The great thing about having a fail-safe capsule wardrobe is that no matter what, you can be sure that when you dip into your closet, you're going to find something that'll work.
Of course, talking about a capsule wardrobe and actually having one are two very different things indeed. I know that for me personally, it's taken - quite literally - years to get my head around to capsule wardrobe thing and the number of times I've genuinely had to stop myself from buying my 'usuals' is countless. I think in general we all have those go-to pieces that we're drawn to when we go shopping for clothes, but if you really want to build a strong, functional wardrobe that'll never let you down, then a little more planning is what's needed.
In a bid to finally take control of my wardrobe & work out exactly what I needed/really didn't need, a couple of weeks back, I had a huge wardrobe clear-out. It was a huge job, and you know what? After about 30 minutes of huffing and puffing and messing around with hangers, I was ready to throw the towel in & shove everything back in.
But I didn't.
Instead, I persevered and I separated my clothes into three separate piles:
1. Things I wanted to keep
2. Things I wanted to send to charity
3. Things I wanted to sell
And I feel so much better for it! It really is amazing how liberated a good old wardrobe overhaul can make you feel!
Anyway, getting back to the original topic of conversation, this was all in aid of me building a capsule wardrobe. And now, finally, I think I'm getting there with it.
There are some items of clothing and certain accessories that we women simply need to have in our wardrobes, and while we each have our own unique sense of style and, as I said before, our classic 'go-to' pieces, there are some staples that we should all have.
And I'm going to share those staples with you. So, grab yourself a coffee, make yourself comfortable & get ready to start working on your very own capsule wardrobe.
1. Shirts & Blouses
You really can't go wrong with shirts and blouses. They're so versatile & can be dressed up or down depending on the look you are going for.
Right now, my wardrobe if filled with a selection of white blouses with different detailing and of course, lots & lots of animal print. Why? Because it's huge this season!
2. Jeans
A wardrobe without a pair of jeans is no good to anyone. No matter your shape or size, there is 100% a pair of jeans out there to suit you. And with so many fabulous washes to choose from, you're guaranteed to find a pair you love.
For the perfect capsule wardrobe that'll always serve you well, I recommend having 2 pairs of blue jeans (preferably different washes), a pair of black jeans (greyish black or just black - this is up to you) and for the spring and summer months, a pair of white jeans is an absolute must!
3. Dresses
More specifically, a choice of day dresses and evening dresses. Some dresses - wrap styles and maxi dresses in particular - can be styled up and dressed down easily providing you accessorise effectively. However, to be safe, it's a good idea to invest in a selection of dresses in different styles to give yourself a great range of options.
Oh, and of course, every woman should own a little black dress (aka LBD). This goes without saying, really!
4. Skirts
From maxi skirts to little denim and tweed numbers, a capsule wardrobe simply isn't complete without a collection of cute skirts.
his autumn/winter season in particular, tweed is totally on-trend and pleated maxi skirts are essential, too. Dress either of these styled down in the day with a classic button up shirt. Alternatively, for a chic, evening ensemble, swap the shirt for a chiffon halter neck and finish off with a pretty pair of pointed court shoes. Gorgeous!
5. T-Shirts
Take it from me, you can never have enough t-shirts, so make sure you stock up on them!
From simple styles that're great for layering, to funky slogan t-shirts and printed ones, a capsule wardrobe needs lots of cute t-shirts to make it complete.
6. Knitwear
Now that the temperature is beginning to drop, there's never been a better time to stock up on all things knitwear - and if I was any more excited about all the fabulous chunky knits that are around right now, I'd probably burst!
You honestly just can't go wrong with big cuddly cardigans and cable-knit jumpers during autumn and winter, so be sure to invest in a choice of colours & styles that you love. Berry tones, navy, forest green and mustard are all really coming into their own at the moment.
7. Leggings
On those days when only the comfiest clothes will do, swapping the jeans for a pair of leggings is essential. So, if you haven't already, be sure to give your wardrobe a swift style update by popping in a few pairs of leggings!
Leggings are sold in, quite literally, every single clothing shop in the country, really, but if you ask me, nobody makes them quite like Zara. Trust me on this one, get yourself down there.
8. Coats & Jackets
Having a fabulous outerwear wardrobe is so important, so, whilst you're overhauling your wardrobe, don't forget to give your choice of coats and jackets a once-over, too.
This season, I'm loving all the leather-look biker jackets, faux fur coats and camel coats. These looks come in every autumn/winter season, but I wouldn't have it any other way - they just never fail!
9. Footwear
And finally, a stunning shoedrobe is of course, entirely essential. But, in order to make your shoe collection as functional and practical as it is stylish, it's crucial that you have access to a selection of different styles.
So, to ensure that you really do have a pair to suit every event and occasion possible, I recommend purchasing:
Of course, talking about a capsule wardrobe and actually having one are two very different things indeed. I know that for me personally, it's taken - quite literally - years to get my head around to capsule wardrobe thing and the number of times I've genuinely had to stop myself from buying my 'usuals' is countless. I think in general we all have those go-to pieces that we're drawn to when we go shopping for clothes, but if you really want to build a strong, functional wardrobe that'll never let you down, then a little more planning is what's needed.
