Even if there’s still a chill in the air (or snow on the ground!), it’s time to get serious about building our spring wardrobes. Truly, you don’t want to miss out on that brief but lovely window of opportunity to layer on lighter weight fabrics in cheerful hues and fresh textures. But because the crisp, cool days of spring don’t stick around long, you also don’t want to break the bank on this season. So to help you out, today I’m sharing 5 tips for building a versatile spring wardrobe that will give you multiple outfits to wear.
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During the month of February, my goal was to help you plan your spring wardrobe. Smart women begin with planning rather than just jumping into buying new arrivals all willy-nilly. So if you haven’t already watched it, I suggest checking out my YouTube video, 5 Steps to a Fabulous Spring Wardrobe shown below. But if you’ve spent some time looking for spring outfit inspiration, comprised a list of the items you’ll need in your wardrobe to create the looks you love and assessed your current closet, you’re ready to build your spring wardrobe. I’ve got 5 tips for building a versatile spring wardrobe that will give you endless mix and match possibilities.
Tip #1 – Decide on a limited personal color palette for spring and summer.
I’m not talking about having your colors analyzed. That’s a great idea. A color analysis with a professional will help you determine the colors that work best with your personal coloring and undertones. But a color analysis doesn’t really limit your color options as much as it opens up the door to all the possibilities that will make you shine.
Having all of the colors to choose from can actually be a little overwhelming. So I like to voluntarily “restrict” myself to a more limited color palette each season. That way I can create a more cohesive closet with items that mix and match beautifully. I generally choose the same color palette for spring and summer and then opt for different hues in fall and winter.
Now look, I don’t get too uptight about this. If turquoise isn’t on my list, but I find an amazing turquoise top that will look great with my white jeans…I go ahead and let it in my closet. My limited color palette is meant to help me, not hinder my sense of style.
The real beauty of having a limited personal color palette for the season is that it ensures that I have accessories, like the scarf shown above and below, that help tie my outfits together. It also helps me to focus on the neutrals that will work nicely with my colors and vice versa. And when it’s time to pack for a trip and I want to curate a small, carry-on only travel capsule, it will be so much easier to pack smart and create multiple outfits.
I suggest you limit yourself to a few neutrals (3-5) and a few signature colors (3-5). My neutrals for this spring and summer are navy, white, brown, oatmeal and grey, but you’ll undoubtedly see some black show up in my outfits occasionally. And my signature colors are red, vibrant green, grass green, lavender and blue, but I’ll probably end up with some pink, too. I’m almost certain my wardrobe will not have any burgundy or olive green, nor will it include orange, yellow or dark purple. What about you? Have you decided on a color palette for spring and summer?
Tip #2 – Build an accessory capsule in one or two or even three colors.
It will be so much easier to create complete outfits on the go if you have built accessory capsules ahead of time. What comprises an accessory capsule? I include a handbag, shoes and belt in the same tone of leather.
Choose one color to build upon for your first accessory capsule. Pick a leather shade that will work nicely with many if not all of your outfits. I always like to start with cognac or saddle brown because it adds a richness to so many colors, especially black, navy, blue and white. But you could start with chocolate brown, black, ivory, beige or even white if you prefer.
Tip #3 – Keep your real lifestyle in focus with every purchase.
It’s so tempting to get carried away when we see all the spring new arrivals. But I find myself enjoying my wardrobe so much more when I’ve kept it contained to pieces that reflect and work for my real life…which is quite casual. That said, you do you. If you work outside the home or hold a leadership position for which you frequently need to dress, make sure your closet contains more elevated, polished pieces.
If you have an active social life and frequently need cocktail attire, make sure you have a few special pieces that instantly bring the party to any combination. Or if your spring days are filled with outdoor activities like gardening, hiking or playing with the grandkids, fill your spring wardrobe with fashionable options for those things.
For my real life, I’m building a spring wardrobe with casual pieces like white jeans, ankle length stretch cotton pants, a modern denim jacket and loafers. What kinds of items are crucial to your real life wardrobe for spring?
Tip #4 – Focus the bulk of your budget on the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe.
I’m frequently asked which items in a woman’s closet are worthy of a higher ticket price and which ones should we shop more frugally for. This is a complex question and I think the answer, to some extent at least, is personal. We all invest a little differently in our wardrobes, depending on our financial situation, lifestyle and personal preferences. But when push comes to shove, I suggest focusing the bulk of your clothing budget on the pieces that you’ll be wearing most frequently.
Again, those oft worn pieces could be different for each woman. But generally I find that completer pieces, like jackets and cardigans that I frequently throw on over other things, as well as bottoms and leather accessories are the most worn in my closet. So I don’t mind investing a little more in good quality jackets, jeans, pants, shoes, belts and handbags. These are items I’ll wear on repeat, so the cost per wear will go down over time. That makes me feel so much more confident about my purchases and helps me to enjoy them guilt-free.
