Pause the Trench Coat, Save the Jeans—Everything I'm Removing in My Spring Wardrobe Cleanout
The start of a new season is the best time to take stock and re-evaluate your closet. These are the pieces that a fussy fashion editor is ruling out and making room for in 2026.
It's official—2026 has been declared the year of the "messy girl" who lives in a "messy home", but where is the room for those of us who like to organise and arrange with precision? Granted, my fridge isnt always stocked, and my time keeping needs improvement, but my wardrobe? My wardrobe is always run to Marie Kondo levels of regimented expertise.
Take a look inside my wardrobe on any given day and you'll see colour co-ordinating, category-blocking and even a regular seasonal switch out. Yes, that is exactly what it sounds like, and every few months my wardrobe undergoes a refresh in which weather appropriate clothes come out of storage and the old ones are packed away. One of the many benefits of this is saving time rooting through things in the morning, but it also encourages an active capsule wardrobe that will work harder for you in the long run.
Now that we're a few months into 2026, it might not be a new year exactly, but it's still as good a time as ever to get ahead with organisation (as far as your closet goes). Moving the the items that no longer serve you will lighten the load and, dare I say, open up enough space for you to actually see all the clothes and accessories that you need kept in regular rotation (and to make room for some more).
We've already done the work to help you clean out your wardrobe (and that includes everything from finding the right hangers to fabric care), so once you've taken care of your space, now is time to fill it. Spring is underway with summer just on the horizon, so I've put together a handy guide on what this fussy fashion editor is shelving and saving this season in order to help you streamline your own spring wardrobe too. Ready for a revamp?
What to Shelve and What to Save for a Spring Wardrobe Cleanout in 2026
1. Shelve: Cable Knits
Save: Fine Knits
Style Notes: I've had enough of sweating on the tube—my chunky cable knits are officially retired until the end of the year. God speed thick wool jumpers, you've served me well, but the weather right now is far too mild to warrant a jumper that comes with its own tog rating. Right now fine knits are perfect for layering up and peeling off, and if I'm not wearing one over a t-shirt, you'll see it tied around my waist or shoulders for easy access.
Shop Fine Knits:
This is currently sitting at the top of my wish list.
This shade of pink and gauzy finish has "spring" written all over it.
Perfect for shoulder robing when you need an emergency knit,
Layer over oversized white t-shirts.
I love this t-shirt-meets-knitwear hybrid for transitional weather. Such a clever basic to have to hand.
2. Shelve: Baggy Jeans
Save: Stovepipe Jeans
Style Notes: I fell for the baggy jeans trend just like everyone else, and although they are admittedly comfortable, it's far too much denim to be schlepping about when the sun comes out. Good news then that the current denim du jour is the stovepipe jean, an ultra straight-leg that won't bunch around your ankles. You can wear this understated shape with everything from casual tank tops to sharp blazers, making it the perfect style to invest in for spring/summer and beyond. Sorry, flash-in-the-pan trends, I'm reverting to timeless classics.
Shop Stovepipe Jeans:
This whole look feels very spring uniform.
The White Company aren't just premium lounge and homewear. This denim is a case in point.
You can't beat the ribcage for a supremely high-waisted fit.
You can wear white jeans all year round, but spring is when they really come into their own.
Just look at that for the perfect straight-leg.
3. Shelve: Boots
Save: Ballet Flats
Style Notes: Despite being accused of being overzealous when it comes to baring my feet by my colleagues (I have been wearing sandals for the last month), I think now is fair time to be shelving our boots. As soon as pretty dresses start flooding the high-street, a sturdy knee-high boot starts to fall out of favour, and judging by the amount of pairs I spotted during Paris Fashion Week, ballet flats are taking top spot as the ideal transitional shoe.
Just enough coverage to brave the average British weather, not so much that you feel uncomfortable after a day on your feet, renewed interest in Chanel after Matthieu Blazy's debut has also reignited the ballet flats "cool factor", so keep an eye out for styles with interesting silhouettes, colours and fabrications for a fresh spin on the classic.
Shop Ballet Flats:
You're going to need to head into store to get your hands on these.
Just enough heel to still be comfortably wearable.
Le Monde Beryl are experts in ballet flats, so you'll find just about every colour, print and shape right here.
My dream spring shoe, if not for the breathability alone.
I couldn't help but stop scrolling when I saw the colour of this leather.
A sock? A glove? Whatever you prefer to call it, it's cooler than your average ballet flat.
4. Shelve: High Necks
Save: Blouses
Style Notes: The top performing (pun intended) category in fashion right now? Sales of blouses are currently skyrocketing. As soon as the sun makes an appearance we can't help but by drawn to lighter, fresher styles and blouses do all of the same work as a classic Oxford shirt but with a little more whimsy. Dress them down with denim, style them up with skirts, the possibilities here are endless, but the most popular pieces are ruffled and Broderie lace blouses in cream, yellow and blue that look especially good with stovepipe jeans.
Shop Blouses:
A boho dream.
Just how imagine how cool this would look with blue jeans.
Of course Dôen would be one of the market leaders when it comes to romantic, feminine tops.
5. Shelve: Faux Fur and Shearling Coats
Save: Light Jackets
Style Notes: ICYMI the funnel neck jacket was one of the biggest trends of 2025, and with it continuing into 2026, I've just realised just how big the gap was in my wardrobe for a light layer to throw on over my spring outfits. When the weather is just enough that you definitely don't need a coat, these jackets will keep the wind out without causing you to overheat—a win, win in my book. Are these jackets enough to topple the reign of the longline trench coat? Quite possibly.
Shop Jackets:
Like your classic trench, but without all of the superfluous bells and whistles.
This colour combination is living in my mind rent free right now.
I'd pair this with shorts and a chunky flatform.
No one will care if this is real suede or not when it feels and looks this good.
6. Shelve: Knit Dresses
Save: Knee Length Skirts
Style Notes: Thank Miuccia Prada, but this formally "awkward" skirt is now considered the optimal length for sophisticated dressers who a) love 90's fashion, b) prefer modest styling, c) are swayed by Prada's ladylike styling, or are d) all of the above. You may have seen it on the runway with slingbacks and court shoes (which does look incredible), but you can just as easily do loafers, sandals, or hey, a ballet shoe, to play up the playfulness of a long considered "formal" skirt.
Shop Knee Length Skirts:
This is about to be everywhere on the street style circuit.
This is exactly the look I mean when I say effortless minimalism is having a moment.
A slightly more tailored approach for smarter occasions.
The tiers! The ruffles! The polka dots!
Uniwlo doing what it does best—quality basics in a range of colours.
