5 Spring Wardrobe Essentials Your Closet (and Suitcase) Needs

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots.

After interning at SmarterTravel, Ashley joined the team full time in 2015. She's lived on three continents, but still never knows where her next adventure will take her. She's always searching for upcoming destination hotspots, secluded retreats, and hidden gems to share with the world.

Ashley's stories have been featured online on USA Today, Business Insider, TripAdvisor, Huffington Post, Jetsetter, and Yahoo! Travel, as well as other publications.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A reusable filtered water bottle—it saves you money, keeps you hydrated, and eliminates waste—win-win."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "A week in a bamboo beach hut on India's Andaman Islands."

Travel Motto: "Travel light, often, and in good company."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Window—best view in the house."

See recent posts by Ashley Rossi

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The arrival of spring is a welcome excuse for buying fresh new spring wardrobe items that will hold up wherever your travels take you.

Spring Capsule Wardrobe Items

Start by creating a spring capsule wardrobe comprised of interchangeable pieces that allow you to maximize your outfits with a few easy-to-pack fashion staples. This capsule wardrobe will make packing easier with fewer options, and you’ll be investing in quality over quantity.

Sarah Liller

spring capsule wardrobe items — Sarah Liller

San Francisco-based Sarah Liller creates effortless and classic wardrobe items in super-comfy machine-washable fabrics. I recently traveled in the Leila Wrap Top and Amelie Pants and felt stylish and comfortable. The quality fabrics didn’t make me sweat (or smell) on the plane.

Toad & Co.

I also love Toad & Co. for both men’s and women’s spring capsule wardrobe items. The Mission Ridge Lean Pant is an ideal addition to any man’s wardrobe. And the new spring styles that I’m eyeing this year for women are the stylish Earthworks Wide Leg Pant and the versatile layering piece, Recycled Denim Cardi.

Spring Skincare Essentials

As the weather changes, keep your skin fresh with these must-have beauty products.

Amavara Mineral Sunscreen

Whether you’re wandering around a new city or hitting the beach, protecting your skin with sunscreen is a must. Go with a reef-safe broad spectrum daily sunscreen like Amavara Mineral Sunscreen. Some destinations are even banning certain sunscreens with environmentally harmful chemicals.

Thayers Blemish Stick

thayers witch hazel blemish stick — Thayers

Unpredictable weather and travel can lead to more breakouts. Thayer’s affordable Liquid Spot Facial Treatment stick is a great solution. Made with witch hazel and natural botanical ingredients, this beauty product is natural and travel-friendly.

Comfortable and Stylish Walking Shoes for Spring Weather

You’ll need at least one pair of stylish and comfortable shoes that can withstand rain and cooler temps. These two options should be all you need.

Adidas Outdoor Terrex Two Parley Shoes

Ideal for hiking trails or any active vacation, the stylish shoe is made from yarn that’s sourced from recycled plastic. The sock-lock construction is extremely comfortable and the stylish look of the shoe means you can also wear it with a casual outfit. Available in both men’s and women’s varieties, as well as a boat shoe style that also doubles as a water shoe.

Cougar Rain Boots

If you’re looking for a stylish shoe that will hold up in the rain, look no further than Cougar’s Kensington Chelsea Rain Boot. Available in four colors, there’s a style for every type of traveler.

Athleisure Looks

Athleisure wear is the perfect type of clothing for spring travel: think lightweight and waterproof jackets and jogger pants.

Athleta

Standout styles from the latest spring collection include the Recycled City Slicker jacket, Mara Maxi Dress, and Skyline Pant (pictured from left to right). All of these styles are made from recycled fabrics and have pockets, perfect for easy access to your travel essentials. And the jacket even packs into its own pocket so you can carry it around in case of surprise showers.

Lululemon

Lululemon is arguably the pioneer of athleisure. These new spring styles are both practical for travel and comfortable: The Fly Pant Woven, Serene Saturday Long Sleeve, and the Always Effortless Jacket (pictured from left to right).

Bathing Suits and Resort Wear Staples

For spring breakers and warm-weather seekers, you’ll need the obvious spring travel essentials … bathing suits and coverups. Check out the below brands for resort wear essentials.

prAna Swim

Sustainable fashion brand prAna makes stylish swimsuits for men and women, ranging from trendy styles to fuller coverage. I like the Metric E-Waist Zip for men and the Rimini Ribbed Bikini Top with the Millan High Waist Bikini Bottom for women. For a fuller coverage one-piece style, the Moorea One Piece Swimsuit is a highly-reviewed option.

Nordstrom Resort Wear

resort wear and spring break packing items — Nordstrom

For all your other beach needs, check out Nordstrom’s Resort Wear essentials. With items like bags, flip-flops, sunglasses, hats, cover-ups, and more, you’ll find all your spring break travel needs here.

Pictured from top left to bottom right: Quay Australia It’s My Way Sunglasses, Gibson x Hi Sugarplum! Catalina Ruffle Hem Romper, Birkenstock Essentials Arizona Slide Sandal, Brixton ‘Joanna’ Straw Hat, and L Space Weekend Straw Tote.

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Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots.

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