Cheers to us! We’ve made it through the darkest, coldest part of the year and are slowly shifting to the best time of the year in my opinion: spring. The sun rises earlier and earlier each day. We wake up to the sound of birds chirping, and the sweet scent of blooming flowers. More importantly, it is time to strut to class in spring fashion.
What I love about spring fashion is the freedom it gives you to wear anything from dresses and skirts to light jackets. But, let’s be honest with ourselves. The temptation to replace your entire wardrobe as the warm weather sets in is hard to resist. With the immense influence of social media especially, it feels like fashion trends are changing at the speed of light. As soon as I make an impulsive midnight clothing purchase, I find another clothing article I’m convinced I need.
The term “microtrends” describes the poor-quality, fashionable clothes that are in one season and out the next. They are the clothing articles everyone you follow on tiktok seems to be wearing for one week and then are never to be seen again the next.
Some examples of microtrends:
- Patchwork Jeans
- photo credit: SHEIN
- Bleach-dyed Jeans
- photo credit: Cider
- Color-blocking mesh tops
- photo credit: SHEIN
Don’t get me wrong, some of these pieces can look really stylish. But, realistically, how often are people actually wearing them?
I think it’s fair to say we are all experiencing some level of anxiety due to the current climate crisis. With that in mind, making environmentally conscious decisions is something we should consider when shopping. A fashion must-have that seems to be calling your name in the store might end up in the back of your closet after being worn only one or two times.
As a fashion enthusiast whose goal is to build a closet of timeless basics, these are some of my favorite pieces that everyone needs in their spring closet. And the best part is, a lot of these pieces can easily be thrifted!
1. Little Black Dress
Fashion icon Coco Chanel’s Little Black Dress, or the LBD, first showed up on the cover of Vogue in the October issue of 1926. That’s almost a century ago! Talk about a timeless basic. Every closet needs an LBD, because it is short and simple. The LBD can be dressed up or down with a pair of heels or sneakers. It goes perfectly with so many things like a white blouse or jean jacket. My favorite part about the LBD is how easy it is to accessorize with jewelry and a fun pair of sunglasses.
2. Leather Jacket
I can’t lie — wearing a leather jacket makes me feel powerful because of its bold fabric. A leather jacket is an easy way to spice up a simple outfit. The black leather adds a sleek look to an outfit. I got my favorite leather jacket from my sister’s closet (thanks big sis!). She thrifted it, making it both eco-friendly and inexpensive! A leather jacket is perfect for that weird in-between weather when it is too warm to wear an actual winter jacket but too cold to ditch all the layers.
3. White Sneakers
A pair of white sneakers is the fashion equivalent of a cold glass of water to any meal. It goes with practically anything and is essential for survival. Okay, that might be an exaggeration, but you get the point! White sneakers can save the debate you have in your head when deciding what pair of shoes to wear because they are extremely versatile. They are essential for building a minimalist wardrobe – no question. My personal favorite white sneakers are the Nike Air Force 1 Sage Low’s.
4. Wide-leg jeans
For the past two years, I’ve been obsessed with the small top, big pants outfit combination. Wide-leg jeans are super comfy and cute. Good quality jeans can be expensive, but I suggest spending the time and money to find the perfect pair of jeans. Everyone should have “the jeans,” meaning a pair that fits so well, you’re convinced they were custom made for you. Once you find “the jeans,” it’ll be like an investment — you will find yourself wearing them once a week minimum (at least I do!). Wide-leg jeans are perfect for the springtime because they are flowy, allowing your legs to breathe in the rising temperatures.
5. Pastel-colored tank tops
It’s springtime, so incorporating pastel colors of some sort into our wardrobe is a must! Having pastel-colored tank tops adds a fun burst of color to a plain outfit. They go well with neutral-toned bottoms and can also look flattering. I know we are going for a minimalist closet, but fun tank tops are my guilty pleasure. Here at school, I have an entire drawer overflowing with all of my tank tops!
So, the next time you embark on a shopping journey, be a mindful shopper and look out for things that’ll be a part of your wardrobe for a long time. Consider having a Pinterest board of the possible outfits you could recreate with these new spring essentials. By having outfits planned out in advance, you’ll certainly be wearing the pieces you purchase.
Fashion is a creative outlet. For any art project, you can’t create an extravagant work of art without the right foundation. I consider closet essentials to be the foundation of fashion. They are the support system enabling you to style an outfit in whatever direction you choose to take it in. But don’t forget, at the end of the day, as long as you are feeling comfy and confident in your clothes, consider that a fashion success!
**Edited by Carolyn D’Auria