Seasonal Style Edit: Curate and Upgrade Your Wardrobe

Dear Teachers,

There’s something about this time of year that feels like a fresh canvas for fashion. It’s the perfect moment to review your wardrobe, upgrade key pieces, and curate outfits that carry you seamlessly through the months ahead. This seasonal style edit is about intentional choices, mixing timeless foundations with pieces that add personality, edge, and versatility.

Having trained as a fashion stylist across TV, film, food, and personal styling—during a time when I craved a creative outlet beyond teaching—I developed a deep love for the art of styling. Over time, I realised that style isn’t just about clothes—it’s connected to how we speak, how we present ideas at work, and even how we style our classrooms. Style is a language in itself, shaping perception and confidence in every environment.

Unlike many who rotate through four separate seasonal wardrobes, I prefer to combine my summer and winter capsules. These two foundations carry me through spring and autumn with ease. By building from strong seasonal anchors, I find it easier to stay consistent with my style while still leaving room for subtle shifts.

Inspiration Beyond Trends

Rather than chasing fleeting trends, I draw inspiration from the fashion capitals and beyond—European classics, New York’s effortless edge, and the refined minimalism of Dutch and Nordic styles. I pay attention to what feels timeless beneath the noise of a season, choosing classic cuts and silhouettes that cycle back again and again.

The same approach applies to winter. While the sun is still warm, I’ll often purchase pieces for my upcoming winter capsule.

Quality with the Grace of “Now”

Over the years, I’ve shifted toward quality over quantity, building a wardrobe of lasting, well-made pieces. On a trip to Paris, my eyes truly opened up to the value of timeless investment items. I purchased a classic beige bag from a Parisian store, and to this day, it remains one of my most treasured pieces. Its craftsmanship, simplicity, and elegance have outlasted countless trends, proving that quality not only lasts but also carries a story with it—a reminder of a place, a moment, and a choice made with intention.

Ideally, everything would be a long-term investment, but as I’m working towards this goal, I allow myself grace with items that are “for now.” Sometimes a cut, tailoring, or colour is perfect for the season, even if it won’t last beyond it and is considered fast fashion. These pieces serve a purpose, filling a gap or adding a temporary spark, while the foundations remain timeless.

Tailoring and cut matter most to me. A blazer that sits below the hips, loose yet structured, always feels right—whereas a stiff, corporate shirt-style blazer never does. I gravitate toward long V-necklines on cashmere sweaters or T-shirts with a slightly thicker and higher neck. Crew necks? Not for me.

In footwear, I’ll always choose a loafer over a ballet flat, and when it comes to denim, high-waisted straight cuts win over skinnies every time. Pockets should sit just right—never too low, never too wide. These details may seem small, but they define how a piece feels and carries itself.

Buying Ahead with Intention

One of my favorite habits is purchasing ahead of the season. I often use the other side of the world to support me—European summer for example. Observing what unfolds overseas allows me to see what is likely just a passing trend and what has a deeper, lasting style underneath. I tend to begin my summer purchases in the months of August and September. This intentional approach removes the pressure of last-minute buying and the fear of “missing out.” Instead of looking left and right for what’s trending now, I step into each season knowing I’ve chosen pieces thoughtfully. In fact, I’ve never regretted buying early—classics don’t lose relevance.

A Classic Look with Edge

Choose your edge. Florals don’t suit my personality, so I introduce edge through understated statements: a bright red nail polish, a scarf tied boldly around a bag, or a striking ring that adds just enough elegance and personality. It’s this balance—classic foundations with subtle edge—that keeps my style aligned with who I am.

The Role of Colour

When I studied styling across fashion, TV, film, and food, I learned about skin tone palettes. Interestingly, the colours and shades I love most—grey, white, black, navy, and port wine—aren’t technically from my palette. Still, I use them as a base, then weave in brighter accents like royal blue and red to bring energy and life to the foundation.

Life-Coaching Question

Fashion is more than seasonal trends; it’s a way of curating a life in alignment.

So here’s a question for you: What one-three outfits will form the foundation of your next season? Maybe for you it’s work style, chill style, and fancy style—or perhaps it’s street style, casual style, and active style. The categories don’t matter as much as the intention. Pick one-three capsule outfits to curate, whether you’re heading into warmer months or bunkering down for the cozy ones.

Remember, a wardrobe that you love isn’t one overflowing with endless pieces for the sake of quantity, but one carefully built with items you’ll truly cherish—whether for a lifetime or for a season. Each piece holds meaning, whether through the quality of the fabric, the elegance of the cut, or the memory it carries. These are the clothes and accessories that bring a feeling of worthiness each time you wear them, forming a collection that feels like an extension of your identity rather than just a rotation of trends.

What’s great is that many brands and designers keep their classics available well beyond a single season. And for those that aren’t, there’s always the opportunity to find something similar that suits your own style and feels just as right.

Below, I’ve shared some key winter and summer capsule pieces I’ve collected, along with a few glimpses of my travels through fashion—but now it’s your turn.

Own your direction.

Sincerely,

Hannah

Curated Winter Upgrade: Three Key Categories

1. Street Style

• Black blazer (COS)

• White T-shirt (Cotton On)

• Blue denim jeans (Levi’s)

• Burgundy loafers (Tony Bianco)

• Black tote bag. (Marc Jacobs) I don’t think they sell this bag anymore but I purchased it from David Jones.

2. Casual Style

• Latte knit with matching scarf (ELK)

• White linen pants. I couldn’t find the style I purchased but these seem close. Otherwise there are plenty of other white linen styles out there (Cotton On)

• White T-shirt (Cotton On)

• Camel UGGs (no back) (UGG)

3. Active Wear

• Navy leggings (The Upside)

• Navy sports bra (Lululemon)

• White tank (Cotton On)

• Camel zip jumper (Lululemon)

Curated Summer Upgrade: Three Key Categories

1. Street Style

• Red linen pants (ASOS)

• Grey tank (Cotton On)

• Black slides (Sol Sana)

• Necklace (Noah The Label)

• Brown Bag (Kmart)

2. Slightly Elevated / Dressy Style

• Red maxi strapless cotton dress for day and night. Breathable and timeless (still on the lookout for the prefect one)

• Black slides. These do take a while to soften (Sol Sana)

3. Casual Style

• White sport cotton shorts. I couldn’t find the exact ones, but these are pretty close (Cotton On)

• Tailored grey T-shirt (Cotton On)

• White boat shoes (Midas)

• Black classic bathers (Aqua Swimwear)

Bonus Category: Creative / Ethical Style
I’ve been exploring a creative outfit curated around ethically sourced fabrics and textures—a reminder that style can reflect a feeling we would like to cultivate. For this, I’ve chosen navy flares and a slate singlet from Indigo Luna, combining thoughtful materials with a modern, versatile silhouette.

Own Your Direction On Demand Travel & Lifestyle Series

If you resonated with the above blog post, you may be interested in learning more about the on-demand lifestyle series. Its self paced and asks life design questions to provide space where you can travel through teaching and life your own direction. It covers themes such as values, style, visioning, abundance and more.