Happy Friday! It’s raining here all day long, so it’s a good day to play paper dolls. What?!? Remember those? Did you ever play with paper dolls? Or the peel and stick boards? I loved both! And my assistant Holly and I have been playing with the modern version of paper dolls this week as we’ve prepared so many great spring style inspiration boards for you.
We’ve created 10 style boards with my spring 2023 capsule wardrobe, my spring base layer essentials and my spring accessories, but we’ve also created a few boards with more economical options. I know you’ll love this!
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I think a style board is such a good way to visualize outfits. For the most part we’re able to take the people out of them so you can really visualize how the pieces would work for you rather than how they look on someone else. The point of today’s little exercise is to inspire you to create multiple types of outfits from the items in your own closet.
You’ll see that even though I’ve limited my color palette even more than usual this spring, I’m able to create a variety of different looks so that I won’t “look the same” every time I get dressed. Let’s get a little spring style inspiration!
Casual Spring Style on the Go
This first look is a casual outfit for the woman on the go. It’s perfect for running errands or getting coffee with a friend.
I would probably give the t-shirt a gentle front tuck in the jeans. And I could wear the scarf around my neck, in my hair or tied to the handle of my tote. Fun!
Pretty in Pink and White
The vibrant pink is really trending for spring 2023. But if this color is not one of your signature colors, swap in yellow, orange or green here. You can create a column of white underneath an opened colorful shirt. Or you can button the shirt and just let the white tank peek through.
Don’t forget the pretty pink lipstick! I’m loving this one and getting lots of compliments on it.
“Don’t Be Blue” and Black
What Talbots calls Biscayne Blue is my third signature color for this spring. Neither of these blue garments are that exact shade, but it doesn’t matter! They’ll still look beautiful layered over black (or white or grey!).
That black and white scarf will tie this outfit together beautifully!
Let’s Have Fun!
Here’s another casual outfit…for my very casual lifestyle. But even on the most ordinary day we can look polished and pulled together with the addition of a few accessories.
I love layering the same color in a tank and shirt. Really makes the color pop! And no, they don’t have to be exactly the same to get the effect. Let’s check out more spring style inspiration.
Neutral But Not Boring
Let’s take a break from the bold colors and check out a classy combo of neutrals. You know I love my neutrals! And they can look oh so sharp and sophisticated.
There’s that scarf again! It’s going to be a heavy hitter in my spring wardrobe.
Bring on the Stripes!
Remember, stripes are really trending this spring. And I’m seeing them EVERYWHERE! Here’s a fun outfit with grey and black and white…and a big pop of pink!
With those pink mules I’ll still have a pop of color in this otherwise monochromatic outfit even after I remove the jacket.
The Ladies That Lunch
This is the kind of outfit I love to wear when I meet up with a friend for lunch. Casual but oh so sharp and pulled together. My camel blazer is no longer available, but you could wear any camel, grey or black blazer here. Or a different color if you swap out the shell.
You might could wear this look to work, too. Or swap in dressier trousers for the jeans.
Spring Vacation
I love wearing white jeans in the spring. And these sailor jeans are much more slimming than you might suspect. I’d wear the striped tee gently tucked in the front and then add the blue sweater over my shoulders.
And remember, those canvas totes are really trending this year. But talk about practical, too!
Office Smart for Spring
Nothing is as sharp for the office as black and white. Carry a pink shoulder bag and add a pink lip for a little femininity.
As I was plugging in those links I realized the black trousers actually have a flat waistband, so there’s no need for that belt.
Creamy and Casual
Natural colored jeans are really trending again this year, so we don’t want to leave them out of the style boards. You could certainly wear them with most any color or neutral, but I love how they work with white!
This monochromatic look is so chic, but really casual and comfortable, too. I know those mules (a birthday gift) are crazy expensive. But they are truly lovely and I’m so grateful for them. However, hang tight! “Kay’s Style for Less” boards are coming up!
Not Just Another Monday
It won’t feel like just another Monday when you show up at the office in this sharp trio. Or this is perfect for church, too.
Notice we’ve got gold and silver hardware in this outfit. Looking at it again, I’d probably add in this necklace duo to pull those metal colors together.
Kay’s Style for Less
My assistants and I are actually going to be providing you with lots of “Kay’s Style for Less” boards from here on out. I can’t promise one for every post – or even most posts – but I can assure you that we will do our best to provide enough of them that you can actually begin to get a feel for shopping my outfits on your own at lower price points…if you desire.
I know you’re going to enjoy this spin on our spring style inspiration, too.
Not Just Another Monday – Kay’s Style for Less
Let’s take another look at that style board just above. Holly has created the same outfit at a significantly lower price point.
Obviously the items don’t all feature the same silhouettes. So you need to take those things into consideration as you shop. But I love the work look Holly put together here.
Casual Spring Style on the Go – Kay’s Style for Less
Next Holly put together for us my Casual Spring Style on the Go board for less. You still get that great spring style, but for significantly less.
I haven’t added up the saving here yet, but I know it’s good. And these boards also help you cut corners when you need or want to, but splurge on others items of your choosing.
Let’s Have Fun! – Kay’s Style for Less
Holly also recreated this easy going outfit for less. And it looks amazingly similar. I especially love the striped button up she chose.
Bring on the Stripes! – Kay’s Style for Less
Let’s duplicate that casual outfit with the striped tee for less. Aren’t those grey jeans great?
