Ahhhh spring is such a welcome injection of adrenaline to the system, after a long, dark and cold winter. And I love to re-organise my wardrobe to reflect the change in mood and tempo. So, before you hit the shops looking for the latest trends, make sure you have these season essentials covered first! It will help all your other items blend seamlessly into spring outfits.
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Trench coat – The in-between seasons are always marked by a whole lot of trench coat wearing in my case. An over sized version is the perfect piece to channel cool girl style and also layers beautifully over any heavier layers. For spring I love to bring along a trench coat over a blazer. The more layers, the better, and now that temperatures rise, we can actually see those layers as well, not just the huge coat covering them. A camel coloured trench coat will always be a classic, but I love my cream coloured twill trench coat as well to welcome the brighter days.
White sneakers – It is always a favourite ritual to pull out my white sneakers to mark that we have hit spring, sneaker weather and light shades everywhere. I bought these Vejas last year and wish I got them sooner, they are so so good! They will certainly be a go-to this season.
Maxi dress – Although I love my knitwear, there is something so uplifting about pulling out my lighter cotton dresses for spring. Bonus points for florals or prints (I hear Miranda as I am writing this)! But I also love a white dress, to really signal to the weather that it’s time to get with the program – warmer weather is up on the schedule! I have a few long sleeve dresses that are a go to for spring, and I start out with my longer lengths for more warmth (they are also great for wearing with boots during the transitional period).
Light tailored trousers – I am all about switching up my colour palette for something light and happy when we hit spring, and there is just something so beautiful about a pair of light tailored trousers. I love a cream shade, as opposed to completely white, but lighter beige and tans are all great options as well. It’s still too cool to pull on my linen trousers but I still really appreciate having a pair (or two) in something lighter than my winter wear, a nice cotton twill has the right structure and drape, I think!
Light coloured maxi skirt – Because the weather is not quite as sunny and warm as I have been ready for since the calendar showed 2024, maxi lengths are still where its at. But both midi and maxi skirts really shine this time of year. I am gravitating towards the maxi length at the moment. It works well with both flats and heels, casual and dressy and it such a versatile piece to have in your wardrobe. I would push for either a lighter colour or something really fun and bright, if that is more your style. Just make sure it’s something you can pair with a lot of your other pieces. This can be worn with a light knit jumper on cooler days, a shirt will take this to work and a tank top or even a tube top will be both classy and chic should summer weather bless us with an early visit. I love a satin finish, because it’s easy to dress up and I love the slight sheen. But I would choose something with a semi-sheen and not something super shiny, as the slightly more toned down version is a bit more versatile and easy to dress down as well.
Loafers – I have gone with flat shoes for this essentials list and even though the ballerina flat is absolutely the flat shoe du jour, I cannot let my loafers go for spring. I find them more comfortable, easier to style and a bit more pulled together. I have these beige ones I bought from & Other Stories several seasons ago and they are very well loved. The neutral shade goes with just about everything and after months of black and brown boots, the lighter shoes alone make me feel so excited about getting dressed!
Blazer – If you know me, you will know it is no surprise I include a blazer into my spring essentials list. It’s a great layering option now that we are not condemned to bundling up in chunky coats every day. I like my light wool blazers for a little warmth during the transitional weather, but during the season I slowly transition towards linen. If you were to only choose one, perhaps go for a lighter option that can be worn throughout next season as well. I loved the versatility of something slightly over sized that still has some structure.
Light denim – for many of us, denim is a staple throughout the year. But I prefer to swap mine to something more season appropriate. I just rotate through my go-to pairs as I change over my seasonal wardrobe and that way they last longer, I don’t tire of them as easily and my outfits feel more fresh every few months!
Switching the daily handbag – whether you prefer a top handle, a care-free cross body or a tote bag to carry half your life, I always love to get out my lighter coloured bags to mark the change in seasons. This year I am planning on updating my daily tote for something in a beautiful tan shade – now just to find the right one! I have been looking at a few options, as I want something high quality and chic, but still classic.
A pretty blouse – in anticipation of short sleeve weather, spring is the perfect time to pack away the chunky knitwear and embrace some pretty blouses and shirts. I love some lace or cutwork details, to really amp up the spring feeling in my outfits. Look at this beautiful Free People blouse! But the key to keep these interesting, is to look for extra details – whether it is a lace panel, a collar detail, a puff sleeve or some pretty buttons, it will do so much to elevate the outfit and lift the spirits for spring!
Bonus tip: one of my favourite ways of elevating my style is through accessories and they are simply too easy to forget to tailor to the season! And these are pieces that have excellent cost per wear, especially if you go for something a bit more classic, rather than jumping a trend. But I really loved my outfits a lot more once I started incorporating brown belts! I would highly recommend looking into adding a few, maybe even just one, spring accessory. A brown belt that could be worn with both trousers and dresses, as well as over outerwear, would be my top priority. But I also think a silk scarf or a pair of light coloured mules would be a great choice, if you’re already set in both the bag and belt department. But worth thinking about!
