
Whether you’re a fan of funky technicolor prints or consider yourself more of a minimalist muse when it comes to fashion, the capsule wardrobe is the one thing your closet has been missing. Curating your closet definitely has its benefits: Impulse buys and the dreaded “I have nothing to wear” declaration become a thing of the past (big news for your sanity and your wallet). If you’re gearing up to get your spring capsule wardrobe into full swing — or are simply looking for a few on-point pieces to segue your style into the new season — consider this list your definitive guide. Beyond closet basics (tees, jeans and a killer day dress), you’ll find some of spring’s trendiest shoes, bags and accessories too. Scroll on for 21 pieces that would make a killer contribution to your pared-down wardrobe.
1. & Other Stories Belted Trench Coat ($195): An elegant trench is the answer to spring showers and blustery winds alike. Modern tailoring lends itself to a fluid and effortless silhouette, which partners perfectly with all-occasion denim and a silky blouse for your new favorite off-duty ensemble.
2. ASOS Topic Slip On Mule Sandals ($51): Forget ballerina flats — mixed-media mules are the shoes you need in your arsenal this season. The neutral hue and on-trend style can hang with everything in your closet (a capsule wardrobe must) and will instantly give basic pieces major of-the-moment edge. Oh, and they show off your toesies too, which makes for a great excuse to get a pedi.
3. H&M Viscose Dress ($25): Your favorite throw-on-and-go dress gets a graphic makeover for spring with a chic mosaic print. Dress it up for brunch with your BFFs, or toss it on with a belt and relaxed-fit denim for an afternoon of thrift shopping and cafe hopping.
4. Mango Flap Cross-Body Bag ($40): If you thought capsule meant lack of color, think again. Accessories are what will help give those 37 pieces in your slimmed-down wardrobe a punch of personality, and this sunny yellow saddlebag is ready to rise to the challenge.
5. Banana Republic Medium Wash Crop Flare ($98): No capsule wardrobe is complete without a good pair of jeans. Whether you wear them with a ribbed high-neck tunic or a simple striped tee, this shortened-up set pulls everything together.
6. Express Brow Bar Aviator Sunglasses ($30): Consider these street style-approved shades a critical component of any outdoor concert series or leisurely picnic in the park. Throw a white leather jacket and colorful silk scarf into the mix for endless It-girl appeal.
7. Madewell Whisper Cotton Crewneck Tee ($32): This super soft tee is the building block on which endless on-point #OOTDs are built. Tuck it into a swishy skirt, then tack on mules and drop earrings for an easygoing outfit that makes the transition from desk to dinner an exercise in effortless. The only thing that’s missing? A flirty cat eye and a swipe of berry lipstick.
8. Jeffrey Campbell Berwyn Booties ($200): You’ve been living in ankle boots all season long, but with warm weather on the horizon, lightened-up stompers are definitely in order. Cool cutouts and an open toe give the wear-with-anything silhouette you love seasonal appeal. Elevate joggers and flirty floral dresses in seconds by simply slipping these bad boys on.
9. Babaton Jude Skirt ($110): Why let dresses steal the spotlight? A trusty pleated midi works overtime to deliver both boardroom-appropriate ensembles that bring it and date-night getups that straight-up slay. Switch up your look from day to night with a quick shoe change and statement baubles.
10. Norma Kamali Sleeveless Tie Front Jumpsuit ($150): And because you’re over that LBD routine, better add this OMG-worthy jumpsuit into the mix too. Step into this stunner with a pair of rose gold criss-cross mules and watch as the double taps roll in. #nailedit
11. Reformation Camille Top ($98): Layered up or worn on its own, this slip-style cami will quickly become the piece you reach for again and again. Paired with a blazer, wide leg trousers and a funky flower crown, it has major wedding guest potential and breaks away from the party dress routine.
12. Zara Belted Blazer Robe ($149): This easygoing blazer was made with lazy girls in mind. Layering is a no-brainer (we love it with those cropped jeans and silky cami, just sayin’), but if you’re feeling daring, rock it solo with layered necklaces for va-va-voom effect.
13. Forever21 Suede Lace-Up Flats ($25): When sneakers are too casual but pumps feel a bit over the top, a pair of next-level ghillies will always do you right. Case in point: these sweet suede steppers that could easily be jazzed up with a metallic skirt or leather-look culottes.
14. Dynamite Wide Brim Straw Hat ($23): Say sayonara to your stockpile of beanies and wooly wide-brim toppers. Enter, the perfect finishing touch to all your new season ensembles: the straw fedora. Whether you’re chillin’ on the beach or just wishing you were, you’ll look for any excuse to bust this one out.
15. Nasty Gal In Bare Form Off-the-Shoulder Lace Top ($48): Shoulder-baring tops are the must-have item this season, and this lacy number is everything. Pop it on top of a frilly blouse and boyfriend jeans right now, then switch it up once the temps start to rise with cutoff shorts or a flirty A-line skirt.
16. Bauble Bar Sunbelt Drops ($34): Hit refresh on a fatigued tee and jeans routine with boho baubles in a brilliant shade of blue. For maximum impact, give bold blue eyeliner and a glitzy mani a try.
17. Silence + Noise Eggshell Vegan Moto Jacket ($149): Style laws might be old fasioned, but there’s still one that rings true — new season, new moto jacket. Toughen up feminine separates in seconds by draping this dreamy number on top.
18. Loft Faraway Floral Drawstring Pants ($70): An exotic floral flourish sends these flowy trousers into anytime-appropriate territory. Denim jackets and ribbed t-shirts feel right on cue for window shopping on the weekend, while classic button-downs and strappy heels are just what the office calls for.
19. Everlane Leather Street Shoe ($135): Pieces that can pull a little double duty are key for a capsule wardrobe, and that applies to your shoes too. Once the work week rolls around, these sleek leather slip-ons offer a crazy comfy (and totally polished) alternative to your standard pair of loafers.
20. Topshop Moto Stripe A-Line Skirt ($55): Stand out (in a good way) this season with a denim skirt that breaks the button-front mold. For a totally unexpected look that packs straight-from-the-runway appeal, layer it over a shirt dress or knee-grazing tunic. Bold bangles and block heeled mules are highly recommended.
21. Kendra Scott Tristan Hinge Station Choker ($120): Despite its minimalist aesthetic, this understated choker will do big things for your on- and off-duty style. Team it with delicate chains or a one-of-a-kind pendant to step up your #details game as the week progresses.
For more style inspo, check out our Pinterest!
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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