I can not wait for spring days to arrive already. Winter always feels like it lasts too long. 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 fashion 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 or a full 180. So set aside those heavy winter clothing pieces and let’s welcome in some lightweight layers to embrace the new spring weather. 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 for transitioning your wardrobe from winter to spring. It doesn’t have to be complicated and is truly all about simple and sensible swaps to incorporate spring into your outfits. 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. Sweaters, light coats, and knee high boots are perfect examples of pieces you can start to wear to easily transition into spring. They go well with spring pieces without feeling totally off.
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. You kind of want to keep like with like here. Your winter pieces that have lighter fabrics can work with more essential spring basics. Trench coat with lightweight sweater and silky skirt. Versus heavy winter coat with spring fabrics. 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. Leave the thick sweaters in the closet until next winter.
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 thin wool coat. That’s great with jeans and a flat 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. Unpredictable weather this time of year means you want to have some layers that give you options throughout the day. You can peel away lighter layers with ease.
When layering lightly, you want to layer lighter fabrics on top of one another. This keeps you from overheating as the weather warms throughout the day, and gives you the option to remove the sweater or jacket without totally sacrificing your outfit.
I also love to throw a sweater over my shoulders for an instant transitional look. It softens the spring look, and adds in that wintery texture of a sweater and keeps you a bit warm. It’s the perfect balance.
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. This color swap can also help to refresh your wardrobe and style this time of year making it feel fun and new again.
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! You can always keep that burgundy sweater on, but just pair it with a fresh color palette to make it feel seasonally appropriate.
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 Boots And Dresses
One of my go to winter to spring transition looks is a cute dress with boots. It’s a mix of winter with your everyday boots you’ve been wearing paired with a spring-inspired dress (skirts work too!). Store your winter boots, and instead opt for a cool Combat boot, or knee high boot to pair with your dresses and skirts. 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.
Keep Fabric In Mind
Something to keep in mind when choosing spring pieces to start wearing as you transition out of the chilly winter days, is fabric. We are not yet in the summer months, so leave the cotton linen and eyelet pieces in the closet for now. We’re embracing cotton, denim, poplin, silk and knits this time of year. These all mix well with winter fabrics too like cashmere and wool without clashing.
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 off-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 boots 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 go 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.
- Trench coat
- Leather jacket
- Utility jacket
- Bomber jacket
- Blazers
- Cardigans and lightweight sweaters
- Light wash denim, ecru denim or khakis
- Knee high boots, booties and Chelsea boots
- Sneakers
- Loafers and ballet flats
Transitional Winter To Spring Outfit Ideas
Spring Dress With Winter Staples // Winter Staples With Spring Layers
These are some of my go to looks and a fun way to finally get to wear those spring dresses and skirts. And finally show off those bare legs! Try a dress with a trench coat and sneakers. Add a sweater over the shoulder for that light layer you may need. A leather jacket and leather sneaker are an edgier swap here too.
For spring and summer, swap boots with sneakers and cardigan with a denim jacket or utility jacket. And that’s how you can truly take your dresses from season to season with ease.
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. This is the perfect time to start pulling out those skirts!
Spring Neutrals With Jeans Or Trousers
Taking a few tips into account here, a lightweight lighter-colored sweater paired with everyday jeans or trousers 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. And swap those dark wash jeans for lighter wash jeans for an instant wardrobe refresh.
You can also start to swap out your boots or leather sneakers for canvas ones like Converse. But leather sneakers or suede ones still work here like the Adidas Gazelles or Sambas. And don’t forget to throw that sweater over the shoulders, it is an instant style trick that makes outfit feel intentional and perfectly transitional from winter to spring.
Welcoming Spring Colors
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! You really can’t go wrong with a trench in a great color. It makes you feel alive after wearing your black puffer all winter long. 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 from light wash, to dark, and even Ecru. Going for a mule to lean even more into spring.
The third and fourth look include some fun spring colors like butter yellow and lilac. Even though they’re paired with a darker wash jean, the pieces are springy and light. The perfect balance.
The Boyfriend Blazer That Does It All
I’d say my favorite “jacket” for this time of year is the boyfriend blazer. Mine 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.
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.
Ultimate Spring Transition Jacket- The Trench Coat
This time of year I love to swap out my heavy coat for a trench. They come in so many options from super long, to different prints and fabrics. With the right layers, you can stay warm during those colder transitional days in the winter. And come spring, you’ll love this piece as the perfect outfit topper.
Now that you’re armed with the tips and style ideas to head into spring with ease, I hope this gives you the confidence to try some new looks. Before jumping in 100% into spring, you can ease into it with confidence while also looking the part. Not too springy is the key! And it’s a fine balance.
I hope these helpful style tips get you trying some new looks and integrating some spring favorites from years past, or new pieces you’re starting to pick up, with ease.
