Stylist Shan Williams talks you through that tricky seasonal change from warm winter coats to lighter summer weight ones — and helps you look stylish en route

WITH the driest and sunniest April on record for decades most of us have already started considering getting out our summer wardrobes and the retailers are delighted as their summer stocks are already selling. I have even seen the odd brave soul with their white legs on display – it’s not that warm yet I thought to myself!

So even though there have been some really hot days, as we head through from Spring to Summer in the UK we usually continue to get a chill in the air until well into July. So the answer to everyone’s wardrobe dilemma is a transitional coat.

Whether it’s Burberry’s busy patterned trench or Gucci’s seventies suede, there’s a design-inspired cover up in the shops for you to keep out that chill.

Personally, my transitional coat of choice has been the busy patterned trench, I spotted it (with name on it, you understand!) in a boutique in Swansea two weeks ago. It was one of those moments, you fall in love with an item of clothes and just have to have it – you know the feeling? I was very glad of it standing shivering on Swindon station catching the 6.27 am train to London last week. Just enough warmth for that situation, but not too hot when the sun came out later and travelling on stuffy warm underground trains between meetings.

So as well as the trench – a fashion staple – but available this season in the fabulous bright patterns cultivated for Spring, what other trends could also be your cover-up of choice?

The suede. Thanks to the heavy seventies influence, soft suede is big news. This is your need to know fabric for this season and you will find it in buttery camels and beiges to help you look ‘trés chic’. It’s also surprisingly well priced.

The Citrus – soak up this season’s zesty influence in a sunshine yellow or muted lemon coat. It’s an instant outfit brightener. Opt for a strict collarless shape with exposed zip or to add a squeeze of romance buy one with a back bow. Make sure you have a warm skin tone with this one or it will make your skin-tone look sallow and you will look more winter than summer.

The jackets. Choose from white which looks equally as sharp worn in the cold or for a Spring layer or denim which shouldn’t be underestimated this season. Two other choices would be stripes in ‘deck chair’ inspired colours or if you prefer a more toned down look with a military undertone, then khaki is for you.

The real bonus with our transitional jacket is it doesn’t matter what you are wearing underneath you can let your new coat do all the walking and talking!