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4 Spring Wardrobe Essentials I’m Reaching For Now

A big thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post and to my readers for supporting the brands that work with AWSL.

Spring is struggling to arrive in my neck of the woods, and it’s colder than usual. We’re getting lots of those spring showers that are great for our water supply, but it’s coming with a fair amount of blustery winds. Today, I’m sharing 4 spring wardrobe essentials I’m reaching for right now that have gotten an upgrade in my wardrobe.

OPEN EDIT BELTED TRENCH COAT size S / CASLON CHAMBRAY SHIRT size M / TREASURE & BOND COTTON TEE size S / PAUL GREEN LOW TOP SNEAKERS (BUDGET FRIENDLY OPTION) / STRAIGHT-LEG JEANS / SIMILAR BELT

1-Lightweight Coat

SHOP THE LOOK

This time of year, I need a lightweight coat, and with our persistent rain, a trench coat is preferable to a shorter jacket. I love the unique color of this belted trench coat with classic details, and the price is amazing. This would also be pretty over a dress. It comes in sizes XS-XXL. I think it runs large because I often need a medium in coats and jackets, but this small is perfect.

OPEN EDIT BELTED TRENCH COAT size S / PAUL GREEN LOW TOP SNEAKERS

I love the X belt loop detailing and extra long vent in the back, which makes it easier to walk in. This coat also comes in a classic beige, but since I have a neutral trench, I was happy to welcome this soft new color in my wardrobe, which feels fresh for spring.

It does not come in petite, so I have the alterations department at Nordstrom shortening the bottom by 6″, which will make it perfect.

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2-White Sneakers

CHAMBRAY SHIRT / WHITE TEE / JEANS / WHITE SNEAKERS

White sneakers are a big trend for spring, and I am here for it! My sneakers collection is growing larger than I ever expected because…

  • A- the look is in style and has a modern vibe.
  • B- they’re super comfy, so my feet are happy campers.
  • C- they fit my casual lifestyle and work with my wardrobe.

I bought my first pair of Paul Green sneakers at Nordstrom many years ago and have been a loyal fan ever since. Yes, these are an investment, but mine have held up beautifully, and I wear them so often that my cost per wear is pennies, and my feet deserve to be comfortable.

PAUL GREEN CARLY LOW TOP SNEAKER / CASLON COTTON BLEND SWEATER size M / WIT & WISDOM SLIM ANKLE JEANS size 8 /CHUBBY SILVER HOOPS /STERLING PENDANT NECKLACE / LONGCHAMP TOTE BAG

This spring, I bought these totally classic-looking Carly low-top style, and they’re already in constant rotation in my wardrobe. They’re made with a soft terry lining, which adds to their appeal and comfort.

"The brand's fashion formula has always been equal parts elegance and sportiness, and its shoes are manufactured in Europe to last a lifetime." 

MORE BUDGET-FRIENDLY WHITE SNEAKERS

SHOP THE LOOK

3- Cotton Sweater

CASLON NAVY & IVORY SWEATER size M / CHUBBY SILVER HOOPS / STERLING PENDANT NECKLACE

This time of year, I can still get away with wearing cashmere, but my spirits want something lighter, so I prefer cotton, linen, silk, or sweaters in blends. Nautical vibes in navy and white always feel fresh for spring, so I snapped up this soft striped sweater to wear with everything. It’s a cotton, linen, nylon blend that’s amazingly soft and pretty. The stripe is ivory which is softer than bright white, yet works with my white jeans perfectly. It would also be fun with a white cotton skirt.

4- STRAIGHT-LEG JEANS

STRIPED SWEATER / SIMILAR VEST / WHITE SNEAKERS / CABLE HOOP EARRINGS / STRAIGHT LEG JEANS

As the weather warms up, I’ll be reaching for more straight-leg jeans and pants. Wide legs continue to be popular, but my taste is turning towards a more middle-of-the-road leg shape. Wider jeans look better with a small heel or elevation, and since I have precious few low heels I can wear in the summer, I’ll be reaching for a slimmer, straight leg, which looks best with a flatter shoe.

My white jeans never look as crisp the second or third spring/summer, so I like to refresh them in the spring. This year, I tried several brands at many price points before I landed on these slim ankle jeans by Wit & Wisdom. It’s important for white jeans to be thick enough to be opaque and these ones fit better than another pair that cost twice the price.


Nordstrom
 is my favorite department store for so many reasons, not the least of which is their incredible customer service with free shipping and returns. I highly recommend you join the Nordy club here, which is and allows you to earn points towards notes you can use on future purchases and you also get free basic alterations. Nordstrom also offers BOPUS (buy online, pick up in-store), ROTUS (reserve online, try on in-store), and curbside pickup.

These are the 4 spring wardrobe essentials I’m reaching for right now. Have you started to think about clothes for the warm weather ahead?

Thanks for reading, and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.

37 Comments

  1. Love all the looks, especially the beautiful red bag! You look great in all of the outfits.
    For some reason, I no longer receive emails with your posts. Is there something I can do to have them return?
    Jayne

    1. My email provider says you are subscribed. Please check your junk folder. Gmail is often labeling my emails as junk.

  2. I love the striped sweater. It makes me so sad that Nordstrom pulled out of Canada last year. With the exchange on our dollar plus the cost of shipping, I hesitate to order from the US.

