First of all, what is a capsule wardrobe? The truth is a capsule wardrobe is just like any other wardrobe. The only difference is that it is designed to give you the most wear out of your items, help you save money and become more sustainable in your everyday life. It's a common misconception that capsule wardrobes are boring or plain, but that is untrue. By picking a colour palette and sticking to it strictly, you will end up with pieces you love and find yourself with an amazingly coordinated closet.
Now this all might sound a bit too much, and you are right to feel that way, as overhauling your whole wardrobe is a big step, so today we will focus on something everyone struggles with, the professional wardrobe.
As we are all aware, the professional's wardrobe consists of pretty much the same thing every day, but this gets boring and repetitive. With a capsule wardrobe, you can mix and match anything without the worry that it'll look bad or clash.
Still feeling overwhelmed, don't worry. We're here to take you through the process step by step. Don't feel you have to get rid of everything; go though find what works for you and swap the bits you don't like. It's that easy. For this, I'll use this palette but feel free to use any colour palette you want (I suggest no more than five colours) as long as it's cohesive and you stick to it like glue.
Start at the top
What better way to start other than at the tops taking up at least two drawers in your wardrobe (or maybe that's just us).
The best way to start is with a basic T-shirt. A white and black made of good quality material that fits you in a way that makes you feel great about your body is perfect. Make sure these requirements are met in order to get the most use out of them.
Other tops are button-down shirts. These are a great layering piece and can be tucked, buttoned and folded in a multitude of different ways in order to create interest in your outfits. One white shirt should be enough but if you enjoy the look maybe invest in a couple more; silk and cotton will be your friends. The great thing about button-down shirts is that longer dress versions are very common and can also be used as tops giving you even more variety.
And finally, the basic bodysuit, again these are great for styling and work great as the foundations for an outfit. They come in many different shapes and styles to fit any body type, so you know you will always find something that makes you feel incredible. They also have the added bonus of never coming untucked which we personally love.
A bonus idea for tops is exciting tops. There should only be one or at a push two of these in your capsule wardrobe, but if you want to spice it up occasionally, a great option is a top with lots of interest. Just make sure it matches the vibe and colour palette of the rest of the wardrobe. Some suggestions would be a waistcoat with buckles and metal accents that is used as top (make sure this is office appropriate) or something with frills or ruffles to add some interest to a piece. It's good if these items are one block colour so as to not stand out too much in the wardrobe.
From tops to bottoms - Trousers
Moving to bottoms, we find trousers are next on the list. And these are an easy one. A maximum of four pairs will get you through but if you are including skirts as well this can be shortened to two.
A couple pairs of straight-legged trousers will do you well. Shopping for these can be a struggle, but once you find the perfect pair stick to them. Some body shapes show off flared patterns more as straight-leg, whereas others need a true straight-leg or 'mum’-fit to achieve this. Try different fits before buying to ensure you are buying the right pair for your height and body type. Preferably you want trousers that don't cling to your legs and fall in a straight line down to just below the ankle. This is the best way to find trousers that will never go truely out of style and will always look professional.
These will do best in a white or khaki/cream colour and a simple black pair in order to get the most wears but consult your own colour palette before jumping to grab that pair.
Another great addition to this is a great pair of flared trousers can be great for when you want to wear heels but still rock that smart-casual look. Try and find well fitting flares that fall to just above the floor for the best looking pair. Stay clear of legging and jogger material and use polyester or cotton blends. Also try and have these in a dark colour such as black in order to have a clear base in your outfits.
Lastly for the trousers section, I will suggest a good-fitting pair of jeans once again meeting the same standards as the straight-leg trousers from earlier. These are good for professionals working in more casual work spaces as although it is casual that doesn't mean it is pyjamas every day. Stick to dark to mid-wash denim and simple hardware that matches your colour choice in jewellery; either gold or silver (if your jewellery matches your hardware on your clothing such as: buckles, buttons and zips; everything will look alot more cohesive).
Subtle skirts
Skirts are another great way to spice up a capsule wardrobe and for us, are an essential part of any wardrobe. Although be careful when it does come to skirts, stick with high waisted, low hemmed skirts for a professional look. Another great thing is that you will most likely not need more than two skirts, if you prefer skirts to trousers feel free to increase this number.
When going for a capsule wardrobe, you normally want to stick to more understated colours and patterns however if you want your wardrobe to have more colour and pattern just make sure this colour fits into your colour palette and that it goes with everything. For starters I suggest one shorter tennis style skirt and one long maxi skirt. One in white or cream and one in black. It's as easy as that!
Dresses Galore
You should need a maximum of three dresses in your wardrobe, but that doesn't mean that you cannot have fun with this. Pick three of your favourite styles and add them in, the beauty of dresses is that they can be styled in so many different ways. If you are looking to swap out your dresses try swapping with us through our swap scheme to find the best styles for you. Although we do suggest that if you are veto-ing the trousers section that you increase the number of three to four or five for variety.
For your three dresses, we suggest that you pick one short, one long and another dress that has long sleeves. These will keep you warm in winter and can be styled for a cooler look in the summer. You must remember that accessorising will be your best friend. Even without jewellery, dresses have so much variety. Try tucking your dress into a pair of trousers or jeans for a new top, or perhaps style them with flats or trainers instead of heels for a casual look.
