30 April Outfit Ideas to Celebrate the Return of Warm Weather

Yeah, yeah, we know, [insert The Devil Wears Prada quote here]. But we like to think of spring florals as less of a cliché and more of a classic stand-by. Mix tiny daisies with boldly hued roses for a look that says “spring is finally in the air.”

Shop similar styles: Boden Embroidered Popover Blouse ($130; $78); Lavaand Sofia Midi Skirt ($177; $123); Rothy’s The Point Flats ($145)

Even if we’re still wearing cold-weather clothes (including leather pants and chunky knits), that doesn’t mean we need to look like we’re stuck in January. Pair heavier fabrics with Easter-egg shades like sunshine yellow, lilac, rose and Robin’s-egg blue for a look that’s both warm and seasonally appropriate.

Shop similar styles: Alice + Olivia Justin Faux-Leather Blazer ($495); Everlane The Silky Cotton Shirt ($80); Wilfred Melina Faux-Leather Pants ($148); Linea Paolo Payton Heels ($130)

Both tailored separates and uber-bright colors are trending right now, so why not combine them both for one stunning, attention-grabbing ensemble? Keep your accessories to a minimum to really allow your vibrant yellow (or pink or red or Kelly green) suit to enjoy its turn in the spotlight.

Shop similar styles: Karen Millen Italian Satin Blazer ($376; $301) and Italian Satin Flare Pants ($256; $205); Brixton Joanna Hat ($59); Schutz Victoire Heels ($118)

Country club staples, like tennis skirts and V-neck cableknit sweaters, are in for 2022. So too are preppy styling tricks like this super easy option that has the added bonus of keeping your neck warm on those last chilly spring days.

Shop similar styles: Naked Cashmere Noelle Sweater ($275); Express Boyfriend Blazer ($128); J.Crew Classic Button-Up Shirt ($80; $40); Naadam The Essential Cashmere Sweatpants ($175); Sarah Flint Perfect 85 Heels ($485)

Make simple blue-wash jeans and a black trench feel festive with the addition of a sparkling sequined handbag. (Adding a matching sequin top wouldn’t hurt either, but for more casual events a white tee would work just as well.)

Shop similar styles: Gentle Herd Faux-Leather Trench Coat ($139); Express Silver Sequin Top ($80; $60); Abercrombie & Fitch High-Rise Flare Jeans ($89); Cult Gaia Mini Hera Bag ($498); Sam Edelman Wanda Pointed Flats ($120)

No umbrella? No problem. Simply keep a square scarf in your bag for emergencies and tie it around your head to protect that blowout.

Shop similar styles: Madewell Bandana Scarf ($15); Saturdays NYC Essex International Sweatshirt ($95); DKNY Pleated Midi Skirt ($99); Calvin Klein Gayle Heels ($99)

This style trick may be simple, but it’s also very effective and can make an old standby feel like new again or add a pop of color to an otherwise basic ensemble.

Shop similar styles: Furla Mini Nero Bag ($428); Coach Rose Print Silk Scarf ($95; $48); Everlane Relaxed Button-Up Shirt ($80); lululemon Love V-Neck T-Shirt ($48); Levi’s Ribcage Boot Jeans ($108); Free People Wonderland Sandals ($98)

Take a true minimalist approach and sport perfectly tailored, solid-hued separates in expensive-looking colors like cream, camel or forest green. Leave the fancy jewelry or standout handbag for another day.

Shop similar styles: ASOS Hooded Wool Coat ($105); The Group By Babaton Sweater ($50) and Traverse Skirt ($58); Sam Edelman Carmen Shoes ($100)

Who would’ve thought we’d be excited to return to carrying large “fits your whole life” tote bags after two-plus years of nothing but minis? But the oversize style is indeed making its return, in both color patterns and classic neutral hues.

Shop similar styles: Goodee Bassi Tote Bag ($259); Cuyana Classic Trench Coat ($298); Citizens of Humanity Chrissy Skinny Jeans ($198); Dr. Martens 1460 Leather Boots ($150)

Gingham is truly a summer picnic-ready print, but it can still work in the the early (and often chilly and rainy) days of spring if you pair it with jeans, a tailored button-down and brown ankle boots as opposed to floaty blouses or floral sandals.

