Brooke Lamantia’s spring capsule leans on baggy jeans, loafers, and a scrunchie

The easiest spring reset is not more clothes

Brooke LaMantia’s spring edit gets the capsule formula exactly right: baggy jeans, loafers, and one scrunchie with enough attitude to wake up the whole closet. It is the kind of low-stress wardrobe reset that makes old pieces feel styled instead of recycled.

That approach fits the way The Cut has been covering spring dressing across the board. Its broader spring style edit brings together 11 editors recommending 65 products to wear year-round, which says a lot about the mood right now: this is not about one perfect uniform, but about personal pieces that actually survive repeat wear. LaMantia’s list sits inside that logic, where the best clothes are the ones that slide into an existing wardrobe without a fight.

Why baggy jeans are still the backbone

If one item is doing the real work here, it is the baggy jean. The Cut’s shopping writer has called baggy jeans a “personal classic” and tied them to the Rihanna school of style, which is exactly why they keep showing up in smart spring edits. They are relaxed without looking lazy, and they give every top in your closet a little more shape and movement.

That matters in capsule dressing, because baggy denim solves the biggest spring problem: how to look current without buying into a whole new silhouette every month. A slightly loose leg makes a plain T-shirt feel intentional, gives a button-down more air, and keeps a knit from reading too precious. Who What Wear’s spring capsule coverage, along with its denim reporting, shows the same thing from a different angle: baggy denim is still a live spring shape, not some fringe-only fashion flex.

The trick is proportion. Baggy jeans work best when the rest of the outfit stays clean and focused. Think a sharp tank, a crisp poplin shirt, or a lean cardigan with enough structure to keep the volume from swallowing you whole. The denim is the anchor; everything else can stay simple.

Loafers are the quiet upgrade

Loafers are the part of the formula that makes the whole outfit look finished. The Cut has already framed them as “timeless” and functional, and in the editors’ loafer roundup, the range includes G.H. Bass, Gucci, and Sebago. That spread tells you what makes loafers such a strong capsule piece: they can feel preppy, polished, or slightly subversive depending on the pair.

A white loafer is especially good at doing the most with the least. In The Cut’s styling language, it hits the big three style words: timeless, functional, and edgy. That is the kind of shoe that can pull baggy jeans out of generic territory fast, because it gives the outfit a point of view without demanding a lot of styling gymnastics.

Loafers also solve the seasonal in-between problem better than most shoes. They work with bare ankles, they work with socks, they work with denim, and they can handle a dressier trouser if you want to keep the capsule from feeling too casual. If the jean is the casual base, the loafer is what keeps the look from collapsing into weekend uniform territory.

The scrunchie is the surprise move

A standout scrunchie might sound small, but that is exactly why it works. In a capsule, the little details matter more, because you are not relying on volume or novelty to create interest. One scrunchie, especially if it has texture or a punchy color, gives the whole outfit a pulse.

This is the kind of accessory that makes a low-effort outfit look styled on purpose. Pulling hair back with a scrunchie changes the silhouette at once, leaving the neck open and the face visible, which makes baggy jeans and loafers feel more edited. It is also the easiest way to add a little softness or playfulness when the rest of the outfit is grounded in sturdy staples.

The smart part is that the scrunchie does not compete with the jeans or shoes. It just adds that final bit of finish, the same way a great belt or one heavy cuff can transform a basic uniform. In a capsule built on repeat wear, that kind of small pivot matters more than another “statement” piece that only works once.

What capsule wardrobe really means here

The capsule wardrobe idea is older than the current wave of spring shopping edits. It is widely traced back to the 1970s and to Susie Faux, the London boutique owner often credited with coining the term for a small set of essential pieces that could be refreshed seasonally. That original logic still makes sense now, especially when the market is crowded with clothing that looks new but wears out fast, both visually and practically.

Brooke LaMantia’s edit follows that blueprint without feeling dusty or overly precious. Baggy jeans keep the base modern. Loafers make the outfit feel intentional. The scrunchie gives it personality. Together, they turn a spring capsule into something you actually want to live in, not just admire on a rack.

How to make the formula work in real life

Start with the jeans you will reach for without overthinking, then pick loafers that can move from errands to dinner without a costume change. After that, add one accessory with enough personality to break up the repeat, which in this case is the scrunchie. From there, everything else in the closet becomes easier to read.

• Pair baggy jeans with a fitted tee and loafers for the simplest version of the look.

• Swap the tee for a crisp button-down when you want the outfit to look sharper without getting fussy.

• Add the scrunchie when the clothes are clean and minimal, because that is when the extra texture matters most.

That is the real spring capsule upgrade: not a closet full of newness, but a few pieces with enough shape and clarity to make everything else feel current again.