
I Asked 13 InStyle Editors for the No.1 Item on Their Spring Wishlists
More than any other season, spring’s annual arrival is charged with an exciting sense of newness. Longer days feel ripe with opportunity, daffodils begin to poke through the hard ground, and, above all, spring fashion restores the fun of getting dressed in the morning. After a long winter of bulky layers and muted color palettes, spring’s lightness and brightness is a welcome reprieve.
In search of shopping inspiration for the warmer months ahead, I tapped my fellow InStyle writers and editors to share the fashion finds at the top of their wishlists. From versatile essentials to trend-driven statement pieces, the team’s picks span airy midi dresses, lightweight jackets, and comfy flats. Keep scrolling for expertly curated spring fashion must-haves from J.Crew, Reformation, Tory Burch, and more.
13 Editor-Approved Spring 2025 Fashion Picks
- Bloomers Are Back: Free People Forever Young Pants, $98; freepeople.com
- Wray Flor Dress, $188; nordstrom.com
- Statement Jacket: J.Crew Rain-or-Shine Trench, $198; jcrew.com
- Exciting Collab: Aritzia x Sperry Slim Boat Shoes, $120; artizia.com
- Abercrombie High-Rise Satin Lace-Hem Mini Skirt, $70; abercrombie.com
- The New Leopard Print: Reformation Dusk Knit Top, $58; thereformation.com
- Citizens of Humanity Marcelle Low-Rise Barrel Cargo Pants, $248; nordstrom.com
- Trending Style: Tory Burch Patos Mismatched Slingback Heels, $428; toryburch.com
- Banana Republic Cotton Tie-Front Cardigan, $140; bananarepublic.com
- Me+Em Textured Stripe Maxi Dress, $325; meandem.com
- End-of-Season Deal: Cynthia Rowley Water-Repellent Bonded Ski Suit, $295 (Originally $495); cynthiarowley.com
- Gap Denim Tie-Back Halter Maxi Dress, $118; gap.com
- Montserrat Messeguer Jornada Flats, $431; montserratmesseguer.com
Free People Forever Young Pants
Free People
At the risk of sounding like a know-it-all fashion editor, I have to give myself credit for being on the forefront of the bloomers trend that’s blowing up this spring. Comfortable, romantic, and surprisingly easy to style, the Victorian-inspired undergarments have been a staple in my spring and summer wardrobe for two years. However, up until now, I’ve mainly stuck to short silhouettes, so I’m excited to level-up the look with this long Free People style. My delivery is en route, and I can’t wait to style them with ballet sneakers, a corset top, and one of my vintage shoulder bags. — Jordan Julian, Editor
Wray Flor Dress
Nordstrom
I’ve been coveting this dress for over a year, and I think I’m finally ready to pull the trigger this spring. I love the playful blue gingham and extra-comfortable smocked top. Wray has super trendy, fun pieces that always make me feel special when I wear them. — Kelly Chiello, Photo Director
J.Crew Rain-or-Shine Trench
J.Crew
J.Crew’s red, rain-ready trench coat is the number one item on my spring wishlist. While the in-your-face style might feel a little impractical, I view a statement jacket as a must-have because it’s high-impact and low-effort—this one item can make an entire outfit. Thanks to the style’s cherry red color and shiny finish, I can keep the rest of my look super low-key. Even if I’m just wearing it with blue jeans and a white T-shirt, the outfit will feel like a major fashion moment. — Kaelin Dodge, Writer
Aritzia x Sperry Slim Boat Shoes
Aritzia
I fear I have once again drank the Kool-Aid and will, in fact, be adding boat shoes to my spring rotation. It’s been almost a decade since Sperry’s were at their peak, so it only makes sense that they’re back in 2025 (with an Aritzia makeover). — Summer Cartwright, Senior Wellness Editor
Abercrombie High-Rise Satin Lace-Hem Mini Skirt
Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie has surprisingly become my go-to shopping destination for skirts. Its products are comfortable and affordable, like this satin slip skirt I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of. It combines all my favorite design features into one item: a fun (but not impractical) print, slip silhouette, and a lace hem. — Tamim Alnuweiri, Senior Beauty Writer
Reformation Dusk Knit Top
Reformation
Back in February, I worked on a New York Fashion Week street style roundup, and I couldn’t help but notice that zebra print seems to be the new cheetah. I’ve been dying to try out the trend, and I have my eye on this iteration from Reformation. I love that I could feasibly wear it to work, but it would also be a fun pick for dinner. It’s true what they say about the necessity of clothes that go from day to night. — Emily Kelleher, Evergreen & Special Projects Editor
Citizens of Humanity Marcelle Low-Rise Barrel Cargo Pants
Nordstrom
Add these Citizens of Humanity cargo pants to the long list of products TikTok has tempted me to buy. After searching for the perfect pair of cargos for years, I was ready to give up until I spotted this pair. I love that the brownish-green color and oversized silhouette give them a laidback look. It’s safe to say these are the number one item on my spring wishlist. — Isabel Bekele, Writer
Tory Burch Patos Mismatched Slingback Heels
Tory Burch
Tory Burch’s now-discontinued open-back, peep-toe mule topped my wishlist for years, but I never pulled the trigger because the style felt so inherently seasonal. This slingback iteration 2.0 is complete with the mule’s same mismatched coin and plate metal accents, curved heel, and contrasting metallic hues. Now with a practical closed toe for tricky transitional weather, I have every reason to buy. — Zarah Kavarana, Associate Editorial Director
Banana Republic Cotton Tie-Front Cardigan
Banana Republic
I love the idea of a cardigan, but I think a simple button-down reads too ’librarian’ on me and I prefer something with a more fun silhouette. This Banana Republic style is cropped and has drop-shoulders, making it more relaxed (read: cool) than your classic cardi. — Lindsey Metrus, VP, Beauty & Style
Me+Em Textured Stripe Maxi Dress
Me + Em
I’ve been drooling over British brand ME+EM for years, but could never bring myself to spring for international shipping. Thankfully, it now has an e-commerce presence stateside, and my bank account will never forgive them. First up in my cart: this cotton-blend maxi dress that offers myriad styling options. I can already see myself wearing it with a navy blazer and tan heels to the office, then swapping in a denim jacket and leather slides on the weekends. The zipper detail in the front really makes it for me—the look can go from subdued to a little sexy with a flick of the wrist. — Danielle McNally, Executive Editor
Cynthia Rowley Water-Repellent Bonded Ski Suit
Cynthia Rowley
cFlorals for spring are groundbreaking when it comes to skiwear. Cynthia Rowley’s Snow collection is all I want to wear for my last licks on the mountain later this month. This white suit with a fresh pink peony on the chest is lightweight for warmer temps, water-repellent for deeper snow, and, most importantly, a really chic style to wear on and off the slopes. — Taylor Ford, Social Media Director
Gap Denim Tie-Back Halter Maxi Dress
GAP
I’m freshly out of college and really honing in on building my capsule wardrobe. Gap is always my go-to for affordable, versatile, and good quality pieces. I’ve been on the hunt for a transitional dress that I can wear to the office, to events, and during weekend strolls with friends. I love this denim option. It has an open back, so I can easily wear it into summer or style it with a blazer on brisk spring evenings. Checking out now! — Essence Wiley, Beauty and Fashion Writer
Montserrat Messeguer Jornada Flats
Montserrat Messeguer
My mind is desert-pilled right now with my Southwest wedding coming up. This pair of Montserrat Messeguer flats really bring the Western vibe to a whole new level that’s more versatile than a cowboy boot. — Frances Solá-Santiago, Fashion Editor