As we continue Spring Trends Week 2026, I think it’s smart to take a deep dive into the wardrobe pieces that will make the most impact on your outfits this season. While you definitely need the basics in your closet to work as the framework, these outfit makers will instantly elevate your looks and make them look more current.
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When we talk spring outfit makers we’re considering the pieces that could easily serve as “the star of the show.” That doesn’t mean they need to be heavily embellished, especially colorful or expensive. But these are the pieces around which you can build multiple outfits, making them real workhorses in your closet. I’ve found that if I keep these pieces modern and a little more stylish then I can easily complete my outfits with basic jeans and/or tees, effective footwear and minimal accessories for a polished and contemporary look without much effort.
The Classic Pullover Sweater
Especially if you live in a cooler climate, you know that spring is not the time for all short sleeves and lightweight fabrics. Instead, consider spring as a season prime for layering. While you may be tired of your winter sweaters, investing in a few spring-weight pullovers will help you to put together outfits that work for the fluctuating weather while also feeling more cheerful and inspired. I suggest investing in sweaters in natural fiber fabrics, such as 100% cotton, linen or cashmere, or a blend of any of those with each other or silk. And of course, lean into the colors you prefer to wear for Spring. See the Spring Fashion Colors Trending in 2026.
How to Wear This Outfit Maker
If you choose wisely, you’ll be able to mix and match a few pullover sweaters into multiple spring outfits, wearing them different ways for a variety of looks. Wear them alone over a pair of jeans or trousers. Add a lightweight t-shirt underneath for a layered but fresh look. Remove the sweater and drape it casually over your shoulders for effortless style. And wear it under a jacket for warmth on a chilly morning.
PRO TIP: When layering in the spring, the key is to ensure that each layer is fashionable. That way you can add or subtract pieces throughout the day but still feel pulled together and polished.
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Tailored and/or Relaxed Blazer
Truthfully, blazers are not as much at the forefront of fashion as they have been in past years. That said, blazers are always a classic wardrobe staple that will deliver a dose of polish and sophistication to your outfits, even those that are more casual. Especially if you have a more classic, elegant, polished or preppy personal style aesthetic, you may want to have a tailored and/or relaxed fit blazer in your closet for the season. For spring and summer, lean into lighter weight weaves and fibers, such as cotton, linen, silk and wool.
How to Wear This Outfit Maker
While you can certainly top a more businesslike or formal outfit with a blazer for an elevated look, right now it’s still most popular to wear blazers with jeans and casual pants. Have fun with your blazers by wearing them over a tee and track striped pants. Travel with a blazer and these slim fit athleisure pants. Or wear one over your favorite white jeans for a polished but casual look that will take you from lunch to running errands to book club with ease.
A Jacket of Your Choice
Of course there are so many other jackets you can use to wisely complete your spring outfits. Maybe I’ll eventually do a blog post about all the most stylish options. But today I’m keeping this category broad so we can move on to other stylish spring outfit makers. For spring 2026, I’m noticing that cropped length blazers still prevail, and they’re especially flattering with higher rise jeans and pants. But you’ll still find longer jackets to select from, too, such as barn coats and utility jackets. We’re really in that “anything goes” stage with jackets. But the bottom line is that your outfit will definitely look more complete and elevated when you add one that flatters your body type and fits your aesthetic.
How to Wear This Outfit Maker
Of course you don’t have to wear a jacket all day long or when you’re indoors during the spring. So consider jackets that will help you complete the looks you already enjoy wearing. If you like to wear a button-up shirt and jeans, add a bomber jacket to keep the look sporty and on trend. If you prefer tees and sporty pants, top your outfit with a cropped suede jacket. Or you could top a classic jeans and tee with barn jacket or trending trench coat.
Button-Up Cardigans
Maybe you’re a gal who prefers a softer completer pieces, such as a button-up cardigan. This year it is more on trend to wear these classic sweaters as buttoned-up pullovers. However, if you do want to layer one over your t-shirt, tank top, button-up blouse or dress, go right ahead. Look for a button-up cardigan in a natural fiber fabric in a silhouette and length that works best for your body type and proportions. Cropped lengths (hitting at hip length or above) are most on trend, and they work well with high and mid rise pants and jeans.
How to Wear This Outfit Maker
For the most modern look, wear your button-up cardigan buttoned up and as a pullover. But if you want to wear one as a topper, keep the look modern by wearing one that fits fairly close to the body and that is in a thicker, chunkier knit or has some pretty detailing. The thinner, traditional cardigans are looking a little tired right now, but you will find them in the store if that is your preference.
