Can you feel it? A warmth to the air, brighter days, and smiles on people’s faces. Spring is almost upon us: toes that haven’t seen the light of day for months need a polish, seeds need to be sown, and there’s an urge to spring clean (windows look particularly filthy when sunlight pours through them).
Emerging from winter is the perfect time for a reboot. So from signing up for a marathon to splashing out on a new perfume, revamping your bedding to vowing to do more hiking, here’s our guide to celebrating the arrival of spring.
Everything you need to embrace spring
Fair-weather running shoes
Inov8 Parkclaw G 280 trail running shoes
£160 at Inov8
£79.99 at Sports Shoes
Duro LT men’s running vest
£65 at Osprey
£58.49 at Sports Shoes
Whether you’re simply a summer-months runner or you’ve signed up for a 10k or more, you’ll need some good shoes. If your pair has seen better days, try Inov8’s Parclaw G 280s, which were rated the best running shoe for all-rounders in our guide to the best running shoes. Osprey’s running vest is great for distance runners who need to store water and energy gels.
Heaven scent
Jo Malone Beach Blossom cologne
From £86 for 50ml at Jo Malone
From £86 for 50ml at John Lewis
Some like to stick to the same perfume, but for others, the arrival of spring means it’s time to switch to a fresh new scent. Welcome the warmer weather with Jo Malone’s new Beach Blossom cologne, which has notes of coconut, lime, mint and tonka bean.
Beat the streaks
Kärcher WV 2 window vac
£45 at Wickes
£48.99 at Amazon
Rid your windows of streaks before the spring sunshine exposes them. Kärcher’s WV 2 window vac was rated the best overall by our expert and is sure to leave your windows sparkling.
Hit the trail
Merrell Moab 3 Mid GTX
£150 at Go Outdoors
£150 at Merrell
Keen Terradora II waterproof boots
£39.99 at Sports Shoes
£62.50 at Keen
Because it’s cooler than summer, there’s no better time than spring to get hiking. These Merrell boots were rated the best budget buy in our guide to the best men’s hiking boots. And the Terradora IIs from Keen were named the best for summer hikes in our review of women’s hiking boots.
Spring showers
Seasalt Janelle waterproof raincoat
£170 at Seasalt
£170 at Next
The weather may be milder, but there’s no avoiding spring showers. Make sure you’re prepared for all the unpredictable weather the season has in store with a trusty raincoat. Readers loved this offering from Seasalt that featured in our test of the best women’s waterproof jackets.
Don’t retire your jumpers yet
Uniqlo lamb’s wool crew neck jumper
£34.90 at Uniqlo
With unpredictable weather in mind, don’t retire your jumpers to the attic just yet. This lamb’s wool crew neck from Uniqlo will keep you warm on colder days but isn’t so bulky that it will ruin your spring outfit. Peter Bevan highlighted it as the best high-street lamb’s wool option in his roundup of men’s jumpers.
Get pickling
Lakeland fermentation jar
£9.99 at Lakeland
£12.99 at Amazon
Get stuck into a new hobby with a healthy end product – fermenting. Enjoy kimchi and pickles without the price tag by making them yourself at home. To help you get started check out our guide to all the gear you do – and don’t – need.
Skin saviour
The Inkey List glycolic acid exfoliating body stick
£15 at Look Fantastic
£15 at Boots
If your limbs aren’t ready to see the light of day, try the Inkey List’s exfoliating body stick. Formulated with skincare heroes glycolic and salicylic acid to help tackle ingrown hairs, KP (keratosis pilaris), body breakouts and rough skin, this deodorant-style stick will help your body feel smooth and spring-ready. For more ways to regain your glow, check out our best buys to restore hair, skin and nails.
Bedroom revamp
Piglet in Bed dusk blue linen duvet cover
From £199 for a double at Piglet in Bed
Piglet in Bed pillowcase
From £55 a pair at Piglet in Bed
La Redoute Linot washed linen fitted sheet
From £74.99 for a double at La Redoute
Toast organic cotton pyjama stripe duvet cover
From £109 for a double at Toast
Toast fitted sheet
From £70 for a double at Toast
Toast Oxford pillowcase
£23 each at Toast
Refresh your bedroom with new bedding suitable for the warmer months. Linen is hailed for its breathable qualities: this La Redoute fitted sheet and Piglet in Bed linen bedding set were highlighted in our roundup of the best bedding brands picked by interior designers. Or if you’re a cotton purist, this set from Toast was chosen for its soft stripe pattern that’s more forgiving of stains than pure white bedding. For a full rundown of what to look for when buying bedding, check out our guide.
