There's nothing quite like the excitement of starting a new season, especially spring, It's a fresh start to life, nature, and well, your wardrobe! We get to shed the heavy layers and the clothes we wore all throughout winter and replace them with lighter, fresher versions for spring. Whether you pack your off-season clothes completely away, or just move them to the back of your closet for wardrobe maximization, there are some clothing items that are best left in the fall and winter season. Here's a quick guide on the 6 items to pack away for spring and what to replace them with!
6 Items To Pack Away for Spring (And What to Replace Them With!)
1. Pack Away: Faux Fur
If you haven't already, it's time to put the fur away. This material is best for fall and winter and doesn't quite look season-appropriate in spring.
Keep: Suede
Even though spring is a wonderful time, we can't exactly switch over to all the lightweight linen pieces yet. However, suede is a great alternative to faux fur! Suede is more lightweight and still adds "weight" to your look without bogging it down. Plus, a suede jacket is a great versatile staple to have for spring. Your suede item doesn't just have to be a jacket however, you can find this material in shoes, skirts, and purses too! If your suede item is darker, pair it with lighter colors so your outfit reads spring and not fall.
similar boots here, here, and here
2. Heavy Outerwear
Though it's especially hard to pack away your outerwear when living in the midwest (you don't know what to expect!), rest assured that there are good alternatives to the thick wool coats, puffer coats, and fur-trimmed coats.
Keep: Denim Jackets, Motorcycle Jackets, Bomber Jackets, and Trench Coats
These are all lighter, classic, and go with everything. If you need extra warmth, these are all lightweight enough to layer underneath them too. A denim jacket could go under a trench coat and a sweater could go under a motorcycle jacket, for example. No need for a puffer coat and guess what, extra layering will make you look even more stylish too!
Good American Jeans- read my review on this pair!
3. Pack Away: Thick Cardigans
Even though they're super cozy, thick and chunky knit cardigans tend to look more cold weather than warm weather. However, there are exceptions to this! A chunky cardigan can look really fabulous in spring when paired with a lightweight cotton dress, especially florals.
Keep: Lightweight cardigan, Kimonos, Robes, Long Duster Coats
These are such a nice, lightweight way to add coverage to your outfit. Let's say you have a spring/summer dress you love, but you don't feel like showing your shoulders/back/arms at the moment. Or a certain occasion calls for something more covered up. That's when these lightweight pieces come in handy. They are pretty, season-appropriate, and work as a layering or confidence piece without having to look silly wearing something too heavy in warm weather!
4. Pack Away: Blanket Scarves
Blanket scarves were a lifesaver in the cold fall and winter months, but it's time to retire them. At least for now!
Keep: Silk Scarves
Silk scarves are so chic. Not totally sure if they're your style? A lightweight skinny scarf can also work. Also, what's amazing about these is that you have many options. You can tie them around your hair, bag, wrist, waist, and more. The options are endless!
Related: 6 Stylish Ways to Wear Your Silk Scarf
5. Pack Away: Chunky Sweaters
Just like chunky cardigans, it's time to put those turtlenecks, heavy sweaters, and chunky knits away and bring out some lighter materials.
Keep: Lightweight sweaters
A totally classic and lighter way to look and feel cozy. Lightweight cashmere sweaters are French woman's staple too, so you can rest assured that you'll look oh so chic!
Related: How to Create a French Capsule Wardrobe for Spring & Summer
6. Pack Away: OTK Boots, winter/snow boots
They helped us looked stylish throughout the snowy months, but it's time to move to shorter styles now and show some leg! Even if they are covered up with tights and leggings still. 😉
Keep: Ballet flats, sneakers, mules, loafers, espadrilles
All of these shoes are easy to wear, versatile, perfect for spring, and classic. You've seen me wear all of these shoes many, many times in all of my blog posts!
As always, take these ideas as guidelines, not strict rules. I love it when women mix and match to create a style that's uniquely them. Boots in spring with shorter bottoms? Cute! A chunky cardigan with a floral dress? Sweet!
If you do "break the rules", just keep in mind that it looks best to mix and match the styles for a stylish spring look. If you keep wearing your faux fur coats with tall boots then you'll just look like you're dressing for fall and winter still! Take elements of f/w and elements of s/s for a cool and stylish look.
This list of items to pack away for spring was a great start. But do you need more spring inspo?
Then read the next post!
Spring Capsule Wardrobe + Outfit Ideas
YES!!! This was so helpful! Today I packed away my winter clothes and used your post as a guide, thank you! I also loved your photos of some spring outfits,, gave me some ideas. Now we just need some sun and not these overcast days! 😛
I'm glad it was helpful and I agree 100% with that!
Carolyn, I may be old enough to be your grandmother, but I so appreciate your class and style. Your advice is helping me dress timeless and with flair, while down sizing my closet to classic and classy. No glitter or yoga pants(except during yoga). I love it when a woman compliments my outfit, because they are the ones to impress. My husband of 45 years looks at me every day and smiles and says I look beautiful. It’s worth taking the time to dress nice for him (and for myself).Thank you for helping me do that.
Thank you so much for this comment, Maryann. I just love the fact that your husband of 45 years still treats you so special. What a great example!
Great post!!
Thanks!