A Guide to Building a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch
By Yana Kouretas
It’s a tale that’s all too familiar: throwing our money away for trendy pieces that we wear once and leave to collect dust in the back of our closet. Social media has conditioned society to believe that overconsumption is a normal byproduct of life. But, the truth is—less can actually be more. A capsule wardrobe is an alternative to a closet filled with clothes you no longer care to wear. It seems like just another fleeing TikTok trend—spending your money on ‘nicer’ pieces that you’ll supposedly wear forever. Yeah right. But, it does in fact, exist.
So what is it? A capsule wardrobe is artfully assembled with care—pieces that will outlast trends, such as classic, straight-leg jeans, a trench coat or wool jacket, and a staple sweater. It encourages you to intentionally reflect on your wardrobe needs, relating to your lifestyle and career, and then intentionally build a versatile collection best suited to your life. Within those parameters, you can play around with textures and colors to make the outfit more elevated or quirky.
This doesn’t mean you need to purge your closet or go out and spend thousands of dollars on ‘nicer pieces.’ But in a society fueled by consumerism, maximalism, strategic advertising, and influencing, leading a simple life feels like an uphill battle. A capsule wardrobe will guide you toward smarter financial decisions at the register while keeping your early mornings before work, fuss-free.
Denim:
Trends come and go, but denim will always be a constant in our lives. Once you find the right pair(s), you’ll never want to let it go.
You’ll probably want to find some pairs in a few different washes and fits and possibly a different silhouette (like wide-leg or cropped). It’s best to go in person to try jeans on; to get a true feel for the material and fit you like. Start with a couple of pairs for everyday use—then you can add more over time.
Here are some things to consider
Straight-leg denim is considered universal—it can be dressed up or down.
Dark wash jeans are more commonly worn in the colder months, while light wash is typically reserved for spring and summer.
Don’t start with a distressed/ripped pair, especially since you probably can’t wear those to work. Later on, if you feel like your wardrobe is really missing this, then you can add it in.
Here are a couple of well loved pairs:
Women:
Men:
Levi’s - $69
7 For all Mankind - $228
*Courtesy of Pinterest
Blazers:
As the ultimate power piece, blazers are timeless and elevated. The right one can be worn from the office to dinner and everything in between. You can throw it on with slacks, jeans or a dress. It works as a layering piece or it can make a statement on its own.
However, blazers aren’t as simple as they seem. They come in lots of different cuts and styles, from affordable to premium brands. Like denim, it’s best to start with one or two and then build your collection from there. Because you’ll find yourself reaching for blazers so often, you’ll want to try them on to make sure the fit is just right.
Tips:
Start with neutrals—black, navy grey
A fitted blazer is best suited for professional occasions, while a relaxed or oversized blazer can be worn for basically anything else, outside of the office.
Women:
H&M - $50
Banana Republic - $170
Quince - $129
Reformation - $298
Men:
J Crew - $278
Mango - $169
Banana Republic $320
*Courtesy of Pinterest
The Perfect T-Shirt:
This one might seem obvious. We all have t-shirts in our wardrobes right now—but are they good quality, comfy, and well-fitting? They’re probably just worn.
The value of a really great t-shirt cannot be overstated. Paired with the right pants, shoes, and accessories, it’s the ultimate effortless addition to any outfit.
This is where you can get creative. The perfect boxy tee shirt pairs nicely with jeans on the weekend. Meanwhile, a slim-fitting t-shirt might work best when tucked into denim or under a blazer for the office.
The T-shirt will be your best friend through it all. It’ll stay with you through endless trips through the washing machine, crumpled in suitcases on vacations, and temporary stays in the laundry bin, where you keep taking it out to wear it.
Women:
Men:
*Courtesy of Pinterest
Slacks/Trousers:
A good pair of trousers or slacks will round out your bottoms selection in your capsule wardrobe. They can solve practically any outfit dilemma you’ll experience, by making a plain t-shirt or a blouse instantaneously look more elevated and sleek. Not to mention, they’re comfortable and practical. Like jeans, trousers and slacks come in lots of different styles—from relaxed and loose to fitted.
Women:
Abercrombie & fitch - $90
Aritzia - $148
Theory - $195
Men:
Lululemon - $128
Banana Republic - $170
Bonobos - $119
The Sweater:
Like everything else, sweaters are an essential component of a capsule wardrobe. But this is truly one of those areas where it’s really hard to just pick a couple. A lightweight sweater is recommended for a capsule wardrobe, as it can take you through the seasons, but it’s hard not to love wool or cashmere sweaters all the same.
Really, what you’ll want to prioritize here is a sweater that feels like a warm hug. One that fits great, can be layered, and is comfortable. It’s really hard to limit yourself to just a few—so you’ll also have to think about versatility, color, and texture. Just make sure you take care of your sweaters properly so they last longer.
Here are a few high-end and affordable options
Women:
Men:
Buck Mason - $168
Massimo Dutti - $130
Uniqlo - $70
Shoes:
A complete capsule wardrobe includes a few pairs of shoes that work for more formal occasions and casual everyday wear. It’ll take more time to curate your shoe collection, because shoes are not a one-size-fits-all (literally). Some people prefer flats to loafers, while others like sneakers more than boots. It just depends.
A capsule wardrobe usually features these kinds of shoes:
White Sneakers
Ballet Flats
Loafers
Ankle Boots or Chelsea Boots
Oxford Shoes (Men)
Comfortable Heels
Some options:
Women:
Sam Edelman Loafer - $75
Rothy’s flats - $159
Veja Sneaker - $160
Men:
G.H. Bass Loafers - $175
Adidas Sambas - $100
Cole Haan - $160
Love this! Traveling to Europe this week and going to use this as a packing guide as well!!