So spring is finally here and it’s that time of the year to give your wardrobe a makeover and shake-up! However, being a student and living on a budget it’s not always economical to give your wardrobe a complete makeover and that’s why I’ve tailor made this post for anyone out there that wants to spruce up their wardrobe for spring without breaking the bank. I’ve found 20 spring essentials all for under £20 that you can add to your wardrobe to keep you in line with the hottest spring trends without spending too much. The items I’ve picked are also good transitioning items that can be kept in your wardrobe and used throughout the year even in colder weather. Whether you’re after all or only a selection of these items there’s guaranteed to be something in this selection for everyone and within everyone’s price range.
Skip To:
Dresses – Tops – Bottoms – Footwear – Accessories
White Cami Dress
New Look – £5.99
Pastel Swing Dress
New Look – £17.99
90’s Mini Dress
Miss Selfridge – £18
Drop Waist Dress
Topshop – £20
Essential for this season a cami dress is simple, on trend and available in a wide array of fits, colours and textures. This is a spring essential as it’s perfect on its own and perfect for layering, making it equally perfect for colder weather. This cami is simple but very versatile and can be worn with a cardigan and chunky pair of gladiator sandals during the day or a leather jacket and strappy pair of heels at night. At a very affordable price of £5.99 from New Look this is an item that is guaranteed to get a lot of wear if added to your wardrobe.
60’s swing dresses were a huge trend during autumn/winter and the trend has carried over into spring. A swing dress embodies a very feminine and flirty silhouette but can also be toughened up with clever styling. Swing dresses are perfect paired with a pair of boots and an oversized tote for a spring day or paired with a cute clutch and stiletto heels for night out. This particular one from New Look is perfect as it has three spring trends in one; pastels, swing silhouette and ditsy florals and for only £17.99 it’s an absolute bargain!
90’s fashion is making a huge comeback this spring in both fashion and beauty and why not update your LBD this spring with a square neckline 90’s inspired mini dress from Miss Selfridge for only £18. This is an absolute spring essential as it can be dressed down with a plaid shirt and chunky jewellery during the day and edged up for night time with high heeled ankle boots, a slick top-knot and a red lip.
The athletic look is another hot trend this season and tennis drop waist dresses are so in line with this trend. This pastel purple Topshop drop waist dress is great for a student budget at only £20 and is an item that can be worn loads throughout spring. It can be edged up with cut-out boots or made more sporty with a pair of trainers and even dressed up super girly with cute ballet flats or sandals. This is an item I would definitely recommend adding to your wardrobe as it is very versatile and can also transition into colder weather with a chunky knit and a pair of tights.
Skip To:
Dresses – Tops – Bottoms – Footwear – Accessories
Mesh Panel Crop Top
Topshop – £18
Pastel Tartan Jumper
Boohoo – £15
Chain Print Kimono
Boohoo – £15
Quilted Bomber Jacket
Boohoo – £20
The mesh trend is a very hot trend this spring with a lot of inspiration derived from the S/S 14 catwalks of many major fashion designers such as Milly. This mesh bralet from Topshop is bang on trend with the mesh insert but also embodies another hot fashion trends this spring which is the ‘underwear as outerwear’ trend so u get two trends for the price of £18. A piece like this can be overly sexy but it can be toned down during the day with a pair of high waisted jeans and a casual jacket or blazer. For night time you can definitely go all out and pair this bralet with a high waisted pencil skirt and heels.
Luxe sweatshirts are so on trend this season with many high street stores stocking them in a wide array of textures, prints and embellishments. My pick for this trend was this textured sweatshirt from Boohoo which is super affordable at only £15. It has a mix of trends embodied into it with the pastel colours, fluffy texture and tartan pattern and it would be perfect paired with a pair of white or coloured jeans. A jumper like this is very versatile depending on the fit and it can also be transitioned into colder weather paired with a leather skater skirt or leather leggings for practicality, edge and added texture.
Another item I think is an absolute essential this season is the kimono. This item has graduated from beachwear and can now be paired with any outfit this spring to spice it up and bring it to the next level. Floral kimonos are good picks for spring but for my pick I went with a bold chain print kimono from Boohoo for only £15. I love this item as it can be worn during the day or at night and can be paired with virtually anything from skirts and dresses to trousers, shorts and even dungarees. To maximise on the bold print, a good styling tip would be to pair this kimono with a plain outfit so as to make it the star of the outfit.
Over the years the spring mac has been the absolute spring outerwear essential but this season bomber jackets are quickly becoming the must-have spring outerwear item. The bomber jacket is a very masculine item but it has been recreated in a variety of prints and colours and there’s guaranteed to be something to meet everyone’s tastes on the high street. My pick is a quilted pastel coloured bomber jacket from Boohoo which is affordable at £20 an which is also in the absolute right colour palette for this season in mint green. This jacket can be paired with a bodycon dress or skater dress for a feminine touch or styled with a white t-shirt and a pair of boyfriend jeans to play on the masculinity. This item is essential for your spring wardrobe for both practicality and aesthetics.
Skip To:
Dresses – Tops – Bottoms – Footwear – Accessories
Floral printed shorts
Dorothy Perkins – £18
White skinny jeans
New Look – £19.99
Blush boyfriend jeans
Boohoo – £20
Jumpsuit
H&M – £19.99
Florals are always a reoccurring trend during the spring months and as the weather is getting warmer, a pair of floral shorts is a must have item in your spring wardrobe. My pick from Dorothy Perkins is an absolute bargain at £18 and has a matching blazer which can be bought to either wear as a set or simply add to your spring wardrobe too as coordinates are big this spring. I love these shorts because they are a high waisted culotte style short. High waisted garments are always very flattering as they draw attention to the smallest part of your waist and everyone needs a high waisted something in their wardrobe whether it be a pair of shorts, jeans or skirt. A bold pair of shorts like this one would be best styled with a white vest top and simple shoes so as to make the shorts the standout piece of the outfit. This piece is so bold it can work for both day and night, dressed up or dressed down. It is an absolute essential this spring.
White is such a striking colour and this spring the white skinny jeans are the absolute must-have. Previous spring seasons have championed the white blazer but this time around the white skinny jeans are are the ultimate essential. These jeans from New Look for only £19.99 are perfect as they come in the super soft denim material which is super comfortable and breathable for warmer weather. Their versatility is what makes them a spring essential as they can be teamed with a top of literally any colour and any style. What would your ultimate pairing be with these white skinnies?
Boyfriend jeans have been around for a couple of years now and are one of those pieces that can be worn throughout the year. They are a spring essential because they are very versatile and very easy to style. They can be dressed up or down, worn with heels, sandals, flats or trainers, the possibilities are endless. My £20 pick from Boohoo are a spring update of the boyfriend jeans as they are in a pastel blush colour and coloured demin is always a hit during spring. Although most people gravitate towards the skinny variety of coloured denim, there is no need to be restricted when it comes to coloured denim and boyfriend jeans as well as mom jeans can work too. I would pair these jeans with a slouchy white t-shirt and white strappy heels or go all out and colour block with other pastel pieces. As I said, the possibilities are endless; how would you style these jeans if they were in your spring wardrobe?
Jumpsuits are the spring ‘onsies’ and they are all over the high street and internet this spring. With most people going for the colourful and boldly printed jumpsuits, my pick is this wide legged beauty from H&M. I love the palazzo bottom half of this jumpsuit and the slinky cut out back. I love it in black as it makes it perfect for night time but with some clever styling it can also be made very daytime appropriate. My personal styling tip would be to pair it with an over sized denim jacket, a pair of flat strappy sandals and a satchel to capture that bohemian chic feel. This item is one of those items in your wardrobe that can be a blank canvas and that you can recreate over and over. How would you turn this blank canvas into a masterpiece this spring? For only £19.99 this is an item I would highly recommend adding to your spring wardrobe for spring days and nights.
Skip To:
Dresses – Tops – Bottoms – Footwear – Accessories
Platform Sneakers
H&M – £14.99
Caged Sandals
Ebay – £19.99
Printed Court Shoes
Boohoo – £20
Double Ankle Strap Heels
New Look – £19.99
Platform sneakers are a huge hit this spring especially in the skater variety. The Topshop version of these sneakers has been all over the blogger-sphere but for my pick I went with the H&M paisley print monochrome version which are £5 cheaper than the Topshop ones at £14.99. These sneakers are essential for spring as they epitomise comfort, practicality and fashion all in one. They are perfect for days where you’ll be doing some running around this spring or on days where you just want to make minimal effort. The skater style also makes them versatile and they can be worn with dresses, shorts and trousers. For only £14.99 they are extremely affordable and a must-have this season.
Another footwear hit this season is the caged gladiator sandal, it is basically the spring version of the cut out boot that was all over the scene during the winter months and it is fast becoming a must have item this spring. These sandals are available in a wide array of colours and for my pick I went with a fuchsia holographic pair from Ebay. The holographic trend is big this spring and these sandals are perfect for all those that are not brave enough to put on a holographic item of clothing. The colour and oil slick finish makes them interesting and the white sole tones them down so that they are not too garish. These sandals would be perfect with any outfit and for added flair they can be styled with frilly socks. For only £19.99 they are they ultimate footwear essential this spring, and for those not fond of the pink they are also available in other colours including black, white and silver.
