If you’ve ever sat in a pile of clothes saying, “I have nothing to wear!” the problem isn’t how many pieces you have, it’s struggling to style the pieces you do have.
Fashions fade, style is eternal.
-Yves Saint Laurent
We’ve all bought something edgy, funky, or in a loud color, that we loved on a mannequin, and promised ourselves we’d pair it with something we already had, and that some occasion would come to warrant wearing something so dramatic, only for the item to sit in our closet, wondering if it will ever be chosen for Outfit of the Day.
Transitioning to a wearable, timeless, wardrobe can be difficult, but I have the perfect place to start:
Allow me to introduce you to The Capsule Wardrobe, the sustainable wardrobe that takes the stress out of creating everyday outfits.
What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
I’m glad you asked! A Capsule Wardrobe is a down-sized, essential basics-only collection of pieces that never go out of fashion, in which all tops and bottoms are freely interchangeable, to make many outfits. We’ve all had to figure out those math problems where; Johnny has 4 shirts and 3 pairs of pants, so how many outfits can he make? The Capsule Wardrobe works exactly the same way.
What Should Be Included in a Capsule Wardrobe?
Historically, there are 2 fashion seasons: Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer. Now, thanks to consumerism and marketing ploys that convince people they need more clothes, there are now 52 fashion seasons per year! There’s no need to fall into this trap of following trends that will drain your pockets. The Capsule Wardrobe utilizes “classic” pieces that have been in fashion for decades, no matter what other trends came and went throughout the years. Trends can supplement your wardrobe, but aren’t essential to The Capsule Wardrobe. Let’s cover the current season F/W.
Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live.
– Gianni Versace
As a young, 20-something, it might take you a while to find your own style, and that’s okay, but “classic” style is classic for a reason. Your wallet and the planet will thank you.
This list is an example of a Limited Capsule Wardrobe with some of the most essential pieces to start with. This can be expanded as you get more comfortable with your collection, without becoming excessive. Feel free to change any colors, patterns, or materials that I’ve suggested. (Loungewear and activewear aren’t included.)
F/W Capsule Wardrobe
- Black Leather Jacket
- Camel Brown Wool Overcoat
- Khaki Trench Coat
- Tan Puffer Coat (for low temperatures)
- Brown Herringbone Blazer
- Pullover Sweaters (Cream Cable Knit, Oatmeal Slim Crewneck),
- Turtlenecks (Brown and White)
- White Shirt
- Chocolate Brown Georgette Blouse
- Slim V-Neck Long-Sleeve Polo
- Medium Wash Blue Jeans, Black Jeans
- Trousers (Mid-Tone and Black)
- Chocolate Brown Straight-Leg Leather Pants
- Black Dress
- Tweed Mini Skirt, Leather Maxi Skirt
- Beige Leather Sneakers, Brown Leather Heels, Black Leather Ankle Boots, Black/Brown Mules or Loafers
- Chunky Gold Hoops, Statement Gold Rings
- Leather Belt (Black and Brown)
- Black or Multi-Tone Handbag
- Extras: Blanket Scarf, Wool or Knit Beret, Wool Panama Hat
The idea is that each item “goes with” all the others in your wardrobe. You could get ready in the dark and still look fabulous. To do this, I recommend choosing all neutral colors because of their versatility. The Capsule above can create more than 245 outfits!
Chances are, you probably already have most of these pieces in your current wardrobe, so add a few new items at a time, and donate the ones you can part with. It takes years to collect all these basics, so don’t worry if you can’t complete your collection right away. Slow and steady wins the race, so please don’t rely on “fast fashion” brands. Remember, you get what you pay for, so save up, and get that one amazing coat that will last forever, instead of 4 coats that will fall apart the second you open your SHEIN package.
Neutrals don’t mean you have to play it safe. The world is your runway. You can dress for your day “à Paris” wherever you are. A little courage goes a long way, and you don’t need an excuse to dress up! Let’s romanticize life and make every day a special one.
– N. Alexandra
Remember, What You Have is Enough! Test Your Creativity, and Always Be Grateful.
Let me know if you’d like to see a menswear capsule wardrobe.
Much love XOXO,
-N. Alexandra