If you’re serious about thoughtfully building your seasonal closets, it is not too early to start thinking about your spring wardrobe. Let me share with you why I think now is the time to plan your spring wardrobe…even though it’s freezing outside!
Especially since one of my 3 Style Angles is classic, I try not to be too driven by the trends anyhow. So I like to map out my seasonal wardrobe before retailers bring out their lines for that season; that way I feel more in charge and not so easily swayed. Then when those new collections do hit the Internet and the stores, I can more sensibly browse through them to fill the holes in my planned wardrobe rather than just ordering everything that strikes my fancy.
Here at Dressed for My Day I am hosting a 2024 style series called Define Your Style…Refine Your Wardrobe. In a recent blog post, How to Define Your Personal Style, I encouraged readers to select 3 Style Angles that would help define your personal style. I suggested that those words should encapsulate how you want to be seen by others, what kinds of clothes you put in your closet and what kinds of outfits you build. Those 3 Style Angles are also exclusive; they help you keep things out of your closet that do not belong in the styles in which you want to dress.
So if you’re using my 3 Style Angles or guideposts or style words or whatever you want to call them, you can use those NOW to begin planning your personal spring wardrobe…even before the spring collections hit the stores. For instance, you can decide if you need more feminine pieces, more classic items, more edgy garments or more elevated basics, depending on your 3 Style Angles. Then you can examine what you already have for the spring and make a thoughtful shopping list for the missing items.
Talbots and Ann Taylor have new spring styles in today. So it’s a good day to start looking through them.
For instance, I already had this beautiful oatmeal cotton fisherman sweater in my wardrobe from last year (similar more moderately priced option ). And my plan is to wear it for years, in fact. I know I have a couple of other cotton sweaters in my spring wardrobe already, too. But I plan to purchase one this spring in a trending color, probably light lavender or blue. Voila! That will be a thoughtful purchase now rather than a careless one, so I won’t end up with duplicates or something that doesn’t resonate with my style.
It’s also a good time now to consider what types of jeans and pants you want to wear this spring. Will you stick with what you wore last spring? Or will you try a new silhouette? I’ve been wearing wide leg jeans frequently lately. I love the way they feel – so comfortable! But I admit to feeling a little awkward in them when I look in the mirror. I think it takes time to adapt to a new silhouette, so I’m willing to keep at it. But we all get to wear what pleases us. That’s the bottom line of personal style.
I also think it’s not too early to think about the shoes you’ll wear for spring, especially the ones you’ll need for early spring as we transition into the season. I like to have good sneakers, loafers, pumps and light colored booties on hand for early spring days when it’s still too cold to bare my toes.
I’m not showing one here, but I also take inventory of my jackets before spring arrives. This year trench coats will be so on trend again. This is the year to wear that classic belted jacket with everything from casual jeans outfits to dressier work ensembles. But I also make sure I have a denim jacket, windbreaker and rain coat on hand. And I keep a warm puffer coat at the ready just in case we have a spring snow day…as we frequently do.
Finally, now is definitely the time to make sure you have a few long-sleeve, lightweight tees or other casual tops on hand to begin the season. While I definitely want to have the basic tees for spring, I like to have some unique casual tops like this cotton blend button-front shirt (also in solids) in my closet, too. That way I can pair them with a simple pair of jeans and a jacket and look effortlessly (there’s my style angle!) pulled together on the first warm day we get.
By the way, my jeans, top and pullover sweater all run true to size, as do my sneakers. I only wish that my jeans ran a little longer. Keep in mind that I’m 5’8″ and wearing a Misses size 8. They do come in petite and plus sizes as well.
How are you getting ready for your spring wardrobe? Trust me. It was in the single digit temperatures as I typed this blog post up, so I won’t be wearing these early spring styles anytime soon. But I think now is a good time to start planning.
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Blessed for My Day
Sometimes we are tempted to relegate God’s involvement in our lives to matters of the heart. But rest assured, God is very involved in our finances, our business matters, how community involvement and every other corner of our lives. Recently I was reminded of this when God, in His perfect timing, changed the course of a situation in my business without me having to manipulate things. I had been praying about the situation for months, but I had not felt a release in my spirit to do anything. Then a couple of weeks ago, God just took care of it for me.
