What Is In A Capsule Wardrobe
The Capsule Wardrobe
What is in a capsule wardrobe? In today’s post, I’m sharing the 13 clothing staples every woman needs to own. Think of this as your ultimate closet guide to must-have clothing basics to build a capsule wardrobe.
The end goal of a capsule wardrobe is to always feel like you have something great to wear no matter the occasion or the weather, and that every item hanging in your closet is something that you love and feel great in.
Related: “Build A Capsule Wardrobe Live Workshop“
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Jump To:
What Is In A Capsule Wardrobe?
Clothing Staples Are Investment Pieces
CLOSET ESSENTIALS: Jackets & Coats
FINAL CLOTHING STAPLE FOR A CAPSULE WARDROBE
What Is In A Capsule Wardrobe For Every Season?
HOW TO BUILD A SPRING CAPSULE WARDROBE | 16 Clothing Basics For Women Video
10 Fall Wardrobe Essentials That NEVER Go Out Of Style | Video
Capsule Wardrobe FAQs & Expert Tips
FREE CAPSULE WARDROBE CHECKLIST
THE BEST BRANDS FOR CLOTHING STAPLES FREE GUIDE
What Is In A Capsule Wardrobe?
Wikipedia states, “The term capsule wardrobe was revived by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique in the 1970s. According to Faux, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that do not go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, and coats, which can then be augmented with seasonal pieces.”
The idea behind a capsule wardrobe is to have clothing staples that can be worn in so many different ways. You want to be able to wear all of your wardrobe basics dressed up or dressed down. That’s what makes them closet essentials, they are super versatile and can be styled in multiple ways.
While most of the clothing staples I recommend for a capsule wardrobe in this post are featured in black, your essentials can be in any neutral color. Neutral colors include black, taupe, gray, camel, navy, beige, blush, and ivory. Having most of your clothes in neutral colors will make them interchangeable and easy to mix and match.
Clothing Staples Are Investment Pieces
Clothing staples are versatile pieces that you can wear in different ways and in different situations. They are classic items in your wardrobe that never go out of style. Your clothing staples should be where most of your wardrobe budget goes.
The thing about a capsule wardrobe that I really want you to understand is that these are investment pieces. These are the wardrobe items that you want to spend a little more on for quality so that you’ll have them for years. THE EVERYGIRL writes, “(A capsule wardrobe) means your closet has less trendy pieces that will only be worn for one season and more high-quality ones that stand the test of time and can be worn for years to come.” When you are building a capsule wardrobe, I recommend looking for clothing basics in luxe fabrics that are high quality, solid colors, and classic.
According to Sustainably Chic, “A capsule wardrobe is a limited selection of interchangeable clothing pieces that complement each other. These are often classic pieces that do not go out of style and are primarily composed of neutral colors. A capsule wardrobe allows you to create a variety of different outfits with a small selection of clothes.”
related: “10 Reasons Why You Have Nothing To Wear & How To Fix It“
The Key To A Capsule Wardrobe
The key to a capsule wardrobe isn’t based on the amount of clothing you have, it’s based on the quality and versatility of your clothing. “You’ll have less clothing than you did before, but you’ll feel like you have much more,” writes THE EVERYGIRL. Three things I want to emphasize about your clothing staples are that you want to make sure they are in good condition, they fit you well and you enjoy wearing them. If those 3 things don’t qualify each of your clothing basics, then you need to get new basics.
A capsule wardrobe saves you time and money and helps you avoid fast fashion, which is harmful to the environment and your wallet. There are 13 clothing staples that I recommend every woman’s wardrobe should have to get dressed easily every day. This post shares those 13 wardrobe essentials and my picks for each category.
Let’s dive into the 13 pieces that make a capsule wardrobe.
What Is In A Capsule Wardrobe?
CLOTHING STAPLES: Tops
1. A PERFECT WHITE T-SHIRT
Basic number one is a white t-shirt. Now, this isn’t just any white t-shirt. I like to call it the perfect white tee. The perfect white tee is an essential because you can easily dress it up or easily dress it down. It’s something you can put on with a leather jacket, a pair of jeans, and heels, and look great to go out. It’s also one of those items you can throw on with a pair of joggers and sneakers, and do errands, but still look put together.
2. A BLACK TURTLENECK OR BODYSUIT
My next clothing basic that every woman needs in her wardrobe to make getting dressed easy is a black cotton turtleneck. It could also be a black bodysuit if that’s more your style. But a classic black slim-fitted turtleneck or bodysuit will do wonders in your wardrobe. It’s such an easy piece to style. You can dress it up, you can dress it down. You can wear it with dress pants, a leather skirt, a pencil skirt for work, with jeans and even joggers.
A black fitted turtleneck is another clothing basic that will make getting dressed easy.
3. A NEUTRAL BLOUSE
On to my next must-have clothing staple for women. It’s a pretty neutral blouse. Again neutrals can be blush, gray, ivory, camel, navy, beige, taupe, or black. You want a color that will go with a lot of things in your wardrobe.
