The Weekend Read✨Transforming Your Wardrobe from Winter to Spring 2025: Your House of Colour Guide

Hello!

The seasons are shifting, and with them, so should your wardrobe. As winter’s grip loosens and spring begins to bloom, it’s the perfect time to refresh your style, ensuring your outfits feel seasonally appropriate while still keeping you comfortable. But switching your wardrobe isn’t about starting from scratch—it’s about working with what you have, making smart swaps, and curating a wardrobe that carries you seamlessly from cold mornings to milder afternoons.

Where to begin: The Wardrobe Detox

Before diving into outfit planning, take the opportunity to refresh your wardrobe with a mini detox. Try everything on—does it still fit? Does it still suit you? Do you still love it? If it’s a yes to all three, great! If not, it needs to be removed. Holding onto clothes that no longer fit properly can lead to frustration when getting dressed. Clearing out pieces that no longer serve you, creates space for items that will truly work for your style.

Consider donating or selling pieces in good condition. Charity shops, resale platforms like Vinted, Ebay and Depop, or even clothing swaps with friends, can be great ways to pass on items sustainably.

Next Steps to Prepare Your Wardrobe for Spring

Assess Your Spring Essentials: Take an inventory of your spring wardrobe and check if any staple pieces need replacing or updating. Look for gaps such as lightweight jackets, tops in natural fibres, and comfortable spring footwear.

Add your wardrobe pieces to MyHoCLookBook: Use the wardrobe section to upload all of your clothes and accessories, so you can clearly see what you own. This helps with stopping repeat purchases and highlights the gaps you have. If you want to find out more about the LookBook and see how it can help you organise your wardrobe, view the attached catalogue and get in touch.

Plan Seasonal Outfits: Start mixing lighter layers with your remaining winter pieces. For example, try wearing a knit jumper with a skirt and trainers. This helps ease the shift into spring without it feeling too sudden.

Refresh Your Accessories: Swap out heavy scarves for silk versions, introduce lighter handbags in pastel or neutral tones. Whilst it may not be quite the time for sandals, try switching out your boots for ballet pumps, loafers and trainers.

Wardrobe Storage Suggestions

When making space for you spring wardrobe, proper wardrobe storage helps maintain your clothing and keeps your space organised. Making sure you can see the clothes you have in your wardrobe will help when putting outfits together. Here are some effective storage strategies:

• Use Vacuum-Sealed Bags: Ideal for storing bulky winter items like wool jumpers and coats to save space.
• Invest in Storage Boxes: Clear or labelled boxes make it easy to locate stored seasonal items.
• Rotate Your Wardrobe: If space is limited, move spring essentials to an accessible part of your wardrobe while keeping winter items out of the way.
• Use Breathable Garment Bags: Protect delicate fabrics such as silk or cashmere from dust and moths.
• Drawer Dividers: Organise accessories like scarves, belts, and smaller items for easy access.

A Capsule Wardrobe Checklist for Spring

A capsule wardrobe helps simplify your clothing choices while ensuring you have versatile and stylish outfits for the season. As we mentioned in our previous ‘The Theory of Style’ blog (click here to read), not everyone’s capsule wardrobe will look the same. It isn’t about having fewer clothes, it’s about having the right clothes. Here are key pieces to include in your Spring wardrobe.

• Outerwear: Trench coat, lightweight casual jacket or denim jacket.
• Tops: Tops in natural fibres, fitted blouses or shirts, long sleeve t-shirts for layering.
• Knitwear: Lightweight wools or cotton sweaters, fine-knit cardigans.
• Bottoms: Wide-leg trousers, cropped jeans, pleated skirts.
• Dresses: Shirt dresses, wrap dresses, midi or knee length dresses in light fabrics.
• Shoes: Loafers, trainers and ballet flats.
• Accessories: Silk scarves, statement sunglasses, crossbody bag.
• Layering Pieces: Gilets, sleeveless jackets, tank tops, long-line waistcoats.

With these essentials, you can mix and match effortlessly, while remaining stylish and comfortable throughout the season.

Outfit Ideas for moving from Winter to Spring

Sometimes a little inspiration can help, so here are 10 versatile outfit ideas, tailored to each House of Colour season, plus two extra general looks to help get you started. Have a look in your own wardrobe first and see if you can create any of these outfits from the suggestions we’ve made or create your own.

Spring Season

Bright and Light: A vibrant yellow fitted or casual jacket over a floral or geometric print dress with either coloured or gold trainers.

Pastel Perfection: A coral blouse tucked into beige wide-leg trousers with nude loafers. Add a navy or brown bag.

