Spring in Ottawa? Three Wild Women Know What to Wear

What in the heck are you going to wear?

It’s still cold enough in the mornings that I’m slippin’ and slidin’ on the ice, by midday I may as well switch to flip flops and by evening I’m just ready to give up.

Here’s how to dress for the Ottawa spring, according to Three Wild Women that is! I brought in Les and Deb to help me with their suggestions on this one so you can get the opinions of all of us gals. 

The backstory so you know where we’re all coming from,

Les drives in from the Ottawa Valley each day, so she’s our commuter. She loves the drive, she loves being at home in the evenings and will, on occasion, go out for a nice dinner with her friends before leaving the city.

Deb lives in the city but she likes to get her move on. She’s always doing something, she crafts, she builds furniture, she reads books, she needs her clothes to work with her and she’s got a very classic style.

And finally, me - Helen, I take care of my grandchildren, go to the movies and if I’m not in the shop I’m out doing all sorts of errands and running around. Don’t ask me when I’m going to slow down, I have no idea.

Okay Girls, so what are we wearing for the morning, before coming to work?

Les: If I’m just around the house getting myself ready to go, I’m often in one of my Habitat tunics. It’s machine washable, stretch and long sleeve. I’ll just wear it with leggings and my slippers. Now, I’m not going outside before it warms up mind you, but I have of course. I just pop a jacket on overtop and out the door.

Deb: You know Les, I’m in Habitat too! But I’m layered up. See, I like to go for a walk in the morning and right around this time of year I bring out my quilted vests. The one I’ve been loving lately is yellow and it’s just so bright and colourful. Great when you really need that punch of colour to get your day started. I’ll wear it with my Charlie B jeans and a long sleeve, layer it up with a jacket and I’m off!

 
Hel: You put on jeans first thing in the morning?!

Deb: Oh, but they’re so stretchy! You hardly realize that they’re jeans. And you know me, I’m going to be running late anyway so that way I look nice and when I get home, I brush my hair and I’m out the door. What are you wearing in the morning?

Hel: Well, I’m up and at’em in the mornings, I’m usually at the shop pretty early so I just change out of my PJ’s and into my outfit for the day. These days though I’ve really had to think about layers so I’ve been wearing my Lasania Cardigan, you know the one that’s on sale now? It’s my favourite and it goes with everything. Those new Habitat flood pants with my high boots and a t-shirt. Now, I’ll change into my sandals when I get to the shop but I do quite like the look of the boots with the shorter pant these days.

Les: Oh, that’s interesting, I’ll have to try that. I bought those barrel pants you brought in Hel and I haven’t figured out how I’m going to wear them just yet, so I’ll try that. A boot.

Deb: What are you wearing in to the shop Les? You haven’t told us.

Les: This weather has been a nightmare to work around, I’ve also been layering but I like quite a clean style, So I’ve been doing the classic Foxcroft blouse with that new Charlie B Sweater, you know the one with the daisies? I need something to feel like spring but that way, if I get too hot, I can take it off and still feel quite put together. Just with my good old straight leg black pants.

Deb: We really need to work together on the same shift one of these days, that sounds lovely! And I think we’re all on the same page for layering really?

Hel: I think so? What else are you supposed to do with this weather?

Deb: But how do you explain layering to someone who needs help with it?

Les: Oh, that’s easy. Pick a direction and go backwards. So, what I mean by that is, each layer is an outfit. Start with your direction - are you going to take off or put on - and build from there. For instance with my outfit. I know I want to layer on top because I always get hot in the afternoons here, so don’t start with the sweater, start with the shirt. Then find something to go on top of the shirt.

Hel: And same goes the other way, if you always get cold, you’re going to want to make sure you plan for your sweater first.

Deb: You ladies are a wealth of information.

Hel: That’s why you come to Three Wild Women