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We're at that wonderful but weird time of year, wardrobe wise, when we're excited to ditch the boots and maybe throw on a linen midi skirt.
Spring is here, but the weather hasn't yet decided if it's fully on board.
Depending on where you live, you might have another month or so of chilly weather OR it might be warming up considerably already.
Watch: We unpack spring's top trends, including the item you probably already own. Post continues below.
The start of spring (and autumn in the Northern Hemisphere) are exciting because we get to play with new season's outfits and wear old favourites that had been retired for a rest when the weather changed last.
So, with the creep in Celsius, it's time to get sorted for our wardrobe rotation.
You know, that thing organised people do where they carefully launder and store their winter wares while pulling out their summer stuff to sort into their nice and neat wardrobes?
I'm not one of those people, if I'm honest.
Although, with the help of the amazing Nicole Bonython-Hines on a recent episode of Nothing To Wear, I plan to be from now on.
She taught me what wardrobe items to rotate and how, the things you need to do beforehand to ensure clothes don't get eaten by moths or covered in mould, and her clever storage solutions for the easiest and most seamless switch. So helpful!
You can listen to the podcast here or watch Nothing to Wear on YouTube, post continues below.
I'm planning to do my wardrobe rotation in early October, when it's a safer bet weather wise.
I've been prepping in the meantime, and while looking at what I wear most often, I realised… there are a select number of items I literally wear all year round.
365 days a year; rain, hail or shine.
Below, you'll find the transeasonal fashion favourites I style to get me through 'in between' seasons when the weather is unpredictable.
1. The shacket.
I love it when clothes make a baby. Image: Supplied.
I love it when clothes make a baby. A shacket is a jacket that is procreated with a shirt and the result is a super versatile medium-weight outerwear item.
They're perfect to chuck on over a summer maxi dress or shorts and equally as handy as the final piece of your winter outfit when you're going for a layered look but don't want too much bulk.
My two failsafes are a classic blue denim one and then another that's more of a cream colour.
Leigh's best shacket options to shop:
• Atmos&Here Tullia Twill Crop Shacket, $99.99
• Taking Shape Denim Pinstripe Shacket, $199.99
• VERO MODA Green Denim Shacket, $97
2. Maxi skirts (and dresses).
Maxi skirts are my transeasonal secret weapon. Image: Supplied.
Years ago, I would never have thought about wearing my maxi skirts in winter, because to me, they were only allowed to hang out with tanks and sandals.
Truthfully, I still wear them most when it's hot, but I also love a white linen maxi skirt when it's cold, paired with boots and a grey knit. I wear my satin, linen or cotton-twill ones with thin thermal shorts underneath on days it's really chilly.
The same goes for plain or striped maxi dresses. Chuck a jumper on the top of these and suddenly you have way more outfit options.
Leigh's best maxi skirt options to shop:
• Uniqlo Volume Gather Skirt, $59.90
• KowTow Motion Skirt, $299
• Seed Heritage Core Linen Seam Front Skirt in Twilight Blue, $159.95
3. One-piece swimsuits.
One-piece swimsuits make a fantastic bodysuit. Image: Supplied.
I wish I was the type to go for invigorating winter dips, but alas, swimming when it's cold isn't a hobby of mine.
When winter's on the way, I keep out a few one-piece swimsuits in block colours because they make a fantastic bodysuit. During the chilly months, I use them to layer under knits, cardigans and blazers with jeans.
Oftentimes, they're better than a tank because they don't need constant tucking in, so they give the waistline of my outfit a nice clean look.
I even wore a one-piece as a bodysuit to a fancy event just this week, see above!
Leigh's best one-piece swimwear options to shop:
• Jets One-Piece Jetset Minimal Tank, $160
• ArteSands Sage Arte Kahlo One Size One Piece Swimsuit, $184.95
• Heaven Australia Orchid One Piece, $149.99
4. The coatigan.
A coat + a cardigan = a coatigan. Image: Supplied.
More fashion fornicating! I wish cardigans and coats would breed more because the coatigan I bought from Zara about five years ago is one of my all-time favourite pieces.
Think the comfort of a knit paired with a slightly more structured silhouette, like a coat.
This style is ideal for travelling because it's cosy but also looks smart, or perfect for chucking on over a warm weather outfit when the evenings are still cool.
Leigh's best coatigan options to shop:
• Staple The Label Elena Coatigan, $189
• Petal & Pup Venda Coatigan in Light Brown, $99
• Betty Basics Bristol Coatigan, $109.95
5. 100% cotton shirts (or similar!).
Shirts are a wardrobe hero! Image: Supplied.
The winter that just ended was THE season of the oxford shirt.
You know, the classic button-down business style shirt that was all over social media paired with barrel leg jeans and a blazer.
I keep my 100% cotton ones out for summer because if they are made of natural fibres, then they're breathable, making them the perfect beach cover-up.
Anything synthetic would be far too sweaty, but cotton is your friend all 12 months of the year.
Leigh's best shirt options to shop:
• Target Australian Cotton Long Sleeve Oversized Shirt, $40
• Forecast Chicago Oversized Cotton Shirt, $89.99
• Commonry Good Earth Cotton Demi Shirt, $139.95
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Feature image: Supplied.
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