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The ultimate capsule wardrobe checklist is meant to make your life easier year-round. Inspired by women’s lives and their needs a capsule wardrobe is a distinct dress code of pared-back style that exudes a timeless appeal of mixing color-blocked foundational pieces and accent colors that highlight your individual style.

This can be a game changer because you have the flexibility to mix and match most outfits without the anxiety of rummaging through a cluttered closet or buying new clothes last minute to compensate for indecisiveness.

Ultimately, capsule wardrobes are a more sustainable way to replace your fast fashion impulse purchases with consciously made good-quality basic pieces.

Let’s start by briefly explaining the capsule wardrobe basics: Replacing bright colors with neutral colors, toning down loud statement pieces with soft feminine touches, and updating your tired and dull clothes with capsule wardrobe essentials.

Are Capsule Wardrobes Boring?

There is a common misconception that capsule wardrobes are boring. A huge part of that misconception stems from fast fashion retailers mass producing so many clothes every month that it’s only normal to find yourself being sucked into that repetitive sales funnel, but still feeling like you have nothing to wear.There are so many benefits of having a capsule wardrobe that can be achieved at a variety of price points without sacrificing quality or your unique personal style. Not to mention, capsule wardrobes also free up more space in your closet reducing anxiety over outfit ideas you typically struggle over as you get dressed.

Why Should You Create a Capsule Wardrobe?

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  • Do you struggle with your current wardrobe getting dressed in the morning?
  • Is your current closet filled with clothes that you rarely wear?
  • Do you overspend on the latest trends instead of good-quality classic pieces?
  • Can you easily style different outfits with seasonally versatile pieces?
  • Do you constantly catch yourself saying, “I have nothing to wear?”
  • Do you regret wearing that leopard print mini dress when you had to get dressed up for a work event? PS: We’ve all had that moment!
  • Are you tired of feeling stressed and insecure about your lackluster closet?
  • Do you want to save money and feel confident again?

How Many Clothes Should be in a Capsule Wardrobe?

Roughly 37-50 items are in a capsule wardrobe.

Our goal is to make your life easier which is why we want to help you build a capsule wardrobe that transcends fad trends. Allowing you to create a small collection of chic wardrobe staples that gives you the confidence to represent your personal style while saving you time and money.

By incorporating your ideal style goals we’ve broken down the capsule wardrobe process into an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide of 10 capsule wardrobe basics.

If you’re ready to build a capsule wardrobe keep reading below, as we created a 10-step capsule wardrobe guide, plus a bonus pdf complete list of wardrobe pieces that you can print or screenshot as you build the perfect capsule wardrobe year-round.

How To Create Your Ultimate Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe

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10 Capsule Wardrobe Basics + Core Closet Essentials:

1. Capsule Collection: Outerwear

Capsule-Wardrobe-Checklist-Toteme-Signature-Trench-Coat

Trench Coat: Totême Signature Trench Coat is a classic year-round capsule wardrobe must-have. Wear it with a white t-shirt, black pants, and a sleek pair of black suede mules as work attire or for Sunday brunch.

Capsule-Wardrobe-Checklist-Toteme-Signature-Trench-Coat

Cashmere-Wool Coat: We love the effortlessly-stylish benefits of Scandinavian fashion brands, like Totême’s Signature Wool-Cashmere Coat in camel and black, both are capsule wardrobe essentials to have in your closet.

Capsule-Wardrobe-Checklist-Toteme-Signature-Trench-Coat

Puffer Coat: Cos Recycled-Down Longline Puffer Coat is perfect for the colder weather when you need an extra layer, plus it still matches almost everything on this capsule wardrobe checklist.

Capsule-Wardrobe-Checklist-Toteme-Signature-Trench-Coat

Leather Jacket: Reformation’s Veda Jacket transcends fad fashion trends with this timeless capsule wardrobe leather cropped trench. Style with a slip dress or jeans.

Capsule-Wardrobe-Checklist-Toteme-Signature-Trench-Coat

Quilted Jacket: Cos Quilted Liner Jacket is a perfect capsule wardrobe essential for when temperatures start dipping low.

Editors Note: The Quilted Jacket is made of recycled polyester meant to keep you warm, plus I also love wearing it as an extra layer underneath my Totême’s Signature Wool-Cashmere coats.

