The Ultimate Spring Capsule Wardrobe

A white background with 12 clothing items plus shoes and accessories for my ultimate spring capsule wardrobe. In the middle is a black box with white text that reads, "The Ultimate Spring Capsule Wardrobe."

This week is a bit different from previous capsule wardrobes in the sense that it is focusing primarily on what I have in my wardrobe, or is on its way to me.

You are going to see some repeat pieces from previous weeks because I like to share things I love and often buy them for myself.

And while I was trying to reign in the shopping, what is happening currently in North America causing me to stress shop.

But I am fully aware of it, and this acceptance and acknowledgement have allowed me to keep it more under control than if I were just impulse shopping.

It isn’t indiscriminate shopping.

There is intention and a lot of thought behind the purchases so I don’t think I will have any regrets besides spending money that I hadn’t intended on spending.

So this stress shopping has helped to develop my spring wardrobe in a way that I wasn’t thinking about previously.

I always keep my collection of style adjectives around to help guide my decisions.

I have around 3-4 style adjectives that my wardrobe is built around and they are classic, casual, and unexpected, but sometimes I like to lean more into relaxed than casual, or vintage, and even modern.

I don’t think that three words are the only goal, understanding how your words work in your wardrobe is the actual goal be it 2 or 8 adjectives.

How to Find Your Style Adjectives

Finding your style adjectives can often help you define your personal style and guide you to make intentional fashion choices.

You will need to do a bit of work to find them, but it is easy once you get going.

1. Gather Inspiration

  • Pinterest & Instagram: Create a board or save posts of outfits you love.
  • Celebrities & Influencers: Notice whose style you admire and analyze their looks.
  • Runway & Editorials: Look at collections from brands you resonate with.
  • Your Own Closet: Identify pieces you always reach for and feel great in.

2. Identify Patterns

Look at your inspiration and analyze it.

  • What common themes do you see? (tailored vs. flowy, neutral vs. colourful)
  • Do you prefer classic, trendy, edgy, feminine, or sporty pieces?
  • What textures and fabrics do you love?

3. Describe the Vibe

Use adjectives to define your aesthetic. Think of how you want your outfits to feel:

  • Classic & Timeless: Elegant, refined, polished
  • Feminine & Romantic: Soft, delicate, whimsical
  • Edgy & Bold: Dramatic, rebellious, structured
  • Casual & Relaxed: Effortless, laid-back, cozy
  • Preppy & Chic: Polished, tailored, sophisticated

4. Narrow Down to 3-5 Adjectives

Choose a combination that best represents your aesthetic. For example:

  • Polished, feminine, and classic (if you love preppy looks)
  • Relaxed, neutral, and minimal (if you prefer effortless style)
  • Edgy, bold, and structured (if you like statement pieces)

The possibilities are endless and even if you have the same words as someone else, the way that you make them yours will completely change how they look.

5. Test It Out

  • When shopping, ask: “Does this fit my style adjectives?”
  • Mix and match outfits that align with your chosen words.
  • Adjust your adjectives over time as your style evolves.

My Ultimate Spring Capsule Wardrobe

A white background with 12 clothing items plus shoes and accessories for my ultimate spring capsule wardrobe.

Cardigan | Vintage Jeans | Black Laced Flats | Black Bag | Vintage Leather Jacket | Animal Print Flats | Tunic | Earrings | Grey Sweater | Boots | Orange Bag | Slip Dress | Sweatshirt | Grey Trousers | Button Up | Tan Sweater | Track Pants | Mules | Green Bag | Sneakers | Hat | Band Tee | Sunglasses

My Style Adjectives

If I were to break down my style adjectives like I listed above, this is how it looks for me:

  • Classic → Think blazers, denim, button-downs, and neutral colours.
  • Casual → Comfortable relaxed trousers, knitwear, and effortless layering.
  • Unexpected → An asymmetrical cut, bold accessory, or an unexpected mix.
  • Modern → Clean lines, minimalistic silhouettes, and sleek accessories.
  • Vintage → Maybe a vtg handbag, or classic silhouettes from the ’50s or ’90s.

To blend these adjectives together, you can try:
✔ A classic trench coat with vintage-inspired boots.
✔ Relaxed denim with a tailored blazer and an unexpected colour or texture.
✔ A structured dress with modern, edgy accessories and a vtg jacket.

My Top Items for Spring:

Vintage Denim: Specifically light wash, distressed vintage Levi’s in a very relaxed fit. Loose-fitting and cotton with a shorter inseam are what I am looking for going into the spring.

I want them to have a cropped look either by cuffing or inseam length.

These are a 26″ inseam which is short, but they would also fit me a bit relaxed so the inseam would feel longer due to them not being worn high on my waist.

A Tunic: I like the look of a tunic or mini dress over pants, dresses, and skirts. This one came back into stock in my size at my local Cos store so I grabbed it the other day.

I was also hoping that they had it in the white.