Shop similar styles: Totes Travel Umbrella ($29); Topshop Boucle Shacket ($139); J.Crew Relaxed Button-Up Shirt ($80; $50); 7 For All Mankind Josefina Boyfriend Jeans ($195); Franco Sarto Stevie Boots ($169; $89)

Layer the cabincore staple over light-colored dresses rather than denim or leggings to keep things seasonally appropriate and forgo a hat in favor of a pearl-adorned barrette or gold statement earrings.

Shop similar styles: Calvin Klein Double Pocket Shacket ($300; $76); Mango Button-Detail Dress ($84); Journee Collection Haylinn Boots ($85; $60)

While we usually tend to wear like with like when it comes to colors (i.e., pastels with pastels, or neon hues with other brights), we’re absolutely loving this mix of pistachio green, lavender, hot pink and vibrant orange.

Shop similar styles: Theory Wool-Cashmere Wrap Coat ($795; $358); P.E. Nation Printed Scarf ($50; $40); MerSea Cashmere Sweater ($168); UO Eliza High-Waisted Pants ($69); ASOS Shoulder Bag ($26; $20); Badgley Mischka Kamilah Heels ($198)

Country club staples—polo tees, white pleated skirts, V-neck cableknit sweaters—are this year’s evolution of the tennis skirt trend.

Shop similar styles: Lacoste x Awake NY Polo Shirt ($189); Reiss Pleated Midi Skirt ($285; $214); Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Sneakers ($60)

Somewhere Kim Possible is cheering, because cargo pants are officially back en vogue. This time around the coolest pairs have more of a trouser vibe with fewer pockets (two max) and come in light neutrals or pastel shades. Pair them with a curve-hugging body suit, stand-out gold jewelry and a sleek handbag to really elevate the casual style.

Shop similar styles: Yummie Kinsley Bodysuit ($68); The M Jewelrs NY X Sofia & Victoria Necklace ($75); Bershka Wide-Leg Pants ($46); JW Pei Fei Joy Bag ($99); Vince Camuto Elanndo Ballet Flats ($89)

Layer a T-shirt (graphic or otherwise) under a shirtdress and unbutton to the waist for a little peek of color or pattern. Then add a belt to keep things from looking too undone.

Shop similar styles: Boden Smocked Linen Dress ($150); GAP Cotton T-shirt ($25); Clinch Belts Medium Brass and Black Belt ($339); Cuyana Classic Leather Tote Bag ($228); Louise et Cie Aldona Flats ($99; $70)

What was once a totally gauche combination is now just part of the trendy normcore style, and can actually look cute if you choose the right duo. Our advice? Make sure both your shoes and your socks are in pristine condition (no one wants to see your toes poking through a hole) and opt for neutral-hued ankle socks to keep things simple.

Shop similar styles: GAP Button-Up Shirt ($65; $40); Cotton On Nylon Shoulder Bag ($20); Tell Your Friends Floral Pants ($258; $129); Bombas Lightweight Ankle Socks ($14); Crocs Slide Sandals ($30)

A one-and-done outfit is kind of the dream, right? Enjoy the ease of a dress with the warmth of pants...and try to wear it as much as possible.

Shop similar styles: Pilcro Cable-Knit Cardigan ($120; $40); Alex Mill Jumpsuit ($188); Madewell Sydney Crossbody Bag ($158); Nine West Speakup Flats ($69)

Turns out, a casual cotton sweatshirt looks pretty darn fab with that slinky slip skirt you’ve been saving for a special occasion.

Shop similar styles: SPRWMN Logo Sweatshirt ($115); Lulus Wrap Midi Skirt ($54); Marc Fisher Ltd. Alva Boots ($200; $150)

Embrace the sportswear of the ’90s with a cool windbreaker or anorak.

