I’m not necessarily a minimalist with my wardrobe (just ask my husband! haha), but I do like to have some basic outfit “formulas” to resort to on the days when I just don’t have the mental capacity (or frankly, the energy) to think about putting together any kind of ensemble. I say this because “capsule” is a bit of a misnomer for this post as it’s not a full capsule, but more of a curated group of mix-and-match options that I can reach for without much consideration.
*This springtime edition of my seasonal capsule wardrobe is fairly similar to the autumn edition since they’re both transition seasons and as such, many of the pieces can be swapped between them (particularly outerwear!). Here in Seattle our spring weather is all over the place, so layers of varying levels of warmth are crucial! The key is always: layers, layers, layers!
Disclaimer: these are all casual looks because I’m not attending any fancy events at this point in my life, but I still want to look put-together and [somewhat] chic in my daily life of being a stay-at-home-mom. Additionally, I’m not saying that these outfits are “just for moms” — that’s just where I’m at in my life right now so they’re good for this chapter (read: toddler chasing), but they’d also be good for anyone! *Note: I also prefer a neutral palette for effortless mixing and matching, but I fully support (and encourage!) the incorporation of color to your outfits!
OUTFIT ELEMENTS —
TOPS:
Blouse with Details — The special elements set it apart from the typical and will make you feel more intentional and put-together.
Pointelle Henley — I love anything in pointelle fabric. It’s so simple, but adds a bit of interest and femininity with its detail.
Tuckable Tee — This has easily become my favorite base layer — since transition seasons are fairly unpredictable I like to have a short sleeve option available for the random days that are on the warmer side.
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PANTS:
In the spring I used to gravitate toward pants in lighter tones (whites, creams, and khakis), but as a mom a I’ve found that that’s risky business! 😂 Feel free to make swaps for lighter neutrals if you’re feeling braver than I am, but I’m personally going to avoid any clothing in those colors for the lower half of my body.
Because it’s springtime I like to try to lean into lighter colors even if they aren’t in the white / cream family — a lighter denim wash is always encouraged for spring (and summer)! If you feel brave enough to go the white / cream / khaki route, go for it!!! I just know myself and know that I’d personally end up with food stains on them.
Overalls — Ever since becoming a mom I have discovered a newfound love of overalls. This isn’t to say that you have to be a mom to wear them, because they’re super cute no matter what, but they’re certainly practical when you’re chasing littles around. They’re also incredibly comfortable for those days when you just don’t feel like wearing anything with a waistband.
Ankle Straight Leg Denim — I’m still having a hard time giving up my skinny jeans, but I’ve been able to ease myself into a slightly wider straight leg fit. I personally prefer a slim straight cut because I think they fit my body best, but sometimes you need a slightly looser pant and I am enjoying a straight leg jean. *Note: There’s no right or wrong here — whatever style you like best [that isn’t a skinny jean] will work.
Shorts — I’m not always in the mood for shorts, but sometimes they make the most sense for whatever weather / activity the day has in store. Whatever wash or style makes you feel great totally works — I personally like a high rise style with an inseam somewhere between 3 and 4 inches.
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OUTER LAYER:
I just want to note that these are all on the light/mid-weight side of outerwear. I’ve also already covered the trench coat in my autumn capsule so I didn’t include it here, even though it’s a great option for this time of year.
Light Sweatshirt — Sweatshirts are surprisingly versatile for casual outfits and I think a thin cotton one is so ideal for spring weather. It’s cool in the morning but often warms up in the afternoon so you can just throw it over your shoulders or tie it around your waist… such an easy-but-functional item!
Quilted Jacket — I have been pretty enamored with quilted jackets / coats for a few years now… and I missed out on my dream piece (the SHOPPES Barn Jacket)! I keep hoping that they bring it back or I see one pop up on a resale site because I’m honestly obsessed. I don’t know if or when that will ever happen, so I found a solid second choice (even though it’s pretty different than my dream one, given the shape and print) that I love and works really well with my closet.
Chunky Cardigan — I love the warmth and coziness this piece adds to a look. I also prefer a cardigan style to a pullover so that you have the option to wear it open or closed, depending on the look you’re going for / how warm you want to be!