In a bid to finally take control of my wardrobe & work out exactly what I needed/really didn't need, a couple of weeks back, I had a huge wardrobe clear-out. It was a huge job, and you know what? After about 30 minutes of huffing and puffing and messing around with hangers, I was ready to throw the towel in & shove everything back in.
But I didn't.
Instead, I persevered and I separated my clothes into three separate piles:
1. Things I wanted to keep
2. Things I wanted to send to charity
3. Things I wanted to sell
And I feel so much better for it! It really is amazing how liberated a good old wardrobe overhaul can make you feel!
Anyway, getting back to the original topic of conversation, this was all in aid of me building a capsule wardrobe. And now, finally, I think I'm getting there with it.
There are some items of clothing and certain accessories that we women simply need to have in our wardrobes, and while we each have our own unique sense of style and, as I said before, our classic 'go-to' pieces, there are some staples that we should all have.
And I'm going to share those staples with you. So, grab yourself a coffee, make yourself comfortable & get ready to start working on your very own capsule wardrobe.
What You Need In Your Capsule Wardrobe
1. Shirts & Blouses
You really can't go wrong with shirts and blouses. They're so versatile & can be dressed up or down depending on the look you are going for.
Right now, my wardrobe if filled with a selection of white blouses with different detailing and of course, lots & lots of animal print. Why? Because it's huge this season!
2. Jeans
A wardrobe without a pair of jeans is no good to anyone. No matter your shape or size, there is 100% a pair of jeans out there to suit you. And with so many fabulous washes to choose from, you're guaranteed to find a pair you love.
For the perfect capsule wardrobe that'll always serve you well, I recommend having 2 pairs of blue jeans (preferably different washes), a pair of black jeans (greyish black or just black - this is up to you) and for the spring and summer months, a pair of white jeans is an absolute must!
3. Dresses
More specifically, a choice of day dresses and evening dresses. Some dresses - wrap styles and maxi dresses in particular - can be styled up and dressed down easily providing you accessorise effectively. However, to be safe, it's a good idea to invest in a selection of dresses in different styles to give yourself a great range of options.
Oh, and of course, every woman should own a little black dress (aka LBD). This goes without saying, really!
4. Skirts
From maxi skirts to little denim and tweed numbers, a capsule wardrobe simply isn't complete without a collection of cute skirts.
his autumn/winter season in particular, tweed is totally on-trend and pleated maxi skirts are essential, too. Dress either of these styled down in the day with a classic button up shirt. Alternatively, for a chic, evening ensemble, swap the shirt for a chiffon halter neck and finish off with a pretty pair of pointed court shoes. Gorgeous!
5. T-Shirts
Take it from me, you can never have enough t-shirts, so make sure you stock up on them!
From simple styles that're great for layering, to funky slogan t-shirts and printed ones, a capsule wardrobe needs lots of cute t-shirts to make it complete.
6. Knitwear
Now that the temperature is beginning to drop, there's never been a better time to stock up on all things knitwear - and if I was any more excited about all the fabulous chunky knits that are around right now, I'd probably burst!
You honestly just can't go wrong with big cuddly cardigans and cable-knit jumpers during autumn and winter, so be sure to invest in a choice of colours & styles that you love. Berry tones, navy, forest green and mustard are all really coming into their own at the moment.
7. Leggings
On those days when only the comfiest clothes will do, swapping the jeans for a pair of leggings is essential. So, if you haven't already, be sure to give your wardrobe a swift style update by popping in a few pairs of leggings!
Leggings are sold in, quite literally, every single clothing shop in the country, really, but if you ask me, nobody makes them quite like Zara. Trust me on this one, get yourself down there.
8. Coats & Jackets
Having a fabulous outerwear wardrobe is so important, so, whilst you're overhauling your wardrobe, don't forget to give your choice of coats and jackets a once-over, too.
This season, I'm loving all the leather-look biker jackets, faux fur coats and camel coats. These looks come in every autumn/winter season, but I wouldn't have it any other way - they just never fail!
9. Footwear
And finally, a stunning shoedrobe is of course, entirely essential. But, in order to make your shoe collection as functional and practical as it is stylish, it's crucial that you have access to a selection of different styles.
So, to ensure that you really do have a pair to suit every event and occasion possible, I recommend purchasing:
- Two pairs of heels - one black and one nude
- A choice of flats
- Trainers (something I actually don't have, but they're on my list!)
- Boots - ankle and knee-high, obviously...
- Wedges - typically these are more commonly associated with the summer months, but you can still get some great pairs at this time of year, too - and they're super comfy!
And there you have it! That's pretty much everything you'll be needing to create that capsule wardrobe you've been dreaming of.
I really hope you all enjoyed this post, and I can't wait to share more with you soon. In the meantime, why not check out my post 'How To Look Expensive' for more style inspiration?
Lots of love,
Grace x
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