How to Dress for Spring

Co-authored by Kathi Burns, CPO® and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: May 1, 2024 Approved

Spring is the perfect time to play around with fashion because the days will be a mix of warm and cool weather, which allows you to try out different looks. You’re probably excited to pull out your warm weather staples like shorts and sleeveless tops, but you may need to layer your look to stay warm. No matter your style preferences, there are fun, easy spring looks you can put together for any occasion. Just don’t forget to prepare for all those April showers by carrying an umbrella!

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Creating a Casual Look

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1
Choose floral patterns and pastels to celebrate the season. It's time to put away your dark fall and winter colors. Spring is the time when nature blossoms, so look for pieces of clothing that feature flowers, leaves, and pale colors. Additionally, opt for light-weight fabrics like cotton or linen, since the weather is warming up.
- Flower prints like daisies or pansies are cute for spring.
- Similarly, pale yellow, lavender, light pink, and sky blue are great spring colors.
2
Wear a simple lightweight dress for an easy option. Dresses are a classic spring look that never go out of style. Pick a mini or thigh-length dress for a cute weekend look, or go with a knee-length or midi-length dress if you want something a little more dressed up.
- Leave your legs bare if it’s warm out.
- If it’s cool, wear a pair of opaque tights. For extra fun, pick a bright color that plays off your dress.
Tip: The maxi dress is a cute spring style because it's flowy and lightweight but still covers a lot of skin. Wear a maxi dress if you want a fun spring look that’s also a bit warmer.

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3
Keep it simple with a top and shorts or a skirt. T-shirts are great for spring, but you might also enjoy wearing a cotton or linen top. Pair your top with shorts for an easy weekend look—5 in (13 cm) shorts are a great length that's flattering on a lot of different body types.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Ashley Kahn
Wardrobe Stylist

Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.} If you want to dress up, opt for a cute skirt.
- Try a solid-colored T-shirt with shorts, a mini skirt, or a midi skirt.
- Wear a band or logo T-shirt with denim shorts or a denim skirt.
- Pair a printed short-sleeved or sleeveless top with khaki or denim shorts or a flowy skirt.
4
Pair a polo shirt with khakis or denim. A polo shirt looks great for a casual work or weekend look. Choose a polo shirt that’s a bright, fun color, such as a pastel. Wear it over a pair of khakis or denim pants or shorts.^{[2]
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- For instance, you might wear a salmon-colored polo shirt, a pair of long khakis, and a brown belt to work.
- For a fun weekend look, you could pair a bright yellow polo with a pair of denim shorts.
5
Go with long pants instead of shorts or a skirt if it’s chilly outside. Spring is a transitional season, so there will still be cool weather some days. If it’s cool out, cover more skin with a pair of pants. Try a denim style or khakis for an easy option that’s great for spring.
- Denim and khakis both work for a weekend or casual work look. However, you might also try white pants or a solid pastel color.
6
Wear sandals on a warm spring day. With the warmer weather, sandals are back in style. Pick an upscale sandal for a dressy or professional look. If you prefer something more casual, go with a walking sandal.^{[3]
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- Sandals look great with shorts, skirts, and dresses.
7
Choose sneakers for a relaxed look. Sneakers are a popular spring style that pairs great with any casual outfit. White sneakers are a season staple, but you can also play around with colors.^{[4]
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- Pair a sneaker like Converse low-tops with shorts and a t-shirt or a solid-colored dress.
- Wear your white sneakers with a polo and shorts, denim styles, or even a dress.
8
Play around with colorful jewelry. You don’t need to wear jewelry to be stylish, but it can be a fun way to enhance your style. For spring, choose brightly colored jewelry to evoke the season. Play around with necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
- If you’re creating a casual look, choose a few pieces to accessorize your look. You might wear a bangle bracelet or a long necklace with a pair of earrings.
Tip: You can also wear jewelry to work, but keep it simple. You could wear a pair of bright stud earrings or a pendant on a chain.
9
Protect your eyes with a pair of sunglasses. Since spring brings warmer weather, you’ll likely spend more time outside. Make sure you’re wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Choose a pair of sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection.
- Big frames are typically a cute look for spring.
- Try on different pairs of sunglasses and choose one that flatters your face shape.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Looking Professional

