How to dress for this fool's spring weather

Telegraph

04-03-2025

There is an oft-shared meme that goes around at this time of year on social media. 'There are actually 11 seasons, and we are here,' it says, pointing to 'fool's spring' (often directly underneath a 'second winter' or 'spring of deception'). That's because every March our wardrobes reach a stalemate with the weather, as we are seemingly unable to dress appropriately for whatever it decides to throw at us.
This past fortnight has been particularly tricky, with some fashion editors declaring tights season is over, only to be caught shivering by lunchtime (thank God for emergency socks in our desk drawers), while the opposite camp have regretted piling on the layers and leaving their shades at home when the sun does make an appearance. And don't get us started on the great coat debate. Should our big coats be stored away for the winter now, and are trenches warm enough for every day? It's enough to depress even the most enthusiastic of dressers.
So, what's the answer? We've consulted some of the most stylish women in the country to find out their fool's spring outfit hacks.
Embrace hosiery
For Henrietta Rix, co-founder of the vintage-inspired clothing brand Rixo, the wisdom of keeping your feet warm to stay warm applies. 'I always tend to have a pair of London Sock Company socks in my bag for those days where I'm not really sure what the weather is doing,' she explains. 'They come in a range of colours and the quality is amazing – they are men's socks but I love them anyway.'
Writer Katherine Ormerod starts wearing her spring wardrobe earlier thanks to the addition of thermal tights. 'I'm a big fan of M&S thermal tights worn under springlike dresses with knee-high boots,' she explains. 'I don't know how people live without them, because they translate so much of my wardrobe across the seasons.'
Merino wool socks, £20, London Sock Company; 200 denier thermal fleece lined tights, £8, Marks & Spencer; Swedish Stockings fishbone tights, £39, Toast
Remember: scarves aren't just for winter
From the street style set to the red carpet, the fashion cognoscenti are loving scarves right now. Not only do they add a little Old Hollywood glamour, but they also keep your neck warm – one of the first areas that can feel a nip in the air when it's cold.
'I always carry around one of our Rixo Julian scarves – when it's cold I wrap it around my neck numerous times and tie in a tight knot to keep my neck really warm,' explains Rix. 'If it then brightens up, you can wear it really loose, more draped, as a styling piece.'
You could also try the ultimate Gen Z styling hack: tying your scarf around your head like a bonnet. 'I always leave umbrellas on trains and they become cumbersome in my bag, especially when wet, so I have taken to wearing a knitted triangle scarf around my neck,' shares fashion editor Alexandra Stedman. 'It keeps my neck warm, with the added bonus of when it rains, I loop it over my head like the late Queen. I might look mad, but it really is freeing and I think it's quite chic.'
Crinkled georgette scarf, £65, Rixo; Merino wool triangle scarf, £49, Tartan Blanket Co
Embrace the cardi-naissance
If in doubt, you can always count on a cardigan. The street-style set in London, Milan and Copenhagen have been wearing theirs as tops with the bottom buttons left undone for a hint of midriff, but perhaps an easier way for us normal folk to style them is over a long-sleeved white T-shirt, à la Hailey Bieber. You could even opt for a twinset vibe, with a matching cardigan and knit vest.
'I think the cardigan comeback is an absolute boon for fool's spring,' says Ormerod. 'What I favour is a fine knit in a mohair, which, importantly, needs to be nipped in at the waist and cropped above the hip. Sometimes cardies can kill a look, but when you get just the right cut they offer warmth on top of dresses and separates. I love my Dôen Petra cardie – worth every penny of investment.'
Scottish wool cardigan, £290, Navygrey; Cotton stitch detail cardigan, £98, Boden; Cropped wool cardigan, £85, Cos
Switch your boots for patent shoes
Now is the time to start phasing out your winter boots, which, let's face it, have probably seen quite a battering by now. While it's not quite time to reach for the mesh ballet flats or sandals yet, a heeled patent pump will keep your feet dry if it rains. 'I love wearing a patent shoe at this time. I just feel like they are so much more resilient but moving away from boot territory,' says fashion PR Alexandra Carello. 'I am currently in love with my Jennifer Chamandi Mattia pumps in cherry patent with a block heel. I wear them with thin tights underneath either patterned or plain, just for an extra layer of warmth and no cold feet.'
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'More structured Mary Janes in patent are the perfect in-between footwear option,' agrees Ormerod. 'They manage so well in the rain and they are perennially chic. Sézane has an awesome selection of Mary Janes, which can be worn with sheer or opaque tights.'
Black patent Mary-Janes, £200, Bobbies; Paula babies, £160, Sezane; Bordeaux-red block-heel Mary-Janes, £295, Russell & Bromley
Layer a poncho over your jacket
Another Y2K trend that has made a surprise comeback this season is the poncho, seen on the runways at Rabanne, Chloé and Moschino. An evolution of the cape coat, ponchos are effortless and easy to style, with their loose fit and draped silhouette. What's more, they are great for this time of year as they can be styled over whatever you're wearing, whether that's an optimistic roll neck or a full-on trench coat. While the millennium version was largely boho in vibe with tassels, the 2025 take is more quiet luxury – and even waterproof, as was the case at Chloé.
'I love to layer a shirt with a jacket and then my Carolina Herrera poncho, which you can easily fling over your shoulders at any moment,' shares Carello. 'I have had this one for years and always bring it out at this time of year. Like Goldilocks, I find it just right for the weather now – any sooner it's too cold and any later too hot, but right now it is the perfect supporting layer that you can easily throw on or take off. Mine is a wool blend in taupe that largely goes with anything.'
Another clever option? A waterproof with carry straps. 'The Meriweather Anna Trench coat [£440, reduced from £740, Meriwether ] is the perfect mix of style and function,' says fashion influencer Kelly Eastwood. 'It's breathable, waterproof, and effortlessly versatile. The best part? Its interior carry straps make it easy to slip on and off during those inevitable temperature swings, so I'm always prepared without the hassle.'
Asymmetric cashmere cape, £149, Massimo Dutti
Think natural fibres
While balmier temperatures might have you reaching for your pretty polyester summer dresses, consider sticking to layers of natural fibres for the time being. Personally, we love a roll neck under a shirt for a 1960s Parisian intellectual vibe – very on trend for next season.
'No one wants to overheat in polyester one minute and freeze the next,' explains Pip Durell, the founder of With Nothing Underneath. 'I love our brushed cotton shirts layered up with knits and jackets. You'd think a brushed cotton was just for winter, but worn solo it's a lovely soft and easy piece – and layered up it's an effective keeper of warmth. I like a T-shirt then fine cashmere under it and a jacket over, giving me the option of one or four layers in one outfit. Ideally the sun comes out and I'm left with just the T-shirt and shirt, easy and chic.'
Brushed cotton-Merino wool-blend shirt, £120, WNU; Skims stretch cotton-jersey T-shirt, £48,