There are so many ways to style a great neutral blouse. You can wear it with a mini-skirt and over-the-knee boots for fall or winter. Or a pair of jeans and heels, for a night out. A classic blouse is an easy versatile piece that works from day to night, and from the office to dinner. It is definitely one of the clothing staples in a capsule wardrobe.
4. A NEUTRAL CLASSIC SWEATER
The next piece is a neutral classic sweater. Again this is another basic you can wear with so many things- jeans, leggings, skirts, joggers and shorts. A classic knit is a versatile piece. I recommend having a muted or neutral color that can be worn with a lot of options.
Choosing the neckline is a personal preference. But, a v-neck or crew neck will offer you more seasonal variety, than a turtleneck or off-the-shoulder sweater.
5. A BLACK OPEN CARDIGAN
The next wardrobe essential is one of my favorites, the black open cardigan. The cardigan is the most versatile layering piece. You can wear it over a blouse, a cami, a t-shirt or a dress. I like to layer a longer version under a leather moto jacket. A black open cardigan is a classic wardrobe staple that every woman needs in her closet.
WARDROBE STAPLES: Bottoms
6. A CLASSIC BLACK PANT
The next closet essential for a capsule wardrobe is a slim-fit black pant. My favorite black pant is the rag & bone Simone. They are such a great fit and worth the investment. And again, same idea here, you want a black classic dress pant that you can dress up or dress down. You can wear a black pant with a white tee to dress it down. You can also easily dress it up with a blouse and blazer, or a chic knit and a pair of boots. A classic black pant is a versatile piece in your closet.
7. A DRESSY BLACK LEGGING
This clothing staple is not a basic, cotton legging. A dressy black legging is just that, dressy. The fabric is more luxe. It could be a leather or faux leather pair. The texture of the fabric helps to dress up or elevate a look. You can wear a dressy black legging with oversized sweaters and over-the-knee boots for a night out. A black elevated legging is a must-have clothing item for your wardrobe.
8. MEDIUM TO DARK BLUE WASH JEANS
The next clothing staple I recommend having is a medium to dark blue wash, pair of modern jeans that you feel great in. A high-waisted rise with a skinny or slim straight leg is my preferred pair of jeans. The high waist helps define your waist and elongates the appearance of your legs. It’s especially flattering if you have a long torso to help give a more proportional appearance.
Having a medium to dark blue wash is the most versatile as the darker wash can be effortlessly dressed up. Net-A-Porter states, “Consider high-rise, distressed and straight-leg styles the new denim default for your capsule wardrobe”. A great pair of jeans is definitely a clothing staple for every season.
CLOSET ESSENTIALS: Jackets & Coats
9. A BLACK LEATHER JACKET
A classic slim-fit black leather jacket is a must. I love a great moto style, but the key is that it’s classic. I recommend skipping heavy hardware like lots of zippers and snaps, and styles with fringe. Those styles don’t tend to hold up as well over time.
The thing about a great leather jacket is that it’s so versatile. You will be able to dress it up or down. I’ve worn mine draped over my shoulders like a cape with an evening dress. You can wear it over a white t-shirt, jeans, and a pair of heels for a chic date night look.
If a leather jacket doesn’t feel like your style, you can “replace it” with a denim jacket like this one from L’AGENCE here.
10. A STRUCTURED JACKET
Another type of jacket that is a clothing staple, is a structured knit jacket. Think of the classic Chanel jacket style or the more modern IRO Shavani jacket. A little neutral jacket with more structure than a cardigan effortlessly polishes a look. When worn over a flowy dress or blouse, it creates a slimming appearance. Invest in a great jacket and it’s sure to become one of the most-worn pieces in your capsule wardrobe.
11. A CLASSIC WOOL COAT
Clothing staple number 11, is a classic neutral wool coat. According to Net-A-Porter, “An investment piece of the highest order, a classic coat will stand the test of time”.You want to look for something that is lined, tailored, high quality, and hits below the hip. I’ve worn my wool coat over joggers and sneakers, and it just pulls everything together. I’ve also worn it over formal dresses.
This wardrobe essential is the “perfect coat” that you can wear over pretty much anything and look polished. A neutral classic coat is a must-have clothing staple when you’re building a capsule wardrobe.
12. A CLASSIC TAILORED BLAZER
My final type of jacket or coat that I recommend having in a capsule wardrobe, is a black tailored blazer. Ideally, you want a blazer that you can wear in a work setting as well as for date night. I suggest skipping ones with ruched sleeves, double-breasted, wide collars, oversized, and blazers with a patterned lining. These typically don’t hold up well as a classic item that will work in your closet for years.
My blazer is at least 8 years old, and although it was an investment when I got it, I’ve completely won in the cost-per-wear department. (For more on cost per wear, read this great article: https://twodaysoff.com/blogs/journal/cost-per-wear)
To emphasize how essential a blazer is in a capsule wardrobe, Who What Wear states: “Another no-brainer essential is a blazer, preferably one in a color that you can wear with anything again and again. The classic style makes for the perfect topper when you need to look more put-together without sacrificing style.”
