Classic Spring Essentials 2023 Edition
For whatever reason, spring could not arrive any faster this year. We’ve had a long, cold and dreary winter here in Georgia so I’m more than ready for blue skies, sunshine, birds chirping, and sipping a cold beverage outside on my patio. I've been saying it for weeks, whether it wants to come or not, I'm going to force it in my own little small way. Today, I'm sharing 5 classic spring wardrobe essentials.Â
Spring cleaning is underway at Casa Djalali as I have a few landscaping projects in motion and I’m updating my living room with hardwood floors! It’s time to freshen up our homes and get a head start on the often hectic seasons of spring and summer. If you’d like a peek at my home decor let me know in the comments below.
But my closet also undergoes a major spring cleaning as we transition from one season to the next. It can be a daunting task but it doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s time to pack up my bulky wool sweaters and retire my boots until fall.
The weather has recently flirted with spring-like temps so I’m more than happy to slip into a pair of slingbacks and throw on a cotton sweater. Although, the weather can be tricky this time of year. One minute it could be chilly and the next summerlike.
Light layers are your best friend and are key for transitioning from winter to spring. Lightweight sweaters, cardigans, and a spring jacket or raincoat are all great places to start.Â
And just because it’s time to transition our wardrobe from one season to another doesn’t mean you need to buy entirely new clothing. So let’s shop our own closet first and bring those lightweight fabrics and spring colors out from the back of your closet to front and center.
Now you can see what basics are missing in your wardrobe and start filling the holes with items that make getting dressed easier when spring is in full bloom.
The Summary
 Today, I'm starting a two-part series on classic spring wardrobe essentials
 I'm sharing 5 spring items I consistently go back to year after year
 For each item, I've pulled in my top picks from my favorite retailers. I've also put together an inspiration outfit showing you how I'd wear them
 Everything is shoppable via text- and image-widgets
Classic Spring Wardrobe Essentials
1. White Denim
Jeans are the most classic, versatile bottoms that literally go with everything. Denim trends come and denim trends go, but one style is forever: straight leg jeans. I always have a light rinse pair in my closet for spring but I absolutely have a pair of white denim straight legs that can be styled for both dress-up and casual moment.
Of course white denim can and should be worn 365 days a year. But spring and summer is when they really shine. They truly are the quintessential warm weather denim choice.Â
White denim can be styled with a striped tee, silk blouse or a navy sweater. Add a pair of white sneakers, ballet flats or a pair of strappy sandals. Love oversized button ups? Go ahead and wear your favorite with white denim.
White denim can potentially be see through so choose a pair with a weighted fabric to avoid visible panty lines. And consider sizing up one size for a comfortable and flattering fit.Â
A potential problem with white denim is stains. So keep a Tide to Go pen in your handbag for to keep spills in check.
My White Denim Picks
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2. Cotton or Linen Sweater
For a chilly spring day when you need to dress warmlya lightweight cotton or linen sweater is the perfect choice. Some people love turtlenecks and others love a v-neck or crewneck.
But one thing’s for sure, a lightweight sweater can be worn on its own, layered under a blazer, or thrown casually over your shoulders. Sweaters look fantastic paired with relaxed jeans and block-heel sandals for an easy outfit formula you’ll reach for again and again.
For maximum wearability, stick with go-to colors like cream, gray, and camel or a nautical stripe. But don’t neglect picking a sweater in your favorite color or one that’s on trend this year: green, blue or yellow.
My Sweater picks
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3. Spring Dress
Once spring rolls into town it’s dress season. Dresses are the perfect choice for those special occasions that come our way this time of year. Easter, Mother’s Day, graduations, wedding showers (the list goes on and on) but these are the times when having a spring dress or two hanging in our closet will come in handy.
Dresses are also perfect for date night with the hubs. And dresses are so easy to style because they’re one-and-done.Â
A little white dress is a spring must-have and looks great with a jean jacket that also made my classic spring wardrobe essential list. Prints, stripes, whatever suits your fancy as spring is the time to have a little fun with your wardrobe choices. But if you want to play it safe a little black dress is always a versatile choice.
My Dress Picks
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4. sneakers
Aren’t we lucky that sneakers are so on trend these days? Not only are they comfortable to wear and you can walk for miles and miles in them, but they’re a chic alternative to ballet flats or sandals. Sneakers, honestly go with everything these days from dresses to shorts to jeans to trousers or pants.
My Sneaker Picks
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5. Denim Jacket
Next on my list of must-have spring essentials is a Denim Jacket. I have sung the praises of this jacket for years. And I’m not the only one! It truly is a classic wardrobe staple. This jacket is perfect for spring-like temps and goes with everything.
Pop it over that white dress I spoke of earlier in the video. Or wear it over a pair of white denim. And don’t be afraid to wear a Canadian Tuxedo with a matching denim jacket and jeans. Have I shared the backstory of the Canadian Tuxedo with you?
Years ago actor/singer Bing Crosby tried to check into the tony Vancouver Hotel after a hunter trip clad in a jean jacket and jeans. He was promptly shown the door by the hotel clerk as he wasn’t up to speed with the hotel’s dress code. Lucky for Bing a bellhop recognized him and all was rectified with the front desk. But Levi’s caught wind of the story and shamelessly promoted it and their jean jacket. Don’t you just love those history tidbits that come along with fashion?
Jean jackets also go well with shorts and skirts. For a little extra pizazz add a brooch to your jacket to personalize it. A dark-rinse denim jacket is definitely dressier than a light rinse. I happen to have both hanging in my closet. The light rinse jacket is at least 30 years old and still going strong! Denim is practically indestructible. Didn’t I tell you this little number has staying power?
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In Case You Missed It
Feels like we've been getting an endless amount of rain here in Athens. So, yesterday, Kelly shared 6 recipes perfect for a rainy day. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Yes, I would love to see your new floors and other home updates!
Can’t wait to share the new updates with you!
Yes, would love to see how your decorating your home..
thank you
Thanks, Nicole! Stay tuned!
Yes love seeing home decorating !
Stay tuned to a future home decor post!
Love to see your home decor updates always!
Thanks, Nancy! A home decor post will be coming soon.
Great post today … and YES–your decor, please 🙂
Thanks, Carolina Girl! I’ll be sharing the home updates soon.
I absolutely love white jeans but as a plus-size pear shaped woman I feel self-conscious about my figure and feel like darker colors on the bottom are more flattering. What are your thoughts on this?
Hi Lori,
Thanks for stopping by! First, I always say that style is all about what you feel confident wearing. So if you feel self-conscious about wearing white denim, then don’t do it. But I will encourage you to step out of your style box and try something new. Most people aren’t paying half as much attention to what we’re wearing as we think they are. We are our own worst critics and know exactly what figure flaws we possess. If we can get beyond that and embrace our bodies and thank them for faithfully showing up daily, it becomes easier to try something new and different.
I love my white jeans for year-round. I don’t think there’s much of anything that I can’t wear them with! Definitely a wardrobe staple!
More home renovations. So exciting. I’d really enjoy seeing what type of flooring you have put in. We put in faux-food 8+ years ago. At the time, the brand we purchased was considered the “top” ! Now, there’s even better. We may replace our current living room and hallway flooring due to humidity problems that effected our floors and also because the flooring guy wasn’t experienced enough; he cut for width NOT length. Width-wise cuts allow more cross-shifting. Never good!