I can feel the stirrings of spring and even though it happens every year it still surprises, a sudden gift. Here in stormy Northern California our usual brown hills are cloaked in vibrant green. As storms breeze through, leaden clouds form a striking backdrop to the luminous yellow mustard fields. The delicate blossoms are just starting to emerge. The high contrast light of late winter makes it a favorite time to paint.

I’m still wrapped in sweaters and scarves as images of fresh spring fashion arrive daily in my inbox. I’m excited about what I might be enticed to wear as the season shifts. Before I move on from warm layers I’m taking stock of what I wore during fall and winter…and what I didn’t. What did I love the most and why?

I’ve always worn comfortable casual clothes, but since COVID even my work and special occasion outfits are extra comfortable. Fit and fabric texture is my first priority, and color directs my choices as a daily form of self-expression. Throughout the fall and winter I noticed I reached for dark red, burgundy and plum for warmth on grey days, sky blue and navy when it was brisk and sunny and charcoal mixed with soft pink and lilac when I needed something soothing.

Our life is always evolving, so our preferences will too.

The closer you get to understanding and defining your unique needs, the closer you will come to meeting them and wearing what you own.

I’m checking in with myself about what has changed in the past year that is influencing my choices. I trained my dog Molly to understand “ Don’t touch my clothes!” but I love how she cuddles up against me so I hardly ever say it. Going forward I will be buying less black velvet, corduroy and knit pants to avoid the endless removal of long, thick collie fur. These casually elegant trousers from Ruti are super comfortable and don’t attract hair.

Now is the time to savor the pause between what you can dream of wanting and what you actually need to wear.

But don’t wait too long as the first warm days of the season will surprise you. Gather your resources, either catalogs and magazines or favorite online shopping sites. Set aside the images you love. If you pick up any transitional pieces, create an ensemble like this fisherman sweater from Quince, pashmina scarf, and felt fedora. A mermaid manicure led me to play with turquoise. A new combination just might inspire a closet refresh.

Creating a seasonal wardrobe is a process similar to constructing a painting. Plan, make marks, edit. Step back. Edit again. Or perhaps I’ll hit the surface with a brush and quickly finish the painting in one sitting. Wardrobe planning can be methodical, with layers of planning, shopping, revising. Or you can jump right in, go shopping, cut the tags off and wear whatever you fell in love with the day you bought it. It’s always a mix of spontaneity and planning.

You know you’ve found your sweet spot when you are fully engaged, your imagination unfurling with possibilities and getting dressed is a pleasure.

Join up with others in a celebration of Artful Personal Style April 6 and 13 at College of Marin. Click here to sign up.

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