Everything You Need for a Spring Capsule Wardrobe, According to Style Editors

Dressing for spring can be confusing, but picking the right wardrobe for the season doesn’t have to be. A reliable spring capsule wardrobe starts with the essentials: comfortable jeans, crisp T-shirts, functional totes, and sporty sneakers. Aside from to the classics, it’s time to sprinkle a few spring-specific styles—such as trench coats and pleated skirts—into your closet. Put away the down coats and embrace a little playful color!

The key, really, is to curate your wardrobe around a handful of pieces you can wear over and over again while finding ways to sprinkle in a little bit of seasonal fun. Below, you’ll find all the shopping ideas you need for the perfect spring capsule wardrobe, plus some extra styling inspiration to keep these pieces in your rotation for years to come.

Our Spring Capsule Building Blocks

MODA DÜNYAYI KOLLUYOR

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The essential tee

Skims Stretch Cotton Jersey T-Shirt

$48

Skims

 The simple-yet-trendy sneaker

Adidas Japan Sneakers

$120

Nordstrom

 The comfy jeans

Abercrombie & Fitch Mid-Rise ’90s Straight Jeans

$90

Abercrombie & Fitch

 The timeless outerwear

Tankaneo Cropped Trench Coat

$40 (27% off)

Amazon

 The chic work tote

Madewell Lexington Tote

$268

Madewell

1. The basic T-shirt

Crewnecks, boxy tops, baby tees—no matter the silhouette, a simple, short-sleeve T-shirt is a staple any time of year, and especially in spring. As the weather warms up, consider investing in a few high-quality tees, preferably 100% cotton options that’ll wash and age best. The magic of a basic T-shirt, especially a white tee, is that it pairs well with just about anything, but a denim jacket, wide-leg jeans, and loafers combo will never fail you.

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Everlane Slim Crew

$38

Everlane

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Leset Classic Margo T-Shirt

$78

Amazon

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Quince Organic Cotton Boxy Crewneck Tees (3-Pack)

$15

Quince

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Skims Stretch Cotton Jersey T-Shirt

$48

Skims

2. The everyday sneakers

One absolute must-have as we embark into spring? Sneakers primed for everyday wear. While these pairs speak to this season’s trends—including slim soles and retro designs—they’re also the kinds of kicks you’ll want to wear long after the season is over. A spring jacket will keep the casual, sporty theme going, while a blazer and black pants will make these picks office-appropriate.

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Reebok Club C 85 Vintage Tennis Sneakers

$85

Amazon

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Adidas Japan Sneakers

$120

Nordstrom

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Lucky Step Thin-Sole Sneakers

$40

Amazon

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Veja Campo Sneakers

$175

Nordstrom

3. The straight-leg jeans

The debate between skinny and wide-leg denim rages on, but straight-leg jeans have quietly emerged as the middle ground pretty much everyone loves. This timeless denim silhouette works well with a variety of shoes in your spring arsenal, including colorful sneakers, elevated ballet flats, and ’90s-coded kitten heels; hisse attention to your below-the-ankle styling to make every look feel fresh.

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Abercrombie & Fitch Mid-Rise ’90s Straight Jeans

$90

Abercrombie & Fitch

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Old Navy High-Waisted Wow Loose Jeans

$26 (30% off)

Old Navy

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Reformation Val ’90s Jeans

$178

Reformation

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Levi’s Low Loose Jeans

$108

Amazon

4. The trench coat

Fashion pros swear by trench coats for good reason: They protect against misty mornings, unexpected downpours, and sudden gusts of wind, all while simultaneously taking your outfit up a notch. Best of all, they don’t require much effort in the styling department. Pull on a billowy blouse, light-wash jeans, and a sharp pair of boots for a look that’s equal parts practical and cute.

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Everlane Drapey Twill Trench

$298

Everlane

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Tankaneo Cropped Trench Coat

$40 (27% off)

Amazon

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Reformation Beck Trench Coat

$348

Nordstrom

$348

Reformation

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The Drop Noa Trench Coat

$100

Amazon

5. The oversized sunglasses

With the sun finally sticking around a bit later, you’ll want to stock up on a few pairs of standout sunglasses to protect your eyes and add some oomph to your spring ensembles. Slim sunnies are still en vogue, but oversized shades are perhaps even more popular this season, particularly ’70s-style aviators and bold yet understated black frames.

6. The ribbed tank

We’ll put it simply: A proper spring wardrobe requires a ribbed tank top. This classic silhouette is an essential layering piece—it looks great under light jackets—but it’s also perfect on its own when temperatures rise. With one of these picks in your collection, you’ll have plenty of outfit options ready to go; tuck one into trousers and throw on some of those sunglasses above for a zero-effort stunner for your day off.

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Hanes Soft Cotton Ribbed Tank Tops (4-Pack)

$20

Amazon

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Abercrombie & Fitch Bra-Free Rib Scoopneck Tank

$25

Abercrombie & Fitch

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Old Navy First-Layer Scoopneck Tank Top

$7 (46% off)

Old Navy

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Skims Cotton Rib Scoopneck Tank

$38

Skims

7. The midi-dress

Just right for warmer spring days, the midi-dress has endless appeal. These picks are also built for layering over fitted tops that look good solo or paired with blazers or cropped trenches. Style them with ballet flats, walking sandals, or court sneakers, depending on the occasion.

