20 must-have pieces for your spring capsule wardrobe

Spring is a season of unpredictable weather. It might be sunny and breezy in the morning, then turn rainy and cold in the afternoon. Be prepared while still looking stylish with a trench coat. A good trench is a piece that you’ll always be glad you have. 

There are few pieces as versatile as a denim jacket. They can be dressed up or dressed down, and they’re so easy to grab when you don’t know what to grab — you just know you need a layer. 

A good denim blouse is similar to a denim jacket. While they are a little less versatile, they do make for a great layering piece and match with just about any bottom you can imagine. They work for drinks with friends or a casual day at the office. 

In many instances, it’s best to stick to pants in the spring, even when the weather starts getting consistently warm. A pair of black trousers will become your go-to in the spring. They’re a dependable piece that you can build an outfit on in a pinch. 

Don’t sleep on a pair of white trousers. You might not get as much use out of white trousers as black — they’re less forgiving in the stain department — but you’ll find plenty of reasons to wear them. 

Slingback heels are great for the spring. They’re not full coverage shoes, but they still work well for springtime. And since they typically have a shorter heel, they’re easy to walk in, which is perfect for getting some miles on your restless spring legs. 

Remember, the key to dressing in transitional months is layering, and few pieces are more effective at layering than a lightweight cardigan. You might want to stock up on a few of these babies. 

Just because the sun is out doesn’t mean you need to put away all your sweaters. Spring still offers plenty of time to wear lightweight sweaters, especially with certain bottoms. Put a lightweight sweater in a pastel or a light neutral in your spring rotation. 

Leather jackets are most definitely spring pieces. In the springtime, opt for a lightweight leather jacket or one with less hardware. You can wear these with blue jeans or trousers, over dresses, or as outerwear. 

A slip dress is a great piece to wear in the springtime. It can be paired with a jacket or a cardigan, or it can be layered under a lightweight sweater or over a long-sleeve T-shirt. You can wear sneakers, heels, flats, or sandals with a slip dress, making it such a wearable piece. 

You probably already have a good white T-shirt in your capsule wardrobe for spring, and you need to add another. White T-shirts can be worn as layering or as standalone pieces on warmer days. They pair well with every bottom and are a great go-to when you’re at a loss for what to wear. 

Don’t let another day pass without adding a good pair of blue jeans to your spring capsule wardrobe. The cut is irrelevant as long as it’s a pair of blue jeans that you feel confident in and will get lots of wear from, add them. 

Your feet have been bound to boots for far too long. Once the weather warms up, get yourself into a pair of good sneakers. Look for a versatile pair in a neutral color that you know you can dress up or down.

Blazers are great layering pieces, especially in the spring when they can easily serve as outerwear, too. You can wear a blazer over a slip dress, pair it with a hoodie, or throw it over a white T-shirt and some black trousers. 

Wedges are the unsung heroes of shoes. They can make even the most casual outfits a bit dressier (within reason), and they’re way easier to walk in than a pair of classic heels. Wedges are perfect for the spring, so don’t count them out when it comes to your capsule wardrobe. 

Button-down T-shirts are just as effective as layering pieces as anything else in your closet. You can wear them over or under a variety of other pieces, and they look chic on their own. Button-downs are perfect when you want to look effortlessly put together. 

Midi skirts exist in the same vein as slip dresses in spring dressing. While you need an extra piece (skirts obviously don’t cover your chest), you can pair a good midi skirt with just as many pieces as a slip dress. 

Not even spring is exempt from a little black dress moment. Wedges, sneakers, jackets, or sweaters — a little black dress can be worn with anything and everything. Find one you love and feel great in and get as much use as possible out of it.

There are plenty of trendy pairs of shoes you could spend your money on, but a ballet flat is a great investment. There will be years where you don’t get quite as much use out of them, but in other years, you won’t want to wear anything else on your feet. 

Loafers look good with trousers, jeans, skirts, and dresses. They work for casual shopping afternoons or important days at the office. They keep you comfortable while still looking good, and they’re perfect for spring.