With the mile signs on the highway to spring counting down faster and faster with each passing day, it’s time to stop talking about warm-weather outfit planning and actually start doing it. For me, such a process has to always start with one thing, a theme, aka the vibe I’m hoping to achieve from mid-March, when spring officially kicks off, until summer. And after some soul-searching and even more Instagram scrolling, I’ve picked mine: elegance.
To get into the spring frame of mind, I set aside a few hours earlier this week to start researching outfit ideas that align with my mission of looking utterly elegant throughout the season ahead. And since I’m well aware of the fact that my fashion goals for 2024 aren’t exactly groundbreaking, I thought I’d go ahead and share my findings in case anyone’s interested but doesn’t have quite as much designated outfit-ideating time in the week as I do.
Scroll down to discover 12 elegant spring outfits that I’ll be channeling when warmer days finally arrive.
What you’ll need: Black blazer or jacket + white T-shirt + brown jeans + kitten-heel pumps
Don’t worry—you don’t need a Birkin to dress as elegantly as Anouk this spring (although it definitely wouldn’t hurt). A neutral color palette of browns, white, and black on sleek silhouettes will more than do the trick.
Shop the look:
Toteme
Single-Breasted Blazer
The Row
Eglitta Corduroy Wide-Leg Pants
The Row
Almond Leather Pumps
What you’ll need: White button-down shirt + denim midi skirt + black knee-high boots
Though I wouldn’t describe the micro-mini denim skirts that dominated the Y2K era as elegant per se, the longer, darker-wash versions that are popping up everywhere this year absolutely fall into that category.
Shop the look:
Nili Lotan
Raphael Cotton Poplin Shirt
Ami Paris
Denim Pencil Skirt
Gianvito Rossi
Leather Knee-High Boots
What you’ll need: Cream blazer + white tank top + cream maxi skirt
Sometimes, it’s the simplest looks that pack the most punch. By keeping the color palette minimal and adding silky textures, this easy outfit came out extremely luxe.
Shop the look:
Toteme
Single-Breasted Blazer
Vince
Cotton-Blend Tank Top
What you’ll need: Black halter top + white maxi column skirt + strappy black sandals
Once the temperatures start to warm up and you no longer need a jacket on nights out, the opportunity to wear fun necklines and open-back tops arises.
Shop the look:
KNWLS
Petrol Ruched Halterneck Top
Proenza Schouler
Square 60 Leather Sandals
What you’ll need: Long-line vest + dark-wash jeans + strappy sandals
I don’t know about you, but whenever I don’t know what to wear, I put on a tailored waistcoat and know that whatever it’s paired with, the duo will be chic. That’s probably why I own about a dozen of them in various colors, fabrics, and silhouettes.
Shop the look:
Citizens of Humanity
Sierra Cotton Vest
Ferragamo
Chain-Embellished Patent Leather Sandals
Toteme
Classic Cut Mid-Rise Straight Jeans
What you’ll need: Statement cropped blazer + off-white jeans + black heels
Whether you opt for a vintage option or find something new, a statement jacket in velvet, linen, or satin will never disappoint, especially when you keep the rest of the outfit fairly low-key, allowing your outerwear to step up as the centerpiece of the look.
Shop the look:
Blazé Milano
Gliss Cotton and Linen Velvet Jacket
Citizens of Humanity
Ayla Mid-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans
Burberry
85 Leather Pumps
What you’ll need: White suit + white henley shirt
As long as you can keep yourself from spilling anything on it, a white suit is guaranteed to look elegant no matter where you’re going or what it’s paired with, though this look on TyLynn is making a strong case for keeping the color palette going with a sheer, white henley.
Shop the look:
Victoria Beckham
Double-Breasted Blazer
Victoria Beckham
High-Rise Straight Pants
Gabriela Hearst
Julian Cashmere and Silk Top
What you’ll need: Gray button-down shirt + gray jeans + classic belt + ballet flats
No matter the season, I’ll always say that an all-gray color palette is the most luxurious one. Blame Prada. And nowhere is that proven better than in this look of Hanna wearing a gray button-down shirt tucked into gray jeans and offset with white ballet flats.
Shop the look:
The Row
Sisilia Silk Shirt
7 For All Mankind
Low-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans
Alaïa
Leather-Trimmed Fishnet Ballet Flats
What you’ll need: Red sweater + white shorts + ballet flats + suede bag
For those days when you just can’t put on something tailored or fitted, a simple pair of white, drawstring shorts and a red cashmere sweater will more than do in the elegance department. Just add ballet flats and a suede bag.
Shop the look:
Extreme Cashmere
Kid Cropped Cashmere-Blend Sweater
Asceno
London Cotton Pajama Shorts
Le Monde Béryl
Patent Leather-Trimmed Mesh Flats
What you’ll need: Linen blazer + black button-down shirt + silky black pants
Lightweight layering is one of the surest ways to achieve an elegant outfit. Take a cue from Cortne and top a black button-down shirt with an oatmeal-colored linen blazer and add some slinky lounge pants.
Shop the look:
Jacquemus
La Veste Tibau Linen-Blend Blazer
Nili Lotan
Mael Oversized Cotton Poplin Shirt
Joseph
High-Rise Silk-Blend Flared Pants
What you’ll need: Gray sweater + white midi skirt + black oversize bag + white pumps
Following Prada’s fall/winter 2023 show that heavily featured white skirts of all shapes and sweaters, the combo hasn’t left my brain. It’s the perfect no-fuss uniform for anyone wanting to achieve an elegant outfit without needing an extensive wardrobe and tons of expensive accessories.
Shop the look:
Khaite
Lotus Medium Suede Tote Bag
What you’ll need: Black suit + white tank top + white button-down shirt + mules
Elegance is great and all, but you also need a touch of edge to make an outfit feel balanced and complete. That’s why this open-shirt concept with a black suit and tank top is so perfect.
Shop the look:
Joseph
Joe Cotton Poplin Shirt
Wardrobe.NYC
Oversized Single-Breasted Wool Blazer
The Frankie Shop
Ripley Mid-Rise Wide-Leg Pants