Thanks to Denver’s swiftly changing weather, planning a cohesive outfit for an entire day—say, one that starts in the mid-30s, hits 68 degrees in the afternoon, and then cools off again—often feels like an impossible task. So we asked five local boutique owners to share their top wardrobe picks for this season’s fluctuating temperatures, as well as how to style them. Read on to find out exactly what your wardrobe needs to survive our roller-coaster spring.


Vibrant Jacket: Whether it’s one-half of a sleek pantsuit (yes, matchy-matchy is back) or a way to dress up a pair of jeans or shorts, a well-tailored jacket is a must-have. Garbarini owner Terri Garbarini suggests wearing this electric blue Smythe sharp shoulder blazer ($569; pictured, above) with a dark jean or a navy or black trouser. When summer arrives, it’ll go great with white jeans (skinny or flare), a walking short, or even a pencil skirt. 239 Detroit St.; 303-333-8686

Oversized T-Neck: Substitute a mid-season trench coat or leather jacket for a substantial, yet chic, sweater. Follow Cedar & Hyde co-owner Poss Lambert’s lead by wearing this Lauren Manoogian hand-knit, cotton and merino wool turtleneck ($460) with a pair of skinny jeans or distressed boyfriend-cut army pants. 2015 10th St., Boulder; 720-287-3900

Flared-Crop Pants: If you’ve been avoiding the crop pant trend, it’s time to get on board because it’s cropping up (sorry, couldn’t resist) everywhere, in a variety of cuts and lengths. Allison Patrick, owner of Dragonfly in Highland, suggests trying a denim version with a baby flare, which is easy to wear almost any time of year. She styles Mother Denim‘s Insider crop in an almost pitch black hue ($185) with her favorite ankle boots, a basic tee, and a light leather jacket. 3615 W. 32nd Ave.; 303-433-6331

Sheath Dress: Dresses are an easy everday option, and you can simply rotate accessories for a new look. Hailee Grace owners Hailee Satterfield and Grace Buttorff pick this ’70s-inspired sheath version by RD Style ($66) as the perfect spring piece. Wear it now with a head-turning pair of lace-up, peep-toe booties and a light olive, blush, or cream-colored trench coat. On-trend gladiator sandals and a metal statement necklace (I suggest a torque) take the staple right into summer. 1423 Larimer St.; 303-698-2323

Novelty Cardigan: Button-up cardigans are a classic layering piece. Take this basic into new territory with some texture. At Blue Ruby, owner Julie Watson—who is currently obsessing over fashion’s boy-meets-girl fixation —pairs this tactile Odd Molly For The Love cardigan ($210) with a feminine, pale pink silk camisole, cuffed boyfriend jeans (try these from AG), and men’s-inspired patent leather loafers or lace-ups. (Bonus tip: For summer, keep the cami but go with a white short or trouser instead.) 1428 Larimer St.; 720-259-0031

Follow fashion editor Georgia Benjou on Twitter at @gabenjou, Pinterest at gabenjou, and Instagram at gabenjou.