Before buying anything new, develop a wardrobe wish list. Think of yourself as your own designer. Your assignment is to get the most bang for your buck out of your closet. Take a look at what outfits you wear the most that reflect your lifestyle and your own personal style. Let’s chat about How to Create a Workable Spring Wardrobe Wish List.
At our age, while shopping, most of us avoid impulse purchases and whims. Our goal should be to compliment what we have by enhancing our collection with more intentional and sustainable new items.If you want a more collected, curated look, add interesting accessories that reflect who you are. Look to others whose style you admire for inspiration. Anyone who has money can purchase expensive mass produced items. Real Style is about working with what you have and making it your own, no matter your age. You might enjoy reading my post about Owning Your Own Style After 50 here or Easy tips to Achieve a Collected Look in Your Wardrobe here.
Make a wish list of clothes that complement the favorites you already own and will stand the test of time. Think about beginning with classic neutrals that you can wear often and multiple ways, and adding the fun pieces. If you want to incorporate a few new trends, do it with inexpensive accessories rather than pillar wardrobe pieces. Remember the CPW rule. Think of jeans as an investment piece if you wear them often. I do! I prefer natural fibers like linen and cotton in Spring and Summer.
My wishlist might be a little different than most. It is all about practical accessories and a few unique apparel items for me. I am on the hunt for a pair of tan comfortable sandals, as well as a black pair. I am searching for a tan crossbody that is not too small. I would like to add a pretty neutral linen blazer that can be worn with many things. I also added a few Johnny Was items that I have my eye on.
MY SPRING WISH LIST
You might enjoy these articles on the subject:
STYLEBOOK-MAXIMALIZING QUALITY WITHOUT GOING BROKE
VOGUE-EDITOR’S PICKS SPRING WISH LIST
Do you have some items on your wishlist? Your style should reflect and celebrate your life. I would love to hear what they are. Thank you for reading How to Create a Workable Spring Wardrobe Wish List. Now let’s pop over and visit my friends to see what is on their lists.
CLASSIC CASUAL HOME-MARY ANN
MOST LOVELY THINGS
AGE OF GRACE-EUGENIA
1010 PARK PLACE-BRENDA
I am new to your site and love your style. Very much like mine.
I am only 5 ft 2 in. I am thin. I really like at 75 the longer dresses and skirts but……
Could I ask how tall you are? You look wonderful.
I am a Tommy Bahama lover and also Johnny Was.
So glad I found you. Thank you
Hi Della
Of course I am 5’4 on the nose. I love Johnny Was and I love my Tommy Bahama linen jacket. I will do take another look at Tommy Bahama as well!!
I, too, have a gauze shirt on my list. Maybe the white from J Crew and some colors from LL Bean – the latter are more expensive but have a wider color range. I’m also looking for sandals and need to replace my ‘flip flop’ type ones – going with LL Bean for these. They last a long time. My equivalent of your blazer is a cardigan sweater, which will fill a hole in my closet. My investment pieces will be a top and the crepe pants from Eileen Fisher. In all cases — LL Bean notwithstanding — I am focusing on natural fabric (cotton & linen) and sustainability as much as possible, which may change my choices some.
Hi Maeve
I will check out LL Bean. Their quality is always so good. I am a natural fabric girl as well!
Terrific post! I’m heeding your advice and simply adding a few basics (linen and gauze). Also getting rid of some impulse purchases that have never been used. Love your style Cindy!
Hi Barb
You can’t go wrong with linen and gauze!
Hi Cindy,
Great advice. I’m starting my list for spring wardrobe needs and this truly helps. I’m always inspired by the looks you pull together. Thank you.
Karen B.
Hi Karen
Thank you so much! I plan to come down to So Cal this month or next would love to meet for coffee or a glass of wine!!
What an excellent post, Cindy! Love your list.
I have recently been evaluating my full closet…still…even though I have been consigning clothes at a local boutique for the past year and making quite a bit of money doing so.
I am becoming much more aware of what I love to wear, and why.
I am in the happy position to have finally trimmed off the 9-10 lbs that slowly added to my short frame , especially up top, over the last 10 years. More soups and salads along with building muscle with Pilates , cycling and water workouts really worked. Now many items I thought were on their way out , due to prior poor fit, are staying put…so there’s more to evaluate.
That said, I am going through more clothes with a much more critical eye, and know that there are still too many choices. So off to the shop they go…spring / summer dresses, tops, light jackets. Anything with too much white, a busy print , or which is just too roomy, and especially which hasn’t been worn and enjoyed this past year, is gone. Only things that make me feel great and are of good quality are going to be kept.
Now I am looking at the very few items …my ‘wish list’ …to complete a few outfits . Recently realized that I could definitely use a good pair of classic navy low heeled pumps… local ‘Shoe Inn’ may have them… for three soft dresses that have that colour in the print. Short list!
It feels like I finally have ‘ got it’ regarding my clothing choices. These types of posts have been so helpful , Cindy. Like many others, there have been mistakes along the way, and now none of those will warrant a hanger or drawer in my space. .
Hi Cath
I think we all are at our age! Love your attitude!
Hi Cath
Sorry for the late reply. I took a few days off! I need to take off 5 or 6 lbs. I have got to get back on weight watchers! Good luck on your hunt!!
