How I shop for spring as an autumn

shop for spring

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends!  Today, I discuss how I shop for spring as an autumn palette.

When I discovered that I am actually an autumn palette and not a cool one, the challenge for warmer spring looks became evident.

We all want to wear lovely spring colors. However for some of us that is not our best look.

This is my third spring in an autumn palette and I decided to share with you what I keep in mind when I shop for spring.

I do fudge a little on the colors during spring and summer, but also enjoy wearing my true palette at that time.

So, get your Valentine chocolates, set a flower nearby and let’s talk spring clothing…rather than what to wear to dinner tonight!

HOW I SHOP FOR SPRING AS AN AUTUMN: SPRING TREND COLORS

shop for spring

Pantone’s Spring Trend Colors are the ones we will see most in our stores this spring.

The first way I shop for spring as an autumn is to look over the trend colors and see what I think would work.

I will watch out for Fiery Red, Tangelo, Classic Green and Blue Perennial.

I will have to see the Peach Pink, Summer Song, and Empire Yellow to know if there is anything workable there or not.

shop for spring

The core classics look better for my neutral considerations.

I do believe Vanilla Cream, Leek Green and Macchiato offer a autumn lady more options.

Now that I know what will be in stores, then I know what to look for in new collections.

HOW I SHOP FOR SPRING AS AN AUTUMN: FALL CLEARANCE SALES

shop for spring

I always find spring clothing in the fall clearance sales which are in my vibrant autumn palette.

This is why I shop for spring in the fall sales.

With Fiesta on the horizon in San Antonio, I recently picked up these two Johnny Was tops in the Dillard’s Clearance Sale.

These lean to my creative adjective among my five style adjectives and are perfect for my community events in the spring…this speaks San Antonio!

I would call this little jacket a bold gold, and the brown top is in the first picture.

I like them with the Chico’s Single Fray Ankle Jeggings in Sea Salt that I introduced you to yesterday.  These tops are lightweight and great for our spring weather during Fiesta.

They were one fourth of the original price on clearance.  

The past two years, I have discovered lovely browns, greens,  terra cotta reds, off whites that I wear all year long.

Yes, I stand out as an autumn in spring, but I look my best in my best colors….why wear anything else?

I do not mind being one of the only ladies in warm weather in a bit darker or more vibrant enriched colors.

And though navy blue has left the trend colors this year, I will continue to wear it in the spring.

HOW I SHOP FOR SPRING AS AN AUTUMN: AUTUMN COLOR WATCH AT BRANDS

shop for spring

The third way I shop for spring as an autumn is to pay attention to autumn colors in new collections at my favorite brands.

This picture was taken last year at JJILL.  They featured many warm colors when I showed up to shop spring.

At that time, I added a few of their garments to my wardrobe. 

In order to shop for spring as an autumn, I usually am on the hunt all of the time for the right colors, fabric weights and styles.

Here are a few items currently on sale and also some in new arrivals:

I also apply these guidelines when I shop for spring as an autumn in accessories.

I will watch for gold jewelry on sale, scarves in my color palette, and shoes that compliment my autumn wardrobe.

I know this is a bit of a challenge for some of you…but I like a challenge!

Would any autumn ladies like to leave their thoughts on how I shop for spring as an autumn?

shop for spring

Would love to hear your strategy as well….thanks for being here everyone…you are the best…have a day full of Valentine’s love and always…………………………………………….

KEEP SMILING!!

By Pamela Lutrell

By Pamela Lutrell

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22 Comments

  1. As a winter and lover of black column dressing, I struggle a bit when it comes to spring and summer choices. I can wear a white column, but then have to deal with getting the white top or pants stained/ dirty. Your new toppers are so pretty, and will serve you well as will the Chico’s pants. I wish those pants were available in a size for us petites. You have found some great items and are smart to shop fall sales for your color palette.

  2. We’re a long way from spring here, but I like to wear sweaters in spring colors to stay warm, yet feel like a change is coming. It seems there is always a conflict for one segment or another, be it a season or a trend. At the same time, we can always find ways to express ourselves that are true to our personal style. I can definitely wear spring colors as long as they are clear and saturated. I’m currently trying some different colors now that my hair has some gray in it and that’s been kind of fun to see what works and what doesn’t.

  3. Celia, I have seen more black lately in warmer weather pieces than in a long time. You may love the options this spring…we will see. Leigh Ann is a petite and sometimes she does well with Chico’s small sizes in regulars for pants. You might try that.

  4. That sounds fun, Karen! Let us know what you are discovering. We put away our sweaters here very early, so the transition time from winter to spring is always a bit of a challenge. So great to have you here today!

