Step Into Spring: Here’s How To Build A Spring Capsule Wardrobe
CHO Fashion & Lifestyle
Spring has sprung, so it’s the perfect time to think about reinventing your wardrobe for the new season!
If you find your wardrobe overwhelming, now may be the perfect time to start building a spring capsule wardrobe. Including all your favourite core pieces and opportunities to mix and match your outfits, a capsule wardrobe helps streamline your current wardrobe, removes decision fatigue, and eliminates excessive shopping habits.
If you like the idea of a spring capsule wardrobe but are unsure where to start, don’t worry! In this blog, we’ve pulled together all our top tips on curating your perfect streamlined spring wardrobe to guarantee effortless style this season. From the best colours to wear to what to include, achieving a curated capsule wardrobe style has never been easier!
Table of contents:
What is a spring capsule wardrobe?
How many items are in a capsule wardrobe?
How to build a spring capsule wardrobe?
What is a spring capsule wardrobe?
Before we discuss the components of a spring capsule wardrobe, it’s important to clarify what a capsule wardrobe is.
A capsule wardrobe, by definition, is a streamlined edit of garments that work well together.
When we think of a classic capsule wardrobe, neutral hues often spring to mind, guaranteeing that all pieces coordinate; however, this doesn’t have to be the case.
A capsule wardrobe will look different from person to person. Still, it should contain several core pieces you love that work well together and fit your lifestyle.
A spring capsule wardrobe should build upon those pieces in your wardrobe that you wear on repeat, irrespective of how many other items of clothing you have, but should incorporate pieces that work well in spring weather, leaving room to capitalise on the occasional spring trend or shade if you wish to do so.
What should you wear during the transition from winter to spring?
You should always consider transitioning seasons when planning out your capsule wardrobe. When transitioning from cold to warmer weather, layers can be a helpful way to utilise your capsule wardrobe’s core items and help prepare you for whatever the seasons have to throw at you.
For example, why not start with a classic T-shirt and jeans? Then, layer over a stylish knit and finish with a lightweight jacket or raincoat that will protect you from the elements and pair easily with many looks. Should the weather begin to warm up, remove your knitwear layer, or on dryer, cooler spring days, keep the knitwear but lose the raincoat.
This is an example of a simple, stylish look that epitomises capsule dressing. It works just as well for a day browsing the shops as it would for meeting friends for drinks or an evening meal.
Each piece in your spring capsule wardrobe should work well together, while still considering the transitioning seasons, so you don’t get left caught out in the cold if the weather takes a turn!
What month do you start wearing spring clothes?
According to the Met Office, Meteorological Spring begins in March and ends in May, so you can expect longer hours of daylight and slightly warmer temperatures. This is the perfect time to start thinking about that spring capsule wardrobe and wearing lighter spring clothes.
However, we’d recommend keeping that lightweight raincoat in your spring capsule wardrobe rotation, as UK springtime is notoriously unpredictable and usually quite wet!
How many items are in a capsule wardrobe?
There’s no magic number for the number of pieces you should have in your capsule wardrobe, as this can vary wildly from person to person, depending on individual preferences and lifestyle.
For example, a person working in a corporate environment may need more wardrobe options than someone with a dedicated work uniform or who works from home.
Typical guidelines suggest that a basic capsule wardrobe should include 30 to 40 items, including essential clothing for everyday wear, a few occasion wear pieces, footwear, and accessories that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits suited to various occasions.
Some people may choose to have more items in their capsule wardrobes for variety, whereas others may take a more minimalist approach to suit their basic needs.
The key to curating a capsule wardrobe is to choose quality pieces that are versatile and easily coordinated. This will maximise outfit coordination combinations while minimising excess clothing and clutter.
How to build a spring capsule wardrobe?
When building out your spring capsule wardrobe, examine what you already have. Curating any kind of capsule wardrobe doesn’t mean you need to throw away what you already have, but rather, use these garments as the building blocks for your capsule collection. Here are our top tips on creating your perfect spring capsule wardrobe.
Start with the basics
Dedicate some time to reviewing the garments you already have in your wardrobe to identify the pieces you no longer need. Start by separating your clothing into seasons and storing away your winter clothes so you can focus more easily on editing your spring wardrobe.
Ask yourself honest questions such as, ‘Do I still wear this item?’, ‘Do I still like this item?’ and ‘Does this item still fit me?’ Any items that warrant a ‘no’ response should be removed (you could then sell these items for extra cash to invest in new pieces or donate them to charity).
