There’s always something exciting about the transition into the warmer seasons. If you are anything like us, you are ready to shake off those multiple winter layers and create some lighter trans-seasonal looks that’ll make your wardrobe feel fresh and new again.
From flowing dresses and easy to style separates to tactile fabrications and soft tailoring, these are the outfit formulas you’ll be wearing on repeat this spring.
1. The linen blazer for endless wear
Put those heavy woollen and rigid blazers to the back of the cupboard; linen is the ultimate durable, antibacterial and moisture-absorbing fabric that only gets better (or more comfortable) with age and wear. Destined to be a frequently worn item, wear the linen blazer like you would any other – over your workwear, with jeans and an elevated top or crisp t-shirt, to over a loose printed midi dress. The textural look of the linen fabric brings a certain relaxed element to ensembles that’s perfect for spring and summer. We’re predicting an endless selection of creams, pinks, purples to soft greens to choose from this upcoming season. Rightfully so, the linen blazer in any colour or shade is a key investment this spring.
2. Combine a midi dress with a blazer
Combine the soft with the structured. One of the biggest street style trends we’re seeing this season is styling up a more casual languid midi dress with sleek ankle boots and a sharp blazer. A patterned midi dress offers femininity, while a tailored blazer brings masculinity for the perfect contrast. This look is also ideal for those in-between weather days when the sun starts to shine and de-layering is required.
Master this pairing in whatever your preferred colour palette is – pastels for the traditional sweet and saccharin spring look, muted tones for the office-to-after-work-drinks look, or sleek all black with textural pops of metal jewellery.
It’s not only what you wear, but how to style this pairing – scrunch up the blazer sleeves over your dress or drape over your shoulders for a cape-like effect. The length of the midi dress also allows for various boot heights to be worn underneath – low ankle, mid ankle to knee-high options will all work under a flowing dress.
3. Add a knit over a midi skirt
An outfit for when you want to feel considered and comfortable at the same time: look to the midi skirt and knit look. If there is still a slight chill in the air and pants are no longer an option, slip on a mid-length woollen, silky slip or denim midi skirt that evokes class with little effort. Next, choose a knit that says less loungewear and more streetwear; go for knits that have directional details. Think, asymmetric knits, shoulder-padded knits, cable knit or even take it a step further and look for a knit with full, statement sleeves.
4. Go classic with jeans and a tee
Nothing beats a classic duo. Prefer a looser fit? Go for one size up in your favourite cut or look for boxy, squarer fits. This is an ideal fit to tuck the very front of your shirt (also known as the French tuck) into your high waisted denim jeans. We like the look of playing off a loose t-shirt with skinny fit, straight leg or mom jeans that are a little more figure hugging. If you like the look of a more traditional, slightly tighter fit in your t-shirts, this cut is ideally fully tucked into skinny denim for an all-over sleek look, or casual jogger denim cuts for balance.
There are countless different styles, shapes and washes of denim to pick from; however, you can never go wrong with a pair of mid-wash straight or mom jeans sans any rips or tears. The mid-blue wash is the perfect base for an outfit meaning you can dress them up or dress them down, too – win-win.
Slide on some leather flat sandals or sneakers for a relaxed look. If you are heading into the office, step into some leather brogues or loafers and throw on your linen blazer. For extra polish and an ideal ensemble for dinner and drinks with friends, tuck your oversized t-shirt into a pair of straight leg or mom jeans, a pair of pointed slingbacks, or strappy heels and drape a boxy blazer over your shoulders for a cape-like effect.
5. Choose a shirt dress and add a jacket
The hybrid shirt dress has made a triumphant return for its endless wearability. The collared dress has seen many iterations in recent years from mini lengths to maxi length, tiered skirts, or puff sleeve variations. However, the midi length will always be a go-to option, particularly when heading into the office. Opt for the most versatile shades; from navy, black to cream that will offer infinite ways to wear with your most hardworking accessories.
When you are running out the door, the shirt dress and lightweight trench coat is the ultimate weekday ensemble you can throw on and go. Just like the hybrid shirt dress, the trench coat is a trans-seasonal cover up that has seen endless iterations. We think the modern and most revered design of a double-breasted front, below-knee length, a caped back and camel hue is an absolute failsafe if you are in the market for an update.
