Winter is behind us and we're ready to ditch the bulky sweaters, heavy boots and puffy coats for lighter, brighter and fresher styles.
Rather than mindlessly buying up a hoard of trendy items, Kathryn Snow of Style Me Ada—an expert personal stylist and shopper—walks us through building a capsule wardrobe that will keep you feeling confident and stylish all spring and summer.
The key to a capsule wardrobe? Keeping versatility top of mind.
"I find that many of my clients assume that in order to have a capsule wardrobe, you have to spend a lot of money; however, in my opinion, the beauty of a capsule wardrobe is found in its simplicity," Snow explained. "The most important thing when discerning key pieces for a capsule wardrobe is the versatility (not the price point) of each piece and the amount of heavy-lifting that a single item does for an entire look."
PAS-TELL US MORE!
If you're gravitating toward pinks lately, you wouldn't be alone. According to Snow, it's the color of the season.
"Soft pastels such as pink, powder blue and butter yellow are everywhere," Snow shared. "The red-orange combo, lilac, and navy continue to trend, too. My favorite thing to do with colors like these is to present them in unexpected ways. For example, a bright pink pair of tailored pants or baby blue pumps to wear to work, or a pink hat to wear instead of the usual straw or neutral colorway."
Wearing one item with a bold pattern, Snow said, is a simple way to make your entire look more intentional.
"This year, I'm seeing year-round ginghams and plaids, as well as lots of polka dots and stripes—all of which can be really fun roadmap pieces in a capsule wardrobe."
TOP TRENDS
From standout accessories to specific textures and fabrics, Snow shared her top must-have items to consider adding to your capsule wardrobe for the warmer months:
- Yacht Chic: "This is what I'm calling all the stripes, seashell earrings and necklaces, tailored shorts and boat shoes I've been seeing everywhere."
- Charm Necklaces: "They can skew young, but when done the right way, it's a fun way to express something personal via your jewelry. For more mature women, such as myself, I'm loving a few beautiful charms on a longer chain, layered with additional chains that are either very simple or have a little textural interest."
- Feminine Tailoring: "Choose pastel colors and floral unstructured blazers, along with materials like satin and silk, in addition to cinched blazers and corsets."
Snow also notes this season leans on romantic textures such as lace, ruffles and sheer elements, complemented by elegant footwear such as ballet flats and kitten heels (which is great news for those of us who've never recovered from wearing six-inch stilettos to the club in 2010).
SAVE OR SPLURGE?
When deciding what pieces are worth investing in, Snow suggests looking at accessories.
"I always prioritize timeless accessories, such as a great pair of shoes, a (quiet) luxury bag, jewelry or a belt," she said. "I personally also classify outerwear as an accessory, and this includes blazers. Depending on the color or fabric of an item, the price point may need to be elevated to ensure that fabrications, buttons, and seams look elegant."
So, savings? Basically everything else.
"You want to maximize the look, minimize the cost," Snow said. "I'm not in the business of spending clients' money just to spend it. Denim, basic tees, etc. can all now be found at a variety of price points. And fashion is cycling so fast these days, you don't need to spend a ton on pieces worn for just a season or two."
Ultimately, you should feel comfortable and confident in your chosen clothing.
"Remember, a capsule wardrobe isn't about having a super limited closet; it's about owning clothes that make getting dressed easy and still reflect your personal style."
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for West Michigan Woman.
This article originally appeared in the Apr/May '25 issue of West Michigan Woman.
Photos courtesy of Gabby Hulst Storytelling.
