What I Wore Recently: Spring 2026
While I regularly share what I wore on Instagram, I wanted to recap some of my most recent outfits for Spring 2026. It has been cold, it has been hot, it has been rainy, and sunny, and a bit of everything here in DC so these looks really span the seasons even though they're all within a few weeks.
For reference, I am a 51-year-old who is 5'3″ and usually wears a size 14 petite, sometimes 16 petite. When things are still in stock I will link to them, but I do wear a lot of old pieces or items I have thrifted or bought secondhand online.
What I Wore Recently: Midsize, Midlife, and Mid Weather in Spring
One of the colder days, I decided to wear some of my favorite cold-weather clothes. The dress is from the Christopher John Rogers x J. Crew collaboration from 2024 (XL). While I have worn this dress in the past, I didn't wear it all this past winter so it needed it's moment in the sun before being packed until fall.
The coat is Ann Taylor and I got it a year or two ago. The bag is Proenza Schouler White Label and a year or two old, as well. The boots are my beloved crumbling Ros Hommerson knee-high boots that are older than my daughter (who was touring colleges this past spring break!).
Considering I shopped the Christopher John Rogers collab with J. Crew and the Christopher John Rogers collection at Target, it should be no surprise I shopped the latest collab CJR had at Old Navy. While most was returned, I kept this striped sweater and matching skirt (both size L).
To meet a friend for breakfast, I kept it casual and comfy with Birkenstock Arizona sandals I got a few years ago, and a Mansur Gavriel raffia bag I borrowed from Rent the Runway (code RTRXAGARY for 60% off your first month). The earrings I've had a few years; I think I got them at Etsy.
I have been an election judge (AKA a poll worker) for my county for a few years now. Before each election, we are retrained at the Board of Elections. I had my training session a couple of weeks ago and this is what I wore.
The sweater and matching skirt are from Ann Taylor and I featured them in my spring trends post about pointelle being big this year and in this capsule wardrobe. Both are LP. The bag is J.W.Anderson, also borrowed from Rent the Runway. The ankle boots are Naturalizer and I have had them for several years. The earrings are the “Wilma” from Lele Sadoughi.
Our dog Oscar isn't the best walker and prefers being a passenger princess in his chariot. However, since we got Bowser, he does get out and walk some of the time. For a recent walk/push of the dogs, I wore this look. We did about four miles.
The top is Athleta (L), the hat is from Onward Together, the leggings are from Wool& (L) and they made me a wool leggings convert. They were comfortable, kept their shape, and the pockets are roomy enough for a disposable water bottle or a wristlet-style wallet/bag. Prescription glasses are Ray-Ban, trail sneakers are Brooks.
I have always loved Lingua Franca's embroidered sweaters and didn't realize the label had a regular apparel collection until they sent me this blazer. It's so luxe; those buttons are freshwater pearl beads! I'm wearing an XL.
I styled it with a graphic t-shirt (L) from the Juliette Lewis x WILDFANG collection. The jeans are Ruti, 14 petite (ALISON15 for 15% off). The shoes are Camper (I told you they're wide foot friendly!).
A relative had a milestone birthday party mid-day, and I knew it would be primarily outside. I had recently rented this top from Rent the Runway (XXL) and it's comfortable yet fun and a bit festive. I styled it over Quince jeans (32 x 30) and my trusty Adidas shelltoes.
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Love to see colourful looks! just wondering where your fabulous tortoiseshell glasses are from, Alison? love the shape!
Thank you! They are Prada, I got them at LensCrafters, it’s a style only available there through a partnership https://go.shopmy.us/p-51926398
Nice seeing a what I wore recap. You mention that most were shared on IG. I’m finding IG to be more & more frustrating. Even with following & favoriting, I’m having to resort to searching for the accounts I follow. It’s getting to be as useless as Facebook. (no surprise since they are owned by the same company.)
And Alison. When are you going to bite the bullet & get a custom pair of boots made to replace the Ros’s? I think if you sat down & did the math, it would work out.
You are so right, I totally need to. And I need to before next fall!
I was thinking about you when I bought the old navy CJR sweater/skirt set, because I remembered your post on the J Crew dress. I like it, too but I don’t know how I feel about the big keyhole back, though I will probably keep because… CJR striped set!Do you think the skirt can be styled on its own?
Overall, I thought the quality was good, but I didn’t see a lot for I thought would work for me. I kept the big circle scarf and brown jogger-ish barrel pants. I’m interested in what you didn’t keep and why.
The skirt is too long on me so I don’t know if I will wear it solo but some ideas:
– A button front shirt tied at the waist. White, denim, chambray, classic blue
– A graphic t-shirt tied at the waist or tucked in, with or without a topper/jacket
– A shorter sweater that is black or picks up one of the colors in the skirt
– A black fitted turtleneck, tucked in with a belt of some sort (maybe an obi/wrap style) or untucked
Thanks – these are great idea that would really suit me.
That coat! My favorite color, but hard to find in outerwear. Wool& is the best! I’ve been wearing their summit straight leg pocket leggings all winter. They look like pants, but are so, so comfy!
Right? Shorts are the WORST, and it’s so weird because pants of the same cut aren’t that insulting! Do try a pair a size larger, you’ll be surprised by how comfy they are and how they are more flattering too!
Thanks Betsie!
In the photos above I’m wearing a black bra, which shows a hint. It’s surprisingly opaque; a skin-colored bra would disappear under it.