High Sneakers: I feel like these will be polarizing but hear me out. Pair them with cropped inseams and it will feel in a similar fashion to the flat sock boots that I recently bought and wear almost every day and you can see on me here.

a photo of an outfit of a black tunic, vintage jeans, a black bag, earrings, and Adidas Rasant shoes.
A photo of an outfit of a slip dress, vintage leather jacket, sunglasses, mules, and an orange snake print bag.

They come in a black as well, but I really love a bold-coloured shoe, especially in an otherwise neutral outfit. They should be arriving tomorrow.

I also noticed that they are available at Nordstrom as well, but the sizes are going fast.

Mules and Maybe a Lace Up Flat: These are a pair that I shared a couple of weeks ago and I couldn’t stop thinking about them. I hate showing my toes in the summer so a mule is a good choice for me.

Plus, it has a little built-in wedge kind of like the old Isabel Marant sneakers so you get a bit of elevation without it being obvious.

I also think the lace up style flats are going to be huge. Ganni already has a pair that there is some buzz around.

Vintage T-shirt: My current fave is my Jean Genie t-shirt, but I also love to find Etsy shops that print old or obscure bands/albums onto vintage tees like this one.

Slip Dress: This is a wardrobe staple for me. I share them all the time, I have had one in my wardrobe since I was a teenager. It is just the ultimate go-to dress for me.

Mine I bought from Aritzia which they seem to carry every spring and summer. They are not on their site yet though.

But I also love the Quince versions because of the colour options, and the price points. You can’t go wrong with this piece.

Track Pants: Yes more track pants. I have been stalking the internet since I first saw this brown and yellow combination. It has yet to reach Canada though so I ordered it.

It is the classic Adidas Firebird track pant. True to size, and ankle zips to give it a more flared look.

Fitted Cardigan: Did I just buy the Fuck Buttons cardigan at the beginning of January? Yes. But, this one is as close to the Khaite cardigan as I will probably get.

We all know that I am not paying $3000 for a cardigan so my friends, I bought this one for $50 and it does the job.

There is also a Jenny Kayne Cooper cardigan which is much less expensive than the Khaite but still is not Canada exchange rate friendly.

So I bought it in light brown, but the sizing in that colour is minimal at the moment, so I opted for black in this wardrobe. They may restock though, it was on sale so it sold quickly.

Suede Hobo Bag: Chocolate brown suede bags have been big for around a year or so, and the Coach Brooklyn bag is a popular style that comes in a few colours.

I saw this one and loved the slightly asymmetrical shape and this unexpected colour. See? My style adjectives are coming out in this bag.

Anyway, the dark blue is lovely as well, but the green is next level.

It is a preorder because they keep selling out, but I may have to jump on this one.

A photo of an outfit of a tan sweater, brown track pants, animal print flats, a snake print bag, and sunglasses.
a photo of an outfit of a cocteau twins t-shirt, grey cropped trousers, a grey sweater, green hobo bag, hat, and lace flats.

Vintage Leather Jacket: Not just any leather jacket, but something really standout out like a deep distressing, a cinched waist (like in my last post), or something unique.

Silk and/or Cotton Blouse: These are wardrobe staples for me. They have that classic and modernenss that I love, but are practical and work through all of the seasons.

You can also find an interesting cut or detailing to take it up a notch.

Cropped Trousers, Jodhpurs, or Breeches: No I absolutely do not hunt, nor do I horseback ride, but I like the look of this style of trouser, specifically the breeches.

They hit about mid calf and are meant to wear under high riding boots but I would wear them as a sort of culotte or long shorts.

I saw them in the recent Anna Sui show aptly named Madcap Heiress, and decided that was something that I needed to add to my wardrobe.

There are tons on the secondhand market, but maybe I need to be searching Japanese brands as well.

This is my current outline and thought process for my spring wardrobe. Most pieces I have, but some are still a search in progress or a preorder.

I feel good with the direction it is going although I would rather not have reason to stress shop.

Have you started to think about your spring wardrobe yet?

Spring Outfit Ideas

A white background with 12 outfits for my ultimate spring capsule wardrobe.
A white background with 12 outfits for my ultimate spring capsule wardrobe.

Cardigan | Vintage Jeans | Black Laced Flats | Black Bag | Vintage Leather Jacket | Animal Print Flats | Tunic | Earrings | Grey Sweater | Boots | Orange Bag | Slip Dress | Sweatshirt | Grey Trousers | Button Up | Tan Sweater | Track Pants | Mules | Green Bag | Sneakers | Hat | Band Tee | Sunglasses

SHOP THE UK LINKS

I am now offering digital styling guides, and personal styling services. If you are looking for some styling help that is inexpensive and easy, check out my digital styling guides. If you want some one-on-one help shopping, building and editing your wardrobe, or packing for a trip, I can also assist. Check out all the styling services that I offer here.

This post contains affiliate links. By using my links to shop I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks for supporting what I do 🙂

Sara

Sara is the founder and creative behind livelovesara. A George Brown College Fashion Styling Graduate, she provides advice on finding your personal style regardless of age and budget. She is always on the hunt for the perfect wardrobe piece and is a vintage and thrifting enthusiast who can't wait to share her newest finds. She is also trying to learn French.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.