One of the keys to getting dressed with ease and feeling great about your outfits, is having high-quality wardrobe essentials that fit you perfectly! Some stick around all year, but each season some of these essentials change.

Today I am sharing my spring wardrobe essentials for 2021! These are the most versatile, core pieces that I use when making my spring outfits. Sometimes I wear them all together, other times I mix in trends/statements pieces. Many of these items I have had for years. I have gotten so much wear out of them and they continue to be essential in my wardrobe!

If you missed it last week, I shared my process on building your spring wardrobe, layer by layer.

Hat | T-Shirt (Easy Raglan from Everlane – new version) | Jacket | Earrings | Jeans | Shoes (I sized up 1/2 size)

See something you like? You can shop it and support my blog at the same time by purchasing through the affiliate links in this post.

Spring Wardrobe Essential Clothing

Dress, Skirt, or Jumpsuit

• Midi Dress: This can be a print or a plain color. Midi dresses are incredibly versatile for spring as they can be worn with almost any footwear and under a top layer on chillier days. If you are not a fan of dresses, you could swap this out for a midi skirt or a jumpsuit.

Top Layers

• Military Jacket: I have had mine for a few years and I wear it almost all year round. The only time I don’t wear it is in the middle of the summer because it is incredibly humid and hot in Nashville. It is green, but muted and I feel it acts as a neutral in my wardrobe as it pairs with just about everything!
• Denim Jacket: This is so classic and it never goes out of style. Denim jackets can be paired with anything, even denim if the washes are different enough in depth. It is the perfect, light, top layer for spring!
• Cardigan Sweater: (I sized down one): I love it in cream, but any light neutral color would do for spring! Cardigan sweaters add warmth and coziness, but in light colors they feel spring-ready.

Bottoms

• Denim Shorts: Classic denim-cuts off are another item that will never go out of style. They are perfect for warm spring days! Pick a length and wash that suits your preference and wear it on repeat.
• White Jeans: I wear white jeans all year long but they feel extra fresh in the spring. They add brightness to any outfit.
• Light Wash Jeans: Your favorite fit of jeans in a light wash adds the perfect base for any spring outfit. Light wash jeans are another item to wear on repeat in the spring!

Tops

• Graphic Short-sleeved Tee: If graphics are not your thing, switch this to a neutral, plain-colored tee or a versatile blouse. Graphics adds interest and are still very versatile— especially if most or all of the colors in the tee are neutral.
• Black Short-sleeved Tee: So classic, versatile, and and can be worn on it’s own or easily layered. Perfect for adding depth and contrast to your spring looks!
• White Tee: This functions the same as the black tee as it is versatile, works on it’s own or layered— but it keeps outfits feeling light and bright instead of adding depth and contrast.
• White Shirt (I sized down one): I chose a button down shirt because it is extra versatile. I wrote this blog post last year showing all the ways you can wear it. Another option is to swap this for a white feminine blouse. It might be a touch less versatile, but is perfect on it’s own and embodies the feeling of spring!

Spring Wardrobe Essential Shoes & Accessories

Hat

• Neutral Hat: I love hats and I think they elevate any spring outfit and pair well with most styles. If hats aren’t your thing, you could swap for a headband or omit this piece.

Jewelry

• Gold Hoop Earrings: Classic and also having a big moment right now. Gold hoop earring make every look feel slightly more elevated and complete. If you don’t wear earrings, you could swap them for some bracelets.
• Layered Gold Necklaces: Coin necklaces and gold chains are also having a big moment right now. They work so well with gold hoops and elevate any spring look!

Shoes

• White Sneakers: So classic, versatile, and by far my most-worn footwear throughout every single season. I love them with absolutely everything!
• Woven Mules (size up 1/2) budget version (size up 1/2): Mules are my second most-worn footwear and another style I wear all year round since the weather never really gets too cold in Nashville. My favorite mules are neutral with woven detailing. They are super versatile and they add texture to any look.
• Neutral Sandals: Depending on what the weather is like where you live, sandals may or may not work. It is warm here so I can easily wear them. If it isn’t as warm where you live, you could swap them for oxfords or your preferred style of flat shoes.

Bags

• Neutral Tote Bag: Classic and perfect for any season.
• Neutral Crossbody Bag: Classic and perfect for any season.
• Belt Bag: This has been a trend for awhile, and at this point, it is beginning to feel like an essential for me. It is perfect for walks and for moms on-the-go who have old enough kids that they no longer need a diaper bag. If belt bags are not your thing, you could easily swap for a backpack, a neutral bag in another style, or just omit this item.

Favorite Places to Shop for Spring Clothing

Where I Buy Classic/Investment Pieces

• Everlane: I look for high-quality basics— mostly tees and other knits, pants, jeans (love the 90s cheeky jeans), and shorts.
• Madewell: I look at every category, but especially high-quality basics, jewelry, tops, and shoes.
• Revolve: I look for denim shorts and jeans (Agolde & Levi’s), Veja sneakers and Anine Bing tees and sweatshirts. Most of what they have is pricey as they carry popular contemporary and designer brands.
• Shopbop: Just like Revolve, I look for denim shorts and jeans (Agolde & Levi’s), Veja sneakers, and Anine Bing tees and sweatshirts. Most of what they have is also pricey as they carry popular contemporary and designer brands.
• ABLE: They are local to Nashville and I look for bags and sandals. They also carry apparel now, but I have not tried it yet.
• Nisolo: They are local to Nashville and I look for sandals, mules, and oxfords.
• Nordstrom: This is my favorite department stores and I look at all categories. They carry so many great brands and have a variety of price points.
• Youswim: This is currently my favorite swimwear brand. All of their swimsuits are seven sizes in one and ethically made in England.

Where I Buy Trend/Statement Pieces

• H&M: I look for dresses, tops, top layers, and dress shoes— all trend items. This is my go-to place for statement and trend pieces. I look at new styles I want to try and things I know do not have the same “staying power” as my classic wardrobe pieces.
• Target: I look for dresses, tops, statement shoes and basic tank tops.
• Abercrombie: I look for tops, shorts/jeans, skirts, and dresses. This was my go-to place to shop in high school. haha. I hadn’t stepped foot in a store in over ten years, then after so many people were talking about it, I tried some of their shorts and loved them.
• Zara: I look at all of their categories. They are fast on trends, good quality and I love their styling and attention to detail. More than for me, I love their kids clothes for both boys and girls. We actually just got our first store in Nashville last month!
• ASOS: Much like H&M they carry some really affordable clothing that is fast/trendy.
• Aerie: I love their swimsuits and lounge clothes.

Other Stores I Shop Sometimes

& Other Stories. Anthropologie, Old Navy, Free People, Urban Outfitters, Vinnie Louise (local to Nashville and has a web store)

Things I Am Gravitating Towards This Spring

It is always fun to see what feels new and fresh each season, as well as what I still love from the year(s) before. So far this spring I am loving:

graphic tees, white tops, silhouettes with volume (balloon jeans, puff sleeves), feminine blouses, florals, muscles tees, mules (size up 1/2), sneakers, denim shorts, straight-leg jeans, hats, belts, slide sandals, midi dresses, gingham prints, muted pastels like lavender, light blue & sage green, and rib-knit tanks

* * * * * * *

Thanks so much for reading along! What are your spring wardrobe essentials and/or what are you gravitating towards most this season? Share away in the comments below!

Coming up next, I will be sharing my go-to spring outfit combos with you so be sure to come back to check that out!

P.S. Here are the table and basket you see in all the photos in this post!