I'm a Nordstrom Fashion Editor—These 6 Staples Are Required for Spring

I may be a fashion editor, but I'm always asking my colleagues in the industry what they're wearing. When it comes to clothes, I'm on a need-to-know basis—as in I need to know what you're buying for the new season. That's exactly why I reached out to Kate Bellman, the managing fashion editor at Nordstrom. While she browsed Nordstrom's new arrivals one morning, she let me know a few pieces that she won't be able to live without this spring.
Bellman is a classic woman with timeless style, so her picks ended up being right up my alley. And to be honest, everyone who wants to look sophisticated this season should perk their ears up. After reviewing the six staples that she's calling requirements for anyone's spring wardrobe, I realized that they make for the perfect capsule wardrobe. Just add a basic tank or tee, and you can easily make hundreds of outfits out of these amazing fashion finds. So you better get shopping.
"As we're finally heading back into the office, the blazer reemerges as a key staple for the office wardrobe. This season's blazer is seeing a softening from years past in light materials like linen, and it surfaces as a statement piece in an unexpected bright palette. A further update to the blazer is the sleeveless vest, a great option for bringing tailoring into the summer months."
Shop blazers:
"The ongoing craft trend remains relevant and reveals itself through the spring season in stitchy sweaters with artful details, such as intarsia techniques and crochet handwork. Look for lightweight yarns that will carry you through from spring to summer."
Shop craft sweaters:
"The romantic volume of the past few seasons is softened with long and fluid silhouettes. Floral prints elicit the bloom of the season while lace and tiered ruffles bring a mix of modern and vintage appeal to this key dress for spring. Perfect for all the summer weddings that have been put on hold these past few years!"
Shop romantic dresses:
"I never thought I'd see the day, but we are finally emerging out of the skinny-jean staple into a new, everyday leg shape. A straight leg is the new essential denim silhouette that comes in a variety of washes and works with so many styling options. If you really want to push the pendulum, try a wide-leg pair!"
Shop straight-leg jeans:
"The trench coat is the quintessential spring outerwear piece. While it's always a classic in a neutral color and a traditional fabrication, this season, we've seen so many incredible updates from vibrant colors to new materials like leather and nylon."
Shop trench coats:
"The wide leg is becoming the key silhouette among bottoms as we're gravitating toward effortlessness and ease in our wardrobes. This makes for a great wear-to-work staple in dressy materials, and more casual iterations include a wide-leg chino or cargo."
Shop wide-leg pants:
Next up: I've Decided That Spring Starts Now—33 Items I'm Ordering ASAP
Sierra Mayhew is a fashion editor at Who What Wear, bringing a decade of industry experience to the editorial team. Since joining in 2021, she has made her mark by blending luxury and accessible fashion, decoding runway trends, and curating must-have shopping lists. Before joining Who What Wear, Sierra sharpened her skills at Harper's Bazaar and Elle, with bylines in Bazaar.com and collaborated with iconic brands such as Gucci and Ferragamo. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Sierra translates editorial expertise into viral social content, making fashion engaging for a new generation. Her unique perspective is rooted in her love for travel, music, and discovering the hidden gems that make New York City a constant source of inspiration.
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