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 ahead of the season kicking into gear. It never hurts to prepare, right?

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

1. Trench Coats

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. 

2. Puff-Sleeve Dress

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. 

3. Lightweight Suiting

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 chunky boots. 

4. Ankle-Grazing Trousers

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. 

5. Wear-Everywhere Sneakers

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. 

6. Denim Midis

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. 

7. Top-Handle Bags

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. 

8. Utility Jumpsuit

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

9. White Blouses

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

Next, 30 new H&M and Mango items that are Fashion with a capital F.

Opening Images: @slipintostyle; @thatsaleaf; @lucywilliams02; @monikh

This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.