  5. The Johnny Was styles have spunk and you wear them so well! It makes me happy to look at you. Unfortunately, JW tends to overwhelm me (petite) but I have always been attracted to the brand. I had some of the pieces in my Dillard cart last week, but they were black (I’m a winter)…didn’t feel right for spring, but could have been saved for cooler weather as they are a great bargain. I also asked myself if I had a place to wear them, and couldn’t justify buying them, so now my cart is empty. You will get a lot of style miles through all seasons with your JW picks. Your jewelry is always spot on <3. Happy Valentine's Day.

  6. 💕 Happy Valentine’s Day to you, Pam, and all the ladies here! 💕🌨 Woke up to SNOW this morning after hitting 60 degrees over the weekend -so crazy, but fun!! You look terrific in your autumn colors, so your shopping strategy makes perfect sense.

  7. That idea you suggested is genius! By this I mean shopping at the fall clearance for spring. I imagine fabric weight works well –And your colors! Together this is a do-able formula! Summer might present a slight challenge as temperatures soar, And those fabrics no longer feel comfortable. I’m certain you’ve got that figured out too!

    What a genius idea-/shopping fall clearance for your spring additions to your wardrobe!

  8. It has worked for me! I don’t see it as genius but it will help for spring options, thanks Paulette…you made me smile!

  9. For the first time in a long while, many retailers last fall had tees and tanks in brown. Thanks to you, I knew to stock up. I too tend to change up my autumn colors … summer turquoise for my winter teal/green; coral and apricot for my winter rust; khaki and ivory for cognac/camel. I find many browns, even dark rich browns, look great with khaki, gold or copper jewelry, and gold sandals, with a nice bronze lipstick. Not the average look, but I’ve had practice because I’ve never been able to wear most pastels, which wash me right out. I’ve decided navy is my go-to neutral, and sporty, nautical looks always feel like spring, though now I put them with a more tomato red or a coral. I’m wondering at the fit of your new Chicos pants vs the a.n.a. ones you previously wore and which I bought. Thoughts? I had to laugh at your title: that was “Pam Speak!” Love ya, girlfriend!

  10. Shopping at the end of one’s season is a great way to add items for the next year. I’m a spring so I look for deals in May/June and throughout summer. I can usually wear them in the summer. If not, it’s always fun to be surprised at my new goodies the next year.

  11. I love this idea — I just have to make my ‘stock up’ purchases for a different season. As a cool winter, Fall colors are often difficult for me — but if I can find heavier fabric tops on clearance now, I can wear them in the Fall. My closet is leaning heavily towards navy, so I’m going to add some of this Spring’s colors.
    BTW, last night I was on a site called Mango to look at a lovely tweed jacket. You know how they styled it? — over a really sloppy hoodie, untucked shirt, etc. It was really off-putting, but it’s what retailers are pitching the younger crowd.

  12. Out to lunch, today, a group of ladies came in, all dressed in red. They proceeded to put out a centerpiece, placemats, napkins, balloons, etc; it was a very festive table. It looked like so much fun. Come to find out, they were all widows, celebrating Valentine’s Day. What a good idea; going all out to celebrate a special day like that.

  13. This sounds so sweet and would have brought a few tears in my eyes. It is so wonderful how women support each other.

  14. As a fellow autumn and Texan with very similar height and build, I applaud your strategy! I cannot wear pastels or brights, so I shop with a similar focus. This spring JJill is showing a lot of a rusty/cinnamon color that I can wear well, so I’m buying it now for fall. I just got the new butterflies scarf on sale last week, and have figured out a capsule wardrobe in navy and rust that I hope will be really versatile for our crazy Texas weather. Last spring I bought a bunch of the green pieces they had to wear in the fall. Like you, I will wear these colors year-round for most occasions. The color I really love for spring is the more tan/peachy version of blush pink. It is my daughter’s best color, but awful on me. Even so, I have a few pieces I love to wear when I’m feeling the need to be more girly than my usual classic, tailored style. Thanks for your encouragement to those of us who don’t wear spring colors well – I’m going to revisit my spring/summer pieces in light of this post and I can’t wait to see what new outfits I find in my own closet!

  15. What are the espirella shoes you are wearing both in today’s post and yesterday’s? Like them very much. Enjoy seeing what you are wearing and what you are up to on a daily basis. Have fun wedding attire shopping. Such a fun time.

  16. The Johnny Was items are great! So lucky you found them in your colors! To make the second look lead you into Spring, swap out the Autumn Red top with something in Sea Salt for a column of color and you will be amazed at the difference! The necklace is perfect!

    Speaking as an artist, the top half and bottom half of the outfit cuts in the middle, ( not good in any composition) but the column of color leads the eye through your “ composition of clothing” and up to the interesting top and then to your beautiful face. Sea salt will be fresh for Spring, saving fiery red for Autumn. Try it out, you’ll see that it works.

  17. Thanks Pat …that is why I often wear a column of color…so flattering. Regular readers know I do this often.

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