Down to the shoes
Next up on the list are shoes. As most women will tell you, shoes make or break an outfit, and with a million different styles to choose from, a wide range of shoes are essential for a capsule wardrobe. For shoes there should be about four options within your corporate wardrobe. These will give you great range and possibility within your wardrobe.
To start with, let's talk flats. Flat shoes are essential because who wants to be uncomfortable in heels every single day of the week. A good chunky loafer is an excellent addition to your shoe collection. I recommend something more chunky and elevated as it will add more interest to an outfit and make you look less dated and more fashionable, elevating the fit to the next level.
We will also recommend a good, comfortable pair of white trainers; these are great not only for the office but for the weekends as well. You want to be comfortable on your commute and walking around the office so opt for a style that not only suits you but makes your feet feel more relaxed. White is a great base colour and it's great to have these in a lighter colour compared to the dark leather of the chunky loafers.
Another option are Mary Janes, these might be perceived as more of a school-girl shoe however trust us when we say the buckles and straps will add a classical element and a lot of interest to any outfit. Again remember to pick what you are most comfortable with.
Next let's talk about heels. These are obviously up for preference, but whether you prefer a small block heel or a stiletto; a great shoe is a closed, pointed toe shoe. These are a great addition for your shoe collection as they add a beautiful elegance to any outfit. If you want to add more interest to the outfit try this type of heel with a slingback or a buckle.
And last but certainly not least, one of our favourites is a high boot. Either with or without a heel these types of shoes are my favourite as they come in so many shapes and styles there is a pair to suit everyone. Once again sticking with your colour pattern find yourself a boot these are great for those colder months but can be paired with shorter skirts for the warmer weather as well. My personal favourites are cowboy boots however any type especially in good old fashioned leather.
Jackets and Jumpers
Another essential item are jackets, coats, and jumpers. These give you warmth and exciting new outfit choices for that winter weather. Whether it's a tiny cardigan or a full length wool coat these add so much to your wardrobe in winter and autumn. For this I suggest one winter coat, one blazer, one cardigan, two jumpers and one light weight coat however this is optional.
For a winter coat we suggest a full-length wool blend coat. These are great heavy coats, they may be more expensive but they are definitely worth it. I've had mine for a good five years now and it's yet to let me down. A good solid dark colour is sure to carry you through the winter.
Blazers are also a good thing to have. We suggest a dark colour for all jackets and coats as they will be less likely to stain therefore lasting longer. A good blazer will sit on your shoulders and will fit your waist when buttoned. I prefer to style mine unbuttoned but wear it however you feel most comfortable.
Next up are jumpers and cardigans. A good rule of thumb is one light, one dark. This will allow you to get a good variation by adding different accessories. Opt for good knits that are not likely to pull or pill. Remember to never hang your knits as well as this will cause them to stretch and not look as good on you anymore, shortening their lifespan.
A light weight jacket or coat option isn't a necessity but if you find room in your capsule wardrobe and feel there is a need for one for you personally try a trench coat. These can have great benefits as they add extra details through belts, buttons, buckles and pockets. Part of starting a capsule wardrobe is taking care to notice details that would otherwise go unnoticed in pieces of clothing and learning how to make these stand out and elevate your outfits. Be sure to do this process with your coats as well.
Accessories, Bags and Jewellery
A necessary part of a capsule wardrobe are accessories, these add so much interest and detail to outfits to spice them up and make them something new and different everyday. Therefore this is something that each person really needs to think about what suits them personally. Here are some suggestions to start you off.
Accessory wise look at whether you enjoy wearing hats, belts, hair accessories or watches, ect. See what you gravitate towards everyday and think about if that is something you want to incorporate into your wardrobe. This will really help you figure out what is needed and what isn't in your capsule wardrobe.
Bags on the other hand are more practical for professional life. Look at your style from what you've picked clothing wise and analyse that against what you need for the everyday. You shouldn't have more than two choices in your capsule. However with something like bags you want to be able create more of a statement due to their use at creating interest in your outfit. Therefore I suggest looking for ribbons, buckles or some variety in straps to help change up your style.
Finally look at jewellery; what do you like? What do you wear all the time? What best suits your personality in a work setting? What can you see yourself wearing with these outfits? These are all questions you need to answer to find out what you need in your wardrobe. We personally suggest a couple simple pieces and a couple more statement, bigger pieces in order to mix and match. But make sure they all match and you feel wonderful wearing them. I suggest picking only one type of metal, gold or silver, in order to make sure everything is cohesive.
Hair Hair Hair
It might not seem like it but hair is an incredibly useful part of a capsule wardrobe as it can really add something to your outfit or even be used as the focal point. We suggest trying lots of different styles and different ways of wearing your hair. Have fun with it you'll find styles you love and others you despise but it's part of the process.
That's it! It might seem long, but we promise it's easy once you get into it. Keep to a colour palette and have fun with new styles and matches everyday knowing that everything in your wardrobe will be used. Statistics say that around 22 pieces of clothing belong in each household's wardrobes that have never been worn. This is a way to make sure you beat that statistic. This also helps you buy less and save money, allowing you to help the planet and your wallet at the same time by not buying into over consumption and micro trends. Remember another great thing about this is that once you get bored with some pieces such as dresses you can swap and shop with us to generate a whole new set of outfits. Just have fun with it!
