The spring wardrobe transition can be the trickiest of the year – especially here in the UK! One minute, it’s a frosty morning; the next, the sun is shining, and before you know it, there’s a sudden downpour. With such unpredictable shifts, choosing the right outfit can feel like a challenge.
“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world.”
Miuccia Prada
I keep spotting gorgeous spring wardrobe inspiration reels on Instagram showing flowy dresses and open-toed shoes, and while they look lovely, I can’t help but think, “That’s nice, but there’s no way I’m wearing that yet!”.
So, how do we transition our wardrobes for spring in a way that actually works for us? It all starts with a little preparation.
Here are my top spring wardrobe transition tips…
Evaluate
For the past few weeks, I’ve been evaluating my colder-weather wardrobe, really considering what worked well and what didn’t. I ask myself: What did I enjoy wearing the most? Did I buy anything that didn’t quite work? Do I actually want to see this item again next winter?
As I’ve been getting dressed each day, I’ve focused on my warmest, most-loved pieces – cosy jumpers, favourite cardigans – making the most of them before the season changes. I wear them one last time, then take the opportunity to launder them properly, de-bobble them, and pack them away with care, ready for autumn.
This systematic process feels intentional and thorough. It gives me the time and space to analyse my wardrobe, understand my true style, and make better purchasing choices in the future, all the while helping to reduce those wardrobe mistakes!
It also creates physical space. As I pack away my winter pieces, I naturally make room for my spring capsule wardrobe. Focusing on what I truly love and want to keep makes it much easier to let go of the things that didn’t fit me well or didn’t quite work.
Pack away
Personally, I prefer to remove out-of-season clothes and accessories and store them in a jumbo storage bag until they’re needed again. I usually keep mine in the loft or garage. Of course, you don’t have to do this, but if you’re short on space or want to try a capsule wardrobe for the new season, I’d highly recommend it!
Just be sure to use an airtight storage box or bag, and never store clothes in a damp environment – it must be completely dry to prevent mould and mildew.
For more tips on caring for your clothes, check out my blog HERE.
Discard
Now that you’ve decided what to keep, it’s time to let go of the items you no longer want.
First, check the condition. For items past their best, bag them up as rags and donate them to charity for recycling. Be sure to label the bag RAGS so it’s clear. For non-clothing items that are no longer fit for purpose, they will likely need to be binned.
For clothing and accessories in good to very good condition, consider donating them to charity shops or selling them on platforms like Vinted or eBay.
If you want instant clutter relief, I highly recommend donating – your space will feel clearer immediately!
If you’re thinking about selling, proceed with caution. Do you have the time and energy to list, respond to messages, pack, travel, and post items? It can be tempting to sell, especially if something feels valuable or you’re saving up for a new purchase. But in reality, the effort involved often outweighs the financial return. Plus, if items linger while waiting to be sold, they can become clutter all over again.
I’m not against selling – I do it myself! But after years of experience (both personally and with clients), I never advise selling to anyone already overwhelmed by clutter. It’s far better to clear the space first than give yourself an extra job to do.
For years, I used to sell on eBay, but once I started my business and life got busier, I stopped. It was just one more thing I didn’t have time for.
Nowadays, I’ll admit – I’m a big fan of Vinted! It’s so much easier than eBay ever was, but to keep it manageable, I set myself some strict rules:
- Nothing stays listed for too long – 2-3 weeks max.
- Price matters – in my experience, most things sell in the first few days if priced right. After that, it can take months for the right buyer to come along, and I don’t have time to wait.
- If an item doesn’t sell within a week, I lower the price for another couple of weeks. If it still doesn’t sell, it goes to charity – no second-guessing!
Remind yourself that with high-value items that don’t sell, the money has already been spent. You’re not holding onto the value by packing it away to die or allowing it to remain hanging unworn in your wardrobe. Thank it for its service and release it, so it can go on to a new home and become a high-value item for someone else.
Only you can decide what’s right for you when parting with your unwanted items. But I hope these ideas help you make a decision that feels right!
Create a vision
Now for the fun part! With packing away and discarding taken care of, it’s time to dream up your ideal spring wardrobe.
Grab your favourite drink, get comfy, and browse Pinterest, Instagram, or YouTube for inspiration. Make notes, save images, and start forming a vision – but don’t rush into impulse buys! Take your time to think things through and shop consciously if you need to invest in anything new.
One of the most important things I’ve learned over the years is to look for inspiration from people who have a similar colouring and body shape to me. Why? Because if their skin tone, hair colour, and proportions are similar, the outfits they wear are far more likely to suit me too – it’s that simple!
For example, some people have high-contrast colouring, such as light skin with dark hair, which means they can wear bold, high-contrast outfits. Others, like me, have low contrast colouring, with lighter hair and skin. This is why I avoid black near my face – it washes me out because the contrast is too strong.
Understanding your own colouring and style is a game-changer. When you know what truly suits you, getting dressed becomes easier, and you’ll always feel confident in what you wear.
Consider having your colours analysed by an Image Consultant or Personal Stylist. It can be a worthwhile investment, helping you avoid wasting money on pieces that don’t suit you or don’t work well with your wardrobe. If you’re serious about refining your style and making more intentional choices, this could be a game-changer! I had this done years ago, and it gave me so much more confidence when shopping for new items. I’d highly recommend it.
Plan & curate
“Fashion you can buy, but style you possess. The key to style is learning who you are, which takes years. There’s no how-to road map to style. It’s about self-expression and, above all, attitude.”
Iris Apfel
By following this process, you’ll likely feel excited and motivated to create your spring wardrobe – but remember, curating a wardrobe for a new season doesn’t mean rushing out to buy lots of new clothes. That’s not what this is about.
Start by going through what you already own, including the pieces you packed away over winter. Before putting them straight back into your wardrobe, take a moment to reassess them. Do you still love them? Do they fit well? Try them on. Do they make you feel fabulous? If an item isn’t an 8, 9, or 10 out of 10, does it really deserve a place in your wardrobe?
Experiment with different combinations and see if you can recreate some of the outfits that inspired you during the vision phase. Arrange your hanging clothes, then go through your drawers and shelves, editing and folding as you go. Keep a notepad handy to jot down any wardrobe gaps – especially basics and essentials. These might not be the most exciting pieces, but they’re the foundation that brings all your outfits together.
For more tips on creating a capsule wardrobe for spring, read my blog HERE. And if you’re up for a wardrobe challenge, I highly recommend Project 333 by Courtney Carver. I started it this time last year and was immediately hooked! Read about my experience HERE and how it completely transformed my wardrobe.
Planning your summer holiday? Get organised with my free Summer Holiday Packing Checklist!
Wear it well
Transitioning your wardrobe for spring doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little evaluating, planning and decluttering, you can create a wardrobe that feels fresh, stylish and completely in-tune with the season.
By curating pieces you truly love and wear and focusing on versatile layering, you’ll not only simplify your mornings but also make getting dressed a fun and enjoyable experience.
As the days get longer and the temperature starts to rise, take this opportunity to refresh your wardrobe, embrace lighter layers and step into spring feeling good in the way you dress.
Happy styling!