From Cold to Cool: 8 Easy Wardrobe Swaps You Should Make For Spring

Say what you like about winter, but there’s no denying it’s fun to dress for. The fabrics, the textures, the layers. Everything about winter clothing is music to the ears of anyone who takes pride in their style. It’s all too easy to get carried away. Then, before you know it, spring rolls around and you realise you’ve forgotten how to dress any other way.

So, how can you get back in the swing of dressing for something other than sub-zero temperatures? Well, all it really takes is some carefully thought-out garment substitution—switching a favourite winter piece for its transitional equivalent until you have a wardrobe capable of tackling changeable, warmer weather.

Sounds easy, and it is. But only if you have a clear-cut idea of what garments to switch out. To simplify the process, we’ve compiled a list of go-to winter staples and the spring-friendly alternatives you should consider swapping them for. From knitwear to footwear, here’s what you need to know.

Swap Your: Winterproof Parka Coat

Parkas are brilliant. Perhaps the ultimate winter coats. But when winter is out of the way they ultimately become redundant. They’re too good at their job. They’re simply too warm for anything other than the coldest of conditions.

For A: Showerproof Mac

A mac fills a similar spot in your wardrobe without leaving you cooking like a boil-in-the-bag fish. It’s unlined but still water-resistant to deflect showers, and just like a parka, it’s roomy enough to throw over the top of whatever you’re wearing.

For top marks, look for one made from gabardine – the British weatherproof fabric created by Thomas Burberry himself.

Swap Your: Leather Work Boots

Leather work boots like Red Wings and Danners can be worn year-round, but they’re most at home during winter.

Their bulky, rugged aesthetic can look a little out of place when the weather starts to warm and the ground thaws, so you may want to look for a more seasonally appropriate alternative.

For A: Pair Of Suede Chukka Boots

Chukka boots, particularly suede ones, are equally casual and versatile, but they’re much better suited to warmer weather. You can style them with all the same stuff, and they won’t look weird when worn with smart-casual garb either.

Clarks make the original and arguably best version in the game, but it’s worth looking at premium options like those from Velasca or Drake’s if you have the cash to spare.

Swap Your: Chunky Fisherman Knit

Big, heavy fisherman knits were designed for use in the absolute coldest, wildest and harshest winter conditions. So, wearing one on an April weekend in the city is probably overkill.

Yes, they look great, and the textured element adds an interesting aspect to your outfits, but there are other ways to achieve the same thing.

For A: Fine Gauge Merino Sweater

Merino is a miracle material. It’s incredible at regulating body temperature, and it’s soft and comfortable too. This makes it perfect for layering during the unpredictable transitional months.

Go for one in a versatile neutral and you’ll be able to wear it with anything and everything.

Swap Your: Heavyweight Denim

Thanks to the stiffness and thickness of the fabric, heavyweight raw denim produces incredible fades. It’s also much warmer than lesser versions.

Most denim heads like to reach for the heavy stuff during winter, but it can get uncomfortable fast when the mercury rises.

For A: Pair Of Midweight Jeans

Midweight denim is generally between 12oz and 15oz. It’s softer and more breathable, which means it’s far better suited to tackling spring weather.

Swap your heavyweight jeans for a pair of these, and the transitional months will become a lot more tolerable.

Swap Your: Puffer Jacket

That big puffer jacket with its oversized, overstuffed baffles is great for keeping you warm when the temperature is at its absolute coldest, but it will be overkill when things start to warm up.

That said, you’ll still need some insulation on those chilly spring days.

For A: Lightweight Down Jacket

This is where a good lightweight down jacket comes into play. It’s thinner with a slimmer silhouette but still provides a barrier against the cold.

Thanks to its low-profile and close-to-the-body fit, it’s also easy to layer. You can wear it under a heavier coat or as a standalone layer with a T-shirt underneath.

Swap Your: Chunky Cardigan

Great when you’re supping a pint by a pub fireside in the runup to Christmas. Not so much when the daffodils are out and you’re considering whether to bust out the shorts for the first time of the year.

Save the chunky cardigan for the coldest days and opt for something lighter when spring has sprung.

For A: Knitted Long Sleeve Polo

Something like a knitted polo. Preferably the long-sleeved variety. It’s light, versatile, classic, and still has the same textural and insulating benefits offered by its burly winter counterparts, just at a slightly reduced level.

Layer it up with a tailored jacket, or wear it on its own with a pair of jeans.

Swap Your: Wool Beanie

Beanies serve a useful purpose over the winter, but you can ditch them at the first opportunity and reach for something lighter. However, if you do that, you might find yourself missing the textured element or pop of colour these little woollen hats bring to your wardrobe.

For A: Corduroy Baseball Cap

Enter the corduroy baseball cap. It’s lighter than a wool beanie but warmer than a cotton twill cap, and the material’s textured nature not only adds an interesting visual element but also takes dye extremely well, resulting in nice, vibrant colours.

Swap Your: Gore-Tex Sneakers

So you invested in a pair of Gore-Tex sneakers for the winter? Good shout, but you might find them a bit hot and stuffy now the weather is warming up.

What you need now is something lighter and more breathable that channels that same sporty, utilitarian aesthetic.

For A: Pair Of Retro Runners

Retro noughties’ runners are having a big moment right now, and they’re great for filling the gap left by your winterised sneakers.

Look for ones with a good mix of mesh panelling and metallic overlays, and maybe the odd pop of colour here and there. The New Balance 1906R and the Asics Gel-Kayano 14 are two great options to get you started.

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