Spring has sprung, the weather is changing, and all the high street stores have created their own versions of the spring trends that featured on the designer catwalks. So, how to take those trends and create your own spring capsule wardrobe? Let’s take a look.
Why create a spring capsule wardrobe
Thinking about putting together a capsule wardrobe each season can be a great way to help you to create outfits from what you already have in your closet, as well as carefully considering whether you would like to add a few key pieces. You might also want to take a look at our ultimate guide to creating a capsule wardrobe.
Dependent on your closet space, creating a spring capsule wardrobe can help you to put away the winter clothes you won’t be wearing, and concentrate on the spring clothes that you will be. This article on how to organize your closet and find lots of new outfit ideas will help you with that.
Plus, if you’ve already thought about how everything goes together, it will make getting dressed stylishly each day so much easier.
What to think about when putting together your spring capsule wardrobe
Spring trends
Be inspired by the spring trends for 2023, and take a look at what you already have in your closet that would work for this season.
If you do want to treat yourself to a few new things to add to your existing outfits, then you might want to take a look at the best stores for women over 40.
Barb @barb_styling above chooses a shirt dress in a shade of green that is very on trend this season.
Check out these shirtdresses from Tommy Bahama and Amazon Essentials that you can wear with this similar pair of sandals and earrings.
Transitional weather
Spring is a time when you never quite know what the weather will bring, depending on where you live of course. So you’ll want layers that you can add and take off during the day. Plus, look out for clothes in natural materials such as cotton, linen, silk and wool that won’t make you too hot or too cold.
Karen @styledbykaren above shows how you could layer a lightweight duster jacket or kimono over your jeans and t-shirt. Then, when summer comes around, you could always use it as a cover-up for your bathing suit.
Recreate her outfit with this similar top, kimono (other options here and here) and wide jeans.
spring capsule wardrobe
Let’s look at some specific tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes and accessories that are in stores now, that you could put together to create countless different looks.
Spring capsule wardrobe tops
While there were plenty of vibrant color choices on the catwalks for spring 2023, including lots of stylish red outfits, red is a color that will never date so it’s a great option if you want to make sure your outfits have longevity.
Graphic prints are very on trend right now, and are a great way to update your favorite pair of jeans or pants, while tops featuring twist details and ruching are flattering, as well as helping to elevate an otherwise simple look.
Alice + Olivia Willa Print Silk Shirt – Caslon Asymmetric Twist T-Shirt – Boden Ruched Front Printed Top – Misook Pleat Sleeve Sweater
Dawn Lucy @fashionshouldbefun (read her style interview here) above wears her floral shirt tucked into her jeans. Florals are always on trend for spring, and the raw hem of her jeans updates her look.
Steal her look with this similar floral shirt (other options here and here), wide jeans, booties and handbag.
Jackets & coats
Depending on where you are in the world, you’re likely to want at least a lightweight cover-up for spring. You could choose a trench coat, or a long, open jacket. Or, you could add a shorter moto style or blazer to your outfits.
Massimo Dutti Cropped Jacket – BLANKNYC Suede Moto Jacket (Amazon) – Misook Embroidered Stripe Organza Duster – Massimo Dutti Creased-Effect Trench Coat
Massimo Dutti Cropped Jacket – Caslon Asymmetric Twist T-Shirt – Boden Straight Leg Printed Crop Pants – Boden Pointed Ballet Flats – COACH Willow Leather Tote – Deepa Gurnani Jody Beaded Tassel Earrings
jeans & pants
A pair of dark blue jeans and a pair of white pants can be a great basis for a capsule wardrobe because it’s likely you already have these in your closet, and they go with everything. Wider leg jeans are on trend at the moment.
Plus, you might want to add a playful print to your outfits by choosing print pants. And, if the weather is warming up where you are, it could be time to look for a pair of shorts. You can dress your shorts down with sneakers and a t-shirt, or you can wear them with a blazer and heels. The Misook shorts (below) are just above the knee, so are a flattering length.
If you are looking for shorts, there’s more inspiration in this article on how to find shorts that fit and flatter women over 40.
rag & bone Casey High Waist Flare Jeans – Massimo Dutti Linen Trousers – Boden Straight Leg Printed Crop Pants – Misook Bermuda Shorts
Cathy @themiddlepageblog (read her style interview here) above opts for a classic coat style for spring, the trench coat, and wears with her jeans and sneakers.
She is wearing a trench coat from Avec Les Filles, shirt from J.Crew, jeans from AG, sneakers from Golden Goose and bag from Bell’INVITO (another option here).
dresses & skirts
Even if you don’t usually wear dresses and skirts during cooler weather, when spring and summer come, you might want to add more to your closet. Look out for bright colors and graphic prints as well as silk and satin. Wearing your denim in a different way to your usual jeans or denim jacket is a very on trend look now, so the denim-look dress by Massimo Dutti (below) could be the ideal update for your closet.
Boden Revere Collar Maxi Shirt Dress – Massimo Dutti Linen Topstitching Dress – Misook Painted Sunset Long Sleeve Maxi Dress – Open Edit Asymmetric Satin Midi Skirt
Massimo Dutti Creased-Effect Trench Coat – Massimo Dutti Linen Topstitching Dress – Boden Leather Flatform Trainers – HOBO Fern Crossbody Messenger Bag – Karine Sultan Drop Earrings
shoes & boots
If you love wearing booties, then choosing a peep toe style that incorporates the look of boots and sandals can be the ideal choice for transitional weather. The Paul Green peep toe sandals (below) come in the gold shown or black. Add a pair of classic white sneakers, some heels and some flats, and you should be ready for anything.
Boden Multi Strap Heel Sandal – Boden Pointed Ballet Flats – Paul Green Cayanne Peep Toe Sandal – Boden Leather Flatform Trainers
Jona @the50plusgirl above chooses a coordinated shorts set with her silver shoes.
Get her look with this similar top, blazer and shorts (blazer sets here and here), pumps and handbag (another option here).
accessories
No matter what the season, your accessories can instantly update your outfits. Choose a tote bag or a crossbody, depending on what you need to carry with you. Statement necklaces and earrings will create a hip look.
COACH Willow Leather Tote – HOBO Fern Crossbody Messenger Bag – Karine Sultan Cobblestone Bib Necklace – Deepa Gurnani Jody Beaded Tassel Earrings – Karine Sultan Drop Earrings
Boden Revere Collar Maxi Shirt Dress – Boden Multi Strap Heel Sandal – COACH Willow Leather Tote – Karine Sultan Cobblestone Bib Necklace – Karine Sultan Drop Earrings
Below, you can see the clothes, shoes and accessories featured above together in one capsule. You could change around the pieces to create lots of different looks each day.
For example, you could wear the red sweater with the print pants, you could add red shoes and accessories to the neutral look, you could add the black blazer and black sandals to the floral pants, or the cream coat to the print dress for a more formal look.
shop items from the spring capsule wardrobe below:
What are you looking forward to wearing this spring and add to your spring capsule wardrobe?
Continue reading:
- Spring 2023 Trends – The Best Spring And Summer Outfits
- Spring Clothing Colors 2023 – The 12 Color Trends To Choose From This Season
- The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Capsule Wardrobe That Works For You
Like this spring capsule wardrobe article? Share it on Pinterest!
Feature image by Cathy @themiddlepageblog
Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
Want to get more articles from 40+style in your inbox, subscribe here.
You can also connect with 40+style on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.
Support 40+style by using the links in our articles to shop. As an associate for Amazon and many other brands, we receive a small commission (at no cost to you) on qualifying purchases which enables us to keep creating amazing free content for you. Thanks!