Tired of rotating between turtlenecks every week? Me too. Let’s be real, it’s been a long winter, add in the challenges of an international pandemic, and I think I speak for everyone when I say, let’s move onto spring! As much as I love the simplicity of swapping between turtlenecks and athleisure, I’m beginning to feel the urge to revamp my closet in anticipation of warmer temps. In premising my picks below, I must add that while many of us are still working from home, it doesn’t mean we need to reach for a clean pair of sweatpants each morning.
Let’s set a new tone this spring, let’s start reaching for those dresses again, reach for the colourful pieces, reach for anything except those faded, oversized, drawstring-style sweats you’ve been shamelessly wearing for months on end. Whether you’re dressing for your next Zoom meeting or your first meet up with a beloved friend in months – I’ve got ya covered!
1. The Nap Dress
I can’t tell you how much my love for this clothing STAPLE has grown over the past year. Don’t believe me? Ask Vogue, or The New Yorker. This elegant, flowy piece of heaven will have you feeling confident and ready to kick off Spring the right way! The selling features – it’s not going to cut into your waist if you’re stuck in front of a computer screen at your kitchen table all day, and if you need to run to the store to pick up a few essentials – you’ll have some heads turning in your direction.
SPLURGE:
My personal favourite is the Hill House “Ellie” nap dress at a price point of $157.00 CAD; make sure to take advantage of their 10% off coupon for use toward your first purchase.
SAVE:
Another wonderful option is this beautiful Ruffled Linen Dress from Mango at a price point of $69.00 CAD.
2. The Collar Cotton Blouse
Think Ruth Bader Ginsburg ladies. We know that smart = pretty and our clothing should follow suit. If you’ve noticed a re-emergence of collared blouses and crisp white oxford shirts flooding stores and e-commerce sites these past few months, it’s definitely a sign that Ms. Ginsburg was onto something. As I love a timeless white blouse, this isn’t a difficult trend for me to get onboard with. Pair it underneath a sleeveless dress (see my nap dress recommendation above!) or knit cardigan, and you’re ready for your next Supreme Court case…in style.
SPLURGE:
I’ve been eyeing the Double baby-collar shirt from Mango at a price point of $74.00 CAD.
SAVE:
Tough to beat H&M’s Ruffle Collar-Blouse in three colours (blue, white & black) at a price point of $32.00 CAD.
3. The Linen Blazer
I’m cheating a little bit with this one as it’s not exactly a “new” trend, but it’s also a “now” trend. I love a timeless addition to my wardrobe as I’m really not a big fan of fast-fashion. You’ve likely heard the term “investment piece” when it comes to clothing but this doesn’t necessarily equal a steep price-tag. When I think of an investment piece I look for three key traits:
- quality – how will this fabric hold up over time?
- colour – is this an item I can pair well with the more colourful pieces in my closet?
- versatility – does it transition well between day and night? Season to season?
A well-tailored blazer doesn’t need to break the bank but ensuring you’ve covered all your bases before purchasing is imperative.
SPLURGE:
You cannot go wrong with this elegant white linen blazer from Club Monaco at a price point of $229.00 CAD (currently on sale!)
SAVE:
Ever read the customer reviews? Then you won’t be disappointed with the glowing reviews of this Cotton-Linen Blazer from Everlane at a price point of only $84.00 CAD.
4. The Pleated Midi Skirt
Admittedly I LOVE skirts – all shapes, all lengths, all fits. I have a growing collection of skirts for all seasons and occasions marking their territory in my closet. I must say however, that the pleated midi skirt continually catches my eye each day as I’m searching for that comfortable, yet stylish item to round out my outfit. If you take any of my recommendations to heart – please take this one. The pleated midi skirt can be worn throughout the year (all seasons) and for almost any purpose (i.e. dinner out, work, afternoon get together with friends). Retailers are catching on fast to this growing trend as i’ve found this skirt in every colour/print you can think of. Can’t find the colour/pattern you’re looking for? Reach out to me in the comments section below!
SPLURGE:
There really isn’t much that Ted Baker does wrong, and he certainly didn’t with this beautiful Woodland Pleated Midi Skirt in Pale Pink. All sizes currently still available AND – it’s on sale! Scoop it up while you can! Price point: $220.00 CAD.
SAVE:
This version has a bit more stretch in the waistband area and comes unlined, if you’re seeking an option for warmer temps. For ladies on the taller side, they have a “regular” and “tall” fit version of this skirt. At a very reasonable price point of only $87.00 CAD, you can’t go wrong with Banana Republic’s Pleated Midi Skirt in Golden Yellow!
5. The Mule
Tired of the bandaid look as you painfully break in those chic Spring shoes? Worry not! I’ve got you covered. If you don’t already own a pair of mules, I implore you to give them a shot! The mule is functional, minimalist and compliments any outfit from a dress, to crops, to a pair of blue jeans. And of course, their greatest feature is comfort! You can easily transition a pair of mules from day to night without inflicting harm on your freshly pedicured feet.
SPLURGE:
I’m definitely biased on this recommendation but I just purchased these stunning rose suede mules from Margaux NY that I am obsessing over. Made in Spain at a steeper price point of $272.00 CAD, these are worth every penny in my opinion.
SAVE:
Looking to stock up on a few different colours and patterns? Check out Nordstrom Rack’s wide variety of mules in different colours and patterns. My personal favourite? These Madewell Remi Mules in Weather Berry Suede at a very affordable price point of $39.97 CAD.
Already started stocking up for Spring? Make sure you check out Anaida’s Closet Organization 101 for some advice on where to store those turtlenecks and make some room for your colourful new dresses. What are your favourite spring wardrobe staples? Share with us in the comments below!
