Now that the weather has finally started co-operating, it’s time to refresh your wardrobe. The air feels warmer, the days are longer: spring is here, and optimism is the sartorial port of call.
But because nobody has the time or energy (or budget!) to reinvent themselves entirely (gone are the days of spending Saturday afternoons trawling the high street), it’s about quick and easy updates that can transform your aesthetic with just a few simple, affordable additions that will leave you feeling very new season, as well as looking bang on trend.
So what is setting the sartorial pace this spring? Nineties nostalgia still seems to have us all in a trance (thank you, Love Story), while the Parisian cool girl aesthetic is flooding our social feeds and influencing our footwear – French fashion is timeless but seems to really come into its own at this time of year.
Here are the five ways to spring-set your wardrobe now:
1. Invest in a white tailored shirt
It’s a classic for a reason. But there’s truly no spring staple item quite like an oversized, well-tailored white collared shirt which gives full Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy energy. We love the options at With Nothing Underneath, mostly because it’s a female-founded brand that is loved by the likes of Meghan Markle, Florence Pugh, and Emily Ratajkowski. To avoid looking like a corporate bore, may we sugget pairing yours with a colourful, fitted high-waisted maxi skirt? Try a bright block colour (deep blues, earthy greens, or even egg yolk yellows) and accessorise with black ballet flats and oval sunglasses for a chic but simple look.
2. Experiment with cycling shorts
Forget climbing onto any bikes in this season’s shorts; this trend is about aesthetics only. Something about the knee-length, tight-fitted cycling shorts really lends itself to spring looks, giving them a new yet somehow retro feel. You can wear them underneath your aforementioned white shirt for a twist on office wear, or you could pair them with an oversized graphic T-shirt and double-breasted blazer for something a little more unconventional. You just need to find the right ones: no, they aren’t going to be Lycra. Ganni offers some leopard print options, but for versatility, we love the black lace cycling shorts at Zara – it’s giving girl-meets-goth. Consider this an update on the lace skirt obsession from last spring. Just remember to wear a long-ish top, or, at the very least, knickers.
3. Shoes should be scarlet
Red shoes are having a moment this season. Particularly when paired with otherwise humdrum tones, like gunmetal greys, taupes, and anything black or white. Cherry red footwear is the best and quickest way to inject a dose of joy into a springtime look. It’s just about finding the right balance between a pair that you can walk around in (so ideally no stilettos) to enjoy the sunshine, but also make a statement in. Lace-up ballet flats are a good option here, given they offer a little more stability than a classic ballet shoe; you can find some great options at M&S. If your budget can stretch a little further, may we direct you to VIVAIA mary jane shoes, Aeyede or the delightful red velvet espadrilles at Penelope Chilvers.
4. Slip into your dresses
Slip dresses are probably the ultimate 1990s-influenced springtime trend, as exhibited with aplomb by Zoe Kravitz at the Golden Globes in January. You might’ve also seen Sarah Pigeon swanning around in black Calvin Klein slip dresses as Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy (hello again!) in Disney’s Love Story, which concluded in a very predictably weepy finale on Friday.
You can find loose-fitting versions in most high street shops that would work well worn over long-sleeved fitted T-shirts for a more casual look. Or you could channel your inner CBK and, on a balmy day, wear a slip dress with nothing else but a pair of loafers and oval sunglasses. Funnily enough, there are currently some great options at Calvin Klein, which recently launched a 90s-inspired collection that was timed eerily well with Love Story. Or, for those with a few more pennies to spare, the lace silk slips at Simone Rocha are a sight to behold.
5. Dive into the trenches
Trench coats are a forever spring essential, given their lightweight feel and versatility. But today’s trenches are elevated by fit, pattern, and shape. We loved the belted Burberry option that Erin O’Connor wore as a dress for the brand’s autumn/winter 2026 show. With a wide flute skirt and double-breasted buttons, the coat was enough of an outfit on its own.
For those looking for a similar variation for a smaller price tag, we suggest checking out your local secondhand shop (those in affluent areas tend to have designer brands) or otherwise venture to Sezane for the brand’s signature Clyde coat that comes in an oversized style and features a checked pattern on the interior that makes it stand out from other styles. We also love Barbour’s belted corduroy trenches, as well as the trench offerings at Topshop.