Summer Season

Classic Chic: A cool-toned lavender lightweight jumper with grey ankle-length jeans and ballet flats.

Soft Elegance: A dusky blue trench coat over a pale pink blouse and navy culottes with silver accessories. Finish with soft blue loafers.

Autumn Season

Earthy Tones: A rust-coloured cardigan over a dark olive skirt and tan flats/kitten heels. Add a lighter coloured top to lift the look – coral, apricot or camel.

Layered Neutrals: A mustard yellow jumper with dark brown trousers and a camel trench coat. Add a coloured trainer for an up-to-date, fresh look.

Winter Season

Bold and Striking: A deep berry-coloured wrap dress with a pink jacket and grey loafers.

Monochrome Edge: A crisp white shirt tucked into tailored black trousers with a cobalt blue jacket.

Extra General Looks

Smart Casual Staple: A Breton striped top with cropped jeans, a leather or suede jacket, and trainers.

Effortless Elegance: A lightweight jumper over a pleated midi skirt with statement sunglasses and a crossbody bag.

Try experimenting with different combinations and take pictures so you can remember your favourite looks. Remember, a new outfit idea can be refreshing. Listen for the compliments.

Styling Mistakes to Avoid When Adapting Your Spring Wardrobe

Changing over your wardrobe can be exciting, but there are a few pitfalls to watch out for. Here are common mistakes and how to avoid them:

• Wearing Too Many Heavy Layers – Spring is about lighter layering, so avoid multiple thick layers that can make you overheat. Instead, opt for breathable fabrics and strategic layering. If you still feel the cold, invest in lighter weight thermal base layers, such a Uniqlo’s collection.
• Sticking to Dark Colours – While deep tones are great year-round, adding in fresh, lighter hues can bring an instant spring update to your wardrobe. A good guide is either: 2 neutrals and a pop of colour or two bright colours and a neutral to soften.
• Neglecting Fabric Choices – Heavy wools and synthetics can feel stifling as temperatures rise. Focus on cotton, linen, and lightweight knits for breathability.
• Forgetting to Update Accessories – Your accessories can make or break an outfit. Swap dark, structured handbags for woven or pastel-hued options.

Key Clothing Brands for Early Spring Pieces

When refreshing your wardrobe, look for high-quality pieces from UK brands that specialise in cross seasonal dressing. We’ve put together a go-list of some great clothing brand options.

Hobbs: Known for its elegant, tailored pieces, Hobbs offers excellent trench coats and lightweight trousers perfect for layering.

Boden: A fantastic choice for colourful, versatile options. Their Breton tops and midi dresses work beautifully for layering. If you love a statement coat or shoe, Boden is the place to look. Great quality clothing for a mid-price range.

Whistles: Offers stylish, contemporary pieces like jackets and chic lightweight knitwear that transition well between seasons.

Sezane: Though Parisian in origin, this brand is loved in the UK for its timeless wardrobe staples such as linen shirts and soft layering pieces. A dreamy brand.

M&S Autograph: A reliable choice for classic outerwear and high-quality knitwear at affordable prices.

ME+EM: Their smart casual pieces, including tailored joggers and silk blouses, are ideal for dressing up or down in spring. Their dresses, whilst on the higher price side, are exquisite and worth the investment.

AllSaints: Great for those who like edgy garments like leather jackets and lightweight knitwear. Also great for neutral tones.

Arket: A go-to for minimal, sustainable staples like trench coats and structured jackets and simple lines.

Reiss: Perfect for timeless tailored separates that work well in professional and casual wardrobes. Great quality.

Final Thoughts: Don't Wait to Change Over Your Wardrobe!

The warmer weather will soon be here so don't delay - the sooner you get to grips with your wardrobe, the sooner you'll feel Spring-ready and not bogged down with the weight of your winter wardrobe. By thoughtfully layering and curating your wardrobe, you’ll not only make the seasonal shift with ease but also keep your look stylish and intentional.

In March and April, Judi and I will be running our SS25 Zoom evenings, going through the latest colours and styles coming through for the new season. We will then follow that with our educational, in-store shopping events for anyone who would like to join us. Look out for our email coming soon with dates, details and how to book your place.

Click here to view our SS25 Styling Ideas

Enjoy your weekend! Next week, The Weekend Read is all about Hair - Cuts, Colour & Going Grey. Look out for that next Saturday!

Best wishes,

Jenny & Judi x

Jenny Goldsmith

Celebrator of Individuality

Curator of Confidence

Tel: 07986 062460

e: jenny.goldsmith@houseofcolour.co.uk

w: www.houseofcolour.co.uk/jennygoldsmith

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