What I’m Wearing This Spring (And What I’m Skipping)

This season, I’m seeing a return to relaxed silhouettes and romantic details. Some are a little challenging to wear (like lace-trimmed satin shorts), but others are easy and flattering for most body types. Here’s what I’m wearing this spring, and a few styles that I’m skipping.

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Pointelle Sweaters

Pointelle sweaters are a classic spring style, ideal for a lighter look without sacrificing warmth. This year, there are a lot of romantic, feminine tops, and a pointelle sweater fits so nicely with this look.

I’m wearing the Madewell Ruffle Trim Cardigan in white with my Mother Weekend Flare Jeans. My camisole is the Ann Taylor Stretch Camisole – I’ve probably had mine for a decade! Note: my cardigan is dry clean only – I try to avoid dry cleaning, but I was in a rush and forgot to check the label before I bought it.

My shoes are the Vince Oasis Sneakers, which I bought during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. They’re still available in some lovely tans and browns, which are perfect for spring. (Black is only available in the Runners style.)

If you prefer a collarless cardigan, take a look at this affordable LOFT Pointelle Cardigan (in a machine-washable cotton/ polyester blend)

If you live somewhere warm, you might like this Ann Taylor Pointelle Sweater Tee, which comes in a pale green, natural white, and butter yellow – all very popular colors for spring.

Romantic Blouses

Blouses with lace, eyelet, or ruffle details are everywhere right now. You can wear these blouses with jeans for a relaxed look, or with tailored pants for a dressy look. Add ballet flats, kitten heels, or pointed-toe booties and a classic shoulder bag. I’ll be wearing a cotton eyelet blouse that I bought a few years ago, but skipping the lacey lingerie-inspired camisoles that are back this spring.

This Rails Silk Eyelet Blouse caught my eye, but it’s an investment piece that requires dry-cleaning, so I’m on the lookout for something similar that’s more affordable.

This navy Blouse with Embroidered Sleeves is made of machine-washable polyester. You can also buy these Embroidered Pull-On Pants to create a chic matching set.

This Collective Story Eyelet Button Up has a scalloped hem, so if you don’t like to tuck in your shirt, this is a good option. I also love that it’s collarless, leaving room for a beautiful scarf (more about scarves below).

Floral Applique Blouses

I’m also seeing some beautiful white floral appliqué blouses, like this Ann Taylor Embroidered Cotton Ruffle Collar Top and this &Other Stories Floral Appliqué Blouse.

Boatneck Tops

It has been a while since I’ve seen boatneck tops in stores, but they’re back this year in t-shirts, sweaters, and blouses. I tried on this Madewell Boatneck T-shirt the other day and didn’t love the way it looked on me, so I’m not sure if I’ll be wearing or skipping this spring trend.

If you like the look of a boatneck top, take a look at this Madewell Boatneck Sleeveless Top in butter yellow, this GAP Boatneck Shell Tank, and this Striped Boatneck Sweater. Try these with slim casual pants and ballet flats.

Scarves & Scarf Prints

I’ll be wearing my scarves more this spring; I’m skipping the “wear your scarf as a top” trend as mine are coveted silk scarves that I don’t want to ruin with sweat!

I’m wearing my Hermès scarf with this Hobbs London Hourglass Shaped Dress. My ballet flats are sold out, but these Sam Edelman ones are similar. If I were looking for a new pair, I would buy some quilted cap-toe ballet flats – they’re going to be popular this spring.

I might do an entire post on scarves, but for now, just remember: wear them, and don’t worry too much about how you tie them. Once I let go of complex methods with French names, I started wearing mine more!

What’s new (again) this spring is scarf print dresses and tops. We’ll be wearing our scarf print dresses and tops to the beach, for parties, and for weekend outfits. Here are a few styles that I’m considering that are affordable:

Drawstring Pants And Shorts

Last year, we started to see softer pants like satin dress pants and drawstring pants (both casual and dressy).

I bought these LOFT Sawyer Pull-On Pants a couple of weeks ago, and have been wearing them for casual and professional events. (For spring, they have a Stripe version that looks more casual.)

I have a few pairs of these Athleta pull-on linen shorts, but I’m loving the more structured shorts that have a drawstring detail. I’m looking at these Madewell Drawstring Shorts.

What am I skipping in pants and shorts? Sweatpant jeans (yes, sweatpants that look like jeans), balloon pants, and parachute pants.

Lace And Eyelet Trim Bottoms

I’m seeing jeans, pants, skirts, and shorts with eylet or lace trim at the hems. I haven’t seen this style in about ten years, but this spring they’re back. I’m passing on the silk lace trim pull-on shorts that look like lingerie, but I am considering these:

Drop Waist Dresses and Skirts

I’m seeing a flashback to the 1920s and 1980s in this season’s drop waist skirts and dresses. These can be a little tricky for those of us who are curvy. A fitted drop waist style can emphasize a round tummy, while a loose style can look frumpy. A drop waist can also make your legs look shorter.

But I’m not going to pass on this style until I’ve tried a few skirts and dresses. I’m looking at a few styles that have a subtle drop waist, or a belt/tie at the waist to give that area definition.

This Tory Burch Drop Waist Dress is stunning but expensive, so I’m considering this similar Pleated Cotton Drop Waist Dress.

Cropped Jackets

Cropped jackets have been popular for a few years, and are continuing into spring. If you don’t already have a cropped trench coat, consider this Madewell Cropped Trench or this Nordstrom one (which comes in black in case beige isn’t your color).

Funnel Neck Jackets are also a big trend this spring. I bought my jacket in 2020, but I still love it, so I’m going to keep wearing it this spring and skip purchasing this trend again.

This Madewell Denim Cropped Field Jacket is a casual option, and this Sanctuary Funnel Neck jacket has a feminine, romantic look to it.

Which of these spring trends will you be wearing, and which ones are you skipping? Did you find something new, or will you be pulling out an old favorite from your closet?