I recently purchased a pair of black Eileen Fisher washable stretch crepe ankle pants and now I’m going back for the white for spring and summer. The fabric is wondeful and the fit is amazing and very flattering! I did have to size down as their website suggests and they fit perfectly. I plan to add more colors as they’re a great alternative to jeans and can be dressed up or down!
Hi Niki
Everyone loves those pants! You definitely need to size down as their sizes are generous!!
I have a standard wish list, but things come and go from it.
White tshirt that is of good quality
A new but classic necklace, not too heavy and goes with everything, and my style is natural/island materials
I wanted wideleg white pants until I realized the reason I can’t find any I like is that they’re not for me!
So now I look for wideleg crops, which for my height = ankle pants
Need a new pair of dressier sandals, but for me that means natural color and low heeled.
Love hats, so may add one
White tops that are cool and comfortable and can be dressed up or down.
That’s a wrap!
Hi Eva
I love simple natural jewelry in the Summer as it gets very hot here. Great list!!
I want that cut out kaftan too! It’s on my next post! Sooo pretty.
Just so ya know, today I received my brixton hat and the cute raffia hoops from your recent post! 🙂
Hi Gray
I saw it in the store and it is great! Have to go back and try on!!
Love your style, I just ordered the Lux Slide Sandal’s in black from Bos & Co available at Nordstrom, Made in Italy, super soft leather and a molded cork footbed with memory foam, so comfortable and a classic design, I think you’d like them
Hi Rita
I must check those out! Thanks for the recommendation!
Your advice is similar to what my mother told me when I was in my early 20s: buy a few good pieces every spring and fall that go with the ones you already have. It won’t be long before you have a great wardrobe. Loved joining you for this post! xoxox, Brenda
I think you might like my favorite sandals — the Bed|Stu Soto in Tan Rustic Leather. Here’s a link, they sell out quickly and are worth trying if you think you’d enjoy them.
https://www.nordstrom.com/s/bed-stu-soto-sandal-women/5391267
A woman at my book club was wearing those in another color the other day when we met at the park. This led to a big discussion about sandals! I have high arches, high instep, and a big dog, who always seems to need a walk, so I have a big challenge for sandals!
Yours must be good, Bette.
Hi Eva
They are!
Love all your choices. Great article.
Summer begins with painting my toenails, buying new nail enamel, and soft pastel colored sandals. Saddle tan sandals and a pair with rhinestone sparkle are also must haves. The rest rules by flow, fabrics that drape, are easy to care for and have flattering tailoring. At least one outfit must be a 1950s-60s vibe. This year, for some reason therapy might figure out, I’m drawn to floral border fabrics.
Cindy! I love your smart approach to creating your wish list for spring…start by taking stock of what you have. What is the CPW rule?
I agree about the idea of thinking of a good pair of jeans as an investment piece if you wear jeans a lot…which I do!
Love that bag from Rag & Bone!! So funny that it’s on my list too!
CPW=Cost per wearing. A garment that you wear only once has a high CPW, whereas jeans, even at a high purchase price, could have a low CPW if they are worn often. Garments that you can wear often in different combinations are a bargain, because their CPW is low.
Hi Gayle
Thanks for explaining CPW for me! I am late to the comment pod. I took a few days off!
Great choices, Cindy!!! Love that so many are basics that you can use for years.
Love that white tee pic, you should change that to your blog pic.
Dear Cindy! Love this article and your wish list! I have a very similar belt and wear it with jeans and around tunics – great color! I’m always inspired by you to rock my own. Style and be myself, Jazz things up with great accessories and a fun bag. Thank you and happy Easter! Anna in Arizona!
Love the comment – real style is working with what you have and making it your own.
I look forward to your posts, Cindy. Thanks!
Love your list. I’m adding 4 light and breezy gauze cotton button downs to my Spring/Summer wardrobe now. One is a basic white and the other 3 are for pops of color and will integrate nicely with what I already have….so I’m getting one in a bright and pretty green, a fushia and a very light pastel blue. I don’t normally go for pastels but I think that light blue will go with many things in my wardrobe and will take the place of my chambray shirts that I like to wear in Fall/Winter. I love either tucking in these kinds of light and breezy shirts with a pair of drawstring linen pants or I wear a tank under and leave open and tie at the waist. They will also be used as bathing suit cover ups. I think they’ll be very versatile pieces to wear this Spring and Summer when it’s hot and I don’t like showing my arms.
I just bought the exact same shirts, in the exact same colors — from J Crew Factory? What a great buy these shirts are, and how soft and comfortable they feel in the heat. Here’s a link for readers who are intrigued — I esp love the green this year:
https://factory.jcrew.com/m/womens/categories/clothing/shirts-and-tops/button-ups/gauze-button-up-shirt/MF342
I love the idea of making a wish list! Here in NC we seem to go from winter to summer pretty quickly. I have found that many of the things I wore in the past , like a trench or other spring items seem to go unused here. I love linen and the classics but I am also a dress person. The idea of slipping something over my head and adding a pair of shoes makes life so much easier, especially when looking into a closet and seeing nothing to wear.
Love all of your picks Cindy. Have a wonderful Easter!