I always look forward to when the seasons change. I love the feeling of new beginnings and a change of pace. The sun is setting later, temperatures are rising, and everything is beginning to bloom. Now is the time of year when we get to pack up our thick sweaters and coats. We turn our sun-starved gazes to our spring wardrobes— yay! Bring on the florals and lighter-weight clothing!

Shirt (old from Target – similar, similar) | Earrings | Jeans (I sized down one size) | Shoes (old from Madewell – similar – I have these in brown, size up 1/2)

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After months of layering, I’m excited to create fuss-free looks that I feel good in this spring. In order to do that with ease, I work to intentionally build my spring wardrobe. Want to know how I do it?

A couple of falls ago, I wrote a thorough series on how to build your fall wardrobe layer by layer. This process helps keep me focused and allows me to build a wardrobe that can stretch my creativity. It also gives me the assurance that each day I can get dressed with ease— wearing outfits I feel great in! I followed that series up with an easy four step guide to building your winter wardrobe. I see the fall wardrobe as the foundation/bulk of your wardrobe for winter as well. The winter-specific items are then just layered in.

Today we will walk through how to build your spring wardrobe! It uses the same process that I used for building your fall wardrobe, with spring specific tweaks!

Preparation & Where to Start:

Before you can build something great, you have to make way for it. You must sort through and clear away the old, hold onto the gems, and move forward with focus and intention.

If you followed my process in previous seasons, you know the end goal is to have a grasp on what you have in your wardrobe, make sure it is appropriate for your lifestyle, and that it is balanced so you can create a lot of outfits with your spring wardrobe.

Overview of the Process:

• Clean out your closet: Take everything you have gathered for your spring wardrobe out of your closet and try it all on— only keep what fits you well AND matches your lifestyle.
• Identify the Challenges & Create Problem-Solving Strategies: Take note of what you have to determine what holes exist in your wardrobe, as well as what you love and why and what didn’t work for you and why to help guide you with future purchases.
• Make a List of Everything You Have by Category: Organizing and taking inventory of what you have gives you a better grasp of what is in your wardrobe. It also helps you identify what you need to add to your wardrobe, and equally as important, what you do not need. (Categories: Top Layers, Tops, Pants & Shorts, Skirts, Dresses & Jumpsuits, Shoes, Accessories)
• Consider your lifestyle and what categories and/or items align with what you need for the weather where you live, activities you do, types of clothing you wear to work and/or extra curricular activities you’re into.
• Get Inspired by checking out Pinterest, fashion blogs, and your favorites brands websites for ideas of items or outfits you want to have and create in your spring wardrobe.
• Make a shopping list and fill in items you need: Work through this list layer by layer so that you have the foundation of your wardrobe set first. This gives you versatility and the ability to make an exponential amount of outfits with what you have. Add the fun/unique items in after that!
• Donate or sell the items that no longer work for you.
• Store out of season and maybe items (items you need more time to determine if you want to keep or not).

For a more extensive explanation of this process, check out this post.

Overview of the Layers:

There are four main layers and they cover classic garments, accessories, and shoes and statement garments, accessories, and shoes. Beyond that you can add any additional lifestyle layers. In the fall I did a workout layer, for spring and summer I will do a swimwear/beachwear layer.

There is no set number of pieces that you should have in each layer. It is up to you depending on your perspective, priorities, budget, lifestyle needs, closet size, career, extra curriculars, preferences, etc. It is personal— build, learn, adjust!

For deeper thoughts and guidance on each layer, check out this post.

Spring Wardrobe Layers

Layer One: Classic Garments

• Garments in classic cuts and neutral colors, made of high-quality materials, that can last in your wardrobe for years.
• Categories: top layers, shirts, pants/shorts, dresses/jumpsuits, and skirts.
• Neutral Colors: white, cream, beige, tan, brown, navy, indigo, black, gray.
• Examples in photo below.

