25 Spring Items That Put a Smile on My Face

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(Image credit: @danroberts)

Most Wanted is a weekly series in which one Who What Wear team member or friend of the brand will share the top 25 fashion and beauty finds on their current wish list.

It’s finally late February. In New York, that’s the time of year when mannequins in floral dresses appear optimistically in store windows, looking very lost. It reminds me of being at JFK the Friday before Christmas when you’re hustling to your gate wearing the giant coat that didn’t fit in your suitcase, and then you pass by the last few people boarding a flight leaving for Mexico… Slightly soul-destroying, but those mannequins are also a beacon of hope, reminding us how even on the gloomiest day, we’re inevitably headed for breezy fabrics, pastel-colored sandals, and all the other things guaranteed to put me in a good mood.

Spring just has a feel-good quality baked right in, and that’s inspired this new-season most-wanted list in more ways than one. While I’ve yet to discover a brand that’s truly "sustainable,” I’ve definitely found plenty making positive moves, whether it’s a commitment to responsibly sourced materials, cruelty-free or mindful beauty products, or giving back to local communities. In the Venn diagram of cheerful spring buys and mindful purchases, the 25 items below all exist somewhere in the overlap—which is to say, they’re doubling down on the feel-good buzz.

Up next: 25 Things That Make Up My Official L.A.-Girl Wardrobe

Natalie Cantell
Contributing Fashion Editor

Natalie Cantell is an NYC-based style director, creative consultant, and contributing fashion editor. She was the executive director of Who What Wear and Marie Claire’s brand studio until 2023, and now freelances globally on shoots, stories, and special projects across fashion, luxury, beauty, home, and travel.