Dressing for Spring in Scotland is no easy feat.
Frequent downpours and quite often, snow, hinder even the faintest glimmer of legs or bare shoulders late into March and early April. The rest of the world is beginning to sun their wintered skin while the students of St Andrews are still reaching for thermals as they head out to battle the elements.
Nevertheless, I asked four students what fashion debuts they are most excited for this spring as we all look forward to some sunnier, maybe even warmer days.
The key takeaway from this is that trends are absent – the things students are excited about are tried-and-tested items already hanging in their cupboards. A fashion spring cleaning is taking place, rather than the purchase of a refreshed wardrobe, consisting of reusing, repairing and rejuvenating the old to accept the new season. All are gender neutral and versatile – something for everyone.
Combining heavy knits and sheer layers
Whether it’s mohair and frilly lace, a pair of woolly socks and a mini skirt, or a sheer polka dot skirt and chunky-knit jumper, the hybrid of sheer and opaque is timeless, and perfect for spring. Warm enough for the gloomier mornings but delicate enough to cater to the, if nothing else, mental shedding of layers that comes along with spring, one St Andrews student is excited to show off a bit more flair with their fashion, rather than covering it all up with a coat.
Whether it’s mohair and frilly lace, a pair of woolly socks and a mini skirt, or a sheer polka dot skirt and chunky-knit jumper, the hybrid of sheer and opaque is timeless, and perfect for spring. Warm enough for the gloomier mornings but delicate enough to cater to the, if nothing else, mental shedding of layers that comes along with spring, one St Andrews student is excited to show off a bit more flair with their fashion, rather than covering it all up with a coat.
Brighter colours
One of the classic joys of warmer weather and flowers blooming is matching the natural world around us with more vibrancy and playfulness in our colour palettes. Students have already begun to incorporate baby yellows, blues and oranges in his wardrobe and are looking forward to adding more as the weather heats up! Adding sunnier colours to our lifestyle and fashion choices helps to brighten the darker days which characterise so much of St Andrews life.
Non Gore-Tex Shoes
*Doubtful that this will happen before June
A sturdy pair of waterproof, yet somewhat chic, shoes are essential to my own wardrobe while at University, but even my Gore-Tex loving friends are looking forward to freeing their feet from the confines of closed-toe, heeled boots and slipping into a pair of ballet flats or loafers. Easily spicing up any pair of jeans and a jumper-combo, shoes which suit a warmer and less pedestrian environment than St Andrews might be considered, will soon grace the streets!
Sunnies
From October to March, there is very limited UV and sunshine in this corner of East Fife, meaning sunglasses are usually a choice of accessorising rather than of practicality. However, as spring descends, more and more St Andrews students are ready to embrace some vitamin D and, perhaps, as vacation week rolls around in March, get some real sunshine while protecting their eyes with the sleekest or most diva-like glasses they can find.
Bigger the better, or tiny and rectangular - whichever choice one makes, the chance to don sunglasses is creeping up on us (at last)!
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