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SHOES:
Adidas Sambas Sneakers — A classic shoe design that works perfectly as both a sporty style as well as a street sneaker. I love mine so much and wear them often! A similar alternative would be a pair of Neutral Colored Gazelles in a color such as sage green or even a beige-y taupe.
+ Lettuce ruffle socks // I also think that these sock recommendations are great for pairing with this style of shoe.
Ballet Flats / Mary Janes — I love seeing ballet flats being back on-trend! And Mary Janes have a proper buckle / bit of a heel so they lean a bit dressier if that works better for your personal style; they both achieve the same kind of effect. Woven / mesh / raffia flats *Honorable mention: fisherman sandals are becoming pretty popular as well so if ballet flats aren’t to your personal taste, you could totally swap them out for the fisherman sandal instead.
Birkenstock Boston Clogs — I don’t know what’s an easier shoe to wear than a slip-on clog, especially by Birkenstock. I have a pair of their Arizona sandals and I really like them more than I thought I would! I bet I’m going to love the Boston clog as well… it seems like they would be very similar shoes, just open toed vs closed.
OUTFIT VARIATIONS:
In past seasonal capsule posts I have created “formulas” in this section and shared multiple variations of each one, but since I think that just about everything in this capsule works together (with maybe one or two exceptions?) I’m going to stick with using the outerwear as the outfit anchor and show you all of the different ways you can wear them with the rest of the capsule!
Formula 1: Quilted Jacket
I love a quilted jacket as a layer for spring when you need a little extra warmth, but anything with a down filler is definitely overkill.
You could totally wear this piece draped over your shoulders too, but when you’re chasing small children around I don’t know how effective that will be. 😅
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Formula 2: Chunky Cardigan
As I mentioned in the Outerwear Section above, I love this option because it can be worn either open or buttoned up (depending on the temperature).
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Formula 3: Light Sweatshirt
A sweatshirt is always a great casual layering option. In addition to actually wearing it, you can also wrap it over your shoulders / across your body and tie the sleeves together or even tie it around your waist.
It could also just be your top and not a layer!
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ADDITIONAL STYLING COMBINATIONS
I love the versatility of these outfits and their abilities to mix and match. Below are a few of my favorite “remixed” combinations, but I’ve gathered even more inspiration photos here.
*all outfit inspiration images in this post were sourced from Pinterest and are not my own
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STYLING
I’ve been really gravitating toward both the “old money” and “quiet luxury” aesthetics in this season of my life. I want quality pieces that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits and feel somewhat put together with minimal thought or effort. I have found the following brands to have pieces that correspond directly with those aesthetics and would help achieve the look (but without the hefty luxury price tag):
BRANDS TO SHOP:
Abercrombie & Fitch, Alex Mill, AYR, Frank & Eileen,
J.Crew, Jenni Kayne, Pact, and Quince
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I recommend three “always” accessories: (1) a pair of polarized sunglasses, (2) a hair clip, and (3) a hat. I’m personally a fan of the classic baseball cap, but whatever style suits your fancy will work! I like the baseball cap in particular because it mixes well with my other “mom uniform” selections. I saw this clever way to clip up your hair while wearing a baseball cap so I obviously had to share it here too (that creator has a ton of other amazing hair styling videos too — be sure to give her a follow)!
My favorite hair clip is this flat one — it’s comfortable to wear while driving and feels more chic than a classic claw clip. I also love a French hair pin — they seem complicated, but I promise once you get the hang of them they’re brilliantly easy, look amazing in your hair AND if you put them in properly they stay put.
Lastly, I’ve been seeing a lot of woven totes lately and I think that’s such a fun way to change up your bag for the season. Get one in a fun accent color that suits your style (a hunter green or navy would be classic and versatile but still a fun color option!), or stick with the most-used color of your closet’s accessories (black, brown, or tan). I love a taupe color for spring (and maybe that’s the color you chose for your sneakers!), but I think that I would personally find one in a medium brown tone for my wardrobe.
I hope these ideas help to inspire you to create your own mini seasonal capsule with ensembles that you don’t have to put much thought into, but make you feel put-together even on the crazy days.
Sending hugs —
xx, Natalie