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1
Pick blouses or button-ups made with light-weight fabric. You might find yourself sweating through the work clothes you’ve worn all winter, so it’s time to break out the thin fabrics. Choose breathable, flowy tops that will allow you to cool off on warm afternoons. Look for lighter colors, like white and pastels, as well as fun floral prints.
- For instance, you might opt for a white button-up with a pair of khakis or a khaki skirt. Just make sure your white shirt isn't see-through!^{[5]
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  Ashley Kahn
  Wardrobe Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.}
- If you like patterns, you might try a paisley print button up or blouse. Similarly, you could try a floral linen top in a pastel color palette.
- If you like feminine blouses, try a top panel over a camisole for a classic warm-weather look.
2
Choose khaki, grey, brown, or linen slacks for your workwear. Try to avoid darker colors during the spring because lighter colors are more “in” during this season. Build your work wardrobe around light-colored pants instead. Khakis are an obvious choice and come in a range of tones, from off-white to dark tan. You might also try basic or plaid grey or brown pants, as well as light-weight linen pants.^{[6]
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- For instance, you might wear a white button-up shirt over a pair of light grey plaid pants.
- Similarly, you could pair a pastel plaid shirt with a pair of khakis.
Tip: You might also try pastel-colored pants if you’re feeling playful. For instance, a cute pair of pink pants will look great with everything from a white button-up to a fitted grey t-shirt.
3
Try a midi skirt for a cute spring work look. A midi skirt will hit between your knees and ankles, so it’s a very professional style. Pair your midi skirt with a nice fitted t-shirt or a blouse. Choose a solid-colored top if your skirt has a pattern or a patterned top if your skirt is plain.^{[7]
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- For instance, you might wear a floral midi skirt with a cute pink blouse or a solid purple midi skirt with a paisley print top.
4
Play around with capri pants to stay cool and professional. If your workplace allows it, capri pants are a great option for spring. Pick khaki, grey, pastel-colored, or plaid capris for a professional look. Pair your capris with a button-up top or blouse.^{[8]
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- For instance, you might wear a white short-sleeved button-up with lavender capris or grey plaid capris.
- You could also pair a sleeveless blouse with your capris.
5
Wear flats to dress up your outfit while staying comfortable. Dressy flats are a very flexible shoe because you can wear them with practically anything. Choose them for an everyday work shoe. Go with a neutral color or play around with spring colors and patterns.
- You might pair flat dress shoes with a pair of khakis and a button-up. If you wear dresses and skirts, flats will be the perfect pairing.
Tip: You can also wear ballet flats to dress up your casual spring looks. For instance, you can pair flats with a dressy top and shorts, a cute spring dress, or a top and skirt ensemble.
6
Opt for open-toed shoes for a cute dressed-up spring style. Because the weather is warming up, spring is the perfect time to break out your open-toed shoes. Stick to brighter or lighter colors for your shoes, like beige, pink, or red. Pair them with either your work looks or casual styles.
- For instance, you might wear a pale blue pair of open-toed heels with a skirt and blouse to work. On the weekend, pair your open-toed shoes with a skirt or shorts.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Layering on Cool Days