If you are stressing over something today, trust that God has the answer. He can move on your behalf in a way that is so much better than anything you could do. Wait for Him. But also talk to Him. He wants to bless you in every part of your life.
If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the fear of Isaac, had not been for me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, so He rendered judgment last night.” ~ Genesis 31:42
I like that Talbots stripped top. I am wondering if you could wear your crew neck sweater over it. Would the collar work with the sweater? And do the pockets leave a bulge on the sweater?
I didn’t even think to try it on Judy, so I really don’t know. I can try to get around to trying it soon and let you know. I think the collar would have to lay inside the sweater or just barely peek out.
Perfect timing for me. I am “stuck” in the house due to the winter weather here in the south and planned to re-organize my closet today. I will also be looking at staples a little differently today. Thank you 🙂
I had a stylist find my three words. I laid out all of my clothes and accessories that I actually wear on the bed in my spare room and sent her a photo, We came up with chill, effortless and edgy. Now I know why I feel “not myself” while wearing classic or preppy styles. The things are are “must haves” in most cases look out of place on me without giving them a twist. I really love this series Kay! I’m sure there are may of your followers who, like me, feel stuck with expectations of what we should have in our closet, and sometimes said closet can look like a museum curated for someone else.
I am having a very difficult time deciding on 3 words to describe my style. Where would i find a stylist to just look at a photo of my most worn and favorite outfits and help me find those words?
I’m not in the U.S. and the stylist I used is someone I have regularly purchased courses from so she did it outside of her typical business. Maybe Kay knows of someone who does that? Good luck!
Thanks for sharing, Krys. The whole purpose of this exercise is to see what we love so we can wear more of it, and what doesn’t especially resonate with us so we can have the freedom to say “no” to those things. It sounds like the stylist did you a huge favor. I love that.
Loved the BFMD. Just sent some of your wise words to a friend and her husband that is going through some very difficult times with his health. They are both Christians, but are having a hard time trusting the Lord in this situation, especially when things look bleek,
Just printed out the worksheets to see if I can go over them and make wiser decisions sometimes.
Very good tips as always. I have bought two wide leg pants for spring. One is a natural color from JCrew factory and the other a navy one from Loft. They’re my two favorite retailers. I intend to keep wearing my spring clothes from last year. I’m still embracing the wide leg look. I’m not buying more jeans in wide leg or flare. I don’t need any more. I’m trying to stick to buying natural fiber clothing. I just don’t want to keep overbuying. You look nice in your wide leg jeans. Are they making jeans and pants shorter? Even my petite pants are now 28 inseam while last year more like 29. It saves me money doing alterations. I noticed the jeans on you. You really can’t wear a heel. I would but I’m not a fashion blogger. 😊
Can’t thank you enough for the device you recommended for taking selfies! I had been trying to puddle up something using a portable music stand and a binder clip to hold my phone! LOL! This device works wonderfully and even has a remote feature so that I don’t have to lean over and touch my phone to take a photo or video. Genius! Thank you for the suggestion. It is a real help to see ourselves as others see us.
Hi Kay, I have a few wide leg jeans but I’m still not crazy about the look. They don’t look very flattering on me. I prefer to stick with the straight leg silhouette. As for spring styles, I’ve found in years past it’s best to wait rather than shop early. Talbot’s puts everything on sale and I often find I’ve purchased something early only to find it reduced a few weeks later. I think it pays to buy items closer to the time I’m actually going to start wearing them. By then, I can generally find them on sale. win-win! As for my style, I’ve been “classic” and “preppy” for many years. Now that I’m retired I’m mostly in jeans/t-shirts/seaters depending on the weather. Otherwise, in exercise or sports clothes at the gym or on the courts. It’s very casual where I live.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Susie. I really wasn’t encouraging anyone to buy their spring wardrobe now, simply to plan it. Planning ahead helps me make more intentional purchases so I don’t just “go wild” once they do mark those things down.
Kay I like the wide leg jeans on you! Pretty!
Thanks Karen! ☺️
I enjoyed your blog, plus the added devotions. I’ll take everything you are wearing, including the Brighton bag and your shoes. It’s interesting, but I’ve ordered pretty much the same,