Denim Jacket (medium) | White Jeans (28 regular) | Black & Blue Jeans (I sized down one to 27) | Brown & Black Shorts (6) | Blue Jean Shorts (28) | Black Jeans Shorts (28) | Trench Coat (old from H&M – new version) | White Tee (old from Everlane – new version) | Cream Blouse (small) | Denim & White Button Up Shirts ( I have size 2 (small) and 3 (medium) and both fit – use code MICHELLETOMCZAK for $25 your purchase) | Tan Blazer (small) | Cream & Taupe Cardigans (small) | Tank | Utility Jacket (medium, old from Madewell – new version)

Check out this post for more thoughts and guidance on layer one.

Layer Two: Classic Shoes & Accessories

• Shoes and accessories in classic shapes and neutral colors, made of high-quality materials that can last in your wardrobe for years.
• Shoe categories: sneakers, boots, heels, flats, sandals.
• Accessories categories: bags, belts, hats, scarfs, jewelry, hair accessories, sunglasses.
• Neutral Colors: white, cream, beige, tan, brown, navy, black, gray.
• Examples in photo below.

Small Gold Hoops | Small Silver Hoops | Leather Tote Bag | Foldover Bag (old from ABLE – similar) | Bone Mules (size up 1/2) | Brown Mules (size up 1/2) | Oxfords | Black Bag | Black High Tops (size down 1/2) | Braided Cream Sandals | Huarache Sandals | White Sneakers | Medium Gold Hoops | Brown Sunglasses | Black Sunglasses | Tan Heel Sandals | Mary Janes (whole sizes only so I sized down 1/2) | Tan Boots | Fedora (old from UO – new version) | Black Belt | Tan Belt | Cognac Belt | Baseball Cap

Check out this post for more thoughts and guidance on layer two.

Layer Three: Statement Garments

• Garments that have color, prints, texture, interesting shapes, cuts, and/or details that add visual interest to outfits and may last for a shorter time in your wardrobe. 
• Categories: top layers, shirts, pants/shorts, dresses/jumpsuits, and skirts.
• Examples: unique vintage pieces, pieces that are very on-trend, classic cuts in bold colors and prints, modern/unique cuts in classic or bold colors.
• Examples in photo below.

Graphic Sweatshirt (medium) | Floral Skirt (medium) | Jeans | Gingham Shirt | Pastel Stripe Sweater | Green Blouse | Barrel Pants (I sized down one size to 4) | Graphic Tee | Trousers

Check out this post for more thoughts and guidance on layer three.

Layer Four: Statement Shoes & Accessories

• Shoes, hats, scarfs, jewelry, belts, sunglasses and bags that are made of interesting shapes, prints, colors, and textures.
• Statement pieces that might last for a shorter time in your wardrobe.
• Examples in photo below.

Cheetah Print Mules | Slip On Sneakers | Chunky Loafers | Chunky Sneakers | Purple Sandals | Sunglasses: one, two, three | Purple Bag | Bandana | Baseball Hat | Belt Bag

Check out this post for more thoughts and guidance on layer four.

Layer Five: Optional Lifestyle

• Optional lifestyle-based collections that include: garments, shoes and accessories.
• Category collections: workout items, pajamas, or swimwear.
• Examples in photo below.

Green & White Cover Ups | Purple Two Piece | Green Two Piece | Black One Piece | Brown One Piece | Black Sunglasses | Brown Sunglasses | Straw Tote Bag

Check out this post for more thoughts and guidance on layer five.

In the next post, I’ll be sharing my spring 2022 wardrobe essentials with you! These are my must-have, core items that I build my spring outfits with. I’ll also share my favorite places to shop for spring clothing and some things I’m gravitating towards this spring. Be sure to come back to check it out!

Are you someone who plans your wardrobe each season? Or do you prefer to just add to it as you see items you like, without an overall plan? I would love to hear your wardrobe thoughts and strategies in the comments below!

***This post was originally published on March 30, 2021 and was updated on March 6, 2022. ***