Spring feels like the perfect time to blow away the cobwebs – in life and in your wardrobe. After a winter of wool and heavy boots, the time is ripe for shaking up your look with a warm(er) weather update.
That doesn’t mean buying a whole new wardrobe: one of the things I enjoy about getting older is developing a wardrobe for each season that comes back year on year. Put clothes away between seasons: some items that make their way back out of storage were everyday favourites before then, while others may not have felt right for some time but now – lucky for you – they feel right once again. There’s something extra-fun about falling back in love with something from your own wardrobe.
Having said that, the odd update can be a welcome thing in a wardrobe needing to cope afresh with sun, showers and occasions such as weddings and holidays. Now’s the time to do a wardrobe audit, think carefully about what you need and what you don’t, and let this guide inspire you to fill any gaps, thoughtfully.
A jacket
Rainbow gingham jacket
£135 at Boden
£135 at John Lewis
Boden isn’t a brand I naturally recommend, but this jacket is an instant spring wardrobe shaker-upper. Fun, a versatile fit and a massive shot of sartorial caffeine. What’s not to make you smile.
A dress
Polka dot midaxi cami dress
£45 at Marks & Spencer
Very much in the vein of the polka dot dress Julia Roberts famously wore in Pretty Woman, this frock from M&S stands out. Team it with your old denim jacket if the weather’s still patchy, or a blazer if you want to smarten up the look. It’s 100% cotton and available in regular, petite or tall lengths, and it will fill a hole in several wardrobes. It will also signal you know what’s currently filling column inches in Vogue: the polka dot, while also a timeless classic, is pinging back this spring. If that one doesn’t float your boat, M&S is currently a trove of other similarly affordable polka dot styles which just might (such as this one).
A bag
Ghanaian basket bag
A different season calls for a different bag. Those heavy leather bags of winter start to feel OTT come spring, and lighter materials feel more in keeping. You may have an old wicker basket from warm seasons past to pull out. If not, this handcrafted basket bag, made out of the veta vera plant in northern Ghana, is a great option. Big enough to carry pints of milk back from the shop and available in a few different colours, it will also make a nice storage basket in the colder months. Or, basket bags are two-a-penny on Etsy, from classic, understated woven straw baskets with leather handles to sisal shoppers and wicker totes. Just search “basket bag” and make sure your results are filtered so you’re looking only at ones that dispatch from the UK. Dress them up or down and wear them to the office or the beach.
A pair of bright socks
Fuchsia socks
£9.28 at Le Bon Shoppe
£10 at Free People
This time of year offers a chance to have fun playing around with colour via sock and shoe combinations. Spring shoes offer up more room for socks to speak, so pick a pair with something to say, like this bright pink cotton-blend pair from Le Bon Shoppe, pedlars of good-quality socks. If pink isn’t your bag, there’s a range of Keith Haring-style brights (turquoise! tangerine!) as well as more understated shades (avocado, dijon and dried rose, for instance) to choose from. Since it’s an LA brand, though, you might be limited to seeing which colours UK stockists currently have to offer.
A waistcoat
Polka dot Martina jacket
The waistcoat – once relegated to snooker players, stockbrokers and wedding guests – shows no signs of slowing its steady march back to mainstream popularity. This sleeveless jacket from the French brand Sézane has the energy of a waistcoat, but for people who don’t want to go the whole hog. The cinched-in waist is a nice touch, but the belt’s removable if you’d rather have it a little less sculpted. Yet more polka dots!
Sandals
Butter yellow women’s sandal
£74.95 at Salt-Water
£74.95 at Flip Flop Shop
Butter yellow, we are told, is the colour of spring 2025. While I’ve always been a fan of its creamy goodness, it can be a tricky colour to wear. One easy way in is via feet, and Saltwater’s new butter yellow sandals give the brand’s original style a sunny update. If the actual sun still isn’t complying, I wouldn’t be afraid to team this sandal – or any sandal – with a sock. A sidenote: brilliantly, the Missouri-born company also offers a takeback scheme for UK customers. So if you have old Salt-Waters no longer in rotation (although this may take a while – mine have been going for more than five years and counting), they needn’t end up in landfill. (Vinted is also rich with unworn or lightly worn Salt-Waters.)
