I discovered back in January — when I found Marie Kondo — that none of my clothes brought me joy.
Well, some of my clothes were fine, but for the most part I felt that my closet needed a major refresh. I had so many things that no longer fit me well or simply weren’t my style, and this left me feeling uncomfortable and not confident in nearly all of my clothes. Nobody wants to feel that way about what they wear.
So, what did I do? I took everything out of my closet as Marie suggests, I evaluated each piece, and I sent about 70 percent of my wardrobe to donation.
I decided then that I would begin replacing the pieces I tossed out by curating my closet for spring using a capsule wardrobe mindset (which basically means that almost everything I bought can be worn interchangeably).
I have done capsule wardrobe hauls on the blog in the past, but I have never created an entire season’s wardrobe capsule style. So, pulling items from different brands that can be worn together to create multiple looks was a first for me.
Here’s the easy way I approached my spring capsule: I consider pants, shorts, dresses, and rompers/jumpsuits my base. As long as those pieces are neutral (or mostly neutral), I can pair them with almost any blouse, jacket, sweater, or t-shirt my heart desires.
I approached my updated wardrobe this way to keep me from buying clothing throughout the season that I don’t need.
There is a difference between need and want, and I have found that, for me, failing to understand the difference results in overspending on things I will rarely wear.
By identifying my clothing needs, I am able to find pieces that I actually want and that fit within the restraints I set for myself.
That way I am only spending my money on clothes I need AND want, that I feel confident in, and that I want to wear and can wear because everything “goes together” thanks to my capsule mindset.
With this wardrobe, I have everything I need to get me through spring and even into summer, and I won’t need to shop for clothes again for a while. That’s not to say I won’t shop a little bit and add a couple more pieces as I find need for them. In fact, I’m sure I will.
However, adjusting my mindset for the way I shop has made me more conscious of what I spend on clothes. By pausing to think before buying, I have put more things back on the rack than I have purchased in the last three months.
For this spring, I started with a base of denims, dresses, one romper, and several pairs of shorts (I prefer shorts over pants).
Keep in mind, this collection does not include workwear. There are a couple of work-appropriate pieces sprinkled in, but I take a slightly different approach to my workwear wardrobe. If that’s something you want to know more about, let me know!
My spring wardrobe bases & the pieces I’m pairing with them:
White denim
These high-rise, four-button white jeans are from Old Navy and are the most versatile piece in my spring wardrobe. I can truly wear them with any of the tops I scooped up for the season. I love the raw edge around the ankle — it gives them a little extra character. Here are the ways I style these:
Olive green tank with a tie front and buttons (not functional) | Denim jacket | Mules
Off-white t-shirt | Pink chenille cardigan | Slip-on sneakers
Floral wrap blouse | Slouchy blue sweater | Crochet crop top
Destructed denim
Also from Old Navy, these destructed jeans are a great basic spring staple. They are high-rise and have a raw edge ankle like the white denim. Here are the ways I style these:
Off-white t-shirt | Pink chenille cardigan | Black crossover sandals | Blush wedges
Olive green tank | Crochet crop top | Gray stripe tie-front t-shirt | Mules | Black crossover sandals
Black maxi dress
With slits on each side of the skirt, this black maxi dress works well on its own or layered. The best part is, it’s under $20 on Amazon, and it does have pockets!Here are the ways I style this dress:
Denim jacket | Off-white t-shirt knotted in front
Smocked midi dress
This gingham smocked midi dress is more of a standalone piece in my spring wardrobe, but it is adorable with its tie straps and functional buttons. Here’s an additional way I am styling this dress:
Black tassel dress
Who doesn’t need a cute little black dress with tassels along the hem? It’s only $11 on Amazon and looks adorable with a denim jacket and a straw clutch for a casual night out. Or, it can be worn as a swimsuit coverup in the summer.
Denim jacket | Black crossover sandals | Straw clutch
Denim bermuda shorts
It has been quite a while since I wore bermuda shorts, but I thought these would be a good base to have on hand this spring. I really like the dark wash and the cuff hem. I also appreciate the length and the fact that they are high rise (you’re probably noticing a trend with the high-rise, at this point). Here are the ways I style these shorts:
Embroidered square-neck top | Olive green tank | Gray stripe tie-front t-shirt | Off-white t-shirt knotted or front tuck | Black crossover sandals
Light wash denim shorts
Basic denim shorts are another staple I like to have on hand each spring and summer. They go with almost anything and are great to just toss on and head out the door in. Here are the ways I style these shorts:
Gray stripe tie-front t-shirt | Off-white t-shirt | Olive green tank | Embroidered square-neck top | Slip-on sneakers | Mules
Camp shorts
How darling are these blush camp-style shorts? They have an elastic waistband and a cute tie-front belt. They are also the softest thing I have ever worn. Here are the ways I style these shorts:
Olive green tie-front tank (with tie tucked in) | Denim jacket | Off-white t-shirt | Mules
Sage romper
This sage green romper is another stand-alone piece I picked up for my spring wardrobe, but it will carry me into summer, too. Therefore, I felt justified in buying it. Plus, it is incredibly flattering and ultra comfortable.Here’s how I style it:
Striped shorts
The final base piece I want to share are these drawstring blue striped shorts. They fit well and, again, are very comfortable. Here are some additional ways I style these shorts:
Slouchy blue sweater | Off-white t-shirt | Denim jacket
I realize that was a lot of information and a lot of clothing to toss at you, but I wanted to share my current approach to seasonal shopping. It is so much easier to me to create looks when I start with great bases and then find flattering tops that can be worn with almost every base piece. As I mentioned above, shopping this way has also saved me a ton of time and money over the last three months.
Loved the way you styled these looks