8. The ballet flats

After staging their big comeback a few years ago, tried-and-true ballet flats are officially here to stay. There are so many pairs to choose from, but whether you go the Mary Janes route or opt for sleek leather flats, you’ll never feel underdressed with these bad boys on. Channel Jennifer Lawrence in jeans and a trench, or go a little more elevated with a shirt dress.

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Zara Leather Ballet Flats

$80

Zara

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Voleece Criss-Cross Ballet Flats

$37 (14% off)

Amazon

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Sam Edelman Alie Ballet Flats

$120

Nordstrom

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Margaux Fonteyn Flats

$315

Margaux

9. The pleated skirt

Whether you go midi or küçük, pleated skirts lean into the season’s overarching preppy look with a vibe that’s relaxed yet elevated. We’re not opposed to wearing pleated skirts with sneakers, but if you’re afraid of looking too tenniscore, we recommend dressing up your pick with tall socks and penny loafers (or knee-high boots earlier in the season). Half-tuck a thin sweater up top and you’re good to go.

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Madewell Pleated Midiskirt

$50 (66% off)

Madewell

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Uniqlo Pleated Skort

$40

Uniqlo

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Boden Valentina Sateen Skirt

$128 (20% off)

Boden

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Everlane Crepe Midi Skirt

$118 (30% off)

Everlane

10. The work tote

Overpackers, listen up: An oversized, laptop-friendly tote bag will make all the difference for your spring wardrobe, both during the week and when you’re off duty. You’ll want a carryall that’s luxurious on the outside (i.e., worth wearing everywhere) and roomy enough inside to fit all your essentials while on the go. Feel free to splurge, since a classic leather tote is seasonless and highly durable.

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Cuyana System 16-Inch Laptop Leather Tote

$498

Bloomingdale’s

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Hoxis Hobo Bag

$29 (19% off)

Amazon

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Madewell Lexington Tote

$268

Madewell

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Demellier New York Tote

$695

DeMellier

$695

Net-a-Porter

11. The cozy cardigan

Just because it’s spring doesn’t mean sweater season is over quite yet. Now is the perfect time to replace your heavy turtlenecks and wool pullovers with lighter, more layering-friendly cardigans. A soft, lightweight sweater is ülkü for the chilly nights when you need some layers but it’s not quite gusty enough for a jacket. Pro tip: Tie one around your shoulders or waist during the day, then slip it on as temperatures drop.

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Anrabess Striped Cardigan Sweater

$40

Amazon

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Alex Mill Taylor Rollneck Cardigan

$178

Nordstrom

$178

Alex Mill

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Madewell Raglan-Sleeve Cropped Cardigan

$135

Madewell

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ASTR the Label Denise Cardigan

$79

Nordstrom

12. The statement earrings

Accessories are the finishing touches that make your outfits look (and even feel) new with every wear. We’re assuming your jewelry capsule is already stacked—but many women are missing eye-catching earrings in their collections. We prefer larger-than-life options over the typical studs and hoops to turn blah outfits into true statements. Start with these favorites from some of our favorite jewelry brands.

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Heaven Mayhem Prize Earrings

$90

Amazon

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Sherlove Knot Earrings

$10 (23% off)

Amazon

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Madewell Sculptural Droplet Statement Earrings

$38

Madewell

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Shashi Alice Tortoise Earrings

$96

Shopbop

13. The button-down shirt

A button-down shirt is as timeless and versatile as you’ll possibly get for spring. There’s no wrong way to style this trusty top; you can tuck it into trousers, throw it on unbuttoned over a tank or dress, or wear it over a swimsuit as a cover-up on the beach—just to name a few. Our tip: if you already own a white or light-blue style, try branching out with a playful stripe or bold hue for a springy twist.

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Lauren Ralph Lauren Easy Deva Stretch Cotton Shirt

$100

Nordstrom

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MGWDT Button-Down Shirt

$24

Amazon

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H&M Oxford Shirt

$25

H&M

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Gap Organic Cotton Poplin Big Shirt

$70

Gap

14. The barn jacket

With unpredictable weather on the horizon, the barn jacket is a happy medium between a light jackets and a heavy coat. This workwear-inspired silhouette is deeply practical, with sturdy fabric and ample pockets. You can always keep your outfit simple, but consider spicing it up with a frilly maxiskirt or a boho blouse for contrast.

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Uniqlo Zip-Up Short Jacket

$70

Uniqlo

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Madewell Denim Chore Jacket

$228

Madewell

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Barbour Beadnell Jacket

$398

Nordstrom

$440

Net-a-Porter

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Old Navy Canvas Barn Jacket

$70

Old Navy

15. The cuff bracelet

Chunky, ’80s-inspired cuff bracelets are back, and the newest iterations on the market give even the simplest of looks an editorial finish. Our favorite way to style a shiny cuff is by layering it over a long-sleeve top or sweater for a chic, effortless touch.

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BaubleBar Aziza Layered Cuff Bracelet

$44

Nordstrom

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Ettika Wavy Metal Cuff Bracelet

$60

Nordstrom