
We don’t know about you, but we’re totally #TeamSummer. At least for now, anyway. While we’re down for investing in the upcoming fall trends, we hate the waiting game. Chillier temps may be on the horizon, but it’ll still be a while before chunky knits are an option. We want to stock up on things that we can wear right now. Enter 23 stylish and versatile jackets that you can add to your wardrobe rotation today — and beyond.
1. Embroidered Dinosaur Jacket ($113): RAWRRRR. Katy Perry would be so proud. When else in your life will you be able to sport a dino-tastic jacket, a button-front denim skirt + retro sunnies all in one look? Never.
2. New Fisherman Rain Coat ($89): If it’s cloudy, then you can bet that this yellow fisherman jacket will be coming out to play along with our wellies.
3. Packable Ripstop Windbreaker ($80): It’s inevitable: You will more than likely forget your umbrella on the one day that you have to walk a mile to your car in a torrential downpour. On those days, rest easy knowing that you have a compact windbreaker tucked away in your bag for safekeeping.
4. Oscar Quilted Bomber Jacket ($307): As if we were going to leave our cactus obsession behind with the unpredictable days of summer… This pink quilted-bomber number will definitely be making the transition with us into fall.
5. Pilcro Classic Denim Jacket ($70): Put an end to the old “no white after Labor Day” adage by adding this classic denim jacket to your wardrobe lineup STAT. Hint, hint: It pairs impeccably with cashmere and chambray.
6. The Downtown Field Jacket ($148): Oh yeah: Your favorite wear-with-anything field jacket is back and better than ever. Now available in deep burgundy, there is truly no limit to your cool-girl appeal.
7. Bodega Hooded Coat ($175): The answer to achieving an off-duty look? You’re looking at it. This army green drawstring jacket (from the coveted Cupcakes and Cashmere line) will be an instant hit when paired with easy-going shift dresses, cutoffs — you name it.
8. Vegan Leather Fringe Jacket ($138): Got fringe? This vegan leather jacket is speakin’ to us on so many levels. In fact, this entire ensemble is serving as major outfit inspo for when we get pulled on stage at our favorite rock concert and become instant groupies. Hey, a girl can dream.
9. Blaise Bib Jacket ($55): Rest assured that chilly mornings exist solely so that you can toss this effortless bib jacket over your #ootd for max perfection.
10. Striped Linen-Blend Blazer ($28): Hamptons, here we come. Just in time for Labor Day, you can bet our summer whites that we’ll be sporting this striped linen blazer with high-waisted shorts.
11. Floral Geo Lace Trench Coat ($279): This lace trench is far too pretty to be exposed to the elements. Pull a Burberry (for a fraction of the price) by pairing this feminine statement piece with a dainty dress or high-waisted skirt.
12. After Party Vintage Star-Crossed Denim Jacket ($118): Party on in the USA with this vintage denim jacket that would be the ultimate bikini cover-up during days spent frolicking at the beach.
13. Mixed-Print Blazer ($50): Bye, bye, frumpy black blazer. From the boardroom to happy hour, this blue mixed floral-print blazer is anything but business as usual.
14. Duster Jacket With Waterfall Front ($135): You say duster jacket, we say blanket cardigan. Whether the temps outside are frigid or you’re stuck in a too-cold office cubicle, don’t hesitate to cozy up to your effortlessly chic security blanket.
15. Poppy Garden-Print Bomber Jacket ($105): For casual-cool days when jeans and a white tee are your go-to uniform, allow this dizzyingly floral bomber jacket to spice things up a bit.
16. Striped Hooded Cape ($48): Keep the music festival vibes going on less-than-sunny days with this punchy, concert-ready cape.
17. Drapey Drawstring Utility Jacket ($40): OMG, fall cannot get here soon enough! Simply put: This is the utility jacket that will be on heavy rotation come October (maybe even September). Bring on the ankle booties, blanket scarves and autumnal hues, please.
18. Floral Garden Party Blazer ($65): A floral blazer with major #girlboss ‘tude? You betcha. March into your upcoming interview or boardroom meeting with as much panache and sass as you can muster.
19. Aztec Print Cape ($70): Can you say bohemian goddess for life? Soak up all the rays before you have to make the transition to cooler days. Swap out your gladiators for a sleek pair of boots — and your cutoffs for flares — and you’ll be right back on track to your free-spirited ways.
20. Just Female ‘Brazil’ Kimono ($148): In the name of minimalism, DO try on this streamlined kimono jacket in a to-die-for shade of cobalt blue. It’s drapey enough to be paired with a faded pair of boyfriend jeans or worn as a stylish topper for a night out — the sky’s the limit.