FINAL CLOTHING STAPLE FOR A CAPSULE WARDROBE
13. AN EASY DRESS
The last item for the 13 clothing staples every woman needs in her closet to build a capsule wardrobe is an easy, wear (almost) everywhere dress. An easy, effortless dress is a wardrobe staple that is versatile and can work all year round. You can wear it with opaque tights, a cardigan, a wool coat, and over-the-knee boots in the winter. But, you can also style it on its own with a pair of sandals for the summer.
A classic, knit dress in a neutral color is another example of an easy dress. In the warmer months it can be styled on its own with sandals and understated jewelry, or for winter, layer it under a structured jacket and coat. I also love wearing it under a chunky knit sweater on colder days.
Another tip I recommend when wearing a knit dress is to wear a form-fitted slip underneath, like this one from Commando. It will not only provide an extra layer of warmth in the winter, but it also helps to smooth everything out and prevent your tights from sticking to your dress.
You only need to start with one easy dress that you can style through the seasons when you want to be effortlessly chic and feminine.
Related: “10 Essential Shoes Every Woman Needs“
What Is In A Capsule Wardrobe For Every Season?
These are the 13 clothing basics for women to create the foundation for a capsule wardrobe. You can have these items as your foundational wardrobe, and have the rest of your clothing be colors, patterns, or trend items; or you can build off of these clothing staples and create a capsule wardrobe for every season.
If you want to dive deeper into a capsule wardrobe for every season, grab my free Capsule Wardrobe Checklist and watch the videos below to learn the clothing staples I recommend.
Thanks for reading!
HOW TO BUILD A SPRING CAPSULE WARDROBE | 16 Clothing Basics For Women
10 Fall Wardrobe Essentials That NEVER Go Out Of Style
Capsule Wardrobe FAQs & Expert Tips
How many pieces of clothing should a woman own?
While the number of clothes a woman should own is a personal choice, I think it’s more important to address how many pieces in a woman’s closet she’s actually wearing. Having the 13 essential capsule wardrobe staples featured in this article is a great foundation for any closet.
What is a wardrobe staple?
A wardrobe staple is a versatile, classic piece in your closet that doesn’t go out of style. Wardrobe staples are the basic foundation items of any well-curated closet. These are the items that easily mix and match, work with many other pieces in your wardrobe, and are never affected by trends. Your wardrobe staples should be high-quality investment pieces.
How many clothing items does the average woman own?
According to a survey of 1000 American women by ClosetMaid, the average woman has 103 items of clothing in her closet. Out of those 103 pieces, women say 21% of their closet is unwearable.
Related: “7 Wardrobe Items You’ll Regret Buying“
Why should I invest in wardrobe essentials?
Investing in wardrobe essentials will not only save you time and money, but it will also help you get dressed easily. Removing stress and decision overwhelm from our closets is priceless in my opinion. Capsule wardrobe basics are versatile and can be worn regularly throughout each season. If you calculate the “cost per wear” methodology, you will be saving money by investing in your wardrobe staples.
What should be in a wardrobe?
Your wardrobe should consist of high-quality clothing staples otherwise known as a Capsule Wardrobe that are versatile and that you can easily mix and match. A curated wardrobe can also have some on-trend items, colorful pieces, and fun patterns that you love and feel great in.
How do I make my basic pieces last longer?
This wardrobe tip even applies to your elevated t-shirts. When you take care of your clothes, they will last longer and look better. If an item needs dry cleaning, get it drycleaned. You don’t have to dry clean it every time but every two or three or four times depending on how much you wear it. It will save you money in the long run. Items that you can put in the wash, put in a mesh bag, and wash on the gentle cycle with gentle detergent. This should be anything that you’re hanging in your closet that doesn’t need dry cleaning. Make sure to air dry those pieces on a clothing rack. These simple tips will make the quality of your clothes look so much better and last.
Are capsule wardrobes boring?
The simple answer is, “no”. A capsule wardrobe does not mean that these 13 clothing staples are the only pieces in your closet. These 13 wardrobe essentials are the foundation of your closet. I tell Personal Styling clients once you have your capsule wardrobe in place, then you can experiment with a trend or two a season. When you have your neutral quality classic pieces in your closet, then start adding some fun colors and prints to your wardrobe.
You will be able to style your clothing staples to mix and match with more statement pieces.
FREE CAPSULE WARDROBE CHECKLIST
I’ve created a free workbook, “The Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe Checklist For Women”, that walks you through all the clothing staples you need for every season and includes a printable capsule wardrobe checklist.
Grab your copy here.
THE BEST BRANDS FOR WARDROBE ESSENTIALS | FREE GUIDE
If you want to know the brands I use for myself and for my Personal Styling clients for all the clothing basics, I have a free guide: The Best Brands for Women, Men, and Teens. This guide will give you all my favorite brands at every price point.
You can get your free guide here.
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