Over the past couple of years, Arizona has experienced what I can only describe as a partial identity crisis. Usually by May, it’s just flat out summer, and you accept that the temperature is only going up and staying up until….Lord knows when. But recently, there’s been a window where, for a few weeks, I genuinely don’t know what to wear. I know this is probably standard for most people who live in places where seasons are clearly defined. It’s called the transition. It’s not cold enough for layers but not hot enough to go with straight up bare legs at 9 am. Your winter pieces are exhausting, but the summer wardrobe isn’t quite ready to carry all the weight. I wish I could live in this window every year, but I don’t. Here, your winter closet goes away the first week of March and isn’t seen again until at least November. I may not have a ‘transition’ period like everyone else with real seasons, but I have strong opinions about how to dress through it. Ha.

The good news: the current moment in fashion is actually really good for this in-between stretch. A lot is happening; some of it is expected, and some of it is surprising, but most of it translates well to the shoulder season without feeling forced. These are the pieces I’m paying attention to right now, and honestly, most of them will still be in the rotation right through the summer.

Sheer Skirts

Look, the sheer skirt is unavoidable at this point, and honestly, I’m pretty obsessed. They have been on every runway that matters, and they aren’t really going anywhere soon, and I’m fine with that. If you’ve been resistant, and I understand the resistance, the styling move that makes it actually wearable is simple: go longer on top. A longline shirt or a knit that falls past the hip takes the look from costume to deliberate, and suddenly you’re in the conversation instead of watching from the sidewalk. For the summer, it’s also just a practical choice. Sheer fabric and a heat advisory have a lot in common.

Wedge Pumps

Controversial? Sure. But fashion people have signed off, and once that happens, you either have to get on board early, or you’ll end up saying “okay, I actually get it now” when fall comes around. When you hear “wedge,” it’s hard not to think of beachy wedges with cork and raffia heels, but the wedge you need to get on board with is much cooler and much more fashionable. It’s the shoe equivalent of something your most stylish friend wore three years ago that you thought was too much, and then suddenly it was perfect. I’m watching this one closely because just look at those Totême babies? Talk about being particularly persuasive.

Dressy Shorts

I’m not talking about denim cutoffs right now. I’m talking about my favorite type of shorts: dressy shorts. The ones that are taking over runways - more elevated shorts made of silk, suede, leather, and anything that reads as put together over casual. The reason this works is the same reason a great blazer works: it tells people you thought about it. One shoe swap and you’ve got completely different looks out of the same piece. Stella McCartney and Isabel Marant have been building this case for a couple of seasons now, and I think they are absolutely right.

Romantic Blouses

Bohemian is back in a lot of ways, but the blouse specifically has my attention. Balloon sleeves, peasant cuts, anything with a lot of ruffle energy are all having a moment, and I think it’s well-deserved. There’s a reason this silhouette keeps cycling back: it’s actually flattering, it photographs beautifully, and it works for nearly any occasion. The desert has already started heating up for summer, so luckily, this is a piece I want to wear in the heat.

Derby Shoes

I wasn’t expecting to be this interested in a lace-up Oxford situation because somehow I get triggered thinking of them from years ago. The derby shoe is threading a very specific needle. It has the comfort of a trainer but lands closer to a loafer in polish, which makes it a genuinely good option across more outfit styles than the alternatives. With wide-leg trousers, it is an intentional look, while with denim, it looks cool without really trying. That combination of function and quiet elegance is exactly what we want from a shoe right now.

Lace Trim Shorts

I have a feeling I’m going to get sick of these shortly because they are literally everywhere; however, for right now, I’m all for it. A softer, more feminine take on the shorts moment has lace trim details on otherwise simple shorts, and feels dressed-up without crossing into occasion wear. The lace does the work, but you don’t have to. These are the kind of pieces that you can see pairs well with a simple tank or a crisp button-down and still manage to look like you put thought into the whole outfit.

Tank Dresses

Sometimes the trend that gets the most airtime isn’t the one that actually gets the most wear, and I think the tank dress is going to prove that point this season. I honestly love a good tank dress. It’s not complicated. It doesn’t ask you to commit to a whole aesthetic or mood. It’s just a dress that works with every jacket in your closet right now and looks as good with flat sandals when the temperatures finally decide for you. Sometimes the basics win, and I could live in these all summer long.

Sleeveless Turtleneck

The sleeveless turtleneck is one of my favorite closet pieces, and this spring it’s continuing to do something interesting: give you the clean, pulled-together look of a knit without the heat commitment. For the transition months, it’s an easy way to keep a polished neckline while the rest of the outfit shifts toward more warm-weather pieces. It layers well, it photographs well, and it bridges the gap between “sweater mode” and “ready for summer” in a way that isn’t a compromise.

The Bottom Line

The transition to summer doesn’t have to create or feel like some wardrobe identity crisis. Most of these pieces are going to carry straight through to August without needing much thought. The sheer skirt, the tank dress, the lace trim shorts - they all make more sense in the heat anyway. The ones that feel more transitional, like a sleeveless turtleneck, are flexible enough to keep working. The point isn’t to buy everything at once. It’s to pick two or three things that actually make sense for your summer and start there.

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