I can not wait for spring days to arrive already. This winter has just been dreary and wet, non-stop. To say I’m excited about a little sunshine and warmer weather would be an understatement. Come spring, comes a change of wardrobe too. Which is probably my favorite transition! I think I like it more than summer to fall because you don’t run the risk of running too hot in a sweater with summer temps. Instead, you run the risk of being cold (which I’d much rather be than sweating in a sweater!).
To go from a winter to spring wardrobe, you don’t have to totally revamp your closet. Sure it’s nice to add some new pieces, but transitioning doesn’t have to be complicated. So set aside those winter clothing pieces and let’s welcome in some lightweight layers to embrace the new season. Today I’m sharing all my best tips on how to transition your wardrobe from winter to spring with ease.
How To Transition Your Wardrobe From Winter To Spring
Here are some of my best tips from transitioning your wardrobe from winter to spring. It doesn’t have to be complicated and is truly all about simple and sensible swaps. You likely have most of these items in your closet already too as they are truly closet staples that will stand the test of time.
Use Winter Pieces The Right Way
Many of your winter pieces can begin to be used in new ways for spring. You just have to do it the RIGHT way. A few fun winter pieces that you can wear for spring for transitional outfits is wearing that classic trench coat with white jeans, a leather moto jacket with floral dresses and cardigans over jeans and a silky tank or a dress.
The thing to keep in mind here is to use them the right way and mix them accordingly. I wouldn’t recommend adding a heavy winter coat to your spring dress or skirts. And I wouldn’t pair shorts and an eyelet top with knee-high boots or winter boots. You see where I’m going here? It’s a transition, so swap a piece or two, and mix it so it all feels and looks balanced. Keep this in mind as we head into the next tips!
Layer Lightly
Light layers are crucial for transitioning your wardrobe from winter to spring. Light layers include lighter sweaters, cardigans and knits that aren’t too heavy or chunky. Pairing a light knit sweater with a flowy floral maxi or midi skirt is a great combination. Utilize a boyfriend blazer as a light layer instead of a heavy jacket. And you can reach for those lighter winter pieces too. Maybe you have a coat that’s not super heavy like a more thin peacoat. That’s great with jeans and a mule to transition on a cooler day.
You should also try layering with lightweight items. This is key for dealing with the cold mornings that feel more like winter, but ends up warm and sunny like spring and summer in the afternoon. You can peel away lighter layers with ease. For instance, I would do a thin short sleeve under a light cardigan that is layered under a light trench. Instead of throwing on a big heavy coat, you can start pulling out some lighter layers and build on them.
Choose Lighter Hues And Lean Into A Spring Color Palette
When choosing your lighter layers, or adding and mixing in winter pieces, be sure to choose lighter hues too. Spring is light and bright with pastels, florals and neutrals. You can go ahead and leave those burgundy sweaters in the closet and instead grab a cream, or blush pink or lilac one. It’ll instantly make your outfit feel spring-ready with minimal effort.
Just think about how dark and wintery an outfit would look if you had dark wash jeans with brown shoes and a burgundy sweater. Instead, do a lighter wash denim, with a lilac sweater and maybe a white leather sneaker. Instantly feels like spring, but with a touch of winter to keep you warm when it’s still a bit chilly. That’s the balance we’re going for!
Start embracing the spring color palettes slowly. You don’t have to jump in 100% if it’s still quite cold where you are. But swapping out like with like but in a spring hue or print, makes a huge difference in making your outfit feel more ready for the new season. I find myself reaching for pastels this time of year to pair with denim. Or swapping out dark wash or black jeans for creams or olives. This little swap makes a huge difference.
Embrace Booties And Dresses
One of my go to winter to spring transition looks is a cute dress with booties. It’s a mix of winter with your everyday boots you’ve been wearing paired with a spring-inspired dress (skirts work too!). I would avoid winter boots here and instead grab those great ankle booties (here are my favorites!). I also love this combination with Dr Martens. It’s the perfect combo for spring transitional outfits.
And to go back to our light layer tip, if it’s cooler out and you do need to stay warm with those bare legs, add a cozy cardigan to complete the look. Or even an oversized boyfriend blazer. When adding these light layers, try to keep in mind that you’re aiming for a spring look! So keep colors light and fabrics more geared towards the new season like lighter knits instead of chunky heavy wool.
Mix & Match The Seasons
Definitely mix and match the season by keeping all of the above in mind too. If you DO love that burgundy sweater, just pair it with white jeans and a classic tan trench to transition it nicely. If you love your winter cashmere sweater, add it to a midi skirt and sneakers. And if you are SO ready for that summer dress, wear it with booties and a leather jacket. Mix and match, keep in mind fabrics and lighter layers and you’ll be golden!
Winter to Spring Wardrobe Essentials
To help you get from winter to spring with ease, here are a few of my favorite essentials that allow for simple swaps and transitioning. From great footwear, to must have denim and light layers. These are a few winter to spring wardrobe essentials I find myself reaching for during these weird weeks to help me complete outfits and feel like it’s spring, and not the dead of winter.
Transitional Winter To Spring Outfit Ideas
Spring Dress With Winter Staples
This is one of my go to looks and a fun way to finally get to wear those spring dresses. And finally show off those bare legs! A cozy cardigan that I’ve worn all through winter, and my most worn chelsea boots are the perfect complement to that new spring dress you want to wear. For spring and summer, swap boots with sneakers and cardigan with a denim jacket!
This combination also works with skirts. Pair your favorite floral silky midis with a chunky sweater and ankle boot or mule to bring out the new pieces the right way.
get the look
Neutrals With Jeans
Taking a few tips into account here, a lightweight lighter-colored sweater paired with everyday jeans is a great way to transition to spring. Plus, swapping the bootie, for a peep toe mule instantly makes your outfit feel more spring ready.
get the look
Welcoming Spring Colors + Jackets
This first outfit is a perfect combination of winter favorites (my suede loafers) and adding that perfect lightweight trench. This would also work with a classic camel trench too! By adding in spring colors and choosing the winter pieces that can easily take you into spring like blush loafers, works perfectly!
For the second outfit, this sage trench welcomes a new color that I love for spring. Sage is such a good shade to wear and I love it with all my denim. Going for a mule to lean even more into spring.
get the look
The Boyfriend Blazer That Does It All
I’d say my favorite “jacket” for this time of year is the boyfriend blazer. This one from 1.STATE has gotten SO much use. I’ve worn it here too which was ironically my “summer to fall” transition post. A lot of the same tips apply and clearly, a boyfriend blazer is a great investment! And right now leather blazers are having a major moment which are the perfect combo of a blazer meets leather jacket. Add these over your favorite jeans, or slip dresses and even floral dresses to transition into spring with ease.
get the look
Swap Your Denim Out
This first outfit would feel like fall or winter if I had on dark wash jeans or even black denim. By swapping them out for light wash or white or cream denim makes all the difference. Still wearing a lightweight sweater and a leather pump. But this feels ready for spring while not freezing, and not overheating. Sometimes the simple swap of denim can make all the difference. And YES you can wear white denim before Memorial Day. See some outfit ideas here.
And this second look in all white with a sage bomber jacket is the perfect combo for early spring. Embrace the white denim and pair it with some of your spring jackets or lightweight winter pieces.
get the look
Photos by Hannah Lozano