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1
Wear a sweater or light jacket on chilly days. Layering is essential on spring days because the weather can easily shift between cool and warm. After you select a cute warm-weather look, throw on a lightweight jacket, windbreaker, or sweater to banish the chill. Later, you can remove your top layer to stay cool in the warm part of the day.^{[9]
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- You might wear an open-weave sweater over a cute spring dress.
- If you’re wearing a top and shorts, a skirt, or pants, try a denim jacket, hoodie, or button-up sweater.
- When you're shopping for spring, look for pieces you can layer in a variety of different ways. That way, you'll have a wider range of outfits, and you'll be able to stay comfortable even if the temperature changes.^{[10]
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  Ashley Kahn
  Wardrobe Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.}
2
Pair a lightweight cardigan with a blouse or dress. A cardigan can keep you warm during the cool parts of the day and in an air-conditioned workspace. Additionally, it helps your spring styles look more professional. Choose a neutral-colored cardigan for an everyday look or add a stylish flair by picking one that complements the colors in your outfit.^{[11]
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- For instance, you might get a light grey or beige cardigan for spring that will go with most outfits.
- On the other hand, you might prefer to get a range of colors so that each outfit has a matching option. You could wear a lavender cardigan over a purple floral dress or a yellow cardigan over a yellow polka dot blouse.
3
Choose a thin blazer that will look stylish while keeping you cool. Blazers are a classic work style, and they look great for any season. Pick a blazer that’s a neutral color for an easy option or opt for a color that matches your outfit. Throw on a blazer with a button-up and pants, a skirt ensemble, or a dress.^{[12]
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- White, grey, navy, brown, and tan blazers will all work great for neutral colors during spring.
- You might wear a navy blazer with a white button-up and khakis.
- If you like bright colors, you might pair a yellow blazer with a solid colored button-up or a patterned blouse.
4
Wear a thin trench coat or day coat if it’s cool outside. Spring will likely have a few cold days, so keep warm with a nice, lightweight overcoat. Choose a style like a trench or day coat that’s flexible but professional. Khaki is a popular choice, but you could also try grey, navy, or bright colors.
- For an easy stylish look, stick to a classic khaki trench coat.
- If you want to invest in a few key spring pieces, a brightly colored light-weight coat might be a great option. Try a pastel color for a fun look.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Staying Dry on Rainy Days

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1
Carry an umbrella if the forecast predicts rain. Spring is typically a very rainy season, so it’s a good idea to have an umbrella handy. Keep an umbrella by your front door or in your bag so you have it at hand. Choose a plain umbrella if you want to keep things simple, or go for a fun print.^{[13]
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- For instance, a cute polka dot print, cat print, heart print, or dinosaur print could brighten up a rainy day.
2
Wear a raincoat to stay dry. Along with your umbrella, throw on a raincoat to protect your outfit and keep you warm. Pick a solid-colored raincoat in a neutral color or a color that matches a lot of your clothing so that it pairs with any outfit. That’ll make it easy to wear it both to work and over the weekend.^{[14]
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- For instance, you might pick a yellow, tan, or navy raincoat.
3
Keep a pair of rain boots for wet days. Spring is typically a rainy season, so be prepared! Make sure you have tall rain boots that are leak-free so you can protect your tootsies on rainy days.
- You might carry your work shoes in your bag and wear your rain boots so your feet will be dry when you get to work or school.
- Pick a solid colored pair of boots or go for a cute print, like polka dots.

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What should I wear in early spring?

Kathi Burns, CPO®
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Kathi Burns is a board certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and Founder of Organized and Energized!, her consulting business with a mission to empower people to master their environment and personal image by assisting them in taking control, making change and organizing their lives. Kathi has over 17 years of organizing experience and her work has been featured on Better Homes and Gardens, NBC News, Good Morning America, and Entrepreneur. She has a BS in Communication from Ohio University.

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Expert Answer

For a classic spring look, you can't go wrong with a white button-up blouse or shirt. You can pair it with anything and dress it up or down depending on the occasion.

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What are some great spring staples?

Ashley Kahn
Wardrobe Stylist
Ashley Kahn is a Wardrobe Stylist based in Houston, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, Ashley styles women both in-person and virtually and is passionate about empowering women through the art of personal style. She believes every woman deserves to feel comfortable, classy, and confident every single day. Ashley holds a business degree from Sam Houston State University. She has been featured on KPRC's Channel 2 Houston Life and ABC 13's Check This Out Houston and in the Houstonia magazine. Ashley has also hosted Macy’s “The Wardrobe Edit” and the “It List” fashion shows.

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Wardrobe Stylist

Expert Answer

Spring is a transitional season, so the temperatures can fluctuate a lot. Try to have a wide range of different layers to keep you cool or warm, depending on what the temperature is outside.

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Tips

Dress according to the weather. If temperatures are still cold, wear long sleeves or layer your short sleeve pieces with sweaters and jackets. If temperatures get hot early, don’t be afraid to break out summer wardrobe pieces early. The versatility of spring fashions is one of the season’s pluses.

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As long as they're opaque, you can wear leggings as bottoms with any top or dress. You can even wear a skirt over them.

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