50 women’s spring wardrobe updates for under £100 (some are even free)
Sleeveless knits, breton stripes and shoe charms … our fashion writers share their secrets to a budget-friendly, new-season refresh
Think of your spring wardrobe as a dry run for summer. There are the occasional warm days – when you regret leaving the house with a coat – and, of course, no end of showers. There are even the odd times when you can almost get away without wearing tights, which opens you up to all manner of skirts and shoes.
Spring is blouson jacket season, and a good time to wear denim beyond jeans (how about a dress?). Now’s also the time to try a short(ish) skirt with socks and loafers, which is strangely wearable for something with its roots in Prada. How about a corset top that isn’t a corset, or wearing a Lanvin-style headscarf if you’re having a difficult hair day? And why not add a bag charm while you’re there? Think 2026 colours – difficult green, pops of cornflower instead of red, universally wearable lilac. Most of all, it’s about adding to what you already own, or styling it in a new way. Welcome to spring.
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The best women’s wardrobe updates for spring
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Pop your colour
Swap last year’s pop of red styling trick for something blue. A cornflower sock paired with a chestnut- or charcoal-coloured loafer is deliciously unexpected.
Ribbed socks
£3.90 a pair at Uniqlo***
Peek a you
On the Fendi catwalk, models wore crimson bras under sheer shirts. Full transparency here: you can always opt for a less gauzy alternative. A red bra strap peeking out from under a blue shirt is just as alluring.
Skims triangle bralette
£35 at Net-a-Porter***
Go bold or stay home
Big is better when it comes to sunglasses this spring. This grey-greenish version is a softer alternative to your classic black.
Oversize sunnies
£42 at & Other Stories £42 at H&M***
Swap into slim trainers
It’s early days but a slimline jazz trainer is gearing up to be the style of the summer. The suede v silky texture on these from Cos makes them look much more high end.
Slimline jazz trainer
£95 at H&M £95 at Cos***
Feeling fruity?
Everyone needs a pair of conversation-starting earrings, and these huggies, handcrafted in London and decorated with falling blackberries, do the job.
Blackberry huggies
£36 at Not on the High St***
Jean genie
Belted jeans made a comeback last season, and you’ll be pleased to hear they’re still an easy style win. Save your linen shirt for the beach, though, and pair your jeans with a soft, easy T-shirt instead.
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A nod to the Mods
A Harrington jacket is a nice alternative to a denim jacket. Wear with tailored trousers for work days and dark denim for weekends.
Harrington jacket
£46 at M&S***
Be hip to lighter knits
Wean yourself off heavy winter knits with a jolly lightweight cardigan. This version with cherry and floral embroidery is fun without being twee.
Cherry detail cardigan
£75 at M&S £75 at Nobody’s Child***
It’s the spring of … quirky colours
Trust us when we say weird green is having a moment. This rib-collar top will work nicely with chocolate-coloured trousers. It’s an unexpected combination, but opposites do attract!
Chartreuse rib-collar top
£75 at John Lewis £85 at Baukjen***
In a swirl
A nice throwback to 90s backpacking days or Ibiza nights. This time around, try the spiral necklace with a shirt and tailored trousers rather than a cami and harem pants.
Glass spiral necklace
£97 at Ayllon***
The bare necessities
A subtler way to channel the red carpet trend for “naked” dressing. Wear with big knickers underneath, or team with a longer shirt or blazer.
Polka dot miniskirt
£75 at Susamusa***
Seasonal styles
This season will be defined by high-energy brights mixed with romantic pastels (see Margot Robbie’s Wuthering Heights red carpet looks). Try bright red or deep mahogany with a soft lilac or mint green.
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Charm offensive
Charm customisation is here to stay. Your tote bag already has a Labubu; now it’s time to add some trinkets to your shoes.
Stone shoe charms
£24 at Free People***
Eau to joy
Vyrao’s new Sun Rae fragrance contains cheerful notes of turmeric, bergamot and lemon. It smells lovely and is cheaper than many designer scents.
Sun Rae eau de parfum, 10ml
£34.99 at Healf £35 at Space NK***
Restrictions apply
The corset dressing trend sounds restrictive, but when it’s cotton and a crop top, it’s actually pretty comfortable. Wear with jeans, layered under a shirt, or as underwear.
Corset-style top
£30.10 at Organic Basics***
Dress to impress, or not
This useful black dress can be dressed up or down with ankle boots or sandals. Squint, and it could be Chloe.
Mini dress with tie detail
£39.99 at Reserved***
Legs and Co
The English summer is nothing but unpredictable, so keep some statement tights to hand to jazz things up. Surprisingly, brown goes with pretty much everything – we promise.
Zebra stripe tights
£55 at Swedish Stockings***
Hat’s the way I like it
A casual chino cap will age beautifully, so invest in a quality style that you can wear for years to come. This one is very 1990s New York.
Chino baseball cap
£60 at Selfridges***
Getting nostalgic, 80s style
Ditch your tailored suit co-ord, hang on to the jacket, and style your blazer with your jeans. It’s a bit of an 80s throwback, but it’s going to be your new failsafe.
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Are we in a cord?
Swap utility-style chinos for some straight-leg cords. This chocolate brown pair will look modern with a burgundy shirt or light blue knit.
Barrel-leg cords
£85 at H&M £85 at Arket***
Going hell for leather
Leather bags for under £100 are hard to come by on the high street , but John Lewis has come up trumps with this chic shoulder bag, complete with expensive-looking gold hardware.
Cross-body handbag
£99 at John Lewis***
A liking for linen
Linen trousers are versatile enough for trips to the park and balmy nights on holiday. Pair with an oversized T-shirt or simple camisole.
