It's True: You Only Need 9 Pieces for a Complete Spring Capsule Wardrobe

Four seasons with four ever-changing sets of style trends can threaten to burn a hole in even the savviest shopper's pocket. Well, fear not, because you have it on good authority (from, well, us) that this spring's wardrobe reshuffle needn't take more than nine carefully picked items. Yep, you can get your spring style entirely on point with items that you already have in your wardrobe.

From the coat that defines the season to the trainers you'll wear forever, these are the pieces you'll need for your springtime capsule, and they all work beautifully together. Even better is you might own a lot of them already, so this will be a good opportunity to remind yourself of the pieces you might have forgotten about during our long, chilly winter.

Keep scrolling to see the concise and effective spring wardrobe staples that will do all the hard work for you, and shop our favourite pieces for each of the elements.

1. Trench Coats

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(Image credit: @bubblyaquarius)

Style Notes: We hate to put a damper on things, but even when your woolly coat feels too heavy, you'll probably still need a coat for spring—and there's really no other choice than a trench coat this year. Chic detective vibes incoming. Use yours to elevate your denim or to refresh your knitted dresses.

Shop the Key Piece:

2. Puff-Sleeve Dress

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(Image credit: @slipintostyle)

Style Notes: We all know that spring and dresses go together like winter and shearling, and this season, puff-sleeve styles are reigning supreme. Wear them with tights and boots until temperatures rise.

Shop the Key Piece:

3. Lightweight Suiting

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(Image credit: @monikh)

Style Notes: While we still adore heavier fabrics like velvet and cashmere, there's nothing quite as satisfying as slipping into something lighter come spring. Opt for one of the many, many linen and cotton suits out there, and wear with loafers.

Shop the Key Piece:

4. Ankle-Grazing Trousers

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(Image credit: @ada_oguntodu)

Style Notes: While jeans are an integral part of any springtime wardrobe, it’s easy to get fatigued of them, especially having worn them daily since October. For spring, when it's warm enough to bare our ankles, we'll be investing in chic cropped trousers.

Shop the Key Piece:

5. Wear-Everywhere Trainers

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(Image credit: @thatsaleaf)

Style Notes: Undeniably classic, white canvas and leather kicks will go with just about every spring outfit you can throw at them. We particularly love Elif’s Breton stripe–and-jeans combination.

Shop the Key Piece:

6. Denim Midis

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(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Style Notes: This '90s wardrobe staple is back on the agenda. Though mini iterations will reappear in the summer months, for now, keep your hemlines long, and pair them with basic jersey tops like the minimalist style icon Sylvie Mus did.

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7. Top-Handle Bags

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(Image credit: @lucywilliams02)

Style Notes: Seeing as your hands have been plunged firmly into your pockets for the last few months, one of the first things we suggest embracing come spring is switching out your crossbodies for chic top-handle bags.

Shop the Key Piece:

8. Utility Jumpsuit

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(Image credit: @biancaffoley)

Style Notes: Like dresses, jumpsuits make for a simple outfit solution and require very minimal styling on your part. Layer with a roll-neck and finish with boots now. Then pair with mules come May.

Shop the Key Piece:

9. White Blouses

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(Image credit: @basma_k)

Style Notes: It's still too soon for short sleeves, so ease yourself out of your roll-neck with a pretty white blouse. Then, when temperatures really begin to soar, swap your jeans for a breezy linen skirt.

Shop the Key Piece:

This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over twelve years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories, and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, works closely with influencer talent on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media. Previously, Maxine appeared on TV in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o. 


Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship, she was offered a position on the Look magazine fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. She went on to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others. Maxine works remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh.