Essentials, Encapsulated
Building a capsule wardrobe, which consists basically of the style essentials, allows you to focus on purchasing versatile, quality pieces that won’t fly in and out of style on the fickle winds of fashion trends. You can spend more on individual items and still save money when you aren’t worried about every flash-in-the-pan look. Forget about buying things that can do merely double duty—the best capsule wardrobe contains articles of clothing that provide you with endless mix-and-match options.
While there is no one perfect capsule wardrobe, the following list was created to give you a good foundation while you discover what works for your lifestyle.
Tops
A classic white button-down of the highest quality you can afford is the glue that holds a capsule wardrobe together. Wear it with a blazer, over a tee, or even under a dress.
Great-fitting solid tees aren’t just for weekends. A black or white t-shirt will also look great with your favorite skirt or slacks for the office.
Outerwear
A well-constructed blazer is equally at home paired with slacks, skirts, jeans, or dresses.
A denim jacket can instantly turn your favorite work outfit into a polished-casual style for weekends.
If you crave color, try adding a cardigan in your favorite hue.
Pants
You don’t need a closet full of jeans. A good pair of jeans should easily be able to handle five years of regular wear. If you are unsure of your waist and inseam measurements, a higher end store can help.
Trousers for work in solid, neutral shades will give you the most bang for your buck.
Skirt or Dress
Choose the style that looks best on you, but a black, grey, or navy pencil or A-line skirt will go with everything.
There’s a reason the little black dress gets so much press. You can wear it under your white button-down, blazer, or denim jacket.
Accessories
This is where you get to have some fun and add your own personal touch to a basic outfit. A colorful scarf or fabulous piece of jewelry will help you to “mix it up” while still requiring minimal closet space.
The best capsule wardrobe contains articles of clothing that provide you with endless mix-and-match options.