Button-Up Shirts
A button-up shirt can be a wardrobe basic, but this year we’re seeing them worn as the focus of the outfit. This classic shirt type is definitely having a moment, and it’s very on trend to wear them buttoned up and tucked into a pair of trousers or jeans. For this style concept, look for a slightly oversized shirt in a flattering color and natural fiber fabric.
How to Wear This Outfit Maker
For the most current look, you have a couple of options. Look for a shorter, cropped length button-up shirt to wear untucked and loose over a pair of trousers or jeans. By cropped length, I don’t mean tummy-baring, but hip length or slightly longer. The key is to keep proportions optimal while wearing the shirt untucked. Or wear your favorite button-up shirts or blouses tucked into your pants, jeans or skirt, then add a belt for a polished look. Let the shirt be the focal point by wearing jeans with little to no fading and no distressing. Or wear white jeans or skirt.
Midi Length Statement Skirts
Also taking center stage this season, midi length skirts. If you enjoy wearing skirts, look for a below the knee length in a beautiful fabric with nice drape. The skirt could have texture or be a smooth, silky fabric with a luxurious hand. Look for a skirt that you can wear with multiple things in your closet for the most versatility.
How to Wear This Outfit Maker
You can wear a trending midi length skirt with a button-up shirt, a cashmere sweater, a cotton sweater, a t-shirt and a jacket or a matching top. The key is to keep proportions pleasing: If the skirt is full, wear something slimmer fitting up top and vice versa.
Silk Scarves
In tomorrow’s YouTube video I’m sharing about the style trends we’ll be seeing in spring 2026. One of those trends is wearing scarves as the focal point of your outfit. These classic accessories are having such a big moment that we’re wearing them, not just as an accessory, but as a completer piece that grabs the focus. Because they are so on trend this season, it’s a good time to shop for one or two you’d like to add to your collection. I’m already wearing mine on repeat.
How to Wear This Outfit Maker
To wear your favorite scarves in the current fashion, keep everything else in your outfit more subdued and pared back. Let the scarf shine by wearing it over a simple cashmere sweater or inside the neck of a classic button-up shirt or blouse. You can certainly wear a color in those tops, but keep the rest of the outfit simple.
Be sure to check in for all of this week’s Spring Trends Week 2026 blog posts. Read about the Spring Fashion Colors trend report here. Let me know in the comments below which spring outfit makers you most enjoy wearing and which ones you’re experimenting with this spring.
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Blessed for My Day
When my husband and I occasionally argue, it always hurts my heart a little. I don’t like feeling at odds with someone I love deeply and depend on to be there for me. But even if we have cross words or disagree about something, I know that he is in my corner. I trust that we will settle our differences soon, and I trust his heart even if I don’t like his decisions or his choices.
That’s how it is when things in life go awry, too. We can trust even more that God is good and that He has a purpose for the things He is allowing to come into our lives. We can wait on Him, knowing that He is at work on our behalf. And we can trust His heart, assured that He wants to give us hope and a future. Most importantly, during these difficult times, we can seek the Lord and draw closer to Him, knowing that He will listen and draw close to us in return.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ~ Jeremiah 29:11-13
What size scarf do you recommend? Most that you linked to are about 36″ square. I’m assuming that I the best size.
That is considered the standard, yes. I do like having a few bandana size scarfs to just tie at the neck simply. But I LOVE my larger scarfs.
Happy late birthday. You share my mother’s birthday
So tired of scarves. Every outfit seems to have one lately.
My outfits you mean? Well, that is my prerogative. But you absolutely can ignore that trend if you don’t like them.
I just wore my new silk square scarf yesterday for the 2 nd time. Love how they elevate a simple light weight v neck sweater. Anxious to try with a button up blouse. It’s black with white/light greyish big bows on it. So will look great with a white button up blouse. I’m so ready for Spring. Loved your BFMD.
Great ideas and advice, as always. I have loved wearing scarves for such a long time and I think it’s brilliant that they are so on trend at the moment. They elevate an outfit and make the wearer look so current.
Cardigans (I love them worn mostly buttoned up) and pull over sweaters are the ones I’d use the most.
The scarves are wonderful. I’m so glad you showed how to wear silk bandanas (18” or 20” squares). They add color while still looking casual, and the basic knot doesn’t need the fussing and readjusting like some of the more elaborate or formal tying does. The Aspinal scarf is gorgeous, and that tying is easy and pretty as well.