21. The Fifth Walking Home Mid Coat ($150): Repeat after us: Mundane Monday mornings do not exist when you have a floral topper this show-stopping.
22. Varsity-Striped Bomber Jacket ($23): No longer restricted to collegiates, a varsity-striped jacket is officially happening again. Now all that’s missing are high school football games + homecoming queens.
23. Summit Jacket ($98): All bets are on the table as to which stylish celeb will be sporting this Reformation denim jacket first. We’re betting T-Swift, since she obviously already has that “James Dean-daydream look” goin’ on.
Will you be investing in any of these transitional jackets? Let us know in the comments below!
Welcome to Selfmade Finance School, our new money series with Block Advisors to help small business owners with their tax, bookkeeping, and payroll needs year-round. This week, we explore the tax implications of bringing family members into your business.
The question for today is this: Does hiring your family members make sense for your business? Let me be clear. This is not a piece about whether hiring your family members makes sense for your relationships with those family members. As someone who is part of a family business, I could fill up a lot more than 600 words on my opinions about that. For today's purposes, we focus on whether it makes sense from an overall "good business and tax implication" perspective. As it turns out, there is a decent amount of tax nuance when it comes to employing your family. Let's break it down based on relationship to the employee:
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Spouses Who Are In Business Together
Personally, if I had to be in business with my husband, it would not go well. However, many couples build viable, strong businesses together and I say, good for them! Depending on how you have your business entity structured, it will make a big difference on the tax treatment of you and your spouse working as partners. Because a business jointly owned and operated by a married couple is generally treated as a partnership for Federal tax purposes, the spouses must comply with filing and record keeping requirements imposed on partnerships and their partners. The election to file two Schedule C (Form 1040) forms, (one for each spouse) permits certain married co-owners to avoid filing partnership returns, provided that each spouse separately reports a share of all the businesses' items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit. Under the election, both spouses will be subject to self-employment tax and on net earnings from self-employment and receive credit for Social Security earnings.
One Spouse Employs Another
If you have a dynamic where your spouse is an employee of your business, then your spouse's wages are subject to income tax withholding, Social Security and Medicare taxes. If you are self-employed (not a corporation or a partnership), your spouse's pay does not have to be included in your federal unemployment tax account (FUTA) contributions and payments. However, if your business is a corporation or a partnership you must include that spouse's pay in your unemployment tax contribution calculation.
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You Employ Your Child
First, let's be clear. I work in my family business, but I am an adult, so I am treated just like a normal employee. However, if you, for example, run a family restaurant and want to hire your children under 18 to work for you, there are some tax benefits. But first, you should check with your state for rules on how many hours minors can work (in non-agricultural jobs) and reference the Fair Labor Standards Act for information on limitations on the kinds of work children can perform.
"This is an often overlooked or under-utilized strategy. Paying your children for true services they provide in your business can be a powerful tax-saving tool," says Cathi Reed, Block Advisors Regional Director. "If you are a sole-proprietorship or single member LLC, and the child is less than 18 years of age, the business is not required to withhold FICA or payroll taxes. The child can use his or her standard deduction against income you pay."
You Hire Your Parent
Oh dear. If you are brave enough to do this, know that you will need to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on your parent's wages and make the appropriate withholdings, but you don't have to pay unemployment taxes. Now all you have to do is convince your parent that you are the boss. Have fun with that!
Is Hiring Family Members Worth It For The Tax Benefits?
"There are some positive tax advantages to hiring family members. It's important to treat a family member like any other employee. Hiring your children can result in substantial savings for businesses. Make sure your child has real, age-appropriate work to do and a reasonable pay rate, comparable to other employees. Consult with a Block Advisors small business certified tax pro to ensure that you are complying with all requirements," advises Reed. "Block Advisors, a team within H&R Block, is dedicated to meeting the tax, bookkeeping and payroll needs of small business owners year-round. To start working with the tax experts at Block Advisors, visit blockadvisors.com."
In my opinion, you should not hire a family member solely because of the tax benefits. You should always hire based on whether that person is right for the job and keep in mind how this hire could materially impact your relationship with that person and others in your family. Finally, as I mentioned, make sure you have a tax professional on your team when making these determinations. As you can see, things can get a little tricky!
*All details were sourced from IRS.gov and blockadvisors.com
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regards to your individual situation. Comments concerning the past performance are not intended to be forward looking and should not be viewed as an indication of future results. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. O'Keeffe Financial Partners and any other entity listed herein is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS Investor Disclosures: https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures