Ten Easy Pieces: Styles for a Smooth Transition to Spring

By The Line

Spring is the season of beginning, yet the transition is gradual, brought about by a series of imperceptible changes that add up to one fresh start. Apply a similar approach to the process of building a wardrobe. Reinvent rather than replace with ten pieces that create endless options for the warmer months without losing their relevance come fall. Photographed by Matthew Sprout.

THE SPRING ELEMENTS

NO. 1 The New White Shirt
NO. 2 The Easy Skirt
NO. 3 The Wrap Shirt
NO. 4 The Sleek Sandal
NO. 5 The Favorite Jeans
NO. 6 The Strappy Heel
NO. 7 The Slouchy V-Neck
NO. 8 The Bodysuit
NO. 9 The Slipdress
NO. 10 The Sleeveless Polo

Start with fluid separates that pair up as effortlessly as they stand alone. J.W. Anderson’s long-sleeved wrap top and ankle-length skirt share a bold, graphic pattern hushed by a tonal approach. Made in Italy of a textured crepe that feels cool against the skin, these pieces embrace spring with relaxed silhouettes and raw edges.

To extend the ease, finish a spring look with slides that reduce a sandal to its essence: two broad bands of leather crossed over a flat sole. Woman by Common Projects combines utiliarian forms with luxurious materials to achieve a stunning yet functional alternative to the common flip-flop.

01 — J.W. Anderson Long-Sleeved Wrap Knot Shirt, J.W. Anderson Ankle-Length Pocket Skirt, Woman by Common Projects Cross Sandal

02 — Stripes soften up in the hands of designer Jonathan Anderson. His wrap shirt, in a lightweight, textured knit, balances a discreet patch pocket with a side tie that adds definition at the waist.

Breathe new life into familiar pieces with jeans that look and feel like old favorites. Crafted of pure cotton for maximum longevity, Crippen’s straight-leg style has all the hallmarks of a classic, including a medium wash that promises to get more interesting with time. Add polish to the patina with a strappy, pointed heel that visually lengthens the leg.

Build upon timeless denim with unexpected upgrades. Crisp cotton gains a feminine edge in Rapha?lla Riboud’s lace-paneled take on the white shirt, which can be layered over a tank or beneath a sweater. On brisk days, a wool crepe tunic from Lemaire stays refined thanks to broad ribbing at the hem and a defined deep v-neck.

03 — J.W. Anderson Long-Sleeved Wrap Knot Shirt, Crippen 70 - Medium Vintage, Altuzarra Eureka Bow High Heel

04 — Lemaire V-Neck Tunic, Raphaella Riboud Marylin Shirt, Crippen 70

Rather than accumulate more “basics” this season, seek out versatile pieces that are distinguished by exquisite materials and unexpected details: a white shirt backed by a panel of lace, a tunic sweater that skims the body in soft wool, a bodysuit with sleeves that extend a touch beyond typical.

05 — Raphaella Riboud Marylin Shirt, J.W. Anderson Ankle-Length Pocket Skirt,Woman by Common Projects Cross Sandal

06 — Protagonist Bodysuit 02 Extended Sleeve Bodysuit, J.W. Anderson Ankle Length Pocket Skirt, Altuzarra Eureka Bow High-Heel

A white shirt with a sensual side. Jeans that look and feel like old favorites. A subtle approach to stripes in textured separates. These are the elements that transform a spring wardrobe from typical to timeless.

07 — Protagonist Bodysuit 02 Extended Sleeve Bodysuit and Dress 05 Crepe Jersey Dress, J.W. Anderson Long-Sleeve Wrap Knot Shirt, Altuzarra Eureka Bow High Heel

08 — Protagonist Bodysuit 02 Extended Sleeve Bodysuit, Crippen 70 - Medium Vintage, Raphaella Riboud Marylin Shirt, Woman by Common Projects Cross Sandal

Among the most fluid foundations for spring is a slipdress. Protagonist designer Kate Wendelborn infuses the delicate yet simple silhouette with purpose by opting for crepe jersey with a hint of stretch and adding a lining for opacity. That attention to detail is also apparent in the smooth lines of the label’s seasonless bodysuit, made striking by extended sleeves.

Complete a carefully selected set of spring-ready pieces with a style that reimagines a casual classic. At once feminine and modern in rib-knit black silk, Proenza Schouler’s sleeveless polo is a sleek match for jeans, and takes on a new elegance when worn atop a slipdress or with a skirt.

09 — Lemaire V-Neck Tunic, Protagonist Dress 05 Crepe Jersey Dress, Woman by Common Projects Cross Sandal

09 — Lemaire V-Neck Tunic, Protagonist Dress 05 Crepe Jersey Dress, Woman by Common Projects Cross Sandal

11 — Proenza Schouler Silk Rib-Knit Sleeveless Polo, Protagonist Dress 05 Crepe Jersey Dress, Crippen 70 - Medium Vintage, Altuzarra Eureka Bow High-Heel

Explore more items for the ultimate closet at The Line.

In this chapter: styling, Vanessa Traina; hair, Rita Marmor (Streeters); makeup, Maki H. (The Wall Group); model, Alana Zimmer (Women Management).