Michelle Oliver: Neutrals best for changing seasons

Transitioning from one season to the next can pose new challenges in your closet.

If you are like me, you will normally spend a Saturday afternoon just rearranging your closet so that the current season’s clothes are in the front and the rest in the back. I have been struggling through this transition all week.

I am not a huge fan of it being foggy and cold in the mornings, then 70 in the afternoons. I never know what I should wear. When in doubt, wear neutrals. Neutral colors are a great way to ease into a new season.

For one outfit, I decided to take a cream-colored sweater and add a burnt orange scarf. I bought this whole outfit, minus the purse and shoes, at Helen & Louise downtown and have been wearing it nonstop ever since.

I am all about adding a pop of color. But this burnt-orange scarf was just enough color to accomplish the look I wanted. I added a pair of dark-wash skinny jeans to give it a nice contrast.

I photographed this outfit on the first day we had warmer weather. The sunlight mixed with these neutral colors made this outfit look even better.

With the weather being temperamental this week, I have been wearing a lot of layers. Laying neutral colors not only keeps you warm when you need it but also offers a unique look.

My favorite combination of colors to layer is cream, pale pink, and taupe. These colors work really well with a lot of different wardrobe pieces. If you read my last article you will notice the outfit I wore was a mixture of pale pink, cream and taupe. It was the perfect preface to today’s article to prove my point.

Throughout this month and next, neutral colors will be my go-to. As the weather continues to warm, I can guarantee I will slowly be adding brighter colors. The key word there is “slowly.”

My advice to you is to wear what you feel is appropriate for the weather.

If the sun is shining, then wear something brighter. Monday through Friday I typically will wear a lot of black, however I always jazz it up with something. As scarves become too hot to wear, I will need to choose another way to add a twist.

Cardigans are a great seasonal way to bring in more color. I own quite a few with various sleeve lengths. They make a great cover-up for cold, air conditioned offices or for nights out when you just need something extra.

I’d love to hear how you are going to transition your wardrobe into spring and summer. As always feel free to shoot me an email with any questions about styling your own outfits.

This story was originally published February 20, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Michelle Oliver: Neutrals best for changing seasons."