Everyday Wear Capsule Wardrobe

Capsule Wardrobe — Your Must Have Items
The Ultimate Guide For You
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BY Anni Leppälä

What Is a Capsule Wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is a carefully curated collection of essential clothing items that are versatile, timeless, and can be mixed and matched to create numerous outfits.

Typically, a capsule wardrobe consists of about 30 to 40 high-quality pieces, including tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, and shoes, that can be worn interchangeably to suit various occasions and seasons.

The idea is to invest in classic, well-fitting items that reflect your personal style and can withstand the test of time, rather than constantly chasing fleeting fashion trends.

By streamlining your wardrobe in this way, you can simplify your daily choices, reduce clutter, save money, and lessen your environmental impact.

The History of Capsule Wardrobes

The concept originated in the 1970s with designer Susie Faux, who was the owner of a London boutique called Wardrobe.

The concept took off in 1985, when the designer Donna Karan released the first capsule collection called "Seven Easy Pieces".

Donna Karan first collection "Seven Easy Pieces". Credit: COURTESKY DKNY

This has gained popularity over the years as a sustainable and minimalist approach to dressing has become more trendy.

How to Start building Your Personal Capsule Wardrobe

Step 1: Declutter Your Current Wardrobe

The first step in creating a capsule wardrobe is to declutter your current wardrobe. This involves going through all of your clothes and deciding what to keep, what to donate or sell, and what to throw away.

As you go through your clothes, ask yourself the following questions: Do I love this item? Do I wear it regularly? Does it fit me well? Does it suit my current lifestyle and personal style?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, it might be time to let the item go.

Step 2: Identify Your Personal Style

The next step is to identify your personal style. This involves thinking about what types of clothes make you feel good and reflect your personality.

You might find it helpful to create a moodboard or use a tool like Pinterest to gather images that inspire you.

Once you have a clear idea of your personal style, you can start to build your capsule wardrobe around this. This will ensure that your wardrobe is cohesive and that all of your items work well together.

Step 3: Choose Your Core Items

Now it's time to choose your core items.

These are the pieces that you'll wear most often and that will form the foundation of your capsule wardrobe. They should be versatile, high-quality items that you love and that fit well.

Your core items might include things like a pair of well-fitting jeans, a classic white shirt, a little black dress, a versatile blazer, and a pair of comfortable, stylish shoes.

The exact items will depend on your personal style and lifestyle.

Step 4: Add in Seasonal Items

Once you have your core items, you can add in seasonal items. These are pieces that you'll wear for a particular season, but that might not be appropriate for the rest of the year.

For example, you might add in a cozy sweater and boots for winter, or a light dress and sandals for summer.

Remember, the goal is to have a small, curated collection of items that you love and that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits.

So, choose your seasonal items carefully and make sure they fit in with the rest of your wardrobe.

Capsule Wardrobe for Women

Tops: T-shirts, button-up shirts, sweaters

Bottoms: Jeans, trousers, skirts

Dresses: Little black dress, versatile day-to-night dresses

Outerwear: Trench coat, denim jacket, blazer

Shoes: Sneakers, pumps/flats, boots, sandals

Accessories: Minimalist jewellery, scarves, classic handbag

Credit: @jasmineslh on Instagram

Capsule Wardrobe for Men.

Tops: T-shirts, button-up shirts, polo shirts, sweaters

Bottoms: Jeans, chinos, trousers, shorts

Outerwear: Classic coat, bomber jacket, denim/leather jacket

Shoes: Sneakers, leather shoes, casual shoes, boots

Accessories: Minimalist watch, belts, sunglasses, classic bag

Credit: theessentialman.com

My Favourite Celebrity Capsule Wardrobes.

Jennifer Aniston's Capsule Style

Jennifer Aniston's fashion sense is often described as classic, elegant, and understated. She tends to gravitate towards timeless pieces and simple silhouettes that emphasises clean lines and impeccable tailoring.

Aniston often opts for neutral colors like black, white, beige, and navy, which complement her minimalist aesthetic.

In terms of clothing, she is often seen wearing well-fitted blazers, tailored trousers, sleek dresses, and structured tops. She also incorporates wardrobe staples such as jeans, t-shirts, and versatile sweaters into her everyday looks.

Aniston is known for her preference for comfortable yet stylish footwear, often choosing classic pumps, sandals, or boots to complete her outfits.

Accessories-wise, she typically keeps it simple with delicate jewellery, such as dainty necklaces or hoop earrings, and occasionally adds interest with a statement bag or a stylish scarf.

Jennifer Aniston's fashion sense is characterised by its timeless appeal, versatility, and effortless chicness, making her a style icon for many.

This describes what the best capsule wardrobe is.

Jennifer Aniston is often seen in a black blazer, whether it is on the red carpet, during a coffee run or a press conference. Credit: Daily Mail.
Green cargo pants are some of the most worn pants alongside black skinny jeans for Aniston. Credit: Daily Mail.

Matilda Djerf's Capsule Style

The starting fashion influencer, turned style icon owning her own brand Djerf Avenue, Matilda Djerf knows how to put together the perfect capsule wardrobe. Her brand Djerf Avenue consists of staple items every girl should own while creating their own capsule wardrobe.

Her wardrobe is carefully curated, focusing on timeless pieces that exude sophistication and simplicity.

She loves neutral colors and clothes made from good materials that last.

Her outfits are easy to mix and match for any occasion. Sometimes she adds fun accessories to spice things up. She also makes sure she has the right clothes for each season.

Her style is about looking timeless and stylish without overdoing it.

Matilda Djerf is known for knowing how to dress up and down a simple button up shirt. Whether it is a white, pinstriped or another neutral coloured shirt she can pair it perfectly with skirts, shorts or trousers. Credit: @matildadjerf on Instagram
Here we see more of the neutral palette that she loves, paired with a glimpse of colour in her bag. A basic beige trench coat is versatile and can be worn with various different outfits. Credit: @matildadjerf on Instagram.
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