There’s nothing like a seasonal change mixed with the promise of warmer weather to inspire your personal style! Here’s 10 transitional pieces that you can buy now or bring front and center during winter that will also serve your spring wardrobe! It’s also the perfect time of year to clean out your closet, so make sure you watch this here on the easiest way to declutter. These 10 wardrobe essentials for winter to spring outfits, are not only extremely wearable, they’re also timeless pieces that will become part of your capsule wardrobe.
The best way to think of the winter to spring outfit, is as the reverse of summer to fall! There’s uncertainity about whether you’ll have chilly days, or rainy days and layers will become your best friend!
10 Wardrobe Essentials for Winter to Spring
1.Trench Coat
The first item to consider for your transitional outifts is a trench coat! You can’t go wrong with any style and the classic trench is classy alternative to a denim jacket. This season, a big trend for 2024 is a cropped trench coat. I think this is a refreshing take of one of my favorite classic pieces for transitional outfits. While moto jackets, are always in style, a cropped trench is a great way to replace this staple in your winter wardrobe, as a lightweight jacket.
2. Knit Midi Skirt
The cozy knit midi skirt is also a great piece to add on chilly mornings, when you get sick of faux leather pants but not ready for your maxi skirt. A knit skirt pairs really well with boots and a chunky sweater in winter or a pair of heels and long sleeve top in spring. A great affordable option for this wardrobe essential is this striped one here that’s perfect for spring fashion.
3. Straight Leg Jeans
Straight leg blue jeans are a great option for bottoms because they’re functional and don’t drag on the ground. They work with ankle boots, chunky sweaters and an oversized blazer, as well as ballet flats and a button down shirt for spring style. Skinny jeans can serve transitional spring outfits too, with loafers in warm weather and knee-high boots in the colder months. See more ways to style this pair of jeans here.
4. Maxi Dress
A maxi dress is also a great piece to add to your transition season wardrobe. This practical piece can look equally classic with pumps, boots, or any shoes that the weather calls for. Versatile options for a dress are a shirt dress, knit or even a drop waist dress, a trending silhouette in 2024. I usually like to belt my dresses and if you need even more layers, the belt works really well with a sweater and a belt. This helps create a new outfit that looks like a skirt and sweater. More maxi dresses here:
5. Neutral Handbag
A neutral bag is underrated as an essential for spring transition outfits. You can absolutely change the entire vibe an outfit with a bag.I am loving the Demellier London Midi Montreal in Taupe. It goes with pretty much everything and is such a classic bag that will always be a timeless and easy way to add a touch of elegance. Here’s other bags that have a similar vibe.
Make sure to check out another great bag review by Demellier London here. I love their bags because they are so beautifully made and not flashy or trendy to the point of needing to change it year after year.
6. Long Cardigan
A long cardigan is also a great item to add to your winter to spring outfit and base layer! The one I have here is a beautiful cream color, again a neutral, that pairs with other neutrals as well as brighter colors. This long cardigan is an extension of a trend we’ve been seeing a lot in 2024; maxi coats! So for the new season, when you still need lighter layers, you can add this piece to lightweight sweaters or a button-down shirt for an easy chic look. Since I live in New York, there’s always the chance of needing layers!
7. Classic Cardigan
Related to this is a classic striped, french inspired cardigan. I love this one because it’s thick enough to wear in winter as a top instead of cozy sweaters. But it’s also great over a basic tee or tank top for cooler days when you don’t want to wear winter items anymore! If you don’t have one already, the striped cardigan is the perfect addition to your capsule wardrobe, as it’s a great transitional piece in summer to fall and winter to spring!
8. Long Sleeve Tee
The long sleeve t-shirt that makes a great base for a transitional wardrobe. This long sleeve tee is one of my most versatile pieces and the one I have here is affordable, super soft and doesn’t wrinkle. The square neck is also a great way to show off a pretty necklace and a top that looks great alone on warmer days in the spring season. My 24 karat gold vermeil pearl necklace is 15% off with code ziba15 here at Biwako.
9. Classic Loafers
Loafers are a fantastic shoe to add during this transitional period. Comfortable and timeless, many loafers offer a thick sole to protect against the elements but decidely a pan-seasonal shoe! In 2024, we’ve seen more of a mocassin, or ballet inspired loafer that isn’t too chunky. However, a little bit of chunk in a loafer is part of it’s classic appeal, just ask Sezane.
Another shoe that I really love is the kitten heel bootie! Kitten heels are very trendy in 2024 and also, add an element of elegance and polish to any winter-to-spring outfit! There’s a pair I really love by Inez, they are available in 4 colorways, and you can get 15% off with code ziba15, sitewide! Inez specializes in comfortable, wearable heels. Another suede bootie I love here.
10. Maxi Denim Skirts
Maxi Denim Skirts were extremely popular last year; summer through fall. If you have one in your closet, it’s a great time to pull out this piece during this transition time! Not only does look great with a crewneck sweater or puffer jacket in winter, it looks great with a white pair of loafers or jean jacket in the spring! If you’re not ready to pull out your floral dresses, it’s a great way to wean off pants and sweater dresses, while still having your legs covered.
I have worn my maxi denim skirt a lot this winter! The best tips for wearing skirts in cold weather are with thermal tights, knee high boots, layers and maxi coats. See my tutorial on how to style the long denim skirt here, full of more winter to spring looks.
While we can’t predict mother nature, hopefully this list helps you prepare for your chicest transtional period yet! I have found that investing in the perfect layering piece is something I never regret! Whether it’s a cashmere cardigan, trench coat or shoes, they give me the return on investment quickly!
For ways to freshen up your winter look now with pieces already in your closet, check out the mob wife aesthetic how to. For my favorite Sezane work staples that include many pieces that work across seasons including button-downs, trench coats, cardigans and trousers, see here. I also post my daily outfits full of options for any budget on my LTK, linked here!
