My Intentional Spring Wardrobe Reset

This year, I’m approaching spring differently. It’s a new season in a year that’s been interesting, to say the least. A lot of families are feeling the financial burdens in their lives right now. The job market is insane and worse than in 2009. Inflation is a nightmare. The thrift stores are acting like millionaires’ estate sales. Gas prices are about to go up, and no one (and I mean NO ONE) feels good about where our tax dollars have been going.

I’ve done a lot of thinking since January about priorities, gratitude, and honestly, how much capitalism and consumerism have us all in a chokehold. And for what? No one actually cares what jeans I’m wearing, whether my dress is trendy, or if my yoga pants are from this year or 2001. Not even I care. I just want to feel cute. Which is exactly where my dilemma lies.

So this spring, I’m starting with an intentional wardrobe reset. I want to catalog what I actually own, see what I’m reaching for and what I’m not, and get more intentional about everything going forward. Before buying a single thing, I’m asking myself:

Will I wear this more than once?
How many wears will I realistically get out of this?
Do I actually like this, or do I just like the idea of it?
Is this in my color palette?
Does it fit well? Because if I’m uncomfortable, I will never wear it.
Is the length right? Because if it’s not, same answer.

Table of Contents

Finding New Secondhand Shops This Spring

Honestly, I’m a creature of habit. I love my favorite thrift stores. That said, inflation has been wild and where I live is very expensive. This spring I’d love to expand my thrifting into spring adventures and take a few trips farther north and across the ferry line into island territory here in Washington State. There are numerous antique, thrift, consignment, and secondhand locations within 100 miles of my house and I’d love to turn this into a series on Instagram or YouTube where I share my adventures.

There are a lot of items I’m searching for, both for my secondhand spring wardrobe and for decorating our new home. I’m also desperate to give a few older pieces a thrift flip and turn them into something I’ll actually reach for. More on that soon!

What I’m Searching for on ThredUp & Secondhand

Thrifting for spring has been harder than usual this year, which is exactly why ThredUp has been my secondhand lifesaver. It’s a great resource for those who want to shop secondhand but don’t always have time to make it to the thrift store. It’s also fantastic for evening and wedding guest dresses since many items have only been worn once and are in great condition.

Yoga Pants – I’ve bought 14 pairs this year already for YTT, and they’re all in fantastic condition.
Fun Quirky Spring Pants
Long Spring 90s Skirts – perfect with a sweater over it in the PNW (I want this one pretty bad)

Me Made Spring

I really want to get better about slow fashion and building out quality pieces I’ve made myself. I miss knitting desperately but none of my patterns seem to match my skein stash or my color palette! And quality yarn is not cheap, my friends. Neither is fabric now that JoAnn’s is no longer around. I’ve taken to hunting on eBay and in thrift shops, but I would love to eventually travel out to a deadstock fabric store and see if I can find a deal on fabric that isn’t just quilting cotton. IYKYK.

Making your own clothing is honestly one of the most intentional wardrobe choices you can make. You choose the fabric, the fit, the length, everything on your own terms. And for someone who has been struggling to find spring gems both in stores and online this year, it feels like the right answer.

What I Want to Knit

I’ve had my eye on these three patterns in my Etsy cart for a while now and I think this is finally their season:

What I Want to Sew

These have been sitting in my pattern box for literal years. I also have the perfect fabric I found on Etsy a few years ago. It’s finally time!

The Dresses I’m Dreaming About

Listen, if there’s ever an exception to the rule, it’s Anthropologie. I used to work there, once upon a time, and I often think about going back for the style and atmosphere alone. I love their dresses, especially because they carry a petite section. These three have been living rent free in my head, and if I’m able to sell some items on eBay first, they’re coming home with me:

Next up is going through my entire spring and summer wardrobe and deciding what to sell or recycle. Honestly, I think I’ll keep most of it because my spring clothes are light, bright, and airy and I love them. My main issue lately is with fabric quality, so we’ll see what’s worth keeping, fixing up, or finally letting go. At the end of the day, building an intentional wardrobe isn’t about having less, it’s about loving everything you have.

I’d love to know – are you approaching your wardrobe more intentionally this year? Are you thrifting for spring, making your own pieces, or just wearing what you have? Tell me everything in the comments below!

xoxo