Shorts
Towelling shorts
£65 at Me + Em
While there’s a risk you’ll be wearing the same shorts as some MPs, this pair from the Labour-approved brand Me+Em is the perfect foundation for warmer-weather outfits. Towelling is a popular warm-weather fabric – visit The Design Museum’s latest exhibition, Splash! to delve into its long history in swimming and holiday style – and for good reason. Soft and practical, this pair of mid-weight cotton-blend towelling shorts is perfect for a barbecue, beach sit or damp bench in a pub beer garden. Depending on the weather, you may still need a chunky jumper on top, but at least your legs can get in the holiday spirit.
Pyjamas
Blue floral pyjamas
It’s time to put those heavy flannel pyjamas in storage and usher back some old lighter, cotton nightwear into your life – or welcome in some new ones. This set from fabric institution The Cloth House is delightful, and made of block-printed cotton from India. As if a good night’s sleep could feel any more idyllic.
Co-ords
Red linen-blend top
£47 at Nobody’s Child
£47 at Marks & Spencer
Red linen-blend trousers
£65 at Nobody’s Child
£65 at Marks & Spencer
If you’re yet to hop on the co-ord bandwagon that’s made the past few summers more matchy-matchy than usual, then perhaps the time is now. A less intimidating gateway is to pick a single block colour and wear it head to toe, rather than going for a kitsch print or bold pattern worn on top and bottom. This matching tomato-red linen-blend top and trousers from Nobody’s Child is coordination without any naffness. A great way to add vine freshness to your wardrobe.
A shirt
Blue and navy boyfriend shirt
£110 at With Nothing Underneath
Unless it’s a white shirt – in which case, sadly, you’d be foolish not to buy new – secondhand sites are abundant with beautiful-quality shirts that are perfect for a spring wardrobe facelift. With Nothing Underneath is a brand worn by the former British “first lady” Akshata Murty, but don’t let that put you off. The Boyfriend shirt is a stone-cold classic: a linen and cotton blend, the stripes feel preppy and it’s regularly available on secondhand sites – Vinted is awash with them for much less than new (this one looks pleasingly preppy and is in good nick). Tekla is another brand to keep an eye on – super-expensive first-hand, but its pyjamas make for lovely shirts and can be found secondhand for much cheaper (see here for a nice example, in a yolky shade; it is made out of crisp poplin).
A wedding-guest dress
Colour block pleated midi dress
£259 at John Lewis
There’s no shame in rewearing an outfit to multiple weddings – in fact, the opposite. However, if you do need to refresh your wedding-guest look, this dress is sure to blow sartorial cobwebs away. The work of a popular recent collaboration between John Lewis and the British label A.W.A.K.E. Mode, it’s a beautifully bold rebuke to all those years of quiet luxury. Best worn for many years to come – and luckily the fit should mean it needs only very occasional (eco) dry cleaning.
Sunglasses
Purple sunglasses
£40 at Lentiamo
£40 at Izipizi
Izipizi is becoming a sunglasses overlord – I have, on more than one occasion, turned up matching the sunnies of at least two other people in the room. However, all it means is that these are great sunnies at a reasonable price – why wouldn’t people want them? This fun purple pair adds a fizz of colour to your spring wardrobe. The classic shape means they’ll continue to fizz for many years to come, too. (Again, secondhand sites are replete.)
An unexpected trenchcoat
Cape trench
£199 at John Lewis
£199 at Albaray
Whether you’ve been wearing the same trench for years or have always found them too bland, you may find something to enjoy from this year’s glut of unexpected, wonky trenchcoats, made interesting in different directions, from colour to pattern to cut. I like this khaki organic cotton cape trench from the ethically minded brand Albaray, which offers optional drama via its detachable cape.
A box-fresh white T-shirt or vest
Vintage organic T-shirt
£14.90 at Plain and Simple
Spring always has me wanting to dress like James Dean, in blue denim and a fresh white tee or tank. Plain and Simple makes excellent-quality examples of both, using ethical practices and materials. It also has a takeback scheme for your past-it T-shirts, so you can return them for free to be recycled or composted. No cause to rebel here.
