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IT’S ALMOST Pesach, and resrictions are slowly easing. As we start planning chol hamoed meet ups in people’s gardens — what joy! — what should we wear? Our gloomy winter of dressing down in tracksuit trousers and baggy jumpers is finally coming to an end. The key spring trends include spots, prints, pink, decorative blouses, denim, ‘shackets’, wideleg trousers, twinsets, monochrome, minis, oversized ‘boyfriend’ shirts (indeed, oversized anything) and ‘athleisure’ — sweatshirts, sweatpants and hoodies. We’re not quite ready to let comfort go just yet.

But a list of trends won’t cut it. We need the most desirable transitional trends. In fashion parlance, “transitional” usually relates to the seasons. But at this point in the pandemic “transitional” relates to pieces that work for the end of lockdown and will continue to work for— ahem — “normal” life.

The twinset — that is, the 2021 twinset which bears little resemblance to those worn with pearls and tweed by Agatha Christie heroines — is a perfect transitional trend. Comprising a cardigan plus matching top (most often a cami or vest), a twinset is perfect right now for a Zoom business meeting or attending synagogue virtually. And it’ll be useful later, for an actual business meeting/to go to synagogue. And given the UK’s climate (and the possibility of not being able to fly to the sun), it could also be great for holiday wear.

Rick Owens has paired a longline, sleeveless cowl-neck sweater (£335) with a matching ribbed cardi with waterfall hem (£535) for a super stylish twinset (at Matchesfashion. com) while

Zara and

River

Island offer many tempting cardi-cami combos (mostly sold separately). At Zara, these include a jacquard knit in a deep-pink mix (cardi £29.99; cami, £17.99), and a cream cableknit (£29.99; £19.99), while at River Island they including a blue-white houndstooth (£45; £26) and a cropped one in pink checks (£40; £24). River Island also sells them as a set including grey with military button (£44) and light green ribbed (£45).

The ‘shacket’ is another clever transitional trend. This shirtjacket hybrid has hovered for a while but now seems set for a real moment, possibly because it looks pulled together yet not too formal. Among the best are Isabel Marant’s herringbone tweed (£395) and structural linen by Raey, (£395) both at Matches. M&S has them in checks and denim priced from £30 up, while River Island has lots, from £30, including textured Chanel-inspired tweed at £60.

The trend for decorative embellishment, mainly seen as puff sleeves and oversized decorative collars, is another excellent “transitional” trend as it injects a super feminine vibe, which is a key aesthetic for the season, but with the decorative focus above the waist, is perfect for the rest of lockdown, too. Brands such as Zimmermann, Shrimps and Rixo capture this with covetable dresses and blouses featuring puffy sleeves that graze the elbow or finish at the wrist. Among high street brands, M&S has balloon-sleeve blouses from£25; Next has them in spots, florals, plains and gingham from £25; River Island has blouses and tops from £25 as well as a midi-length silky-knit cardi with balloon-sleeve (£55). Zara has blouses but also sweatshirts with 1.Spot blazer, £932, Moschino 2.Floral blouse with puff sleeves, £36, River Island 3.“Livia” print skirt, £120 and collared jumper, £80, both Boden 4. Green spot shirt, £32, grey herring bone blazer, £48 and jeans from a selection, all at Next 5. Spot dress with oversized collar, £16, Matalan balloon-sleeve (£17.99).

Among the prettiest in the 1980s reboot of blouses with oversized collars are a white broderie by Rejina Pyo (£335 at Harvey Nichols); red half-sleeve (£250, Shrimps.com); floral-print with frill-trimmed collar, Rixo, £140 (Rixo.co.uk); and striped cotton with puffy long sleeves, £36, River Island.

Some of the best pussybow blouses include tartan-print silk chiffon by YSL (£1,140); hot pink satin with half sleeves by Diane Von Furstenberg (£300) both at Harvey Nichols; the “Moss” in various florals by Rixo (£185); monochrome spot, £25, M&S.

Detachable decorative collars provide an instant (and inexpensive) way to update jumpers, tops, sweatshirts or plain dresses. Etsy.com has lots, from £3.50.

Though not strictly “transitional,” spots provide an instant wardrobe update and look terrific on screen. Cream of the crop include a yellow spotted blazer with pink collar (£932, Moschino.com); a polka-dot monochrome midi dress by Zimmermann (£575, Matches); the “Rowan” monochrome midi shirt dress (£110, Boden); a monochrome shirt with large and small spots by Lipsy (£38, Next); and a monochrome spot linen shift, £27.50, M&S.

The print trend comprising more fabulous florals and placement prints, qualifies as “transitional” by virtue of versatility. Some of the season’s most spectacularly pretty prints are by Zimmermann. These include a cream and light-brown linen midi dress with puff sleeves and a patchwork construction (£725 at Matches). Erdem is one of many other leading designers offering covetable print frocks. His include a sublime half-sleeve midi dress in a navy placement-print (£695 at Harvey Nichols). Boden also offers superlative prints including the “Kitty” midi shirt dress (£120); the “Delilah” (£98) placement-print midi wrap dress and “Livia” (£120) a circular midi skirt in a vintage-inspired pastel print with a sweet 1950s vibe. Midi and mini shirtdresses and wrap dresses in various prints are available across the high street brands, with some of the prettiest at Zara, at £49.99 and Next.

After their year in the spotlight as the definitive lockdown trend, sweatshirts and hoodies still have a role to play. Just look for gorgeous spring shades, which will not only give an instant boost to our wardrobe but possibly to our mood, too.

Some of the best in truly spirit-lifting shades are a lipstick-pink cropped sweatshirt from Rotate Sunday (£120); a coral logo sweatshirt from Kenzo (£185); and a purple hoodie by 7 Days Active (£145) all at Harvey Nichols.

M&S has them in an entire paint-box of pastels, brights and neutrals; with and without slogans and in varying lengths, mostly at £20 to £29.50.

Zara has lots, of course, including sweatshirts that that play into the decorative trend: light blue with oversize cutwork collar (£19.99), and with elbow-length puff sleeves (11.99).

At Boden, the “Ellen” hoodie (£60), has a leaner, more drapey silhouette and, unusually, a V-neckline.

These styles are the perfect way to get ready for the new normal — whatever it looks like and whenever it arrives.