Seasons change — spring, summer, autumn, winter — but do they still hold any value? The idea of the four seasons originates from an era when a) weather patterns were more dependable, and b) societal norms dictated everything from the appropriate footwear for summer (yes, patent shoes) to color coordination. These days, October can be warmer than May, and we confidently mix pink with red. It’s far more practical to embrace the TikTok generation’s fresh approach, which introduces a new “core” style almost every day and segments the year into micro-seasons that resonate with our true lifestyle — online and offline.
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Contents
- 1 Knitted hood season: January/February
- 2 March: the season of coat loathing
- 3 April: fake spring
- 4 May: optimistic sandal-shopping season
- 5 June: Austen heroine season
- 6 July/August: summer personality transplant season
- 7 September: back to school
- 8 October: Princess Diana weather
- 9 Late October/November: pumpkin spice season
- 10 December: velvet bow season
Knitted hood season: January/February
Let’s be honest: you’ve misplaced the Ganni beanie your sister gifted you for Christmas (lost under a pub bench or on public transport?). Rather than replacing it, consider opting for a hood or a knitted bonnet. Brands like Chinti & Parker, Rise & Fall, and Damson Madder provide the warmth you seek without the hassle of storage — just slide it back when you’re done. Voilà: you have an instant snood.
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March: the season of coat loathing
If I could witness a woman gazing at her partner with the same disdain I have for my winter coat by mid-March, I’d bet their relationship is nearing its end. By this point, we’ve experienced the on-and-off struggle of coats for about five or six months — essentially a lifetime in fashion. There comes a time when we collectively declare: enough is enough. Unfortunately, this moment often hits before it’s sensible to shove that hefty coat deep into the closet. Note: coat-loathing season might extend into …
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April: fake spring
Just when you believed it was safe to stow away the winter coat … it snows. This phenomenon is also referred to as gotcha weather (it looks promising until you step on an uneven cobblestone, splashing cold puddle water up your jeans); farewell tights time (are you ready for it?); or, more intriguingly, gluggavedur — an Icelandic term meaning “window weather,” indicating it appears lovely outside while it’s quite frigid. Keep the coat handy, but lift your spirits by starting to plan that summer getaway.
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May: optimistic sandal-shopping season
Perhaps you’re planning a trip to the Caribbean in May. Or maybe your closest encounter with a beach will be fantasizing about the warmth of the sun between your toes in hot sand. The items in your shopping cart reflect Future You’s aspirations: chic sandals (to replace last summer’s pair, which are now merely … sandals) and breezy dresses that could be appropriate now, provided you layer with the right jacket or cardigan. You could view this micro-season as evidence of hope prevailing over reality or just label it “future planning.”
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June: Austen heroine season
This is the month when the climate becomes pleasant enough for us all to embody the spirit of the Bennet sisters and enjoy the outdoors. Picture airy white dresses, straw hats, and numerous strolls in the park. Don’t forget to find a Mr Darcy to carry your picnic basket, or it might ruin the aesthetic.
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July/August: summer personality transplant season
“This macramé dress is incredibly versatile, I can envision wearing it both in Zakynthos and back home in Glasgow,” proclaimed no one ever. Yet, as soon as warmth arrives, we all dive into buying raffia bags, sunglasses shaped like flowers or palm trees, and linen shirts adorned with whimsical prints.
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September: back to school
Ah, the time of year when you, as an adult who hasn’t set foot in a school since ages ago, gain an inexplicable desire to pick up a plaid kilt, black T-bar shoes, a tidy cardigan, and brand-new stationery. Ready with that bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils.
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October: Princess Diana weather
While some prefer to don an oversized sweatshirt paired with bike shorts and sports socks at any time, others recognize that it’s best to save it for those sunny days with a slight chill in the air — the perfect moment for recreating Princess Diana’s beloved athleisure look. This period blends elements like bare legs/big knit sweaters, blazers and large scarves, knee-high boots, and the first tights of the season.
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Late October/November: pumpkin spice season
As certainly as parents indulge in their children’s Halloween treats, late autumn signals the start of wrapping ourselves in shades of orange, russet, ochre, and brown — the hues reflective of fallen leaves. This warm palette resonates with the seasonal guilty pleasure of pumpkin spice lattes (don’t pretend you haven’t enjoyed one), hence the term.
December: velvet bow season
What’s festive for wreaths is also suitable for dresses, shoes, hair accessories, handbags, cardigans, and party tops. An unwritten rule seems to dictate that adorning any item with a velvet bow renders it holiday-ready. We suggest embracing this trend. Or rather, why not tie one on? (See also: sequin season, feather season, tartan season, mascara-stain season.)
Style Hunter
