We kicked off 2024 with winter essentials — the not-boring-basics that you need as the foundation of your wardrobe, the pieces that make getting dressed easy. As the temps get warmer, it’s time to shift our closets from the heavier, darker pieces of winter to something light and bright for spring. Our spring wardrobe essentials are the building blocks you need this season (and all summer long) to easily create stylish looks.
Your assignment: Using our wardrobe checklist, head into your closet and identify your essentials! Do they fit well? Are you in love with them? Are they in good repair (nothing needs a hem or button)? If you answered no to any of that, then that’s where we come in! You can use our recommendations in this post to make your shopping a breeze and fill in the gaps in your wardrobe.
Megan’s spring essentials focus on layers and comfort. Lighten up your spring wardrobe with cotton and woven leather, but throw in a summer weight cashmere sweater just in case.
Christa’s spring essentials focus on one-and-done dresses, a great pair of white jeans and lots of cute sandals as the foundation for building outfits.
White Denim/Pants
MEGAN: White jeans are a spring and summer essential. I have worn this J.Crew pair for a few years and they are still in rotation. Pro tip: I had the raw hem finished at the tailor for a more polished look. I just picked up another pair from Talbots. They are a full length on me and bonus the pockets are NUDE so you can’t see them. (Why doesn’t everyone do this??) Now is the time to check your white jeans for stains, discoloration and wear. I find I need to replace them every year or two.
CHRISTA: When I’m going from cold to warm weather, one of the first things I start switching up are my jeans, reaching more often for the white denim/pants. All of these pants I’m sharing come in a wide range of sizes and lengths. The LLBean white ankle length jeans have been my favorite for the last year (Megan, they did get the memo on nude pockets!). LOFT has a great chino option – lots of colors and petite/regular /tall sizes, and (again) nude pckets. The WHBM (last pair) are a skinnier cut.
Chinos, Cargo Pants, Skirts
MEGAN: How many pairs of “army green pants” is too many? Asking for a friend. These J.Crew green cargo pants are in heavy rotation this spring; with tee shirts, button downs, denim shirts, tanks and cardigans. Linen pants are a spring essential and these look so much more polished than the draw string pair in my closet. The elastic back sold me (oh, and they come in petite!). The 80s denim skirt is a must. I swear it’s coming back and look at it below with Keds–could be my 10th grade yearbook photo.
CHRISTA: Old Navy and LOFT win this category for me with cute, budget-friendly spring pants! The olive color is like a neutral and goes with almost everything (just ask Megan!), and the wider leg style is everywhere right now. I added the light blue from LOFT, and the blush color from Old Navy.
Blouses, T-shirts and Layering Pieces
MEGAN: It’s no secret I’m a sucker for a striped top. The brown and white (slight puff shoulder) V neck is the perfect addition to my blue and white breton collection. She looks especially good with light denim. Every season is the right season for a white button down. The F&E is my current favorite. Spring is for flowers and this print looks great with white, light denim or khaki chinos. As always my go to white tee is the ATM School Boy. Pro tip: Check Nordstrom Rack they occasional have them for half price.
CHRISTA: Summer blouses should be light and breezy. And you should also add at least one solid t-shirt you love for layering (I LOVE this one from J.Jill). When you have a few of these basic, go-with-everything tops, then add in the trendy pieces for color and fun. (Right now, my favorite site for the colorful trendy tops is Avara.)
Classic Sweaters
MEGAN: Spring weather is unpredictable making layers an essential part of any spring wardrobe. My three must haves are a cotton fisherman in white/cream, an over sized oatmeal cashmere crew neck and a loose knit cardigan. Pro tip: Watch the men’s sale rack for the over sized cashmere in a light color.
CHRISTA: I don’t wear sweaters much in the summer, but having a cardigan is essential for travel, cool nights and air conditioned restaurants. Pick a neutral color to get the most bang for your buck!
Go-With-Anything Neutral Shoes and Sandals
MEGAN: I can go all spring and summer with JUST these FOUR pairs of shoes.
CHRISTA: Of course, my SCHUTZ sandals made my list. They’re the ideal staple because they work with everything. It’s all I pack for vacations, I wear them all spring/summer/fall. My other go to’s are a neutral flat in spring, swapped with a dressier “flip flop” for summer. Sam Edelman is definitely my go to every year!
Blazers and Jackets
MEGAN: Getting dressed in the spring is all about layers. I recently purchased this F&E Peacoat in oatmeal and it goes with everything. Like an elevated sweat shirt. I’ve also been tossing my navy scuba blazer on over jeans and tee as a layer and it looks much more chic than a wind breaker. I’m in love with this raincoat, you’d never know it was Adidas — more sophisticated than sporty.
CHRISTA: A jean jacket works with everything and is a good travel companion (Megan and I BOTH have the one below). But if you want an alternative to a denim jacket, the white LOFT jacket (on sale-under $40) or the Rails jacket are both great spring/summer/travel alternatives. (I have the Rails jacket in black, but I’m loving the new pale green one.) And, because spring is rainy, you should have a trench coat or rain coat; I’ve linked a trench option from Amazon that won’t break your budget.
Dress/Skirt
MEGAN: Dresses are the easiest way to get dressed in spring. Wear them casually with sneakers or flip fops or dress them up with wedges. This is also a great place to work pattern into your wardrobe.
CHRISTA: A black, white, and/or denim dress can work for almost any occasion–grad parties, dinner on the patio, a winery visit, girls’ lunch, bridal shower, you name it! Dresses are my go to in the summer and I wear them most days; the one-and-done option makes summer dressing so simple. I recommend all three of these as your go to’s because they dress up nicely, or dress down with flip flops for errands. And, here’s a roundup of some colorful dress options. p.s. Don’t forget some shapewear shorts to wear under your cute dresses (see accessories below for my pick).
Bonus: Finishing Touches for Your Spring Wardrobe Essentials
MEGAN: Like every season, I love accessories. From purses to sunglasses, hats to jewelry I love ’em all. Now’s the time to stash that black tote bag and lighten it up to a woven leather. Add some turquoise to your necklace stack and check to make sure your strapless bra still holds everything up. Don’t forget a slip to wear under all those fun dresses!
CHRISTA: My finishing touches are almost the same as they were for colder weather. I lighten up my crossbody bag and stick with some favorite gold jewelry. This selection makes getting dressed or packing a breeze. (Can you sense that I have a theme here–getting dressed needs to be EASY!)
Megan’s Looks: Click HERE and HERE.
Christa’s Looks: Click HERE and HERE.
Shop Our Post for Your Wardrobe Essentials
Missing some items on the checklist or need a refresh? Shop our post after you shop your closet to fill in the gaps.
Megan’s Spring Wardrobe Essentials
Christa’s Spring Wardrobe Essentials
Pin this Post for Spring Wardrobe Essentials
Friends share the good stuff on social media, too! Follow us @styleamongfriends on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. We’re sharing more style, decor, beauty, recipes and other fun finds.
We earn from your purchases made through affiliate links in this post, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work.
Love both of your spring wardrobe essentials! Thanks for sharing!
We are ready for the closet switch over, can you tell?