Story by Ashley White of Le Stylo Rouge | Photos by Sabrina Osborn
Welcome to March in Kansas City, sometimes called “Fool’s Spring.” It’s that special time of year when the weather will flirt with the idea of the spring thaw; a day or two here and there of warm weather, only to slam back down into the 30’s just as quick.
The up-and-down temperatures make getting dressed a bit of a task. Which season to pick? How to stay comfortable and not sacrifice style?
The answer: a bright car coat.
What exactly is a car coat? It’s a medium-weight jacket, typically with a drop-shoulder and a hem that hits anywhere from the knee to mid-thigh. The car coat gets its name from the days when most cars had open tops and riders needed a buffer from the wind.
Now that today’s cars come standard with heating and AC, that medium weight means the car coat can keep you comfortable on any above-freezing day. I chose a bright plaid – well, two bright plaids, technically – to bring in some serious color and to ensure this coat felt anything but boring.
I love the way the contrasting plaids split right down the middle; it’s a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde fashion moment!
I kept the base of the outfit simple: high-waisted skinny jeans and a white crewneck bodysuit. With loud outerwear like this, your outfit doesn’t need to compete. Both base items are a slimmer fit to balance out the volume of the coat.
Where I did take the opportunity to go bold is with my shoe choice. A pair of heels that mirrored one of the colors in the coat felt like the right move, so make way for these fuchsia pink pumps. This very spring-like hue combined with an exposed ankle made the outfit feel more March than October, which is just what I was going for.
Looking for other ways to usher in a spring vibe? Try a hot pink lip. It’s not quite as holiday as classic red and feels fresh right now after a winter season of berries and crimsons.
