A 12 Piece Transitional Spring Capsule Wardrobe

This means having a wardrobe that can easily transition between these weird and sometimes extreme temperatures is important when building your spring capsule wardrobe.

We want to make sure that we are ready for anything and that we can carry over as much of the wardrobe to the next season as we can.

This takes planning.

It seems like yearly I share this story from my younger days any time I talk about spring transitional weather and dressing appropriately.

This was in about 2001 before cell phones and having a weather app at our fingertips.

It was early April, and college was rolling to the finish line for the year and one morning it was gloriously sunny and 30°C.

This brought out EVERYONE.

All the restaurants had their patios open, and the bars that night were full to capacity with everyone dressed in their summer bar clothes.

I can remember exactly what I was wearing.

A black tank top, a maxi wrap skirt, platform sandals, and my trusty denim jacket that I actually still own. It was so hot I wasn’t even going to bring a jacket, thankfully I did.

Because when we walked out at 2:30 am after the bar closed it was snowing. Snowing and so cold and no one was dressed for it.

All the cabs were taken, there was no public transit at that time of night, so I had to walk my ass home with bare legs and feet. I’ve never been that cold.

I like to think that I had a moment like the baker from Titantic who had so much alcohol in his system it kept him from freezing.

So that’s my story for saying that I will never be unprepared like that again. It was awful, and transitional wardrobes are a must to avoid situations like this.

The key concept behind a transitional wardrobe is adaptability.

It consists of pieces that can be layered or modified to suit changing weather conditions, allowing for a smooth transition from cooler to warmer temperatures or vice versa.

This is an important concept to also keep in mind when you are making a packing list for travel.

You want to be certain that your wardrobe is versatile enough to give you outfits to cover all your weather needs.

Style Tip: These smaller 12 piece capsule wardrobes can also double as travel wardrobes with some modifications for the destination.

How to Build a Transitional Wardrobe

Invest in Layering Pieces like lightweight sweaters, cardigans, jackets or various other toppers. The transitional seasons are full of different options.

Third pieces also known as toppers are some of my favourites and can really complete a look.

Look for materials like cotton or linen that can easily be layered over dresses or tops when it’s cool and removed as it warms up.

We want a selection of versatile tops.

Items like blouses in breathable fabrics such as cotton and silk in colours that work with the colour palette of your preference. Spring isn’t all about florals and pastel anymore.

You can jump right in and choose deep winter colours if that is your preference. There are no rules and if there were, I would suggest you break them.

Having a selection of basic t-shirts and/or tank tops is a great base to start with.

Stock up on these because they are perfect for layering and can be dressed up or down.

This is where it starts to get harder. Select bottoms for both seasons like wide-leg pants and culottes or cropped kick flares.

If you are brave you may want to venture into the capri world again as they are trending, or try some Bermuda shorts instead.

I don’t do shorts, but I will do kick flares, culottes, and maybe some long Bermudas if I can find a pair that I actually like. I’m still searching.

These selections are comfortable for spring and can transition smoothly into summer.

The brown cropped trousers that I included you can see me wearing here. I went up one size to get a more relaxed fit.

Midi skirts are versatile for both seasons, all seasons actually.

They are a great year-round skirt option to have as a wardrobe staple. Midi skirts can be paired with boots, or footwear with socks or tights in spring, and sandals or flat shoes of your preference in summer.

Opt for dresses that transition well. Wrap dresses tend to be universally flattering, are easy to wear, and come in a variety of fabrics, and can be styled with tights and boots in spring or with sandals in summer.

But shift dresses in a midi length are a classic and starting to pop up again in stores.

Maxi dresses are a popular choice again after several years of mini dresses, so choose lightweight fabrics. These dresses are easy to layer with a cardigan, sweater or jacket.

And depending on the style you can also layer underneath with t-shirts or turtlenecks depending on the season

Keep your focus on footwear that fits both seasons. Shorter boots are perfect for cooler spring days and can be worn with dresses or jeans.

Sneakers, oxfords, and loafers are great for casual looks in both seasons.

Sandals or mules are more summery so opt for open-toed sandals as it gets warmer. The mesh ballet flats are also good choices for this transitional period.

And remember that you can wear socks with any footwear.

Yes, you can. Using socks as an accessory to add some colour or a little oomph to an outfit is very on-trend right now and such an easy thing to do.

Socks with heels, flats, and sandals are all acceptable and look so visually interesting. Play around with different sock heights, textures, and colours.

You might be amazed how many options there are. I love Uniqlo for their huge variety of colours. Simons is my go-to for fun fabrics and styles.

These strawberry sheer ankle socks are so cute.

I have a huge collection of different socks to take me through the season.

Plus I dislike having my toes on display so socks and opened-toed anything is a gamechanger for me.

Use your accessories wisely. Lightweight scarves can add a pop of colour to your outfit and are easy to remove when it gets warmer.

Style Tip: If you don’t have a collection of scarves I suggest using a sweater. Tie it over your shoulder, diagonally across your chest, wrapped around the straps of your handbag, and if it is cooler you can actually wear it like a scarf.

It adds colour, and visual interest while also having a utilitarian purpose.

Belts are a simple touch to add, so use them to cinch in loose-fitting dresses or tops to define your waist.

And don’t forget sunglasses and hats. Not only are they essential for protecting your eyes and skin as the days grow longer and sunnier, but they look cool too.

Some Maintenance Tips for Your Transitional Wardrobe:

Remember to rotate seasonally, so as summer approaches, gradually replace heavier spring items with lighter pieces.

Put effort in caring for your clothes by following washing and care instructions carefully to ensure your items last longer and stay looking their best.

This also includes using a sweater shaver to breathe new life into your knits.

Transitional wardrobes are not only practical for dealing with unpredictable weather, but they also offer a sustainable approach to fashion which is something that we should all be striving to do better with.

Small steps by many people will still make a huge impact.

By focusing on versatile and often timeless pieces, you can create a huge variety of outfits without the need for a large volume of clothing, thus reducing waste and encouraging more thoughtful consumption.

Creating a transitional wardrobe doesn’t require a complete overhaul each season. By selecting versatile pieces and focusing on layering, you can easily adapt your wardrobe from spring to summer while staying comfortable and stylish.

And then by circling around and reintroducing your heavier spring items for autumn, we can build a wardrobe that is meant to last.

Remember the more intentional you are with your purchases, the longer that item will stay in your wardrobe.

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A 12 Piece Romantic Spring Capsule Wardrobe
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A 12 Piece Minimalist Spring Capsule Wardrobe

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