How to Build a Timeless Capsule Wardrobe for 2023 and Beyond
After a gave birth to my son, my body changed. I was left with a closet full of clothes that no longer fit me. As I gradually lost weight and almost went back to my pre-pregnancy figure, I still couldn’t squeeze into most of my clothes, especially my pants. I didn’t want to further lose weight to fit into my old clothes since I actually like how I look right now. I was too thin before which made me look perpetually tired and a lot older.
And so, I spent hours on the internet and online shopping apps, looking for new clothes to re-build my wardrobe. Now we all know that shopping should be fun! But I found myself taking longer than usual and overthinking my purchases. I had some concerns:
Having a baby and becoming a parent can be expensive so I didn’t want to spend so much on clothes.
At that time, I was still working in corporate and due to the COVID 19 pandemic, our office policies kept on changing. One minute we were being asked to return to the office, the next minute we were advised to continue working from home. Because of this I was looking for pieces that were appropriate for the office but also something that I can wear comfortably at home, while juggling between attending meetings and preparing meals for my son and husband.
Cleaning out my closet and seeing the pile of clothes that I no longer could wear made me hyper aware of the waste that I was producing. At the back of my head, I knew that I probably have a mountain of old clothes back at my parents’ house too. This made me quite uneasy. Now don’t get me wrong, I love fashion and getting dressed up once in a while. I fully understand people who love chasing trends and continuously evolving their look. Fashion is indeed an art and an important form of self-expression. But at this stage in my life, I just couldn’t afford it. I was looking for something more practical.
Enter the idea of a capsule wardrobe. This trend has been on the internet for a while now and gained even more popularity when minimalism also became a trend. Let me share with you what I’ve learned after scouring the internet for tips and tricks on how to build a capsule wardrobe. I’ll also sprinkle in some of my thoughts on what a capsule wardrobe should be. After all, we’re talking about fashion! It should be fun, personalized and true to who we are.
This is an in depth article on how to build a capsule wardrobe. Feel free to jump ahead to sections that interest you:
What is a capsule wardrobe and who is it for?
Things to remember when creating a capsule wardrobe
What is a capsule wardrobe and who is it for?
In Style consulted with designer Misha Nonoo about what a capsule wardrobe is:
“A capsule wardrobe is a concise, curated selection of timeless clothing. It can vary from person to person based on our differing lifestyles, but the best pieces are the kind that can be worn at work, during cocktail hour, and dressed down on the weekend.”
So basically, a capsule wardrobe is made up of a few pieces that can be mixed and matched to come up with looks that are appropriate to wear for different occasions and situations.
You might be thinking, who would want to do that? A capsule wardrobe can be for someone who wants to maintain a small, streamlined wardrobe for whatever reason. They could be living in a small space with a small closet that can fit just a few pieces. They could be someone concerned about sustainability – not wanting to buy and buy new clothes and create more waste. They could also be for someone, who like me, just wants to be more practical. I hate having to spend so much time getting dressed, but at the same time, I still want to have fun with mixing and matching pieces to come up with different looks.
Things to remember when creating a capsule wardrobe
Before we get to the capsule wardrobe checklist of pieces that we need to have, I want to share some principles to keep in mind when creating a capsule wardrobe. This helps ensure that we create a timeless wardrobe that can last from summer to winter and these principles can even apply to people creating a capsule wardrobe for men!
Quality over quantity – when buying pieces for your capsule wardrobe, keep in mind that these pieces will be worn over and over again. So make sure that these are of great quality and can withstand hundreds of washes.
Transcend trends – trends come and go so if you’re one who loves chasing trends, you might end up buying and buying new “it” pieces that would be hard to mix and match with your other pieces. But if you know that you stick to a certain style whether or not it’s trending, then go ahead and add it to your wardrobe! For me, I never got out of the 90s trend (and I’m so happy it’s coming back now). To this day, I still wear my elephant pants that I first got when I was 13 years old (yes, this huge pair of pants still fits me).
Neutrals and basics – you can definitely build a capsule wardrobe with colorful and printed pieces, but for beginners like me, it’s just easier to start with basic and neutral colored pieces. This way you don’t need to worry too much about color matching or looking too busy.
Your style and comfort level – remember that YOU will be wearing these pieces so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through! If you love loose fitting clothes, go for it! If you love body hugging clothes, go for it! It’s important that you are comfortable, confident and happy in the clothes that you choose to add in your capsule wardrobe.
The Capsule Wardrobe Essentials Checklist
Tops: The perfect tee
The perfect tee, one that drapes on your body really well, can be worn in numerous ways for numerous occasions. If you’re someone who prefers showing a bit more skin, try camisoles! Swapping these with a body hugging top or bodysuit is also an option for those of you who love showing off your curves. Once you’ve found a perfect piece, make sure to buy multiple colors, like a black and a white, for more options when mixing and matching.
