunky jewellery. Finish the look with statement aviator sunglasses.”
UO Cate Band Jacket
BDG Jaya Jeans
Shrunken jackets outfit
One essential piece for winter to spring styling is a shrunken jacket. It’s cropped, boxy and calling out to be layered up with a hooded scarf on chilly-but-not-quite-freezing days.
BDG Luca Shrunken Denim Jacket
UO Georgia Hooded Scarf
Puffer jacket outfits Puffer jackets are the unsung hero of the transitional outfits components thanks to their versatility. Go off-duty and wear one with your biggest, baggiest joggers, or unzip over a graphic tee and straight-legged jeans on warmer days.
Nikki says, “Puffers are still a key styling piece as we go into early spring/summer, especially at festivals. As the sun sets, chuck one on over short shorts and boots.”
BDG Green Roy Hooded Corduroy Puffer Jacket
iets frans... Green & Navy Harri Panelled Joggers
One essential piece for winter to spring styling is a shrunken jacket. It’s cropped, boxy and calling out to be layered up with a hooded scarf on chilly-but-not-quite-freezing days.
BDG Luca Shrunken Denim Jacket
UO Georgia Hooded Scarf
Puffer jacket outfits Puffer jackets are the unsung hero of the transitional outfits components thanks to their versatility. Go off-duty and wear one with your biggest, baggiest joggers, or unzip over a graphic tee and straight-legged jeans on warmer days.
Nikki says, “Puffers are still a key styling piece as we go into early spring/summer, especially at festivals. As the sun sets, chuck one on over short shorts and boots.”
BDG Green Roy Hooded Corduroy Puffer Jacket
iets frans... Green & Navy Harri Panelled Joggers
Fleece jacket outfits
On days where the sun is shining but it’s still not warm enough to leave the house without a jacket, a borg fleece will be your new bff. Throw it over a long sleeved top with a maxi skirt or cocoon trousers for cosy-but-cool energy.
Nikki would style their fleece jacket with “Baggy jorts and basketball shorts, or layer it over a flowy maxi dress for the fit that’s not quite summer-ready.”
“If you unzip it, make sure you’ve got your most colourful graphic on to show off underneath,” Sam adds.
BDG Bobbi Camo Cocoon Trousers
BDG Red Tapestry Fleece
On days where the sun is shining but it’s still not warm enough to leave the house without a jacket, a borg fleece will be your new bff. Throw it over a long sleeved top with a maxi skirt or cocoon trousers for cosy-but-cool energy.
Nikki would style their fleece jacket with “Baggy jorts and basketball shorts, or layer it over a flowy maxi dress for the fit that’s not quite summer-ready.”
“If you unzip it, make sure you’ve got your most colourful graphic on to show off underneath,” Sam adds.
BDG Bobbi Camo Cocoon Trousers
BDG Red Tapestry Fleece