11/5/24

Capsule Wardrobe 101: A Beginner's Guide to Creating A Versatile Style

Written by Catie Langworth
Designed by Hudson Wong

Imagine it’s a gloomy Monday morning, the air is cool with the first breaths of a chilling Boston fall. You wake up early enough to make it to your first class on the opposite side of campus, and in lieu of planning your outfit the night before, you decide to prioritize your few precious hours of sleep and go back to sleep. 

Now, you open your closet, brimmed with all of the newest trends. But, despite this, you still don’t know what to wear. Your Y2K leopard print tank doesn’t go with your Adidas Spezials, and the denim maxi you ordered off of Amazon just ripped. In an attempt to cultivate a unique style, we sometimes tend to buy pieces solely because they are exciting or trendy, not because we actually want to wear them. This almost always results in decision fatigue, overconsumption and a lack of satisfaction in your fashion choices. 

The solution to this problem: a capsule wardrobe!

The term “capsule wardrobe” was first coined in the 1970s by the owner of Wardrobe — a London boutique — Susie Faux whose goal was to help working women create professional outfits that were both timeless and cost effective. 

However, it wasn’t until 1985, after American designer Donna Karan released her “Seven Easy Pieces” collection, when the term truly started to gain recognition. Her collection included models dressed in black body suits, who she then dressed in wrap skirts, dresses, tailored pants, and silky shirts, as a means of demonstrating the versatile quality of her pieces. 

The resurgence of public fascination into fashion icons like Caroline Bessette Kennedy and Françoise Hardy has also inspired new minimalistic approaches to dressing. 

Simple is chic! After all, it was Vogue writer Alexis Bennett Parker who said, “practicing self-restraint—while sometimes difficult—is one of the most luxurious things one can do.”

The ultimate aim of a capsule wardrobe is to  build outfits suitable for any occasion without owning an excess amount of clothing. In a world ruled by fast fashion and endless clothing options, the capsule wardrobe has emerged as a beacon of simplicity and sustainability. This streamlined approach to dressing not only reduces waste but also promotes a more intentional, mindful way of engaging with fashion. 

Start by selecting a color palette reflecting  your own personal style. Neutral colors, like black white, gray, and navy are great timeless additions, while pops of color, such as red, plum, or sage, showcase personality and individuality. 

Then, declutter your closet. Each clothing category should consist of two to four pieces, such as: shirts, blouses, tank tops, jeans, pants, skirts, dresses, shoes and outerwear. Keep in mind that capsule wardrobes are supposed to shift alongside the seasons. Investing in quality knitwear, like a white chunky sweater or sleek cashmere wrap top, is essential for a fall wardrobe, whereas the warmer seasons might have you introducing more flowy or delicate pieces into your collection. Nonetheless, capsule wardrobes are intended to be flexible and fluid, so don’t feel like you can’t experiment!

Another key to perfecting a capsule wardrobe is investing in high quality, timeless pieces. In our increasingly consumerist society, fashion trends have become extremely temperamental. What may be popular one week might very likely be out of style the next. Thus, by investing in classic styles that can last you through the decades, you’re less likely to feel outdated or simply “out of style.” For instance, rather than buying low-quality mom jeans from fast fashion brands like Shein or Temu, invest in mid-rise straight leg jeans from hallmark brands like Levi’s or Wrangler. Classic pieces that add dimension to any capsule wardrobe include: a classic white tee, structured button ups and jackets, blue jeans, low ankle boots, a comfortable blazer, and a little black dress. You can also add appeal to your outfits by experiments with silhouettes or fabric composition. 

The key to breathing life into a wardrobe that remains contingent on a simple base lies in your choice of accessories. Oversized tortoise shell sunglasses are a perfect addition. You could also juxtapose a minimalist outfit by pairing it with maximalist, chunky jewelry. Lastly, coordinating your bags to match your belts results in a cohesive, stylish outfit, while still adding a fun pop of color! 

Streamlining your clothes is an admirable way of cultivating a classical, simple style, while still being able to create outfits that are fun and exciting. Focus on investing in clothing items that you enjoy and experimenting with what you already have. With a capsule wardrobe, the opportunities are endless!