Once you’ve removed the pieces you no longer wear, look at what’s left. What outfits can you already put together from the remaining garments? This is a good way to establish what’s missing from your wardrobe.
Whilst having a capsule wardrobe is more sustainable than shopping for trends, it’s unrealistic to think you’ll never need to shop again! Instead, assess what’s missing and invest in good quality pieces to fill the gaps.
If you haven’t got all of the basics covered, here are a few options we’d recommend to kickstart your spring capsule wardrobe (that will also carry forward into other seasons):
Cargo trousers
Cargo trousers, like Barbour International’s Kinghorn Cargo Trousers, are the perfect addition to your capsule wardrobe as a base for several looks. Although cargo pants may be a spring trend, they are incredibly wearable, and in this classic khaki hue, you’ll definitely want to invest in them as a core wardrobe staple.
Pair yours with heeled boots to elevate your everyday style or with trainers and a white T-shirt to curate a laid-back aesthetic on your off-duty days.
Plain white T-shirt
A plain white T-shirt should be a staple in every capsule wardrobe, irrespective of season. We recommend a classic cut like this Woolrich Logo Women’s Tee, with its subtle logo, for maximum wearability. Perfect when teamed with jeans, cargo pants, or a skirt or used as a basic layer under a statement jacket, a plain white T-shirt is a chic and classic staple that can be worn all year round.
A neutral knit jumper
Knitwear is a great core staple for transitioning seasons and ideal for when the warm spring weather turns back towards a winter chill. A chic addition to any capsule wardrobe, the beauty of high-quality wool is that it’s naturally breathable, keeping you warm without you feeling warm and flustered. Choose a light, neutral colour like the Cashmere Creme of Tommy Hilfiger’s Cable Knit Women’s Roll-Neck Jumper, a stylish classic that you can easily dress up and down.
A trench coat
If your current spring capsule wardrobe lacks a lightweight coat, a trench coat is ideal. A classic you’ll be reaching for season after season, a good trench like Barbour International’s Aldrin Women’s Long Showerproof makes for the perfect pairing to office attire, casual off-duty looks and elevated evening style. This showerproof style will keep you sheltered from any April showers, and its chic single-breasted fastening and stylish detailing will have you reach for it throughout spring and on those days when the weather is a little in between seasons.
A dress for all occasions
Once the spring sunshine appears, it’s only natural to want to ditch those extra layers and grab one of your favourite dresses! When choosing a dress for spring, opt for a style that can be suited to all occasions, like a Tommy Hilfiger Blouson Long Sleeve Women’s Midi Short Dress.
This dress will pair perfectly with trainers and your trench coat on the brightest days. It will also look chic with heeled boots for the office or date night (you could even add in some tights for the coldest spring days!). Then, dig out your favourite pair of sandals and prepare to step into summer in this stylish look.
Adding trending spring colours into your capsule wardrobe
If you love fashion and style, there’s no harm in being tempted to invest in the occasional trend to incorporate into your capsule wardrobe; just be aware that you might not want to wear these items for long once the trend disappears. The same applies to trending colours; what you want to wear now may not fit into your capsule wardrobe in the same way when next spring rolls around.
Consider your purchases and buy trend-focused items from resellers. Or, try a rental service to be a more considered shopper. Then, if you really love the item, you’ll have taken some time to see how it fits your capsule wardrobe before investing.
The best way to incorporate spring colours into your capsule wardrobe is to invest in small accessories that add a pop of colour to your core staples, such as a fun piece of jewellery, a scarf, or a statement handbag.
Ted Baker Gatocon Mini Croc Icon Bag
Another way to incorporate spring colours is to add some patterned pieces to your core staples. For example, you could opt for t-shirts or dresses featuring patterned detailing reminiscent of spring alongside your classic white or neutral choices.
In contrast to last year’s super bright Viva Magenta, Pantone’s Colour Of The Year 2024 is Peach Fuzz, so if you’re looking for a colour pop to invest in for the year, this warm peach tone could be the perfect pick. Then, with the runway shows celebrating pastels, bright whites and charcoal grey, Spring 2024 could be the perfect year to add on-trend colours to your capsule wardrobe that you’ll still be reaching for for years to come!
Find the perfect staples for your spring capsule wardrobe at CHO
At CHO, we know how important it is to find high-quality investment pieces for your capsule wardrobe. To complete your capsule wardrobe, why not browse our stunning women’s collection for stylish clothing, footwear, and accessories that transcend trends? With a range of stunning brands available, including Tommy Hilfiger, Barbour International, and Ted Baker, explore the range today and find the perfect pieces for your spring capsule wardrobe, whatever your style preference!
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