The Spring Closet Reset No One Talks About (Because It Involves Bras & Swimsuits)

Spring always feels like a fresh start.

The flowers bloom, color returns after months of grey, the sun lingers a little longer, and suddenly everyone is outside again—at the farmers market, walking the neighborhood, making summer plans. Mornings with coffee on the patio, fresh-cut peonies on the counter, that first evening you move dinner from the air fryer to the BBQ… everything feels a bit lighter.

Naturally, it makes you want to refresh your wardrobe too.

And yes—shopping for the perfect sundress sounds a lot more fun than anything I’m about to suggest.

But this year, before you start adding new pieces, I want to throw something out for you to try first:

Take a look at your foundation pieces.

The Most Overlooked Part of Your Wardrobe

I’m talking about the things we tend to ignore:

• Bras
• Underwear
• Sleepwear
• Swimsuits
• T-shirts and tanks

Not exactly the exciting part of getting dressed.

But they are the building blocks of everything you wear.

And when I recently went through mine… some of it had seen better days.

Stretched-out elastic that wasn’t doing its job.
Bras that didn’t fit.
White tees that were no longer white.
Sleepwear that was so pilled and worn, I was embarrassed to be seen by my dog.
And swimsuits—5, 10, even 15 years old—faded, stretched, and not doing me any favors.

It was very easy to let go.

Why We Avoid It

Because no one sees it, right?

As you head out the door, no one knows what your bra looks like. No one sees that your underwear has lost its shape. No one knows you’re wearing a stretched-out sports bra under a beautiful dress just to avoid dealing with proper undergarments.

I’ve done this—and by midday, I could feel the difference.

It’s not about shame. It’s about how it makes you feel.

And over time, those small compromises add up.

My Spring Reset

I cleared out all five categories—and was left with very little.

But that space felt good. It felt intentional. It felt like a reset.

From there, I started rebuilding slowly.

Underwear
Really, why do we hang onto nasty, stretched-out underwear? For sick days? I’ve already replaced mine and keep going back to Soma. I personally love the no-show Vanishing Edge Panties (PRESS HERE) – available in a wide variety of sizes and styles – all of which feature a unique gripper which prevents your panties from creeping up your behind. Great quality and reasonably priced – they often run great promotions.

Bras
Still a work in progress, as I find it difficult to find an everyday bra that is comfortable and works with my narrow shoulders. I do have a solid recommendation for a one-shoulder bra as well as a solid strapless bra —the Wacoal Red Carpet strapless convertible bra. It’s supportive, flattering, and works with all those tricky spring and summer tops. I have tried many, and this is the only one I still have in my drawer. I like easy/free returns with online bra shopping: Nordstrom (here) | AMAZON (here)

I wear a lot of one-shoulder styles and was thrilled when I discovered the True & Co One shoulder bra. I just did a search for it, and found it available at Nordstrom Rack for under $20 (HERE)! If you wear one-shoulder garments, I would scoop this up while it’s available, as it is so comfortable and works with all of my one-shoulder tops! I went with my regular size small in this bra.

UPDATE: Yesterday, I popped into Nordstrom and tried on 8 different, no-wire, yet supportive t-shirt bras, and the HoneyLove crossover bra (here) was best for me. I liked that I could scoop “all’ of the breast into the cup, including side boob. This gave me a smooth back AND side under a fitted tank top and good separation, support, and comfortable straps for my narrow shoulders. 

Second runner-up was the Natori Bliss Perfection Contour bralette (here) for its deep V-neck and slightly more push-up than the HoneyLove bra. BUT, for me, the straps were set just a bit further apart, making the Honeylove style the most comfortable. That said, I may pick up the Natori as well, as it really looks great with fitted garments, summer styles, and tank-style dresses and tops.

Sleepwear
I like having at least one or two sets that feel put together—especially for travel. Soma has been a good option for me from a price/quality/style standpoint, and they offer matching set/robe options, which is a bonus. (PRESS HERE to shop SOMA sleepwear)

Don’t Underestimate a Good T-Shirt

This category deserves more attention than it gets.

I wear a tank or a tee almost every day. It’s the starting point for most outfits.

And like everything else, it needs to fit well and feel good on your body.

A few favorites in my current rotation:

• $20 Quince ribbed tank (great quality for the price and BACK IN STOCK)
• AllSaints Rina ($52) tank and Stevie tee ($55)- my new fave! -(slightly fitted and very flattering, TTS for me)
• Michael Stars tanks – I own the Paloma tank in multiple colors (they last forever and are worth it). Prefer a V-neck? The Blanche tank is basically the Paloma in a V-neck style. And if you like the coverage of side ruching, the Halley is a great choice.
• AGOLDE Leigh and Poppy tanks (a splurge, but popular)
• $20 Uniqlo basic crew neck tee (affordable and consistently well-reviewed)

The goal isn’t more—it’s better.

The Swimsuit Situation

Let’s be honest—this is the hardest one.

I avoided it the longest. But after clearing out my drawer, I had to face it. I have a trip coming up, and a swimsuit is not optional.

So I gave myself a few hours, took a deep breath, and went shopping in person.

And I cannot recommend this enough—if you can try on swimsuits in person, do it. It will save you time, frustration, and returns.

The woman who helped me felt like a swimsuit therapist. She listened to everything—what I liked, what I didn’t, and how I wanted to feel: supported, elongated, confident.

And here’s the truth: there are brands designed for midlife bodies, and they are good. They support, shape, and flatter in ways that make a real difference.

I wasn’t looking for trendy. I just wanted to feel elegant and confident by the pool.

And I found it, the ‘Millie’ 2-piece by Robin Piccone.

We paired it with a simple, yet elegant linen cover-up (love this piece!), and I walked out feeling relieved—and even a little excited.

Sometimes, one good piece is all you need.

Here’s My Two Cents:

We can be incredibly hard on ourselves.

But this season, don’t let that voice stop you from showing up and enjoying your life.

Your body has lived, changed, and carried you through decades. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s feeling good in your own skin.

Scars, curves, age spots, and all.

Spring is here. The sun is out. Life is happening.

You deserve to be part of it—fully and confidently

Before rushing out to refresh your spring wardrobe, start with what’s underneath. As I cleared out my own worn and outdated foundation pieces—bras, underwear, sleepwear, tees, and swimsuits—I realized how much they were affecting how I felt every day. Rebuilding these essentials, even slowly, made getting dressed easier and more enjoyable. And when it came time to face the dreaded swimsuit shopping, a little courage (and the right help) made all the difference. This season, start with what supports you—and build from there.