Choosing Lighter & Brighter Colours for Spring, With Cotton Traders

Spring is finally here after being teased with some beautiful weather before we got all of that snow, sleet, rain, wind and grey days again in England not so long ago, but we’re having some lovely sunny weather again now and I am very happy about it!

I absolutely can’t wait for a few months of (hopefully) consistent nice weather over the spring and summer months so we can enjoy lots of time outside, lovely fresh, summery meals and happy times with family and friends.

The first day of warm weather and sunshine always has me completely panicking about taking off my leggings and getting my pale legs out, and finding clothes that still fit me and that aren’t the dark (black) clothes that I have hidden in all winter.

I usually end up grabbing down the box of summer clothes off the top of my wardrobe, pulling lots out and getting excited to see those I had forgotten I had and then panicking again about bringing my winter body out of hibernation!

As soon as the sun is out though, I just feel so wrong in really dark clothing and really want to wear lighter and brighter colours. I hadn’t realised how different the colours of the clothes I wear are in summer compared to winter until I properly thought about it, but my summer wardrobe is full of brighter colours and pastel shades, and my winter one is mostly black with a bit of grey and cream thrown in to shake things up a bit(!).

I love bright colours in the warmer months; they really make me feel happier and cheerier, whether the sun is shining or on those when we get our typical British grey days.

Cotton Traders have brought out loads of gorgeous brightly coloured, fun items of clothing for the spring and summer months and they’ve really inspired me to switch up my wardrobe and start to accessorise again (which I don’t appear to bother with over the winter!).

I really love this bright pink denim jacket and it’s a great way to bring some colour to your wardrobe, especially if you’re not used to it. I love a denim jacket in the summer; it’s so easy to chuck on over anything and make it look a bit more put together and a bit cooler and despite being bright pink (which I love) this one is still so easy to wear and I will be wearing it a lot.

Once I’ve got a tan in summer I do love to wear white, and this crochet jumper from Cotton Traders is brilliant for layering and goes with everything.

It would look great with the bright pink jacket and a pair of black skinny jeans (no, I don’t care if they’re not in fashion anymore! I love them still) or baggy blue jeans, or even some soft black jersey trousers which I love for summer and these would make them look more pulled together. With a couple of bracelets or bangles and some layered gold necklaces, it would look lovely.

I absolutely love a wrap type thing that you can just pull over your shoulders when it gets a bit chilly on summer evenings. They’re perfect for when you’re sitting in a beer garden or for a day outdoors as they’re lovely and cosy to wrap around you and look great with a summer dress. I’m going to be living in this colour-block wrap over the next few months. I love it at home too as it’s just like wearing a cosy blanket!

Even though I love brightly coloured clothes, they are something that I kind of have to encourage myself to wear, but I’m always really drawn to lighter, paler colours like this pale camel print blouse that would go with almost anything. This one is really easy to wear, flattering, and looks great either tucked into jeans or worn loose over the top of jeans or leggings (although I really am trying to stay away from my leggings as much as possible!).

I am often quite lazy when it comes to accessories, but I do find myself changing my earrings or necklaces up more often over the summer months, probably because I usually wear nicer clothes. I do also like to change the bag I’m using and sometimes like to switch up my black leather backpack with everything but the kitchen sink in it for a smaller, prettier one for an afternoon at the pub or a wander round town.

This straw shoulder bag from Cotton Traders goes with everything and would be perfect for taking on holiday with you. It’s a great size for a few essentials and is really pretty for the spring and summer months.

Cotton Traders have such a great range of clothes for men and women in their spring collection so have a look if you’re after some summery bits or need some inspiration for brighter and lighter clothes for the warmer weather!

Do you switch up your wardrobe when spring arrives? Do you find that you automatically wear more lighter and brighter colours over the warmer months or is it something you have to make an effort to do?

This is a paid partnership with Cotton Traders but all words and opinions are my own. See my full disclosure policy here.