2. Capsule Wardrobe Basics: Tank Tops & T-shirts

Tank Tops: Finding capsule wardrobe basics that are the perfect fit can often feel like a never-ending search. Thankfully, brands like Arket check all the boxes on this capsule wardrobe checklist from ribbed racer tank tops to affordable yet luxurious silk tank tops.

Capsule Wardrobe Basics: Tank Tops

Basic Tees: You cannot create a capsule wardrobe without having at least two t-shirts in all neutral colors: Black, white, grey, and navy (stripped).

FEMMENA top tip: Buy various v-neck and crew neck options so you reuse your workwear wardrobe essentials interchangeably.

Capsule Wardrobe Basics: Tank Tops

White Shirt: I live in my white shirt year-round because it easily pairs with most of the clothes in my closet and is the perfect capsule wardrobe layering piece. Wear it with black linen shorts in the summer or leggings and your trench coat in the fall.

3. Wardrobe Essentials: Sweaters

Capsule Wardrobe Basics: Sweaters

Cardigans: Soft Goat’s Button Cardigan is my fall capsule wardrobe go-to cardigan. I like to wear it with a t-shirt, black tailored pants, and mules for the office, and I style it with a t-shirt, jeans, and leather combat boots for a more casual look.

Capsule Wardrobe Basics: Sweaters

Chunky Knits: If there is one thing that I will never stop investing in, is high-quality cashmere or wool knitted sweaters

Soft Goat’s Oversized Cable Knit Sweater is a lightweight option to throw over your shoulders on a breezy summer’s night, and their Boyfriend O-Neck in the color Sand is a relaxed staple to add to your spring capsule wardrobe.

Capsule Wardrobe Basics: Sweaters

Fitted Turtlenecks: Cos Slim-Fit Merino Wool Turtlenecks come in every color on this capsule wardrobe checklist, plus you can never have too many turtlenecks in your winter capsule wardrobe

4. Foundational Pieces: Blazers

Black Blazer: A must-have investment on this capsule wardrobe checklist is a black blazer. I love how the COS’s Regular-Fit Single-Breasted Wool Blazer fits and how many outfits I can style. You can match it with black tailored trousers or wear it with a white shirt, jeans, and pointed-toe ankle boots.

Grey Blazer: Arket Oversized Wool Blend Blazer works with a crew-neck t-shirt and blue straight-leg jeans and a pair of suede shoes for a chic casual Friday look.

Neutral Color Blazer: COS Draped-Sleeve Mélange Wool Blazer can be mixed and matched with most outfits all year. Style it with white linen pants and a cotton ribbed tank top in the summer. Wear it with a pair of black trousers and ballet flats.

5. Wardrobe Staples: Pants

5. Wardrobe Staples: Pants

Tailored Trousers: Your capsule wardrobe should ultimately have at least 2 pairs of tailored straight-leg pants in black and a pair in grey. Look for fit and design that is both functional and structured form.

5. Wardrobe Staples: Pants

Straight-leg Jeans: COS Straight-leg Jeans come in 3 capsule colors that can be styled with endless outfits and the fun part is these slim-fit jeans are crafted from recycled stretchy cotton materials to provide maximum all-day comfort.

Skinny fit Jeans: Agolde High-Rise Skinny Jeans are a classic capsule wardrobe staple that can be worn with knee-high leather boots and a chunky cashmere knit sweater or wear them with your favorite white sneakers and cotton button-down blouse.

6. Capsule Collection: Dress

Capsule Collection: Dress

Little Black Dress (LBD): A black dress goes with everything on this capsule wardrobe checklist, but a slip dress compliments almost any silhouette. Wear it with an oversized blazer or accessorize it with some gold accents.

Capsule Collection: Dress

Knit Dress: A wrap dress is an easy timeless essential for every wardrobe.

Capsule Collection: Dress

Linen Dress: L’Academie The Medow Mini-Dress is a contemporary and effortlessly easy-to-style summer dress, complete this look with classic stretch sandal heels.

7. Neutral Colors: Midi Length Skirts

Neutral Colors: Midi Length Skirts

Silk Skirts: Put this Anine Bing Bar Silk Skirt on your capsule wardrobe checklist! The timeless silk midi length is cut for a close, streamlined fit that you can style with a cotton ribbed tank top, a blazer, and pumps or a chunky knitted sweater and knee-high boots.

Neutral Colors: Midi Length Skirts

Black Pencil Skirt: Theory Classic Pencil Skirt is a well-tailored and supremely comfortable modern staple to have in your closet for that big boardroom meeting or a sophisticated conservative event.

8. Capsule Wardrobe: Shoes

Capsule Wardrobe: Shoes

Classic Pump: Manolo Blahnik BB 105mm Stiletto Pumps endure the test of time and trends. The distinctively sexy pumps come in a variety of colors with exceptional quality and craftsmanship and are just what every capsule wardrobe closet needs to consist of!

Capsule Wardrobe: Shoes

Ballet Flat: Roger Vivier Belle Vivier patent leather ballet flats are a classic style of glossy patent leather with a metal buckle accent, that ensures any wardrobe exudes sophistication.

Capsule Wardrobe: Shoes

Suede Loafer: Loro Piano Walk Suede Loafer shoes are a soft and subtle touch that emphasizes a cosmopolitan understanding of how to style any capsule wardrobe look.

Capsule Wardrobe: Shoes

Ankle Boots: Tony Bianco Halsey Bootie is a feminine mix of contemporary and classic that created one of the cutest on-trend statement shoes.

Capsule Wardrobe: Shoes

Knee-high Boot: Pull-on style with the SAINT LAURENT’s Diane Knee-High Boots embody the label’s effortlessly chic house of style codes. The 105mm heel and almond-toed silhouette will elevate everything, from jeans to capsule tailoring.

Capsule Wardrobe: Shoes

Sandal: Bottega Veneta Stretch Sandals with a high heel are worth the pricey investment! These capsule wardrobe must-haves look sleek with jeans and a beige blazer, or a long ivory silk dress.

9. Capsule Wardrobe Essentials: Casual Wear

Linen Set: AEXAE Linen Woven Shirt and Linen Highrise Trousers is a personal style favorite mastering the art of elegant, sophisticated dressing. Style the three chic and polished monochromatic outfits in an endless amount of ways all summer.

Capsule Wardrobe Essentials: Casual Wear

Sweatshirt and Jogger Set: Chances are you already have a cotton and terry set in gray somewhere in your closet but in case you don’t – this Zara set is not only budget-friendly but made of breathable cotton.

Capsule Wardrobe Essentials: Casual Wear

White Sneakers: Puma x Vogue Women’s TRC Mira Low Top Sneakers are a fresh take on the average white sneaker. The suede leather gives these sneakers an elevated touch that you can wear sportive with a black pantsuit or a t-shirt and jeans.

10. Capsule Wardrobe: Finishing Touches

Sunglasses: Saint Laurent Mica Cat-eye Sunglasses are a consistent classic. They’ll look exceptionally sleek wearing them with a wrapped knit dress.

Capsule Wardrobe: Finishing Touches

Belt: Celine Triomphe Belt is a timeless investment piece that will elevate all your outfits.

Capsule Wardrobe: Finishing Touches

Scarf: Dior Zodiac Silk Square Scarf is a playful take on astrology. Elegantly mixing bright accent colors with capsule wardrobe monochromatic tones.

Capsule Wardrobe: Finishing Touches

Tote Bag: Celine Phantom Small Tote Bag in Grained Calfskin is an elegant soft buttery leather handbag that will serve multiple needs for every occasion. Just throw in all your essentials and go.

Capsule Wardrobe: Finishing Touches

Classic Bag: The classic bag can go a few ways but it’s important for you to keep in mind functionality.

A classic bag can be a steep investment so we urge you to ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do you need something that is moderately sized (to reduce weight) and easy to move in?

A crossbody bag such as the Celine Classique Triomphe Bag or the Chanel Double-Flap Classic Handbag provides both functionalities with adjustable straps and timeless elegance.

Capsule Wardrobe: Finishing Touches
  • Do you need a bag that is a chic hybrid between a purse and a briefcase?

A top handle bag such as the Celine 16 or Saint Laurent Sac De Jour is a sophisticated carryall featuring dual top handles, dual open compartments, and removable shoulder straps.

Capsule Wardrobe: Finishing Touches

Evening Bag: Bottega Veneta Mini Jodie is the signature intrecciato woven construction that elevates any business casual aesthetic and polishes off evening wear attire.

This post is all about the ultimate capsule wardrobe checklist.

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