When you put an outfit together, chances are you start with color and shape. Navy or cream? Tailored or relaxed? Dress or pants? Most of us build our wardrobes around these familiar pillars. But there’s a third dimension that often gets overlooked, texture. The difference between flat and fascinating rarely comes down to color alone. Once you start leaning into texture, even the simplest spring outfit feels richer, more considered, and much more stylish. Let’s take a look at how to wear texture.
Wearing texture this spring
In this article, you’ll find our favorite textures for spring and into summer. Plus, a capsule wardrobe that puts together all the different textures.
linen
Let’s start with linen. Few fabrics say spring quite like linen. Slightly rumpled, breathable, and effortlessly relaxed, it brings instant softness to an outfit. Linen shirts, wide-leg trousers, and easy blazers feel polished but never stiff. Keep the palette light. Whites, oat tones, soft blues, and warm neutrals make linen feel especially fresh as the weather warms. Perfect to wear in spring and then into summer. Wear a linen blazer with your jeans now and then lighter pieces like linen pants and blazers as the weather warms up.
Boden Woodbridge Linen Blazer – J.Crew Linen Cutaway Vest Top – J.Crew Soleil Linen Pants – Boden Mae Linen Blend Shirt Dress
Kim @kimair above chooses a stylish, vibrant outfit for spring.
Check out this similar shirt (another option here), skirt, sandals, handbag, earrings and sunglasses.
Silk and satin
Silk and satin bring a beautiful, fluid elegance to spring dressing. After the heaviness of winter, silk and satin bring a lightness to the new season. A silk blouse tucked into tailored trousers or a satin skirt paired with a simple knit creates that perfect balance of polish and ease. The gentle sheen adds depth without needing bold prints or color, making even the simplest outfit feel elevated. In spring light, especially, these fabrics come alive, moving softly and reflecting just enough shine to make the whole look feel effortlessly refined.
Nordstrom Lace Trim Satin Tank – Boden Sara Silk Shirt – J.Crew Cosmo Luster Charmeuse Pants – Massimo Dutti Flowy Trousers
Massimo Dutt Lace-detail Top – J.Crew Cosmo Luster Charmeuse Pants – Sam Edelman Marcie Ballet Flats – JW PEI Large Kiana Woven Tote
Broderie and lace
Lace is always on trend for good reason. It adds delicacy without overwhelming the look. A lace blouse paired with denim or a lace skirt, or a lace skirt styled with a simple knit, feels modern this spring. Or if you just want to add a touch of the trend, then choose contemporary jewelry with a lace feel.
Massimo Dutt Lace-detail Top – Boden Savannah Broderie Top – J.Crew Lace-trim Pintuck Skirt – Massimo Dutti Lace Pendant Necklace
Karen @styledbykaren above shows how you could style a lace skirt with a blazer.
Recreate her outfit with this similar blazer, skirt and pumps.
Embroidery
Embroidery is particularly on trend this spring and summer. Choosing embroidered jeans is a great way to add one of the season’s new denim trends to your outfits. Add to a plain pair of jeans now, and then switch to shorts for summer vacations. Adding embroidery to your accessories is another option if you just want to add a touch of texture. Perfect if you love bohemian style.
Treasure & Bond Embroidered Front Button Top – Rails Arlene Embroidered Linen Blend Top – Bayeas Floral Embroidered Wide Leg Jeans – FARM Rio Large Embroidered Raffia Basket Tote
Boden Woodbridge Linen Blazer – Nordstrom Lace Trim Satin Tank – Bayeas Floral Embroidered Wide Leg Jeans – Nordstrom Lace Trim Satin Tank – Tory Burch Mini Fleming Quilted Denim Hobo Bag – Massimo Dutti Lace Pendant Necklace
knits
If spring where you are still carries a bit of a chill, there’s no need to pack away your knitwear just yet. Lightweight sweaters and relaxed cardigans are perfect for those in-between days when the sun is out, but the air still has a bite. Stay cozy while leaning into texture. Cable knits, ribbed finishes, or sweaters with subtle embroidery add interest and depth to simple outfits. Paired with jeans, skirts, or layered over a dress, knitwear keeps things comfortable while still feeling completely in step with the season.