A trusty cardigan
Floral knit cardigan
Cardigans are a sensible choice in spring. The weather is volatile and layers are a must. That doesn’t mean they have to be boring, though. This floral-knit Kitri cardy is fun, but will also keep you warm when the weather isn’t playing ball. The naive tulip jacquard motif is cute while remaining just the ride side of coquettecore.
A refreshing necklace
Fish pendant lapis lazuli
Accessories can do a lot of heavy lifting to refresh an old, much-worn look. Blooming Dreamer makes necklaces that look like the kind of thing you wore when you were 13, but elevated: excellent quality and built to last, rather than to cast off as quickly as your teenage holiday crush. Handmade in the UK and carved from lapis lazuli, this fish with a lemon silk cord will look just as great over a jumper as with a summer dress.
A statement bangle
Yellow bangle
£34.99 at Pilgrim
And with the prompt pizzaz of a good piece of jewellery in mind, a chunky resin bangle is also great shout for an instant update. A punchy detail that will make even a James Dean-style jeans and T-shirt combination feel thoughtful and fit for work. These ones from purveyors of Scandi-style jewellery Pilgrim will look great either on their own or stacked like enormous calamari rings up your arm.
Built-to-last ballet shoes
Green leather moccasins
£100 at Camper
£114.56 at Esdemarca
Ballet shoes continue to plié through our warmer months. However, so many are flimsy, uncomfortable and quick-to-tire and therefore a waste of money. This leather pair from Camper is not. Supple and soft, they feel kind to your feet even as you approach the 10,000th of your daily steps.
A cap with a message
Sorry i’m late! cap
£25 at Everpress
Baseball caps have always been a classic, but in the past few years they’ve reached even headier heights of popularity. And with good reason – they’re practical, particularly in the sunnier months, and can help you out on a day when you would rather fly under the radar. They’re also a great place to send a message, and Everpress, an online retailer that allows individuals to upload designs and sell stock on a made-to-order basis, has a message for most occasions – “sorry I’m late” would help me out on most days. I can also see the merits of this one.
A monochrome jacket
Tweed checked fringed jacket
£69 at Marks & Spencer
This Chanel-style bouclé jacket is a bargain in comparison to the real thing, and it’s perfect for that in-between spring weather, when it’s too warm for a big coat but too chilly to go without a warmer layer.
For more, check out our guide to high-street Chanel-style jackets
Gen-Z jeans
Wide palazzo leg jeans
£45 at Marks & Spencer
Gen Z ushered in a new era of baggy jeans and it looks as if they’re here to stay. If you still haven’t made the shift, this palazzo style with a flattering high waist would be a great pair to take the plunge with.
A boho blouse
Cheesecloth blouse
£75 at Me+Em
This peach blouse is simple enough to be a spring staple, but its ruffled details elevate it to a statement piece. In her column, Jess Cartner-Morley says it’s great for layering as the collar “adds a pop of interest poking out under a crew-neck knit”.
Barrel-leg trousers
Jersey barrel-leg trousers
£34.90 at Uniqlo
Uniqlo’s viral barrel-leg trousers are a dreamy combo of casual enough for every day and smart enough for the office. And the neutral colours (off-white, olive and navy) make the potential outfit combinations endless.
A bright pouch
Cross-body leather phone bag
£25 at Etsy
These handy little bags will add a playful pop of colour to your outfit. They’re ideal for when you only need to take your phone and keys out with you.
Shiny shoes
Mary Jane ballet shoes
£12.50 at Asda
Silver is great because it goes with everything, and it adds more pizazz to an outfit than black or white. These metallic flats are the pilates pump style revered by Jess Cartner-Morley and are incredibly affordable.
A dependable raincoat
Rains long jacket
£76 at John Lewis
£95 at Rains
A dependable raincoat is a necessity throughout spring and, let’s face it, summer. Yet finding a raincoat that’s reliable and attractive can be tricky. This one from Rains strikes the right balance, with a classic style that would pair well with most outfits.
For more, check out our guide to the best raincoats
A sweatshirt
Enid embroidered jumper
£84 at John Lewis
£84 at Boden
Have you noticed cherries are everywhere at the moment? This jumper embodies the trend in a cute but understated way. Cherrypicked by Jess Cartner-Morley for her April style essentials, she says she’d wear it to dinner with a black cami underneath.
