9 Simple Styling Tricks That Will Make Your Outfits Look Elevated This Spring

The skies are brighter, the leaves are greener, and I was able to leave the house without wearing 12 layers this weekend. It's official, spring is on its way, and outfits for the season ahead are collectively on the minds of editors from across the industry. At Who What Wear, we take great pride in showcasing the latest trends but in a considered way. We never advise that you subscribe blindly to them; instead, we like to think that we help you to cherrypick the best and most sensible for you and how you express yourself through style.

Still, as something of an anti-trend dresser myself, the thing I love most about being a Who What Wear editor is the fact that I'm encouraged to help you focus on maximising the wearability of the pieces already hanging in your wardrobe. So today, with spring on my mind, I decided to track down an array of simple spring fashion styling ideas that you can apply to your existing wares and will ensure you get the season off to a stylish start.

For such ideas, I headed directly to Instagram, where I swiftly found nine outfits that are perfect for spring. These looks boast easy tweaks and failsafe pairings that will help set your attire apart and will better utilise items you likely already own, too. Scroll on to see them.

1. Belt Your Blazer

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(Image credit: @astyleedit)

Style Notes: Give your favourite blazer a new lease of life by cinching it with a leather belt. Keep the overall silhouette looking clean and crisp by balancing it out with a simple skirt. 

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2. Refresh Your Textures

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(Image credit: @lisa.pintaud)

Style Notes: It still feels premature to pack your coats away into storage, but one way to make them feel more seasonally appropriate is to pair them with lighter separates, such as silk or cotton. 

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3. Add Boots to Denim Skirts

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(Image credit: @chrissyford)

Style Notes: Denim skirts are trending in a big way this season; handily I had one from years gone by that I'd all but forgotten about. For 2023, keep your denim skirt looking sleek by styling it with a simple knit and knee boots. 

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4. Apply the 2x2 Principle

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(Image credit: @deborabrosa)

Style Notes: The 2x2 method is blowing up on TikTok and the principles are simple. Take two casual items—in this instance, a pair of wide-leg jeans and trainers—and pair them with two dressy items—an Oxford shirt and bouclé bag—and you'll be left with a well-balanced outfit, Trust me, it works every time. 

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5. Dress in One Tone

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(Image credit: @femmeblk)

Style Notes: It's a styling trick favoured by editors and influencers alike—wearing one colour top-to-toe. Whatever your budget, this matching your top and bottom halves to one another will always look elevated. 

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6. Lift Dark Hues with Metallics

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(Image credit: @daniellejinadu)

Style Notes: Just because it's spring it doesn't mean that you need to turn your back on the darker colours in your wardrobe. In fact, styling black outfits with metallic accessories is a combination I keep seeing on social media right now. 

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7. Dress Down Tailoring with Denim

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(Image credit: @littlefashbird)

Style Notes: Spring is the perfect time to reassess your casual style with layering and fabric options. Take Danielle's outfit which shows just how good more formal pieces such as tailored trousers can look with more casual items, such as a denim jacket. 

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8. Try Cropped Silhouettes

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(Image credit: @oliviamarcus)

Style Notes: After months of hiding beneath my layers, I'm ready to begin embracing fresh silhouettes once more. First on my list is a high-waist skirt and a cropped knit, as seen on Olivia. 

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9. Break Up Light Colours with Dark Accents

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(Image credit: @sasha.mei)

Style Notes: Cream and ecru hues are proving to be a key trend this season, but they can lack structure if you wear them from head-to-toe. Break them up with black accessories, such as a leather belt or low-key handbag. 

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Next Up, Spring/Summer 2023 Fashion Trends: 21 Expert-Approved Looks You Need to See

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically 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, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning 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 at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others. Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.