J.Crew Rollneck Cable-knit Sweater – Lands’ End Drifter Classic Cardigan Sweater – J.Crew Cashmere Pointelle Short-sleeve Cardigan – J.Crew Cashmere Floral Jacquard Cardigan Sweater
Dawn Lucy @fashionshouldbefun above adds a cozy turtleneck to her jeans – and adds extra texture with her woven bag.
Get her look with this similar sweater, jeans, sneakers and handbag (another option here).
woven
Woven textures are a big trend for spring, bringing a natural, tactile element to even the simplest outfits. Think braided leather, raffia, or basket weave details that add instant depth. The easiest way to work the look into your wardrobe is through accessories. A woven bag or a pair of woven flats can transform a straightforward outfit like jeans and a shirt into something far more considered. It adds that subtle, handcrafted feel that is perfect for spring and hints at the relaxed mood of the season ahead. Perfect to add to linen dresses and shorts in summer.
Sam Edelman Marcie Ballet Flats – Nordstrom Lace Trim Satin Tank ANINE BING Lou Monogram Bag – JW PEI Large Kiana Woven Tote
J.Crew Cashmere Floral Jacquard Cardigan Sweater – Massimo Dutti Pleat Denim Midi Skirt – Vagabond Shoemakers Blanca Suede Booties – ANINE BING Lou Monogram Bag –
denim
Denim is getting a textural upgrade this spring. Instead of the classic flat weave, look for styles with embossed patterns, raised stitching, pleated panels, or sculpted seams that add dimension to the fabric. It’s a subtle twist on a familiar favorite, but one that makes a real impact. Textured denim works across everything from jeans and skirts to bags and even shoes, bringing interest to your everyday outfits. Style with simple tops and clean tailoring.
Boden Pleated Wide Leg Jeans – Massimo Dutti Pleat Denim Midi Skirt – Lauren Ralph Lauren Janson Frayed Denim Sneakers – Tory Burch Mini Fleming Quilted Denim Hobo Bag
Emms @beautifuleveryday_uk above pairs a denim dress with suede.
Steal her look with this similar dress, boots, handbag and sunglasses.
suede
Suede is often filed under fall style, but it can look just as beautiful in spring so it’s the perfect addition if you’re thinking about how to wear texture. In lighter shades like sand, tan, and soft caramel, suede feels warm and relaxed rather than heavy. A suede jacket, skirt, or even a pair of loafers or ankle boots adds rich texture to simple spring outfits like denim, cotton dresses, or crisp shirts. It brings a softness that contrasts nicely with lighter fabrics, proving that this tactile favorite is not just for cooler months but can transition effortlessly into the brighter season.
J.Crew Collection Cropped Grommet Suede Lady Jacket – Nordstrom Suede Bomber Jacket – Nordstrom Suede Midi Skirt – Vagabond Shoemakers Blanca Suede Booties
J.Crew Collection Cropped Grommet Suede Lady Jacket – Boden Pleated Wide Leg Jeans – Lauren Ralph Lauren Janson Frayed Denim Sneakers – JW PEI Large Kiana Woven Tote
Your textural spring capsule
Below are many of the clothes, shoes, and accessories we showed you above. You can switch all the tops, coats, shoes, and accessories around to create countless outfits for spring. Then, when summer comes around, you can always switch your jeans for shorts. This should give you plenty of inspiration on how to wear texture and make your spring outfits more interesting.
Continue reading:
- Not groundbreaking but still gorgeous: how to wear florals this spring
- Monochrome outfits for spring: black and white takes the lead
- The spring 2026 trends to wear for the new season
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Feature image by Dawn Lucy @fashionshouldbefun
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