6. Pick a wide leg trouser and pair with a tank top
The best part of a trans-seasonal season like spring, is that you can have fun with fashion without having to cover up with endless layers. Play with proportions and pair fitted tank tops with long pants like a wide leg trouser. The chicest of these looks will be a composition of complimentary colour ways. Think, all black head-to-toe for those Fridays in the office that may eventuate into after work drinks. Swap out the loafers or brogues for strappy leather heels and add some more statement jewels to elevate instantly. To set this outfit apart from the rest, focus on the details. Pick tank tops that bring a stylish edge – cross over straps, cut outs, textural details, and structural knit fabrics. Statement leather waist belts, bangles and bags are the finishing touches to elevate further.
What winter items work well in a spring wardrobe?
You don’t have to send all your winter items to the back of your wardrobe when the season changes. Let those winter pieces work into your spring outfitting, too.
It’s all about playing off the structured and heavy, with the lightweight and soft this spring. Where admittedly, heavy thick coats and woollen blazers might be too much for the milder temperatures, keep your lofty knits, leather boots and tailored pants on high rotation. A soft knit will tuck into a mini or midi skirt with leather boots, a blazer will drape off the shoulders when wearing a lightweight midi dress, and tailored pants will pair with t-shirts to statement tank tops.
What items are essential for a spring wardrobe?
If you are ready to shape up your wardrobe and invest in the key pieces with a high R.O.I, the season of spring is the perfect season to start.
Outerwear:
Looking for outerwear? We suggest choosing a louche linen blazer and a lightweight trench coat. Both give off a sophisticated ease, can be worn with layers underneath in case the weather remains cooler than expected, as well as can be worn with a tank or t-shirt underneath on balmy evenings.
Skirts and Dresses:
A flowing midi dress or midi skirt is a must for all day elegance. Wear your midi dress with a blazer and boots for the office, or simply leather sandals or woven espadrilles during nights out. A midi skirt is equally as versatile with a lofty knit French tucked in at the front with heeled boots or a plain t-shirt, street sneakers and a denim jacket or your linen blazer.
Tops:
A sculptural and structural tank top and plain t-shirt will be your styling heroes. Not-so-basic basics have become icons of the modern woman’s wardrobe for their endless appeal. For your tank top – think interesting and flattering shapes like cut outs, square necklines and cross over straps. As for your t-shirt, pick your favourite shape – fitted, square or regular in a quality cotton and easy-to-match shade you’ll mix with bottoms.
Tailored pants and denim jeans:
A pair of wide leg tailored pants will serve you from desk, right through to dinner dates when worn with shirts, blouses or sculptural tanks.
You will never regret purchasing denim jeans. A cotton rigid pair will be a flattering fit for years to come. Pick a wash that can be dressed up and down and a fit that will look just as stylish with flat sneakers to heeled boots or heels.
How can I pull summer pieces into my spring wardrobe?
Own a sculptural tank top or plain t-shirt? Pair it with wide leg pants or denim jeans and heels and add a lightweight trench coat or linen blazer. Have a pair of linen shorts or a mini skirt? French tuck in a lofty knit and throw over a longline trench coat.
There are many ways to bring your summer pieces into your spring rotation – the secret is balancing out skin exposure. Pair a long sleeve top with a longer skirt or pants, or match shorts and miniskirts or dresses, with longer coats like the classic trench coat or, tuck in a knitted sweater.
How do I layer for spring in three simple steps?
Being a slightly in-between-weather season, spring temperatures can fluctuate slightly, so it’s important you layer accordingly. Here is our guide to layering in three easy steps that you can put to work in any outfitting situation.
Step 1:
Choose a central top for the outfit – it could be an oversized shirt, a plain boxy t-shirt to a modern tank top.
Here, you can decide which colour direction you will head in. Spring is the perfect time to inject bright or pastel pops of pinks and purples against neutrals and avoid black and greys all together. Soft blues, creams and camels are a more neutral yet failsafe way of avoiding darker shades altogether if you’re a little hesitant on the bolder hues.
Step 2:
Now, think about playing with textures and lengths – as we have said it before, spring is the perfect time to play off the fitted and the loose, and the long with the short hemlines and sleeves. Wearing an oversized shirt or t-shirt? Opt for a fitted or shorter skirt. Or, if you are choosing a fashion tank, wear a pair of wide leg pants or jeans to balance out the relaxed with the fitted.
Step 3:
Lastly, pick your final layer. Spring brings a wealth of cover up options so you no longer must choose the heaviest, bulkiest coat or jacket possible for best insulation. A lofty knit will balance out a more fitted bottom-half, or a louche blazer will look nonchalantly cool over a midi floral dress, while a longline lightweight trench coat will balance shorter hemlines or fitted knit dresses.