If Your Wardrobe Is Starting to Feel Dated, Try These 9 Affordable Updates

After two years of continuous lockdowns around the globe, it's understandable if your wardrobe could use some updating. Trends come and go at a rapid pace, and it can be hard to keep up with them, even during the best of times. But with warm weather coming and things starting to look brighter in the near future, you may be thinking about outfits to wear out in public again.

You certainly don't need to go on a shopping spree if your wardrobe is feeling a little dated—you can simply add a few trend-forward pieces, and they'll make a world of difference. I selected nine specific ones that are especially of-the-moment, and you can get them for a relative bargain. They're sure to make your beloved jeans and tops look fresher than ever.

Scroll to shop the nine trends that are impactful enough to refresh a dated wardrobe.

1. Loose Jeans

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(Image credit: @greceghanem)

Loose jeans have taken over where skinny jeans left off. Swapping baggier fits in will make your outfits look as 2022 as possible.

2. Socks With Loafers

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(Image credit: @nycbambi)

Loafers are back again, and pairing them with socks is strongly encouraged these days.

3. Shrugs

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(Image credit: @alyssainthecity)

We still love a cardigan, but fashion girls are also embracing shrugs now. There are so many ways to style these micro sweaters.

4. Khaki Pants

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Khaki pants are cool again, but just make sure they're pleated, high waisted, and loose.

5. Platform Flip-Flops

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(Image credit: @eggcanvas)

Perhaps the most pandemic-era shoe trend of them all, squishy platform flip-flops are everywhere. Swap your flat pairs out, and others will admire how trendy (in a good way) you look.

6. Long Trench Coats

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(Image credit: @monikh)

Long trench coats are the springtime jacket of choice for fashion girls this year. There are so many ways to style this versatile piece.

7. Shoulder Bags

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(Image credit: @asos_lotte)

Give your crossbody bags a break and invest in a '90s-inspired shoulder one. Bonus points if it's a pretty color.

8. Corset Tops

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(Image credit: @champagnemani)

Corset-style tops are a lot more comfortable than actual corsets, and all you have to add is a pair of jeans to look chic in one.

9. Fun Jewelry

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(Image credit: @brittanyxavier)

Dainty jewelry is on the back burner for now, while fun, bold, and colorful jewelry is being piled on in its place. Enjoy this trend while it's around.

This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated by Jasmine Fox-Suliaman. 

Next up, 6 Shoe Trends That Work With Jeans, Shorts, Dresses, and Skirts.

Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.