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Is there anything better than the first day of spring? Birds start to chirp, flowers bloom and the outdoors suddenly becomes tolerable again. It's also the perfect time to bust out of a fashion rut. Lighten up on your fabrics, try new colors or freshen up your winter pieces. Enjoy the weather and have fun with your style this spring!
Footwear
When the first thaw happens and you can finally ditch your winter coat, the urge to break out summery footwear can be overwhelming. Who hasn't worn a pair of flip-flops on that first 50-degree day in March? But be careful with your spring shoe choices; unexpected winter weather, puddles of melting snow and newly thawed dirt can all conspire to make you regret putting on those canvas espadrilles. Spring can be a messy time of year, so stick to shoes that protect your whole foot and don't show dirt easily or absorb moisture. Ankle-height leather or synthetic boots feel lighter than most winter footwear but keep your feet out of harm's way. If you must wear sandals, go for platforms, which keep feet higher off the ground.
Colors
Spring is the perfect time to add a new burst of color to your closet. Pastels are an obvious choice, but how about a bright, saturated spring hue like robin's egg blue or grass green? Even your jewel-toned winter pieces can work for spring; pair them with white or khaki pants to brighten up the color and really make it stand out. Find a fun top or light spring scarf in a color you don't normally wear, or stand out on a rainy day with a classic yellow raincoat.
Dress Code
Springtime brings with it shorter hemlines, strappy tank tops and gauzy, translucent fabrics. None of those are a bad thing, but they could get you in trouble with the fashion police if your school has a strict dress code. Make sure you have all your bases covered when lightening up your clothing load for spring. Layering helps; a scoop-neck tank under a low-cut shirt can help you pass inspection.
Layers
In addition to making teen clothing dress-code-friendly, layering can also provide warmth on those chillier spring days. Light layers, like a tank top, T-shirt and thin sweater, look stylish and can be added or removed as needed. A light scarf or pashmina is trendy and dresses up the boring old T-shirt-and-jeans look while blocking your neck from 40-degree breezes. Cotton is a great fabric for spring -- it keeps you warm while absorbing sweat, allowing your body to adjust to changing weather conditions.
