You Only Need 9 Pieces for a Complete Spring Capsule Wardrobe

Four seasons with four ever-changing sets of style trends can threaten to burn a hole in even the savviest shopper's pocket. Well, fear not, because you have it on good authority (from, well, us) that this spring's wardrobe reshuffle needn't take more than nine carefully picked items. Yep, you can get your spring style entirely on point with items that you already have in your wardrobe. 

From the coat that defines the season to the trainers you'll wear forever, these are the pieces you'll need for your springtime capsule, and they all work beautifully together. Even better is you might own a lot of them already, so this will be a good opportunity to remind yourself of the pieces you might have forgotten about during our long, chilly winter. 

Keep scrolling to see the concise and effective spring wardrobe staples that will do all the hard work for you, and shop our favourite pieces for each of the elements.

1. Trench Coats

Style Notes: We hate to put a damper on things, but even when your woolly coat feels too heavy, you'll probably still need a coat for spring—and there's really no other choice than a trench coat this year. Chic detective vibes incoming. Use yours to elevate your denim or to refresh your knitted dresses. 

Shop the Key Piece:

No need to size up—this option is already perfectly oversized. 

I like the fuss-free silhouette of this trench. 

2. Puff-Sleeve Dress

Style Notes: We all know that spring and dresses go together like winter and shearling, and this season, puff-sleeve styles are reigning supreme. Wear them with tights and boots until temperatures rise. 

Shop the Key Piece:

This dress will work just so well with tan footwear.

If spring was a print, it would look like this.

3. Lightweight Suiting

Capsule Wardrobe For Spring: @monikh wears a lightweight suit

Photo:

@monikh

Style Notes: While we still adore heavier fabrics like velvet and cashmere, there's nothing quite as satisfying as slipping into something lighter come spring. Opt for one of the many, many linen and cotton suits out there, and wear with loafers.

Shop the Key Piece:

You’ll get so much wear out of this blazer, with or without the matching trousers. 

These will look incredible with pointed-toe shoes. 

One of the prettiest shades of pink I’ve seen. 

Try wearing suit as an alternative to dresses for springtime weddings. 

4. Ankle-Grazing Trousers

Capsule Wardrobe For Spring: @ada_oguntodu wears culottes

Photo:

@ada_oguntodu

Style Notes: While jeans are an integral part of any springtime wardrobe, it’s easy to get fatigued of them, especially having worn them daily since October. For spring, when it's warm enough to bare our ankles, we'll be investing in chic cropped trousers. 

Shop the Key Piece:

This is a timeless pair of trousers you'll wear all year round. 

You'll get infinite wear out of a pair of black trousers.

You’ll get more wear out of navy trousers than you might think. 

5. Wear-Everywhere Trainers

Capsule Wardrobe For Spring: @thatsaleaf wears canvas trainers

Photo:

@thatsaleaf

Style Notes: Undeniably classic, white canvas and leather kicks will go with just about every spring outfit you can throw at them. We particularly love Elif’s Breton stripe–and-jeans combination. 

Shop the Key Piece:

Vejas are still a fashion favourite. 

Trainers don’t come more versatile than this. 

This particular New Balance shape is everywhere right now.

6. Denim Midis

Capsule Wardrobe For Spring: @sylviemus_ wears a denim midi skirt

Photo:

@sylviemus_

Style Notes: This '90s wardrobe staple is back on the agenda. Though mini iterations will reappear in the summer months, for now, keep your hemlines long, and pair them with basic jersey tops like the minimalist style icon Sylvie Mus did. 

Shop the Key Piece:

You might want to consider pairing this skirt with an equally chic denim jacket. 

Style with a white tee and ballet flats for an easy on-trend look.

7. Top-Handle Bags

Style Notes: Seeing as your hands have been plunged firmly into your pockets for the last few months, one of the first things we suggest embracing come spring is switching out your crossbodies for chic top-handle bags. 

Shop the Key Piece:

The soft, padded edges of this bag feel so modern.

Arket creates some of the sleekest handbags on the high street. 

8. Utility Jumpsuit

Capsule Wardrobe For Spring: @biancaffoley wears khaki jumpsuit

Photo:

@biancaffoley

Style Notes: Like dresses, jumpsuits make for a simple outfit solution and require very minimal styling on your part. Layer with a roll-neck and finish with boots now. Then pair with mules come May. 

Shop the Key Piece:

Try wearing this jumpsuit with a roll-neck or Breton top underneath. 

This one gives me all the '70s vibes.

9. White Blouses

Capsule Wardrobe For Spring: Basma wears a cotton ruffled blouse

Photo:

@basma_k

Style Notes: It's still too soon for short sleeves, so ease yourself out of your roll-neck with a pretty white blouse. Then, when temperatures really begin to soar, swap your jeans for a breezy linen skirt. 

Shop the Key Piece:

I’m in love with this blouse, from the sleeves to the collar.

This feels so easy to style—I'll be wearing it non-stop with blue denim.

Next Up: Spring/Summer 2023 Fashion Trends: 21 Expert-Approved Looks You Need to See

This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.