For some, Easter is a time for reflection, family togetherness and religious ritual. Maybe with a side of egg-dyeing and core-memory formation for the kids, too. For others, it might be a long weekend – cause enough to celebrate in itself – which marks the kickoff to spring dressing.
As for what makes the holiday feel like such a new beginning, we have an idea: it’s the fashion. The look most associated with Easter – sugar-almond pastels, uplifting prints, floral everything – can’t help but feel refreshing for winter-weary wardrobes.
Should you find yourself with empty hours to fill, the weekend’s status as the unofficial start of spring means that it’s also the optimal time to conduct your seasonal closet switchover. Audit your winter clothes as you take them out of circulation, and reacquaint yourself with your warm-weather outfits. Consider it a clever way to assess what you need for the coming season.
Wherever your plans for the weekend may take you, here’s our guide to how to dress for it. Chocolate eggs not included.
Read on to find out what to wear on Easter
CHURCH SERVICE
Even sporadic churchgoers will know that after the wintry formality of Christmas, Easter outfits are a lighter affair. Compared to the former’s red and green velvets, thick tights and wool coats, the latter is as fresh as a bouquet of tulips.
Embrace the lighter side of church dressing with a dress that will uplift the coming season. Celebrate the first flowers of spring in our Mystic Floral Print Cap Sleeve Maxi Dress. Its elegant, figure-skimming cut makes it as suited to services as a summer party later in the year. For solids, try our tulip-red or spring green Cap Sleeve Midi Dress – its adjustable neckline, neat waist and elegant skirt make it just right, whichever color you choose.
If you’re up for showing the brighter side of suiting, try our Contour Jacket and Skirt Co-ord. The neat jacket and full skirt create a classic, mid century silhouette, while the perfect pink hue brings new energy. Just add spring accessories, like our pearl-embellished strappy sandals.
FAMILY LUNCH
This is the Easter weekend event with the greatest range of possible dress codes. Maybe you’re going to your mother-in-law’s for a catered, white tablecloth luncheon for 30 (wear a hat). Maybe it’s a casual roast chicken with friends, followed by a spring amble.
The one constant will be food, so wear clothes you can feel as comfortable sitting as standing in, and which don’t get in the way of dessert. Our silk-cotton flower-print midi dress comes with an optional belt, to create a more fitted or looser look; and elastic wrists, to keep pushed-up sleeves in place and out of the way.
Of course, tabletop dressing means that the only part of your outfit most people will see is the top half. Make it count with a pretty printed blouse or gently puffed-sleeve top, yours to wear open over a tank top or buttoned up. Both suit our Goes-With-Everything jean (the hint is in the name). A statement necklace will do the rest of the work for you. Bon appétit.
EASTER EGG HUNT
A holiday that’s all about rebirth and new beginnings calls for the freshest of spring looks. Take palette inspiration from Easter eggs themselves. That means soft pastels, freshly bloomed florals and energizing color.
For something with a springier pep, don’t eat your spring greens; wear green dresses – our smocked V-neck slub cotton dress is like a shot of wheatgrass for your wardrobe. Bonus: it’ll remain comfortable no matter how many times your tiny egg-seekers ask you to crouch to peer under a bush.
If grass stains aren’t a concern, a pretty lace-trim blouse tucked into wide-leg trousers will make a chic start to the season. Be sure to pack a transitional jacket in case the weather turns. And remember, the right footwear is key: Fresh sneakers or a wedge heel will keep you from sinking into the lawn as you pursue well-hidden eggs.
TRAVEL TIME
Not too hot, no longer too cold, just enough time to get away – canny planners know that Easter weekend can be the perfect time for a quick trip. Wherever you’re heading, chances are good that you won’t need to bother with all the bulky layers that weighed you down for winter travel. Instead, glide through the airport in our bright-red swing dress or navy ponte midi-dress and sneakers.
If pants are more your thing and you loved last year’s cargo trousers, then you’re going to want to get to know our cotton cargo culottes. The shape couldn’t be easier to wear with fitted tanks and open shirts, and they come in khaki – the non-color of the season.
Our new take on the denim jacket (it’s cropped and features architectural patch pockets, for a more grown-up, minimal feel) makes a perfect just-in-case layer for any travel outfit. Because you never know what the airplane AC might throw at you…