As the seasons change from winter to spring and the weather warms up, it’s time to throw off the thick coats and jumpers of colder months. Seasonal change can be both exciting and daunting in the fashion world, as the different weather requires different outfits. Altering your style with lots of new clothes is both expensive and bad for the environment, which is why we’ve come up with a few tips for transitioning to spring style sustainably.
Spring clean
You don’t have to limit the annual spring reset to a household deep clean. Consider starting the seasonal transition by de-cluttering your wardrobe so that you know exactly what clothes you’re working with before you set out to change your style. Donating any unwanted clothes will both clarify your mind and benefit the charity sector, whilst selling clothes online can help you fund filling any gaps you’ve identified.
Once you have a wardrobe filled with items you love, take some time to play around with different combinations and outfits. The chances are that you already have pieces you can style more creatively, and layering will be your best friend as the weather remains unpredictable before the summer months.
Hit up the charity shops
As already mentioned, charity shops are a brilliant way to make a positive impact in the clothing industry. At a time when 1.92 million tonnes of textile waste is produced every year, keeping the clothes we already have in circulation is a must. However, make sure that you’re still buying something you’ll wear long-term, as second-hand overconsumption doesn’t help the planet.
Apps like Depop and Vinted are popular alternatives to your local charity shop, and it’s a fun pastime trying to search out that bargain raincoat you know will be perfect this spring. And, if you don’t fancy virtual browsing, an in-person clothes swap with friends and family is an even cheaper and environmental option for avoiding deliveries and fees.
Find your personal style
Identifying your personal style away from micro trends will make finding long-lasting pieces so much easier. It may sound like simple advice, but creating a ‘Spring 2024’ Pinterest board complimenting items you already own could help you to identify a style you like, see your current clothes in a new light, and avoid making unnecessary purchases.
Accessories are also small, and often cheaper, ways to change up an outfit. When transitioning from winter to spring fashion, you can still use your favourite winter scarf without a jacket in more temperate weather, or fend off the wind with a hat you bought for colder months. Accessorising with pieces you already love will help you create an individual style across the seasons, rather than rushing to assemble a new spring personality.
Create a capsule wardrobe
If you do want to shop for some new pieces for spring, try building a capsule wardrobe. Capsule wardrobes have been defined as “a streamlined edit of items that all work well together,” consisting of high-quality, mostly neutral, adaptable staples that can be worn time and time again. Mindfully shopping towards a capsule wardrobe will ensure that the fresh clothes you invest in are going to be lasting staples in your collection instead of spontaneous trend-based purchases you won’t think to touch in six months’ time.
British Vogue has advised its readers that “neutrals are your best friends,” and it’s certainly sound advice when building a capsule wardrobe. However, don’t be afraid to add in some pops of colour for some personality, and lean into the playful hues that spring inspires. As long as you’re going to love and layer a new piece throughout the year, treat buying new clothing as an investment.
Up-cycle old clothes
To truly avoid breaking the bank, get creative and transform any old clothes still kicking about in your wardrobe. Got some old jeans that are a bit out of fashion? Crop them into in-vogue jorts. Have a jumper that is too hot for most of the year? Chop off the sleeves for a stylish tank top. Social media is filled with tutorials and inspiration for up-cycling, and working with what you already have is both a cheap and sustainable way to feel like you’ve refreshed your style.
Treat the seasonal transition as an opportunity to reconsider what you wear and how you wear it. Spring has certainly sprung, and it’s the ideal time to experiment with layers, colours, and styles before summer arrives. However, it’s also a good chance to think about our consumer habits by shopping second-hand or reworking what we already own.
Words by Annabel Benton