Out with the dark, in with the light. It’s time to replace those heavy, dark clothes with something fresh and new.
Here are five winter mainstays and their spring replacements.
1. If you’ve been wearing pencil skirts, replace them with full skirts.
Fuller skirts are trending for spring. Pair them with pointy-toed flats, and you’ve got an updated look. Full skirts feel airy and light after a season of fitted pencil skirts, and they’re ideal for warmer weather. (Halogen Seamed Pencil Skirt, Nordstrom, $35; Checkered Sadie Skirt, Kate Spade, $178)
2. If you’ve been wearing skinny jeans, replace them with slouchy khakis.
No doubt, skinny jeans are ideal for tucking into tall boots when sidewalks are snowy and slushy. But with the snow a distant memory, try a different silhouette. Looser fitting clothing is all the rage on the runways, and a slouchy, colorful khaki is one way designers have translated the trend into an everyday look. (1969 always skinny jeans, Gap, $70; Broken-in straight khakis, Gap, $50)
3. If you’ve been wearing cardigans, replace them with bomber jackets.
Cardigans will never go out of style, but why not refresh your wardrobe with a new topper? Bomber jackets are a new look, and they come in leather, lace, silk and more. Some look like authentic varsity jackets with contrasting sleeves, but more refined fabrications can lift the bomber from tough and rugged to dressy and chic. (Spring Cardigan, Ann Taylor, $68; Truth and Pride Coated Lace Bomber Jacket, Nordstrom Rack)
4. If you’ve been wearing riding boots, replace them with oxfords.
Oxfords have been in stores for about three years now, and they are finally mainstream. They look great with trousers and jeans, and equally as good with skirts and dresses, which is how I like to wear them. Especially if the ever-popular ballet flat is too flat to be comfortable, you’ll find love in a low-heeled oxford. (Aquatalia by Marvin K. Drew, Zappos, $385; Dolce Vita ‘Orina’ Oxford, Nordstrom, $169)
5. If you’ve been wearing long-sleeve T-shirts, replace them with lightweight printed sweaters.
The mixed-fabric sweater in spring colors adds a lift to any pair of jeans—white or traditional denim. (Essential long-sleeve V-neck T, Gap, $23; ‘Striped Petals’ Sweater, Nordstrom, $97)
