Clothes in March

Short answer: March is the least reliable month. The sun is warm at midday, but mornings and evenings are still winter, and the difference can be fifteen degrees in a single day.

Fifteen degrees in one day

From morning to midday the temperature can rise more than in any other month. That makes choosing clothes hard, because what suits seven o'clock is too warm by noon. The answer is layers you can take on and off, rather than one thick layer. See bamboo joggers for men.

The sun fools you

The sun feels warm, but the air is still cold, especially in the shade. Standing in a sheltered sunny spot, it is easy to think spring has arrived. As soon as you turn a corner or the sun goes in, it is winter again. A thin long sleeve top is a good middle step. See long sleeve styles.

Your feet are still in winter

The ground is cold and wet all through March, whatever the air says. Your feet are closest to the ground and feel it first, especially when you stand still. Keep the warm socks a little longer, and bring a spare pair if it has rained. See bamboo socks.

Dress for the morning, remove at noon

A simple way to handle March is to dress for the morning and plan to take something off. A thin base layer, a sweater and a light jacket let you adjust three times during the day. That way you are not stuck with one choice made at seven.

The inner layer stays on

The inner layer is the one you wear all day, and the one you keep from winter the longest. A thin long sleeve layer is pleasant on cold mornings and in heated rooms. Choose a soft fabric that does not rub and can be washed without losing its shape.

The evening turns cold again

When the sun sets in March, the temperature drops quickly. If you have been out all day in a thinner top, the trip home can be cold. Take the jacket with you even if you do not need it at noon, and decide in the evening whether to put it on.

At home in spring

Many people turn the heating down in March, and the house can feel colder in the morning and evening. Soft joggers are nice at home, because they keep you warm without being thick. Put on socks if the floor is cold rather than turning the heating back up.

Washing and switching seasons

March is a good time to look through your wardrobe. Put the thickest winter layers aside, but keep the thin layers and the socks within reach. Wash at 30 or 40 degrees and let bamboo clothing dry flat or on a hanger, so it keeps its shape.

Frequently asked questions

Why is March so hard to dress for

Because the difference between morning and midday can be fifteen degrees. No other month swings as much in a day, so layers work best.

What is the most common mistake in March

Dressing for the sun. The air is cold even when the sun is out, and the shade feels like winter, so bring one layer too many rather than too few.

What should you keep from winter

Your socks and your inner layer. The ground is cold and wet all through March, whatever the temperature says, and your feet notice it first.