Linen trousers
£19.90 at Uniqlo***
Nothing square about this box
A neat, boxy top is the perfect throw-on with everything from jeans to a pencil skirt to tailored trousers. Cute with a pair of ballet pumps.
Peggy jersey top
£65 at Beyond Nine***
Pyjama party
Nothing says “spring evening” more than olives, chunks of parmesan and a chilled drink. So why not wear them on your pyjamas?
Deli stripe pyjama set
£59 at M&S £59 at Chelsea Peers***
Get ahead, get a scarf
Headscarves were seen across the Lanvin catwalk and are your new season answer to hair-wash days. Tie it like a headband and opt for a vintage-looking print.
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Canvassing opinion
A canvas jacket with a cinched waist is a feminine twist on a masculine look. Ideal for dog walks and pub lunches.
Cinched utility jacket
£69.99 at H&M £69.99 at Weekday***
Find the right blend
Mixing textures will automatically elevate a daytime look, so pair a knit skirt with a silk cami top and blazer, or a jersey quarter-zip top.
Knitted skirt with knot sleeve
£99.95 at Massimo Dutti***
Long, leather and on point
Longline pendants on leather cord are the season’s big jewellery trend. Wear over a simple white tee.
Ophelia pendant necklace
£60 at Lines & Current***
Old-style application
Treat yourself to an old-school pocket mirror (and stop using your phone to apply lipstick).
Juliette Michela key chain mirror
£50 at Octobre Editions***
Show your arms
It’s getting warmer, so show some skin with this chunky knit cap-sleeve polo top. Wear it with wide-leg trousers or a pair of white jeans.
Knitted polo top
£99 at Aligne £99 at Antropologie***
Somewhere in the middle, please
It may evoke nostalgic feelings for the school playground on hot summer days, but wearing your knit tied around your waist instead of your shoulders (the dominant look for the past few years) is back in vogue. Style it a la the Versace catwalk show with a summery skirt.
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Totelly awesome
Made from 100% organic cotton and fully recyclable, this spacious tote’s abstract camouflage print is made from ceramic and glass paints.
Camo curved tote bag
£58 at Blue Nude***
Checks, mate
A short checked skirt is a good transitional staple. Wear it now with a sweatshirt and loafers, and an oversized T-shirt when the sun arrives.
Brown pleated check miniskirt
£39 at River Island***
Just a few clips
Opt into the gen Z creaseless hair clips trend with these diamante-decorated slides from Tort. So pretty you won’t want to limit them to your makeup table.
Jewelled hair clips
£17 at Tort***
The balmy brigade
Any update on a breton tee is fine by us. The dropped shoulders on this White Company style give it a louche, balmy evenings feel.
Breton Stripe Jumper
£95 at the White Company £95 at Selfridges***
The smarten-up hoodie
This Henley-style hoodie is a bit preppier than most, and will look smart with straight-leg jeans or tailored trousers.
Henley hoodie
£60 at Adanola £60 at Selfridges***
Been there, bun that
The slicked-back bun isn’t going anywhere for spring, so treat yourself to a cute statement scrunchie. This Damson Madder style in stiff cotton will frame your updo perfectly.
Large tie scrunchie
£20 at Damson Madder***
Buckle up
If one accessory can change your wardrobe for the better, it’s a belt with good hardware.
Brie Leon Organica belt
£90 at Dissh***
Hey boy, hey girl
A plain grey tee might feel like the easiest thing to buy, but the right cut and shape is paramount. Go boyish and try one with a flattering higher neckline.
Cotton T-shirt
£55 at With Nothing Underneath***
A proper stitch up
If the furry animal bag charm trend feels a bit too young, try this jolly embroidered Metro card.
Metro Card bag charm
£26.85 at Maison Flaneur***
Weave got this covered
There’s no reason you can’t do beach in the city. A beaded or bandana-woven necklace with a navy cashmere jumper and jeans is perfectly acceptable come April.
Bandana-woven necklace
£62.90 at Etsy***
Cami? Yes, you cam
Cami tops for spring? Groundbreaking, we know, but this bottle green lace trim top works perfectly with jeans.
Lace detail cami
£25 at Next***
City slicker dress
A mini dress in heavy-duty denim is a good option for the city. Wear it with chunky knee-high boots or socks and trainers.
Denim long-sleeve dress
£55 at Asos £55 at Topshop***
Cotton on to gold
The colour of these Novesta organic cotton trainers is called Inca Gold and will look dazzling paired with white or dark denim.
Novesta plimsolls
£59 at Toast***
Modern midi moment
This classic midi dress looks modern with its boat neck, ruched side and front slit – and it goes up to a size 26.
Boat-neck ruched dress
£59.99 at John Lewis £59.99 at Mango***
Round here
A fun chunky ring in lime green and pearl will look eye-catching with a pastel manicure. It won’t break the bank, either.
Statement ring
£12.50 at Oliver Bonas***
Prints to go pop
Layer a printed long-sleeve tee under lightweight knits for a pop of personality. This ikat version would look fresh under mint green.
Printed T-shirt
£48 at Jigsaw £69 at M&S***
A jacket with placket
Blouson jackets will be everywhere this spring, and this pale blue version is a little parka-coded, with its high collar and placket. Ideal for wearing with 90s-style bootleg trousers and trainers.
High-collar jacket
£49.99 at Zara***
Blossom on the bottom
Florals not your bag when it comes to a tea dress or blouse? Try wearing them on your knickers.
Floral knickers
£18 at Stripe & Stare***
A phone friend
Attach a Sonny Angel to your phone and think of it the way they do in Japan – like a small friend that will make life a little brighter.
Sonny Angel figurine
£18 at Urban OutfittersFor more:
• Jess Cartner-Morley’s March style essentials
• The best clothes and accessories to buy secondhand
• 63 ways to spring into spring