Shop similar styles: Columbia Pardon My Trench Rain Jacket ($110; $80); Woman Within Short Rain Jacket ($110; $70); REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket ($90); lululemon StretchSeal Relaxed-Fit Rain Jacket ($228; $119)

Memorial Day is still a few weeks away, but that doesn’t mean you can’t rock an all-white ensemble right this very minute. Just stick to longer sleeves and slightly heavier fabrics (like denim rather than linen) to keep things firmly planted in spring territory instead of summer.

Shop similar styles: Eri + Ali Flouncy Blouse ($98); Lyssé Boyfriend Jeans ($108); J.McLaughlin Genevieve Clutch ($168); Comfortiva Tobago Shoes ($70)

Swap your go-to denim for something just as comfortable but a little less expected, like a pair of chino pants or even corduroys.

Shop similar styles: JDY Tie-Collar Sweater ($43; $35); J.Crew Kate Cotton Pants ($98); B-Low the Belt Catrine Leather Belt ($145); Anthropologie Wooden Platform Sandals ($180)

Short hemlines are in this spring, but they can sometimes feel tricky to make look grown-up. But a Mod ‘60s dress—simple, unadorned and with a slight flare away from the hips—looks incredibly posh, especially when paired with a coordinating jacket and some strappy flats, so you can show off those stems and feel like an actual adult.

Shop similar styles: & Other Stories Belted Jacket ($149); Theory Shift Dress ($365; $274); Charles & Keith Strappy Ballerina Flats ($86)

Rather than tucking your top into your high-waist pants, follow in Tyla-Lauren Gilmore’s stylish footsteps and simply leave your shirt unbuttoned from your waistband down. You’ll still get some definition at your middle, but won’t have to worry about constantly tucking and retucking all day long.

Shop similar styles: Frankie Shop Lui Shirt ($155); Kate Spade New York Crossbody Bag ($198); Everlane The Easy Pants ($78); Vince Hanna Shoes ($325)

Here’s a nifty trick to looking fabulously put-together with almost no effort: Choose one bold piece, like bright plaid trousers or a tiger-print blazer, and keep all the other parts of your outfit uniformly simple and neutral in hue.

Shop similar styles: Athleta Outbound T-shirt ($54); WeWoreWhat Wide-Leg Pants ($128); Ted Baker London Clutch ($50); Birkenstock Mayari Sandals ($100)

Perfectly paired floral shoes and a floral dress feels like a bit much. But comfortable sneakers with a red stripe that’s the exact same shade as the petals on your frock is the right way to do matchy-matchy.

Shop similar styles: Faithfull the Brand Orsitta Dress ($189); Tory Burch Lee Radziwill Petite Bag ($548); Veja Esplar Sneakers ($130)

Who knew that lilac and mustard yellow would work so well together? Or red and teal for that matter?

Shop similar styles: Pangaia PPRMINT Organic Cotton T-shirt ($55); M.M.LaFleur Orchard Silk Skirt ($295); Mansur Gavriel Mini Cloud Clutch ($645); ASOS Herring Sandals ($40)

Perhaps Cruella de Vil was really on to something with those stark black-and-white printed outfits.

Shop similar styles: ASOS Stripe Sweater ($37); Old Navy High-Waist Pixie Pants ($40); Marc Fisher Hadama hoes ($70)

Get more use out of that straw tote by wearing it all weekend long, regardless of whether or not you even go near sand.

Shop similar styles: Farm Rio Yawanawa Stripes Top ($126) and Yawanawa Stripe Pants ($180); Florabella Sapelo Tote Bag ($172); TKEES Foundations Leather Sandals ($55)

Super bright shades are trending for 2022, but if you’re not into the idea of sporting head-to-toe hot pink or highlighter yellow, why not start small with a pair of “look at me!” shoes instead?

Shop similar styles: Thomas Mason for J.Crew Tuxedo Shirt ($168); Spanx Faux-Leather Leggings ($98); J.Crew Factory Tassel Loafers ($98; $70)

The time has finally come to start wearing all of your favorite warm-weather frocks sans tights. (Although you might want to stick to just the long-sleeve or maxi-length versions for now.)

Shop similar styles: Farm Rio Macaw Maxi Dress ($200); Dolce Vita Indy Sandals ($75)