Season’s changes

11:58am Friday 29th February 2008

This time of year it is always tricky to get your wardrobe to suit the weather. While the high street is full of flimsy summer fashions - even swimwear - we are still very much surgically-attached to woolly coats and winter warmers.

It may seem like suitcase essentials and summer soiree dressing are a long way off, but not in fashionland. A transitional wardrobe is your key to an effortless jump from winter to spring styles.

But before you picture your bank balance taking a tumble, you don't have to overspend on new togs to make the most of double season styling. A few essentials are all you need to don those whimsical dresses and nautical fashions right now.

The key to transition dressing is not to swap your seasons in one fell swoop. Tights and long-sleeved tees will be your winter saviours.

Celebrity stylist Rachel Fanconi said: "Tea dresses and summery frocks will look a bit lost at this time of year worn alone but you can start wearing them now with your base layers.

"Go shopping in black tights and a long-sleeved top or roll-neck so that you have that all-important base layer ready for trying on new season styles.

Keep as much of you covered as possible. The sight of acres of white flesh is certainly not going to inspire you to try on summer clothes!"

And if you have to buy just one thing to move stylishly through the seasons, Rachel recommends you make it a mac.

She said: "The key piece for a transitional wardrobe is a fabulous mac. It is well worth spending money on as you will keep a classic one forever and feel great even when the weather's awful."

If the thought of getting your top-to-toe transition wardrobe right is daunting, let someone else do all the hard work and visit a personal shopper to get the job done in one hassle free trip.

"John Lewis and House of Fraser both have a really wide range of designers and labels in house, and Topshop is top for trends," Rachel said. "A personal shopper can work with you to sort out pretty much any wardrobe dilemma, from a quick update to a major overhaul.

"Your personal shopper should be able to help you navigate the trends and advise which ones will work for your body shape.

"Unless you are shopping for an outfit for a particular occasion, their usual aim is to equip you with a wardrobe of pieces that will work in different ways together, and with your existing wardrobe.

"It is a pretty simple way to start building a capsule wardrobe."

Don't be worried that you will be forced into spending a small fortune the moment you enter the personal shopping booth.

Rachel said: "There is an expectation that personal shopping is going to be an expensive undertaking, but if you examine your annual spend and set aside say a quarter of that for a one-hit fashion update, you will be surprised at how much better your wardrobe will work together. Far better than constantly buying odd bits that don't go with anything else."

TRANSITION TIPS Buy things that will work layered up right now, for example, lighter summer tops with a long-sleeved top underneath and a jacket on top. They can then be worn solo as the weather warms up.

A great jacket is always a good starting point for a transitional wardrobe as it can be adapted to go with many different pieces, from jeans to frocks.

Hosiery is invaluable at this time of year. Wear opaque tights - dark or brightly coloured - and you can pretty much do anything footwear wise. Even summery heeled sandals can be worn with tights. There are no rules right now, you can even go Prada-esque and pair them with slouchy socks.

Spend your money wisely on investment pieces. It is best to spend the most on the item that will get the most wear, that way it will work out as a good cost-per-wear buy.

Other key items for your transitional wardrobe include good tailoring and lightweight knits.

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