Transitional pieces become popular ye ar-round fashions

Careful choices in spring can boost your wardrobe all year long.
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
When the weather changes, it normally means your clothes do, too.
But fashion is moving in a new direction, one that doesn't require you to turn your closet completely over every time we enter a new season.
"I think there are a lot more transitional pieces that work all year round," says Regina Haymes, market director for Marie Claire magazine. "Silks and chiffons, traditionally saved for summer and spring shows, are now being shown for fall and being layered with tights, boots, sweaters and jackets."
She says you can take your favorite silk or satin sundress, pair it with a chunky cardigan and tights, or layer a thin-gauge turtleneck underneath it, and take your favorite summer fashion into the winter.
Layering is a trend the runway has revived for the past few seasons, she says. It allows for options instead of having to buy things that are heavy or only in your closet for the winter.
Laura McGrew, owner of Tomboy Design Studio in Kansas City, Mo., says making clothes last through the whole year is as simple as mixing and matching.
Update a look
"In the fall and winter, people wear darker colors, and you can take some of those darker items and mix them with brighter colors and pastels to update your look without buying an entire new outfit," she says.
Another trick is buying items that can be worn year-round, like a mid-length skirt or denim Capri pants. McGrew says you can pair these items with strappy shoes or boots to reflect the seasons. Leggings are also an easy accessory to take skirts and shorts through cooler days.
Reserving the fun and flirty for the summer is no longer necessary. Items like gaucho pants, the polo dress and the color white can be worn every season.
"There are fewer rules in fashion," Haymes says. "It's about having pieces you really love to wear."