The coloured court shoe was the must have footwear item last spring but for this spring it is all about the printed court show. Perfect for adding interest to an outfit and with a comfortable minimal heel, my pick is a £20 pair from Boohoo. It is in this gorgeous acid green leaf print and if this is too much for you it is also available in a more demure black and pink floral print. Shoes like these are essential for spring as they are easy to pair with multiple outfits from dresses to jeans and even shorts. These would look perfect on an all white outfit for a dinner date or with a pair of vintage Levi shorts and a t-shirt for a casual day out. These shoes are guaranteed to uplift any spring item without you having to break the bank doing so.
The strappy minimal sandal has to be the most sought out item of footwear seen in the past couple of years. Zara stormed the high street with their version of this minimalist heel and soon after everyone had their hands on them. Black was the colour of choice for many during the winter months with the colour block pairs being the popular choice for warmer seasons but this spring it is all about the white minimalist heel. For my pick I went with this double ankle strap white pair from New Look for only £19.99 which is super affordable in comparison to Zara’s £29.99+ price point. The white makes the shoes super fresh for spring and perfect for both neutral and colourful outfits. The double ankle straps provide added support when walking and also a little interest. These shoes are versatile, affordable and are an essential item this spring.
Skip To:
Dresses – Tops – Bottoms – Footwear – Accessories
Retro sunglasses
River Island – £10
Statement Necklace
River Island – £7
Fringed Shoulder Bag
H&M – £19.99
Cream Fedora
River Island – £18
I need not say much about sunglasses as we all know that sunglasses are a must have once the sun decides to make an appearance. My pick is this retro pair with the white round frame from River Island which is supper affordable at only £10. These are perfect for spicing up a spring outfit or for hiding a multitude of sins like lack of sleep and hangovers. They are also good for protection from winds and dust particles as our eyes are very sensitive organs. If a round frame is not suited to your face shape I’d suggest picking up a pair more suited to you but sunglasses are an absolute essential this spring.
Accessories are perfect for adding interest to plain outfits and one great accessory that is absolutely essential this spring is the statement necklace. It is perfect for throwing on and instantly makes any simple outfit more dressy and put together. I selected this gorgeous necklace from River Island with the orange rope chain as it’s super affordable at only £7 and its got that pop of colour that any outfit needs to spice it up. This necklace can be worn on its own or stacked with other chains for a more dramatic feel but whichever way you chose to style it, it is a piece that needs to be in your jewellery collection this spring.
Fringing is such a huge trend this spring with inspiration being taken from the SS14 catwalks of New York, London, Paris and Milan. For a toned down take on this trend this spring I’d suggest picking up a fringed bag to carry all your stuff in this season. My pick from H&M is bang on trend and just the right size, as it’s not too small but big enough to carry your university books and touch up makeup. I love that it has the thick handle and the shoulder strap to give you a choice in which way to carry it which also helps with versatility. it would look perfect thrown with a casual day outfit this spring and for those not so fond on white bags, this bag is also available in black and tan. For only £19.99 this item is an absolute bargain and a must have item this spring.
Hats are essential all year round and the fedora was a popular pick during autumn but for an updated version for the spring I’d suggest picking up a fedora in a white or cream colour. The colour is fresh for warmer weather and is not only stylish but practical. It’s perfect for bad hair days or for just adding some interest to a boring outfit. If you’re feeling super brave this spring I’d suggest getting a fedora in a bold colour but if you just want to keep it simple and neutral then my pick from River Island will be perfect for you at only £18.
Skip To:
Dresses – Tops – Bottoms – Footwear – Accessories
These are my 20 spring essentials £20 and under that are guaranteed to make a huge difference to your spring wardrobe without breaking the bank. I hope this post has been helpful in terms of finding what to wear this spring, how to wear it and where to get it from at an affordable price!
Featured Image: George Rexta
16 Must Have Staples for a Versatile Wardrobe
Tailor the Trend; Style Tips for Rectangle Shaped Bodies
Tailor the Trend; Style Tips for Hourglass Shaped Bodies 
A Shopaholic on a Budget: Great Money Saving Tips
Tailor The Trend: Style Tips for Apple Shaped Bodies
UGG Australia Meets 90s Hip Hop Street Style
