Five proven easy ways to update your spring wardrobe

Nnow that the weather is starting to cooperate, it’s time to update your wardrobe. The air feels warmer, the days are longer: spring is here, and hope is the place to call sartorial.

But because no one has the time or energy (or budget!) to completely reinvent themselves (gone are the days of spending Saturday afternoons walking the high street), it’s about quick and easy upgrades that can transform your look with simple, inexpensive additions that will leave you feeling very new season, as well as looking fashionable.

So what sets the sartorial pace for spring? Nineties nostalgia still seems to be haunting us all (thanks, Love story), while the cool Parisian girl fills our social feeds and inspires our shoes – French fashion is timeless but it seems to be independent this season.

Here are five ways to organize your wardrobe now:

1. Invest in a white shirt

It’s a classic for a reason. But there’s no spring staple quite like a well-made oversized white shirt, which gives Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy a boost. We love the options at With Nothing Underneath, especially since it’s a female-founded brand loved by the likes of Meghan Markle, Florence Pugh, and Emily Ratajkowski. To avoid looking like a corporate bore, might we suggest pairing yours with a colorful, high-waisted maxi skirt? Try a bright block color (deep blue, earth green, or even egg yolk yellow) and accessorise with black ballet flats and oval glasses for a simple yet simple look.

2. Try cycling shorts

Forget riding in any of this season’s shorts; this style is only about aesthetics. Something about knee-length, tight-fitting bike shorts really makes them look springy, giving them a fresh but somehow retro feel. You can wear them under your aforementioned white shirt for a twist on office wear, or you can pair them with a very plain T-shirt and a double-breasted blazer for something casual. You just need to get the right ones: no, they won’t be Lycra. Ganni offers some leopard print options, but for versatility, we love the lace biker shorts from Zara – it’s girl-meets-goth. Think of this as an update on the lace dress trend from last season. Just remember to wear a long-ish dress, or, at the very least, knickers.

3. Shoes should be red

Red shoes are having a moment this season. Especially when combined with other humdrum tones, like gunmetal blues, taupes, and anything black or white. Cherry red shoes are the best and fastest way to add a dose of excitement to the spring look. It’s just to find the right balance between a pair that you can walk in (so there are no stilettos) to enjoy the sunshine, but also make a statement. you can find great options at M&S. If your budget can stretch a little, may we direct you to VIVAIA mary jane shoes, Aeyede or the fun red velvet espadrilles at Penelope Chilvers.

4. Get into your clothes

Slip dresses are perhaps the ultimate spring-inspired trend of the 1990s, as demonstrated by Zoe Kravitz at the Golden Globes in January. You may have seen Sarah Pigeon strutting around in a black Calvin Klein dress like Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy (hello again!) at Disney’s Love storywhich ended with a cry that seemed to ring out on Friday.

You can find looser versions in many high street stores which can work better than long sleeved T-shirts for a more casual look. Or you can channel your inner CBK and, on a cool day, wear a slip dress with nothing but a pair of jeans and oval sunglasses. Happily, there are currently some great options at Calvin Klein, which recently launched a 90s-inspired collection styled with Love Story. Or,​​​​for those with a few pennies to spare, the silk lace slips at Simone Rocha are a sight to behold.

5. Get in the trenches

Trench coats are forever essential, given their lightweight feel and versatility. But today’s trenches are raised in proportion, 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 fluted skirt and double-breasted buttons, the dress was a one-of-a-kind outfit.

For those looking for a similar model for a smaller price, we recommend checking out your thrift store (those in affluent areas tend to have designer names) or alternatively you can visit Sezane for the signature Clyde coat which comes in a great style and has a checkered pattern on the inside that makes it stand out from the rest of the metal. We also love Barbour’s belt corduroy trenches, as well as Topshop’s trench offerings.