10 Ways to Transition Your Wardrobe for Spring

It's finally time to store away all those heavy coats, thick sweaters, and giant-ass boots. But proper care is required if you don't want to dig deep into your closet and deal with a destroyed mess of a season's worth of gear. Before storing them away, make sure you clean all the dirt and salt off your boots and shoes. If you need to, stuff them with newspaper to both trap moisure and make sure they retain their form when piled away. Definitely dry-clean any sweaters and coats you hope to wear next winter, otherwise moths and other pests might be attracted to any lingering stains or odors. No one wants to pull out a Swiss-cheesed sweater when the temps start to dip. And make sure you box up as much as possible versus hanging; this way, the garment will retain its shape and the sleeves won't elongate, which is especially likely with heavy winter apparel. Don't worry if your closet space isn't ideal—there are plenty of life hacks to maximize space.

With the arrival of spring comes the opportunity to break out your favorite kicks and apparel that was stored away for winter. Since that's the case, make sure they're as sharp as possible by doing some spring cleaning. Give your sneakers a fresh scrubbing with some sneaker cleaner, and get your best sports coat a good pressing at the dry cleaner before you embarass yourself at a springtime wedding.

There are pieces in our wardrobes that can be worn year round, and definitely can be kept in the rotation for spring. Items like raw denim jeans, denim jackets, and oxford button downs definitely have a place when the temperatures starts to rise; you simply wear them differently.The raw denim jeans you were pairing with a wool sweater can now be worn with a white T-shirt and simple kicks; the denim jacket you used as a mid-layer in the winter is now your outer most layer, and just roll up the sleeves on your button down to cool off while rocking a clean look.

It's probably been about six to eight months since you last seriously rocked any of your spring wardrobe. There is nothing worse than putting on some of your favorite spring pieces and realizing that they've become either too baggy or too tight. Whether you've been eating right and hitting the gym or, more likely, developed a winter gut, take key items to your local tailor and get them re-fitted so they can live on for another season.

It's simply not realistic to buy a new spring wardrobe every time winter thaws. In order to get the maximum value out of your spring wardrobe, you'll need to learn how to wear last season's gear in a various number of ways. Take a loud floral print from last season and wear it beneath an overshirt so only a hint of print is shining through. Or take a razor and some sandpaper to distress some jeans you copped last year or a denim shirt that you thought was played out.

We all know spring is a tricky season to dress for with such volatile weather. The trick to dressing for spring's tricky climate is to layer properly, and having pieces like a thin cardigan, a quality sweatshirt, or a bomber jacket at the ready. Posting up with a lightweight cardigan over button down can keep you going through the night; throwing on a medium-weight bomber will ward off morning chills; and keeping a well-made sweatshirt on deck will give you that dope athletic look no matter how much the temperature fluctuates.

To ensure a smooth transition to rising temperatures, grabbing some spring friendly fabrics is a necessary way to adjust to the spring weather. Lighter fabrics such as linen or cotton poplin give you a more breathable and lighter option than standard cotton and synthetics. And now with technical performance gear hitting a stylish groove, nearly every spring staple garment comes in a material that emphasizes breathability, ventilation, and staying cool.

Even with the rising temperatures, spring temperatures are still cool enough that you need a jacket during the mornings and evenings. Investing in versatile outerwear will help create a strong foundation for your spring wardrobe. Baseball jackets and sports coats in plain colors like navy and grey can be worn over nearly everything from print-heavy T-shirts to button-downs, and paired with jeans, joggers, and chinos.

Prints have definitely been shining the past few seasons. Whether it's floral, paisley, polka dots, or micro prints, there are a wide variety of options for you to play around with and realize what fits your style. Unlike fall and winter, when the majority of apparel is dark and moody, dressing for spring is about living it up and getting a little crazy. Whether it's a polka dot T-shirt underneath a cardigan or a pair of all-over print chinos, this is your chance to wear something that might push you out of your comfort zone, and you might just be surprised at how dope it'll look.

Now that the dreariness of winter is over, nothing encapsulates spring style like bringing color back from the grave. Whether you want to add a hint of brightness with a popping accessory or get really crazy with it with some eye-catching outerwear, the right amount of color is totally dependent on what you're comfortable with.