Brighten Up Your Spring Outfits Effortlessly

When the sun stays in the sky a little longer and the weather begins to warm up, it’s time to lighten up your outfits, too. The best way to brighten up your spring outfits effortlessly? Add some white! Don’t be afraid of this spring and summer essential; embrace it! Let me count the ways…

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Adding a splash of white to your outfit is such an instant brightener. Let’s run through a few of the ways you can effortlessly brighten up your spring outfits with a single white garment.

Freshen Up Your White Tees

Let’s start with the most basic white wardrobe essential for spring – a good white tee or two. I find that having a couple of white tees in my spring wardrobe helps me to create lighter, brighter outfits with ease.

I’m frequently asked for good recommendations for white tees. But I find that women want different things in their tees. In fact, I want a variety of t-shirts in my own closet to meet various criteria. The white boyfriend jersey classic fit t-shirt above is a nice thickness so it’s not see-through at all. But it does have a boxy fit and is slightly cropped. But you can see that I can easily tuck it into my high rise jeans.

Here are a few other white tees I recommend for different reasons:

• ribbed white tee for close to the body fit without being snug, scoop neck and elbow length sleeves
• 100% cotton v-neck, opaque and soft at a great price
• long sleeve tee in 58% cotton/39% Modal rayon/3% elastane, great for layering
• another opaque crewneck tee at a nice price
• Vintage jersey classic-fit crewneck T-shirt, thinner, but really nice for layering

When it comes to purchasing white tees, I really suggest using the website’s size guide and then checking customer comments and reviews. Women generally comment on the thickness and fit, so use that information to help you navigate sizing successfully.

Don’t Wait to Top Off Your Tanks

I suggest snagging a white tank or two in the spring, not waiting until summer when the pickings get slimmer. Plus, you may find that you’re ready to start layering these wardrobe essentials under jackets and button-up shirts now.

The white ribbed tank above is one of my favorites and I have it in several colors as well. It’s a nice thickness, has lots of stretch, but feels so soft and comfortable, too. I find it to fit true to size. This particular tank does sell out in various sizes during the summer, so I would snag one if you’re interested. However, I’ve also had good luck with this tank, too, and it’s a nice price. This higher priced one is another of my favorites. And if you’d like a lower neckline, you might try this one. Those are all ribbed tanks that fit close to the body.

But I also have this slightly looser fitting tank and it is reversible, giving you two neckline options. Here’s another ribbed tank with what appears to be a slightly looser fit. And I just got this tank in with a square neck, and I like it, too.

Layer on a White Sweater

In many places spring is still quite cool. I’ll be wearing my cotton and linen sweaters well into June. So you might consider adding a white sweater to your spring wardrobe. It’s a great way to brighten up your spring outfits effortlessly while still staying warm on those cooler days.

The slubby cotton and linen blend v-neck sweater I’m wearing above is super comfortable and quite lovely. But I also have this cotton sweater in white. Others I would recommend include this cotton fisherman sweater and this elbow length sleeve V-neck sweater.

Slip Into White Jeans

Now is the time to add a pair (or two or three!) of white denim to your closet so you can enjoy them steadily through summer. Technically you absolutely can wear white jeans throughout the year, but I prefer to tuck mine away for the colder months in favor of black and grey jeans. But during the sunnier months white jeans just feel extremely fresh and vibrant, and they pair so beautifully with most anything in your closet.

Above I’m wearing the L’Agence Scottie wide-leg jeans, and they are definitely one of my favorite pairs. But keep in mind that I’m 5’8″ and I need to wear these with a heel. I wear my true size 30 for a really nice fit in these. I think their size guide gets it right.

Another full length wide leg jean I really enjoy is the Nic+Zoe Vantage jean. These are priced a little lower than the Scottie, and they’re equally dense and opaque. I did size up to a 31 in these jeans. I definitely like a generous fit in white jeans.

