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27th Mar 2022

Capsule, not clutter: Your entire spring wardrobe in 10 affordable buys

Trine Jensen-Burke

This is going to change how you view your entire wardrobe.

Did you know that when it comes to the environment, the fashion industry – especially our collective love affair with mass-produced, cheap fashion – is one of the worst offenders?

More waste, more toxic chemicals from dyes polluting waterways, more energy and water used – our impulse shopping is not doing our beautiful planet – or our wallets – any favours.

Which is why creating a capsule wardrobe for yourself makes sense on so many levels.

For starters, you are going to find that by investing in some really hard-working, mix-and-match-able pieces you really love, you will never again be caught with the old “wardrobe bursting, yet nothing to wear” panic when it’s time to get dressed. You will save money, because not only will you feel like you always have something to wear and hence eliminate the need for panic shopping, but you will also start viewing your wardrobe differently, and start thinking a lot more critically about what you add to it.

Right now we are heading towards spring, and (hopefully) some warmer weather is on the horizon. I am itching to ditch my heavy winter coat for something lighter, but in the interest of making life easy for myself, I am fully embracing the capsule thing this season too, and right now; I think these 10 seriously fab items are about to be my very own go-to look for the next few months:

1. The wear-everywhere sweatshirt

I love this simple hooded sweatshirt and know I’ll be wearing it on repeat for the next few months. It works as perfect thrown over my workout clothes when heading to yoga as it does tucked into some wide-legged pants or even over the denim dress below. The grey colour is so classic and will look chic paired with a pair of faux leather leggings or your favourite jeans too.

€19.99, H&M

2. The denim dress of dreams

One item of clothing I always argue is a must in every busy woman’s wardrobe is a dress that can be worn in a variety of ways, and that will always look smart, yet cool.

And this spring, this lyocell denim dress with tie belt from M&S is it. The material is light and hence perfect when the days will be getting a little warmer, and I just know I will wear this dress both during the week – great for the office, as well as on the weekends, as I think it will look fab paired with my new Veja trainers and a long belted cardigan – as perfect for a trip around the farmer’s market as it would be meeting some friends for coffee or lunch.

€60, M&S

3. The most flattering pants you’ll ever wear

I only recently heard of amazing UK-based brand Saint + Sofia (previously Zaggora), and their chic, neutral wear-forever pieces – and now I am obsessed.

One of the first things I ordered were these Camden wide-legged pants, and guys – we are talking about the most comfortable, soft, organic cotton pair of pants you’ll ever own. As perfect for work as they are for weekend wear, travel, you name it, these pants will work for every occasion – hello comfort and style.

€64, Saint + Sofia

4. Slogan t-shirt

Everyone needs a simple, slogan t-shirt in their spring wardrobe, and right now, I am totally into this bargain version from H&M. I know it will look great tucked into the wide-legged pants above – my new go-to weekend look, and as well as that, it will also work with my favourite jeans or even denim skirt, when the weather heats up.

And if that isn’t €10 well spent, well, then I don’t know what is.

€9.99, H&M

5. Veja Suede Multico Sable Parme trainers

Yes, they are on the pricy side, but trust me, as far as trainers go, you’ll wear these over and over and over again, with jeans, dresses, skirts – they will work with your entire wardrobe, and that is what capsule wardrobes are all about.

€139, Seagreen

6. Faux leather biker jacket

Another one of those ‘no wardrobe should be without one’ items that I think you’ll be wearing on repeat once you realise how seriously versatile it is. In this day and age, I am less keen to buy real leather (let the animals keep it for themselves), and instead marvel at the many great options we now have when it comes to faux leather, like with this gorgeous jacket from Next.

I have one very similar that I bought a couple of years back, and no kidding, it is one of the most frequently worn pieces of clothing in my wardrobe. In this case, it works with pretty much every item on my spring-wardrobe list, from the denim dress to the striped jumper or flowy blouse, and will add just that right amount of cool to pretty much everything else in your wardrobe too.

€64, Next

7. The stripes-makes-everything-look-more-chic jumper

I recently snapped up this oversized striped jumper from my local Zara, and I am so glad I did. The quality is really good, and really looks and feels far more expensive than the €49 paid for it. And hey – a classic striped jumper is a great buy for spring as it sort of never dates – in fact, stripes are always in fashion.

In this case, I have so far worn it several times, with the wide-legged pants, with the jeans, and I have even worn it over the denim dress too in other words; a great buy.

€49.95, Zara

8. The dreamiest midi skirt (with pockets!)

It doesn’t get any better than skirts (and dresses) that come with pockets, let’s all agree, and this one from Asos is not only a total steal, it is also so darn wearable. I mean; it’ll go great with the grey hoodie, and it’ll look perfect with the slogan tee too. I am planning on wearing it with the trainers, but reckon it would look cute if paired with ankle boots too.

€22, Asos

9. Mid-rise slim fit jeans in classic blue

Not too skinny, not too slouchy, these jeans are – in my humble opinion – the absolute perfect fit, colour and style for my spring wardrobe, and I know I will literally live in them over the next six months.

These will work with all of the tops/jumpers/tees I already have in my wardrobe, and hence, a staple buy for sure.

€29.95, Zara

10.The flowy white blouse you have been looking for your whole life

My friends always joke that I need a white Broderie Anglaise top detox – and there might be a little bit of truth to that. However, I do think every wardrobe could do with the perfect white blouse, and if mine wasn’t already overflowing with so many other tops in this genre, I would so be ordering this one from Mango.

I just think it will be one of those items you’ll be reaching for again and again, ideal for spring.

It will mix and match with all the other bits on this list, but will also look equally dreamy paired with a skirt (denim for summer, or even a khaki one), or, for a dressier occasion, paired with some slim black dress pants and heels. In other words, a total staple buy.

€39.99, Mango