Please note, while I am more than pleased to have my assistants round up these Kay’s Style for Less options, you’ll need to remember that in most cases they nor I have actually tried on these garments or accessories. So we can put these looks together and link you to the items in them, but we’re not necessarily recommending them.
That said, I sure do like the look of that black satchel, and I always love Columbia jackets.
Neutral But Not Boring – Kay’s Style for Less
We’ve also got a Kay’s Style for Less version of one of my favorite neutrals outfits. This Old Navy trench coat also comes in navy, by the way. And it’s a great coat for the price. Nothing will elevate your spring outfits like a classic trench.
I also feel really confident that those ivory mules will be a great buy. They’re Naturalizers. And they’re also available in brown and black.
Creamy and Casual – Kay’s Style for Less
And finally we have a more economical rendition of the creamy and casual look.
Let me tell you, what Holly did here took a lot of time and effort. It’s not easy hunting down all these substitutions. Our goal is to load a few more this afternoon. But I am so grateful I have these two assistants helping me to serve you well.
I hope you enjoyed this spring style inspiration. And have a lovely Friday!
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Blessed for My Day
We all burn out. We get hungry, angry at the frustrating things in life, lonely in our struggles and tired. Know what that spells? HALT. And that’s exactly what should happen next. We need to halt. When we catch ourselves behaving out of character – or at least out of the character of Christ – we need to halt and ask ourselves if we are hungry, angry, lonely and/or tired. If we are, we need to fix those things before proceeding. Otherwise we’re prone to do some damage to ourselves and others in our path.
What happens next when you begin to act out of character? Do you grab a Snickers bar? Ha! They actually had something there with that series of commercials. When we’re hungry we don’t act like ourselves. But we probably need something more substantial and healthy than a candy bar to settle that issue. But today let’s consider what we do indeed need to do when we finally HALT and evaluate our behavior. Even Jesus paused to rest and eat and regroup after stressful and strenuous times.
Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to serve Him. ~ Matthew 4:11
Kay, the lipstick you’re showing in this post – Persuasive- is not pink.
Sorry about that lipstick link. Evidently they sold out of that color at Nordstrom, but it’s at Macy’s. I have the shade Candy. https://rstyle.me/cz-n/hmrqhfchvkf
Can you give us the name of that lipstick color?. When you pull up the link there is only a reddish orange shown and you can’t access any other color. Weird! I love this concept of the style boards.And thank you for the dress for less ideas too! I’ve been really unhappy with other image influencers who are saying we should buy more expensive clothes but buy less. I understand their quality issues and their capsule wardrobe concepts but I find that price doesn’t always reflect quality, we can’t all afford top of the line clothes, nor do we all need to be wearing cashmere and silk as it doesn’t necessarily reflect our lifestyles. I also think it can be off putting to people who can’t afford those things. I don’t want to ever come off to someone who is not as well off as me as out of reach because of what I wear. I like to dress appropriately for the situation, sustainably if I can and casually for my lifestyle, I have another fun paper doll concept to help me see myself in clothes. I am a seamstress and love My Body Model which is a computer generated model of your body that you can literally turn into a paper doll to see what styles will look good on you. It’s cool and a lot of fun. Really good to see if a pattern will look good when you make it up. Thanks for the skirts that you posted the other day. I am having the worst time finding a navy skirt for church. I did finally order one from Talbots that was on your board. You’d think I’d just make one but am also having no luck finding quality material. I truly believe everything is harder now since the Pandemic and am so glad to have you to help us navigate the fashion world. I just turned 70 and still want to look modern and cute. Thanks again! Oh and happy birthday! The best is yet to be!
Sorry about that lipstick link. Evidently they sold out of that color at Nordstrom, but it’s at Macy’s. I have the shade Candy. https://rstyle.me/cz-n/hmrqhfchvkf
Nice 👗 👖 🧥 👟 👠 🧣 💎 👜 🕶️ boards. And yes! HALT is a great acronym. Thank you.
Thank you, Kay, to you and your team for your hard work in preparing this post! I use a combination of closet-shopped and pre-loved with a sprinkling of new to jazz up my wardrobe. When I buy something that is intended as a classic piece, I ask myself if it is so “me” that I would put it on right away and start wearing it (weather permitting). If I am reluctant to start wearing the piece, will I even wear it later?
Thanks, Kay, for these visual outfit boards for Spring. I’m a very visual person so I’m a sucker for all types of outfit boards! I’m looking forward to the next Spring boards. Also, the more economical options are so good to have, too.
Thank you for the “for less” board. It gives exposure to some stores like Belk that are not in our area. Some great sales also showed up, too. Great work! It was so much fun to see where they found everything. Goodness, Kay… you put out the equivalent of a magazine every week! I’ve been following for years and it just gets better and better!
I couldn’t let this week go by without thanking you and your two lovely assistants for the really wonderful job you did this week. Your posts were so helpful, so informative, so detailed and most of all so inspirational. I waited until this week’s posts completed before making my Spring shopping list. I’m planned to purchase several of the items you featured plus shopping my closet for more. I think I can easily pull off similar looks fine tuned for me. A big thank you!
Bravo, Bravo, Kay and your assistants! Today’s style boards were simply the best for this 69-year-old! They challenged me to go “shopping in my closet” to create outfits for an upcoming special reunion trip with family and friends. I can’t believe how viewing your capsule wardrobe and the capsule for less boards have inspired me to create new outfits from old favorites. Thank you, so much. And the BFMD was a message I needed to take to hear.
Kay, I really like the style boards and appreciate you sharing some that cost less. Of course, seeing you in outfits is always so nice.