Here comes the sun

Kate Sylvester's 'Sylvester' line. Photo / Supplied.

Time to celebrate - here comes the sun! Oh wait, there it goes again, hidden behind a grey, rain-soaked cloud. You've no doubt been caught out by the fickle weatherman at least once - and probably recently, too. Yes, it's officially spring, but it still feels a little bit like winter.

You know how it goes, the morning starts bright and glorious with sunny, blue skies and just a hint crisp spring air so you throw on your favourite summery dress and a light cardigan, maybe go sans tights for the first time in ages and head out the door, rejoicing at the first signs of the new season.

Then two hours later, huge gusts of wind have ruined your hair or a sudden downpour has left you standing under a tree feeling like a cold, rain-soaked twit.

It is that special time of year when it can seem impossible to dress weather appropriate. Flick through the pages of your favourite fashion magazine and there will be beautiful summery shoots featuring pieces from the summer collections.

Go shopping and hanging on the racks at your favourite store will be lots of floaty summer dresses, flimsy sheer blouses, delicate lace dresses and pretty short skirts and even little bikinis and one-piece swimsuits. All of which are perfect for the balmy summer nights that lie ahead but not exactly practical at the moment.

Just like all those summery maxi dresses that are starting to reappear in shops again: great for swanning about in on a summer's day, but not so great for walking through puddles.

So what to wear right now, when the temperature can go from spring fresh to boiling in the course of an hour and you're lucky if you can get through the day without a downpour or three? The answer is clever layering - and also a bit of fashion common sense.

Winter coats and jackets may now be too heavy (unless you're deliberately going for the sweaty, hot and bothered look), but lighter layers will keep you just warm enough - and can be thrown off when the sun breaks through the clouds.

And yes, we know you're not a fool: it goes without saying that if you're cold, put on a jumper. Or a cardigan, or sweater or pullover or a jacket.

Cashmere is always a good option - and while expensive, it's a good investment too. To Sir With Love's range of beautifully soft simple cashmere pieces, including sweaters, cardigans and dresses, will protect you from the spring elements while feeling so soft and beautiful against your skin that you'll never want to take them off. Richard Moore also has a good selection of light knitwear to layer, from tunics to cardigans to striped tees and more.

Karen Walker's range of jackets, most with stand-out shoulder detail, are all perfect to wear over lighter pieces too - as is her camel coloured "She's Cracked" trench coat, which will provide chic cover from any unexpected spring showers. So too will Twenty-seven Names' waterproof "Beecroft" trench, if you want something a tad grungier, or Juliette Hogan's sweet oversized trapeze coat. It's light enough to keep you warm on days when the spring air is just a little too fresh, plus it has a hood to conveniently keep your hair safe from the rain.

Cardigans are another great way to cover up against the cold; and while oversized chunky knitwear may be the knit of choice for next winter, right now lighter options are probably more weather appropriate. Kate Sylvester's belted knit cardigans and jackets come in a bold shade of electric blue as well as in nude; she's also done a fantastic grey casual hoodie with frill detail for a girlish touch as part of her younger, cheaper Sylvester line. Cybele has also done a great printed "shawl jacket" which looks fantastic layered casually over pants or leggings. Chain stores like Witchery and Country Road also still have some light cover-ups - cardigans, jackets and preppy-style sweaters - that can be worn over summer dresses or layered over T-shirts. Glassons' painted effect hoodies are also a good casual - and cheap - option.

As for pants, go for those that are cropped - slim-line and casual, finishing just above the ankle to display your shoes. Flats are fine, but chunky heels or sandals with a platform are much better for protecting you from puddles.

Tights are another spring-to-summer wardrobe essential; buy lots of them and wear them with dresses, skirts and maybe even under shorts (perhaps best to steer clear of thick wool tights until winter comes around again). Black opaques - at least 70 denier - are a good starting point, but all kinds will do. Floral print, polka dot, striped, lace, heart prints... TopShop have a wide range of tight designs, and now they ship to New Zealand so you can actually get your hands on them. Closer to home, visit the likes of Farmers or Glassons for some easy and inexpensive choices. And before you know it, it'll be time to ditch them for bare legs, bikinis and sheer fabrics.