Above I’m wearing the Emmy wide-leg jean in super stretch denim. I did size up in these, whereas I usually wear my true size or even size down at Madewell. Again, these are an opaque white jean and they have a 30″ inseam, so they work nicely with sneakers and sandals for me.

Check out this recent blog post for tips for shopping for wide leg white jeans.

Above I’m wearing last year’s version of J.Crew’s slim-wide leg jeans. I love those jeans and still wear them. However, I have tried this year’s version and I do not think they are quite as opaque. They’re not necessarily sheer, but just not as hearty as last year’s version, which is still available at a discounted price in limited sizes. I sized down to a 29 in those, whereas I needed a 30 or even 31 in this year’s.

I am working on a white denim round-up post, so I do have other options as well, but have not taken photos of them yet. I love the Paige white Sasha jeans below. They have a 32″ inseam and a high rise of 11.75″.

I also have and enjoy the Veronica Beard Taylor high waist ankle jeans in a 31 (a size up from my true size) and they are a very comfortable and opaque white jean. I’ll probably end up wearing those more and more as the days warm up. And I have the Paige Anessa in a 27″ ankle length, but they are fast selling out. They’re no longer even available where I purchased them, but it looks like they may restock.

White jeans can be tricky. I used to always recommend sizing up, but I no longer suggest that. However, I do suggest you pay attention to the size guidelines and the reviews, where customers often remark on opacity and fit. I can also highly recommend the white jeans at Talbots. And if jeans fit you nicely at Chico’s, you’ll find good options there as well.

Keep It Casual with White Pants

During the spring I also enjoy having a pair or two of casual white pants other than denim. These are perfect for brunch or lunch out, family gatherings, ladies events, etc. They feel casual and relaxed but look a little brighter for the season.

The Rebel straight leg crop pant shown above is a really nice lightweight pant that works beautifully with so many things for a casual effect. I did size up for a roomy fit, since these are a little sheer and you definitely don’t want them to fit tight. I also highly recommend the wide ankle twill pants from Talbots for a wider leg option.

Dress Up with White Trousers

It’s also not too early to add a pair of dressier white trousers to your wardrobe. The sooner you add them, the more wear you’ll get out of them. I enjoy dressing up a little in white linen trousers for events like Easter, Mother’s Day, bridal and baby showers, brunches and luncheons.

The photo above is from a couple of years ago, but I still have those white linen trousers (this year’s version). And I have these sporty but so pretty white cotton trousers from Doen and I’ll share them in an upcoming blog post. They fit nicely in my true size 10. I also recommend you check out these and these at J.McLaughlin. And Chico’s has several nice options, too, including slim leg and wide leg silhouettes.

Top It Off with a White Jacket

Of course I could write an entire blog post dedicated to this white garment. Adding a white jacket (or two or three) to your wardrobe is a smart way to brighten up your spring outfits effortlessly. And if you choose wisely you’ll be wearing them into the summer. I especially enjoy having white linen options at my fingertips. The white linen jacket below is no longer available, but this relaxed linen bomber jacket that I showed in a recent video is available and marked down. Great jacket!

I love the L’Agence white denim jacket I’m showing below, but you’ll find so many similar options. I’m providing a shopping widget below for this category.

This slub knit white blazer below was the hottest item of the year at Dressed for My Day last year, and it’s back this year. Truly, it is such a versatile piece to have in your wardrobe. Perfect for elevating those casual outfits.

But this year I got in a similar blazer in stretch linen blend and I’m crazy for it. Both fit nicely true to size and the drape and look is similar. Although I’d say the linen blazer is just slightly more elevated…but in a casual way. I found so many other beautiful options and I think this is such an important category to help you brightup your spring outfits, so I created a shopping widget for this final group below.

Thanks so much for stopping in for a little style inspiration. Hopefully this post has helped you to think about ways you can brighten up your spring outfits effortlessly. And maybe I’ve provided you with some links to items you needed to round out your spring wardrobe. Thank you so much for supporting the work I do here by putting up with the ads and shopping my links. I truly want to serve you, but I also support our family through this endeavor, so your patronage is always very appreciated.

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