The Transitional Basics I’m Wearing on Repeat for the Next Month—All for Under $100

My spring outfits have never looked better, thanks to Nordstrom.

fashion week attendee wears glasses, red striped shirt, and brown handbag
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

For my 2026 style resolution, I decided to add more whimsy to my wardrobe. That doesn't mean I'm giving up my basics to go full maximalist—I'm a true minimalist who loves her wardrobe staples. But now I'm on the hunt for transitional basics that will bring more interest to my spring outfits. I'm on a budget, too, so naturally I'm shopping the under-$100 finds at Nordstrom.

The elevated basics on my wishlist make for easy swaps in my own minimalist wardrobe. Instead of simple T-shirts, I'm eyeing tops that feature elevated necklines and spring's trending colors. To replace my baggy jeans, I'm switching it up with trendy denim and pants that still feel timeless, yet are missing in my collection. And I'll be opting for lightweight sweaters instead of the cashmere knits I've been wearing all winter long.

Ahead, I've curated a list of the winter-to-spring basics I plan on living in, not just during tricky transitional weather, but well into the next season, too. From polo knits to straight-leg denim, the picks below are bound to amp up your spring wardrobe.

Brooke Knappenberger
Associate Commerce Editor

Brooke Knappenberger is the Associate Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she specializes in crafting shopping stories—from sales content to buying guides that span every vertical on the site. She also oversees holiday coverage with an emphasis on gifting guides as well as Power Pick, our monthly column on the items that power the lives of MC’s editors. She also tackled shopping content as Marie Claire's Editorial Fellow prior to her role as Associate Commerce Editor.

She has over three years of experience writing on fashion, beauty, and entertainment and her work has appeared on Looper, NickiSwift, The Sun US, and Vox Magazine of Columbia, Missouri. Brooke obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism with an emphasis on Magazine Editing and has a minor in Textile and Apparel Management.