    1. It is a shame, I know!

  3. I wish Nordstrom were still delivering to Canada. šŸ‡ØšŸ‡¦

    1. Me too. Iā€™m hopeful they will in the future again.

  4. Nordstrom was my favorite until they closed their store in Richmond VA a few years ago. So many of us are sad they left. It’s very difficult for me to buy clothes online; I need to be able to them on. With the nearest Nordstrom stores being roughly 100 miles away, that’s just not possible. Wish they would reopen here!
    Loved this post today with the great outfits! Thank you, Jennifer!

  5. Would I be out of line here to ask if there is a knockoff for that gorgeous Lagos necklace you’re wearing? LOVE IT!

    1. Not out of line at all. I would check on Etsy or Amazon and just put Lago’s inspired into the search bar.

    2. Dorie Girard says:

      FYI….. I found a beautiful Lagos necklace on Poshmark for a great price.

  6. I love the trench, but I live in Seattle where umbrellas are essentially illegal, so I need a hood. Do you know of any alternatives for a more tailored coats with a hood?

    Thanks!

      1. Thanks!

  7. California weather has been strange, no doubt. Remember when we were in a drought? My plants love all the rain, but the cold temps along with it make it very not SoCal weather. We are going to Palm Springs next week to see if we can find a little warm sunshine, but I am definitely taking my raincoat and rain hat with me (as well as some sneakers that can afford getting a little wet.)

    1. Have fun!! We love Palm Springs whether itā€™s rainy or dry. Hopefully the water tables are filling up so we have enough water this summer.

  8. Oh I am liking the length of the striped sweater but am curious about it’s blend being a cotton/nylon/linen one. Do you find it a nice texture, Jennifer? (I really, really miss feeling the fabrics when shopping online which I guess also comes with the territory of being a hobby sewer.) Also want to mention, the number three photo is a lovely one of you. -Brenda-

    1. Itā€™s very soft and substantial but not thick. Itā€™s making me love navy all the more!! Thank you Brenda. Thatā€™s so kind.

  9. Love the green halo trench coat. Being warm toned (autumn) would you call the green a warm or cool tone? It looks striking on you!

    1. It is soft, muted and slightly cool but not overly so. Itā€™s warmer than my aqua frames

  10. Thanks so much for this post. You gave me some ideas that work with items in my current wardrobe. Also Wit & Wisdom jeans are my favorite, fit and price point…..

    1. Agreed! Theyā€™re great

  11. You look terrific in the navy and white striped sweater! I like it with the white jeans best. It is such a fresh look for this time of year. I canā€™t wear any of the jeans shown as my waist has thickened to 35ā€ and my hips are 39ā€. Iā€™m practically straight! I really canā€™t find any jeans with my waist that doesnā€™t swim on my hips and thighs. There isnā€™t any tailor available in my rural area that could alter jeans. Jeans have pockets that make it impossible to alter and look right. I found trouser style jeans at Chicos in 2P which is a 12P which fit me but I will have to order online and take a chance on slim leg jeans. Nordstrom store is over 50 miles away, so not really able to get up there. Iā€™m disabled as well which complicates things. I love your look but you must have a much smaller waist than I do. You do look terrific I your jeans, and very slim. I love Nordstrom products but jeans and pants seem to be a problem for me.

    1. Does your local dry cleaner have an alteration person? That might be a solution but itā€™s tough with jeans.

  12. Jennifer, I’m loving these outfits. Great transitional pieces and love the trench. How did you find the Paige jeans? What size are you wearing and was the rise high enough. Also looking for a nice white tee. How did you find the Treasure and Bond tee? Oversize? How was the material?

    1. I think the tee runs a bit loose because itā€™s a boxy fit. I like that the tee is opaque. Iā€™m wearing a 29 in the jeans and the rise is great. Iā€™m seeing lower rise jeans everywhere these days so Iā€™ll have to stock up on high rise ones.

  13. I have been looking for a longer trench coat in petite & like the coat. I have a Nordstorm card & never gave thought to having them do alterations. Thanks for letting us know you are having it altered!

    1. Theyā€™re so handy!

  14. Jennifer, I love it when you brush your bangs asideā€¦you look bright and cheeryā€¦takes 10 years off your faceā€¦you look great!

    1. Wow, thanks! Iā€™ll try it more often.

  15. I love navy stripes and navy and white is a go to combo for me too. I like that the white jeans you show come in petite but the link brings me to jeans that look much shorter on the model than you. Hopefully my local Nordstrom has them in stock in my size so I can try them on.

    1. I am wearing a regualr in the white jeans which has a 27″ inseam

      1. Thank you. Knowing the inseam helps a lot.

  16. Can you tell us what size jeans (NYDJ Marilyn) you are wearing? Thanks.

      1. Thanks!

  17. Are the two pairs of jeans youā€™re wearing petite or regular?

    1. They’re both regular length.

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