A Capsule Wardrobe Checklist You’ll Actually Use
Feeling a bit ‘meh’ about your style lately? This capsule wardrobe checklist is here to rescue you! You only need a few pieces to freshen up your wardrobe.
Before you know it, you’ll be feeling like yourself again. Shop these recommendations below to spruce up your wardrobe.
1. A basic T-shirt:
You can never go wrong with a basic tee. Choose one (or two) in a neutral color like black, white, or grey that will go with everything. A good quality white tee is a staple in any woman’s closet. It can be worn on its own or layered under cardigans, blazers, and jackets.
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I love these organic cotton Softspun Tees. I recommend investing in a few different styles of white tee to mix things up – try a scoop neck, V-neck, or boatneck tee. You can never have too many!
Pick up some black T-shirts too. Like the white tee, the black tee is insanely versatile and perfect for layering. Again, I recommend investing in several different styles to keep things interesting.
2. A Versatile Pair of Jeans
Whether you’re dressing them up with heels and a blouse for a night out or keeping things casual with sneakers and a tee, a great pair of jeans is essential for any capsule wardrobe. Look for a style that flatters your figure and is comfortable to wear. When it comes to demin, I love Good American jeans for their timeless look and unbeatable quality.
3. A Black Blazer
A black blazer is another versatile piece that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Throw it over a pair of jeans and a tee for a casual look or wear it over a dress for something more formal. Pair it with black pants and you have a black suit – which is an essential capsule wardrobe staple.
4. A Little Black Dress
Every woman needs a little black dress in her wardrobe. It’s perfect for many occasions, from dinner parties to date nights. No closet is complete without a little black dress! Especially if it’s made of luxurious bamboo. There are endless style options available so take your time finding one that fits your body type and personal style.
5. Comfortable Shoes
Pick shoes that will go well with the outfits in your wardrobe. I suggest picking at least four pairs: a dressy pair, a casual pair, flats, and heels. This way, you can be sure you’ll have shoes to match any outfit.
6. Tailored Pants
Tailored pants are a must for any capsule wardrobe. They can be dressed up or down and are perfect for work, weekends, and everything in between. Khaki pants are incredibly versatile – they can be dressed up with a blazer for work or dressed down with a tee for weekend errands.
Pick a pair that fits well and is comfortable to wear. We love the Turn-it-around pants from ADAY for their slimming silhouette and versatile style.
7. A Crisp White Shirt
A crisp white shirt is an essential piece for any capsule wardrobe. It can be worn on its own or layered under blazers and sweaters. Oversized shirts are my personal favorite, they give a certain je ne sais quoi to an outfit. Whether you tuck it into a pair of pants or leave it hanging loose, an oversized shirt is always a good idea.
8. A Sweater or Cardigan
A sweater or cardigan is a great way to stay warm while still looking stylish. I love chunky knit sweaters for their cozy feel. Look for a style you can wear with everything from jeans to dresses.
Perfect piece for layering in the cooler months. Go for cashmere for its luxurious feel and how easily it dresses up or down. Look for a style that flatters your figure and can be worn with everything in your capsule wardrobe.
9. A Statement Coat
A statement coat is a perfect way to add a pop of color or pattern to your capsule wardrobe. Choose a style that you love and will want to wear day after day.
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Where can I buy High-Quality Clothing For My capsule wardrobe?
Here are my recommendations for the best places to get clothing to build your classy, timeless capsule wardrobe.
1. Best Affordable Luxury: Everlane
Everlane is known for its timeless basics and is a great option for shopping for your capsule wardrobe. Founded in 2010, Everlane has amassed a cult following thanks to its commitment to transparency, simple designs, and sustainable manufacturing practices.
Overall, the brand’s clothes run true to size, with great quality that feels sustainable and durable, plus their prices are fair across the board.
Everlane advertises itself as an “affordable luxury” brand, and I think that’s accurate based on my experience with the brand.
For example, the denim retails for $68 while similar styles from Madewell or J.Crew cost around $128-$148; Everlane’s wool sweater costs $100 while similar styles from Banana Republic or Abercrombie cost about $128-$148; and so on.
If you’re looking for modern basics that will last you for years to come, Everlane is worth checking out!
2. Best for Workwear: ADAY
I recommend ADAY highly if you are looking for comfortable workwear and date night pieces for your capsule wardrobe.
Aday is the capsule wardrobe solution for busy women on the go. Their capsule wardrobe comprises pieces that can be mixed and matched to create over 60 different looks. The pieces are made from high-quality fabrics that are wrinkle-resistant and machine-washable. Plus, they ship right to your door.
Not only are the pieces versatile, but they are also sustainably sourced and an excellent choice for a capsule wardrobe. They carry sizes from XM to XL, plus 30 days for returns and exchanges.
If minimalistic is your style, then ADAY is for you. My favorite piece is the ADAY, that’s a wrap top.
What we love about ADAY
- Their pieces hold up nicely and are very high-quality
- The fit is right and absolutely worth the money
- Their pieces are sustainable and seasonless
3. Best For Basics: Pact
Pact is a clothing company focused on sustainability and eco-friendly practices. They use organic cotton for their products, ensuring that their entire supply chain adheres to fair trade and responsible manufacturing processes.
Pact offers a range of apparel, including basics, activewear, and intimates for men, women, and children. Their commitment extends to reducing their environmental impact through sustainable packaging and shipping practices. I LIVE in my Pact clothes, they are super cozy.
Pact also promotes ethical consumption by encouraging customers to recycle old clothing through their Give Back, Wear Forward initiative.
4. Best For Jeans: Good American
Good American is a clothing brand that offers stylish, figure-flattering clothing for women of all sizes, and is best known for their ‘always fits’ jeans. A nice pair of Good American jeans are perfect for your capsule wardrobe.
The great part about Good American is that their clothing comes in a variety of sizes from 00-30. One of the cornerstone pieces of any capsule wardrobe is a good pair of jeans. And when it comes to jeans, Good American does not disappoint.
The brand offers a wide variety of styles to choose from, including skinny, straight, wide-leg, and flare. Plus, with sizes ranging from 00 to 24, there’s something for everyone. Our favorite is the Good Legs Ankle Skinny Jean in Blue Rinse Wash.
These jeans are super flattering and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
If you’re on the hunt for a stylish capsule wardrobe, Good American is definitely worth checking out. With their mix of trendy and classic pieces, there’s something for everyone.
Tips for Planning your capsule wardrobe
In theory, having a huge closet full of clothes sounds great. But in practice, it’s actually pretty stressful.
Not only do you have to spend time sifting through all your clothes to find something to wear, but you also end up feeling like you have nothing to wear even though your closet is jam-packed.
Here are some helpful tips to know when planning a capsule wardrobe:
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