Get back on your bike
Muc-Off pressure washer starter kit
£120 at Muc-Off
£130 at Amazon
If you ditched your bike during winter, we can’t say we blame you, but that may mean it’s in need of a clean before you hop back on. This pressure washer from Muc-Off is the perfect tool for getting your bike looking as good as new.
Decathlon double pannier rack backpack
£69.99 at Decathlon
Make the cycle to work that bit easier with a reliable bike bag that suits your needs. This two-in-one pannier bag and rucksack is perfect for transitioning from bike to office.
after newsletter promotion
Understated sunnies
Le Specs Broski sunglasses
£70 at Coggles
£69 at End
Buying a new pair of sunglasses may feel optimistic, but you don’t want to be caught out by an early spring sunny spell. Invest in a better quality pair for longevity and go for a classic style that goes with everything, like this Jess Cartner-Morley-approved pair from Le Specs.
Sow now, reap later
The Ultimate Sweet Pea Collection
£19.95 at Sarah Raven
Mini milk bottle glass vase
£2.80 at Etsy
Sow some sweet pea seeds now, and reap the benefits come summer. Then put them in a mini vase (eBay, Oxfam and Vinted are also great hunting grounds for vintage vases).
Alys Fowler’s favourite watering can
Warley Fall watering can
From £115 at Haws
£115 at Farrar & Tanner
Make gardening a pleasure with a beautiful watering can, as chosen by Alys Fowler in our round-up of gardeners’ best tools. “Even when it’s full to the brim it won’t spill when you walk with it,” Fowler wrote. “And the long spout means it is easy to reach pots at the back of a cluster. It’s not cheap, she said, but it should last a lifetime and more.
Sip and stroll
Yeti Rambler 8oz (236ml) stackable cup
£20 at Yeti
£20 at John Lewis
There’s no greater pairing than a coffee and a walk. Invest in a reusable cup when grabbing a drink from your favourite cafe, or save money by using it to have a homemade coffee to go. This design comes in lots of fun colours for an extra dopamine hit.
Lighten up
Uniqlo trenchcoat
£39.90 at Uniqlo
Put away the puffer jackets and opt for something more lightweight and appropriate for the transition to spring. This trenchcoat from Uniqlo is perfect for those annoying in-between days when it’s too hot for a big coat but too cold for a denim jacket.
Cheery washcloths
Who Gives a Crap Dream cloths
£8 for three at Who Gives a Crap
Make spring cleaning more fun with these cheery washcloths. And if the pattern alone isn’t enough to put a smile on your face, they’re plastic free (70% cellulose and 30% repurposed cotton) and reusable, making them the perfect planet-friendly choice.
Fresh nails
Nails Inc Plant Power vegan polish
£8 at John Lewis
£9 at Superdrug
Treat yourself to a fresh spring-inspired nail colour for the new season. The Plant Power range from Nails Inc is vegan and 73% plant based with a 100% FSC ash wooden cap to reduce plastic.
Pristine patios
Nilfisk 140 Bar high-pressure washer
£190 at Argos
£187.91 at Amazon
Spring cleaning isn’t just for indoors – get your patio looking spick and span with a pressure washer. You can adjust the pressure of this Nilfisk model, making it suitable for cleaning everything from cars, BBQs and driveways.
Peach perfect
Cheesecloth blouse
£75 at Me+Em
A blouse that works with or without a jumper will be your best friend throughout the wavering temperatures of early spring. Jess Cartner-Morley featured this cheesecloth blouse in her March style edit and says is great for layering, thanks to its elevated neckline.
Put some pep in your step
Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66
Pack away heavy winter boots and get out your trainers. If you need a new pair, our comprehensive guide to finding the right trainers is a great place to start. Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66s are a great shout for spring – they’re lightweight, super comfy and cooler than Adidas Sambas.
Statement socks
Happy Socks Violet ankle sock
£7 at Happy Socks
Socks have become a fully fledged accessory, but make sure you ditch no-show socks and opt instead for the crew style. This adorable pair are the perfect accompaniment to a spring outfit.
It changes like the weather
Being prepared for all weather eventualities can feel impossible. Always check the Met Office app before you leave home to know whether you should pack your raincoat or swap out your ballet flats.
