Choosing what to wear in Spring in the UK can often feel like a roll of the dice when mornings can feel crisp, afternoons turn balmy, and a sudden shower might roll in without warning. The key to dressing well right now isn't piling on heavy pieces - the smart approach calls for building looks with lightweight, textured, and versatile layers that adapt as the day does. Moreover, they need to be compiled in such a way that you can add or remove them without your outfit falling apart.
Big Coat Albers Khaki
Big Coat Albers Khaki
Utility Trousers Westall Denim
Utility Trousers Westall Denim
One really easy approach is thinking in threes: Start with a base layer for comfort, add a mid layer for warmth and texture, then finish with a light outer layer for protection. This way you avoid overly bulking layers, but can guarantee warmth and weather-proofing if things turn for the worse. More directional styling can point to double collars and shirts under shirts but most of the time, you don’t want to overcomplicate it. Ground your colour palette in our favourite tones for this season: chocolate, slate great, tobacco, and sun-faded blues, with tactile fabrics like our new tropical wool, linen-cotton blends, and indigo-dyed pieces.
For easy and stylish spring layering that anyone can implement, follow these tips:
Mix Textures for Depth
Contrast is your friend, especially when it comes to spring fabrics: smooth cotton jersey under slubby linen; indigo-dyed denim peeking from a textured knit, or a soft knit over a structured shirt. This is especially useful when you are being restrictive with colour. Either way, textured looks are so much more interesting than flat cotton over flat cotton.
Hardwick Jacket Westall Denim
Hardwick Jacket Westall Denim
Use Colour and Pattern Sparingly
At Oliver Spencer, our spring palettes tend to lean neutral-to-soft with occasional bolder accents. This makes styling that much easier and prevents you from erring on the side of a kaleidoscope. Opting for a tonal approach, or monochrome layering - ie sticking to a variety of browns or blues for example - is both easy, minimalist, and looks sophisticated. Keep patterns subtle too. A good rule of thumb is to wear stripes and checks on the inside and solid colours on the outside.
Choose Functional Outer Layers
Prioritise pieces that work alone or layered: an unlined trench for rain protection and polish, a chore or bomber for casual days, or a lightweight blazer for smarter moments. These adapt to temperature swings and tie the look together. Standouts in the Spring 26 collection include our Big Coat in Albers, which is a contemporary take on the classic trench coat, crafted from a lightweight water-repellent technical cotton cloth, and our Bembridge jacket, a short Harrington style cut from the same weather-beating fabric.
Big Coat Albers Charcoal
Big Coat Albers Charcoal
Every Layer Should Stand Alone
Build outfits where each piece looks good solo. That way, if you peel off the outer layer at lunch, you're not left looking like a jigsaw puzzle with a missing piece. This is a good rule for dressing for any season, but especially spring. There’s nothing worse than the sun making an appearance one afternoon but you can’t remove your chunky knit because you’re wearing a diabolical tee underneath. Ensure you’ve got a good rotation of quality basics that will never show you up.