Yes, I will also wear my t-shirts and tank tops frequently. And while I may spend more if I find a really great one that I think is worth the splurge, I also find that these items wear out fairly fast. So if possible, I’d prefer to spend less on things that will undoubtedly look soiled or worn after frequent wear, such as those tanks and tees.
Tip #5 – Prioritize style when you shop, but insist on comfort before you purchase.
I’m a firm believer in wearing comfortable clothing. At our ages, we’ve earned the right to be fully comfortable in every outfit and pair of shoes we put on our bodies. So I don’t allow anything that isn’t comfortable to enter my closet. Comfort is a great gatekeeper.
That said…remember that “comfortable “is not a style word. It’s a descriptor of function, not fashion. In other words, you do want your clothing to function comfortably, but you probably wouldn’t use the word to describe how you want to appear. Well, I guess you could want to look at ease in your clothing. That’s fair. But if looking stylish and pulled together is at all important to you, I suggest you use three other words first to describe how you would like to look to other people.
If you need help with this, check out my blog post, How to Define Your Personal Style. There I encourage you to use three words or phrases to create “style angles” that define your personal style, guiding your choices as you build a wardrobe and put together outfits. Those words need to complete the sentence, “I want other people to see me as ________________.” I suggest you don’t put the word “comfortable” in that space.
Instead, as you shop for your spring wardrobe, look for pieces that help you accomplish more stylish goals. For instance, items that will help you create outfits that look classy, sporty, feminine, chic, smart, polished, pulled together, preppy, romantic, etc. You choose. Then, once you’ve taken the items to your fitting room or they’ve arrived at your house, try them on and make sure they are comfortable. No matter how stylish an item is, don’t let it into your closet if you don’t feel fabulous in it. See how those two things work together, style and comfort? Look for and prioritize style when you shop, but insist on comfort before you purchase or let an item in your closet.
Thanks so much for stopping in today. I do hope these five tips for building a versatile spring wardrobe will guide you to a closet filled with clothes and accessories you truly enjoy wearing this spring and beyond. Don’t hesitate to ask if you have questions, and I’d love to hear your thoughts, too.
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Blessed for My Day
When we see someone suffering, it’s natural to want to relieve them of their pain. Especially as women, many of us may have very tender hearts. We hurt when the people we love hurt. And we may even empathize with people we don’t know when we notice how much they are hurting. It’s good to feel so deeply for others, but the Bible teaches us that we are called first to love, which is always anchored in truth, not emotions.
God calls us to show compassion. That is a little different from empathy, which can drive us to try to solve other people’s problems. When God shows us compassion, He assures us He is walking us through the hard situation, not around it. He gives us His presence, reminds us of the truth and promises to never forsake us. We can do the same sort of thing when we hurt for someone who is hurting. We can walk with them through the hard thing, share with them biblical truth and remind them of God’s promises. In the long run, that kind of compassionate response is more loving that trying to fix their dilemma or remove their penalty. How can you lovingly show someone compassion today?
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The link to the red sweater brought up the scarf instead. Where can I find the sweater? Thanks!
I do apologize. We had the wrong link in there. It’s corrected now. You can shop it HERE at Madewell.
I love that denim chore jacket! I like the pockets.
Hi Kay, when I click on the red sweater ( several areas of your posts) it shows the madewell scarf
Where did you purchase it? Thank you!
Sorry about that. I have fixed the link now. You can shop the sweater HERE at Madewell.
Re dark wash jeans trending for spring and summer. Spring and summer fabrics are generally lighter in weight and color which will result in a higher contrast and intensity level. I’m sticking with white and medium wash as I have medium contrast level with charcoal/silver hair, fair skin and blue eyes. Kay, thank you for all you do for us.
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I love the BFTH. Good reminder for me as I’m a fixer. I care and empathize toward everyone hurting or needing a shoulder to cry on and it’s hard for me especially with my kids and grands to not go into fixing mode first.
Great post. I’m ready for Spring dressing. It’s so true the season tends to go so fast then I find myself wishing I had started wearing Spring sooner. We have lots of rain in our Spring so I don’t tend to reach for my white pants.
Love the red sweater. Red is my favorite right next to pink, so they are always in my wardrobe. I am going to go with red, pink, light blue, lavender, and maybe some medium green (Kelly) for my Spring and Summer colors. White, navy, light brown, and black for my neutral colors. Very good BFMD.
Thanks for your post. Thought your readers would like to know that Kut from the Kloth has a very similar white denim jacket for $89 – it’s called the Kara. I’ve owned mine for 5+ years and still love it.