100% organic cotton vintage v-neck tee from gap.com
Fandance scoop neck camisole top from lovebonito.com
Nesri square neck bodysuit from lovebonito.com
Tops: A crisp, button down shirt or blouse
Need to jump into an emergency meeting? Have no fear. A crisp, button down shirt will save you. Plus, this piece is so easy to dress up or down just by changing how you tuck it in or out, how you fold or scrunch up the sleeves and how many buttons you choose to leave open. You can also use a button down shirt as an outer layer. Heading to the grocery after a quick work out? Just throw this over your favorite sports bra and leggings, and you’re good to go.
The perfect shirt from gap.com
Tops: Long sleeve shirt
As the year progresses into winter, a long sleeve shirt will be a staple and your base as you layer up. Even for me who lives in a country with no winter, I used to wear these often to the office where it could get a bit too chilly for me. I’d tuck a long sleeve shirt into a high waisted pair of trousers or sometimes an a-line skirt, finish off with a pair of closed toe flats, and I’m off to the races.
Modern crewneck t-shirt from gap.com
Tops: Outerwear - cardigans, jackets, hoodies, vests, coats
Now this is where it gets even more exciting — outerwear! Styling is all about layering and you can choose how to layer depending on your personality. If you love feminine touches, you can opt for cardigans and trench coats. For a more street style feel, try hoodies and puffer jackets!
Bayleigh long cardigan from lovebonito.com
Essential trench coat from bananarepublic.gap.com
Adidas by Stella McCartney long puffer jacket from adidas.com
Vintage soft classic hoodie from gap.com
Bottoms: Great fitting jeans
When it comes to jeans, there are so many cuts and styles to choose from — skinny, straight cut, baggy and so much more. Now don’t overthink it! Just go for the cut and style that you love and feel most comfortable in. If you love showing off your curves, try going for some tight fitting skinny jeans. If you’re more into street style, then loose fitting jeans might be your option.
Personally, since I’m small and bottom heavy, I keep a couple of high waisted and cropped skinny jeans in my closet, one in denim blue and one in black. And since I can’t let go of 90s fashion, I also have some baggy pants in a light washed shade and in black too.
Levi’s Made and Crafted barrel women’s jeans from levi.com
Levi’s 501 skinny women’s jeans from levi.com
Bottoms: A pair of smart pants or skirt
More often than not, you’ll need a pair of smart pants for occasions where you need to be a bit more formal and put together. These are occasions or events where jeans are just a big no-no. As with jeans, there are a variety of cuts and styles and it’s best to not overthink and just go with what you feel most comfortable and confident in.
For our feminine gals, you can opt to swap pants for skirts! I love a good a-line skirt since I can dress it down with sneakers or wear it to the office with a good pair of closed toe flats (or even heels if I have an important presentation). Pencil skirts are a great choice too for women proud of their curves.
Morie high waisted straight leg pants from lovebonito.com
Bree tailored cuff pants from lovebonito.com
Gabbie panelled flare skirt from lovebonito.com
Leoria pencil skirt from lovebonito.com
Shoes: Closed Toe Flats
Let’s be real, most of us can’t stand wearing heels all the time. A good pair of reliable flats is just a practical piece to have. It’s a definite go to for occasions where it’s a no-no to wear sneakers but you can get away with not wearing heels. If you’re unsure about the dress code and just can’t find the strength to wear heels, a pair of chic flats is your best bet.
Personally, my staple is a pair of nude or beige flats. Since I’m a small woman at just 5 feet tall, a pair of shoes that closely matches my skin tone helps to elongate my frame. Plus, it’s a no brainer when it comes to color matching it with my choice of clothes.
Speakup almond toe flats from ninewest.com
Shoes: Heels
Then of course there are occasions where it is a must to wear a pair of heels. No matter how much we hate it, it’s always good manners to respect dress codes and dress appropriately. As a non-fan of heels, I find it tricky to decide which design of heels goes well with which outfit. But what I’ve realized is — the simpler, the better. Just go with simple, classic designs and you’ll be fine.
Ankle strap stacked heel sandals from charleskeith.com
Shoes: Sneakers
And of course we can’t forget about our best friend — the sneakers. I know that for some fashionistas it’s a crime to wear sneakers when you’re not in work out clothes. But if you choose a chic pair, you can get away with it. Plus, who cares? If you’re comfortable and confident, just go for it!
Ultraboost 5.0 DNA shoes from adidas.com
Sample Looks for Different Occasions
Now it’s time to put everything together. Here are some sample looks:
For running errands
Shop the look: shirt from gap.com, pants from levi.com, cardigan from lovebonito.com, sneakers from adidas.com
For date nights
Shop the look: camisole from lovebonito.com, pants from levi.com, coat from bananarepublic.gap.com, flats from ninewest.com
For professional meetings
Shop the look: shirt from gap.com, skirt from lovebonito.com, coat from bananarepublic.gap.com, heels from charleskeith.com
Building a capsule wardrobe is a great idea if you want to maintain a small, well curated closet. It’s a practical choice but it still allows you to have fun with fashion. So although there might be a lot to think about when choosing which pieces will make the cut and join your well curated closet, don’t forget to let your personality shine through! After all this wardrobe is all about you and your own awesome personality and style.
