Easy & Chic Transition into Springtime | Dresses + Cardigans

Spring is in the air, but winter hasn't gone for good.  It's a tricky time of year when it comes to dressing.  We're all eager to get out the dresses and sandals, but mornings and evenings are often too cool for such apparel.  One of my favorite ways to ease my dresses into early spring is by throwing on a cardigan over top and belting it at the middle.
It's simple and fast---with a cute dress and basic cardigan,  you really can't go wrong and it's a snap to pick out in the morning before class or work.  The outfit above (mskstreetfashion) has me at hello by pulling ivory and taupey-gray together with cherry red.

This one (asianicandy) gives off a vintagey, feminine feel... contrasted with the black leather booties.  It goes to show how easy it is to pair a dress with a cardigan.  I might not have thought to wear a floral-printed, flowy dress with an embellished cardi, but this is just lovely.

And check out how effortlessly chic this getup is (chictopia).  A simple white dress, gray scarf, and bold gold cardigan are just the fundamentals here.  It's really the details that bring everything up several notches in style: polka dot tights, a skinny leather belt, locket necklace, pearl necklace, knuckle ring, and classic gold watch.  Love it.

So how would I wear a dress and cardigan?  Right now, I'm enamored with pleats.  So I whipped up a few uber-lovely pairings of cardigans with pleated dresses.  Let me know which one you'd wear and where to!

V neck dress, £25
Fat Face linen top, £55
Round toe boots, £239
Round toe boots, £239
Johnny Farah tan handbag, $520
Necklace
Dorothy Perkins thin belt, $5

Pleated dress, £100
By Malene Birger chunky knit cardigan, £59
H&M rubber soled shoes, £7.99
Topshop genuine leather handbag, $96
Tahitian pearl jewelry, $295
Wet Seal buckle belt, $11

Aubin Wills knit cardigan, $135
Dorothy Perkins pleated chiffon skirt, $49
Madewell ballet flat shoes, $88
Cross body handbag, $30
R J Graziano long chain necklace, $45

Rare dress, £15
Lauren Ralph Lauren ralph lauren cardigan, £125
H M ballet flat, £7.99
FOSSIL shoulder bag, $43
Monsoon gold necklace, £10
Leather belt, $36