HOW TO BUILD A CAPSULE WARDROBE
Wardrobe full of clothes yet still nothing to wear? This one's for you.
If you find yourself regularly adding new pieces to your collection but still struggling to build an outfit, it's time to consider creating your own capsule wardrobe.
Whether you're looking to refine your wardrobe or add to it with intention, building a capsule wardrobe serves you an effortless rotation of pieces you can wear, all year round.
SHOP CAPSULE WARDROBE ESSENTIALS
WHAT IS A CAPSULE WARDROBE?
The term 'capsule wardrobe' refers to a curated clothing edit, designed to withstand the test of time. These aren't pieces that follow trends, but are timeless styles you can wear again and again with minimal effort required.
The goal of a capsule wardrobe is not to get rid of all your clothes and having to start over. It's to look at your wardrobe with intention. Think of a plain white shirt:
Suitable to wear through spring and summer with linen trousers and sandals. Come autumn and winter, layer under a cashmere jumper, trench coat and heeled boots. You can wear it into the office with a blazer and tailored trousers, then dress it up for dinner with heels and jeans. Buy a poplin cotton rendition for your 9-to-5, then a loose linen blend for days off duty.
WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD
A CAPSULE WARDROBE?
Having reliable, flexible foundations takes the effort out of getting dressed.
Rushing around before work? Getting dressed up for dinner? Those moments you need a nice outfit, fast, look to your capsule wardrobe for styles that always work; pieces that mix and match with the rest of your wardrobe to effortlessly create new looks.
HOW TO CREATE A CAPSULE
WARDROBE?
Building and refining your capsule wardrobe shouldn't be an overwhelming task. Begin with what you've got, define what's missing and then fill the gaps. Think of it as a more considered spring clean.
Step 1: Your current wardrobe
Begin by going through your wardrobe slowly. Ask yourself how often do I wear this? Can it be styled in many ways? Is it only suitable for one occasion? Can it be dressed up or layered easily?
Step 2: Your personal
style needs
Depending on your lifestyle, your capsule wardrobe should tailor to your style necessities. If you spend a lot of time in a corporate office, look to mix-and-match tailoring. While if your week is more flexible, opt for more relaxed silhouettes that can be dressed up or down.
Step 3: A curated
colour palette
Town or country, office or weekend – what does a practical colour palette look like to you? Is it earthy greens and browns with accents of blue denim? Or is it a modern take on monochrome with punchy pops of red? Try leaning into neutrals and classic hues such as camel and mid wash denim to begin with, then experiment with colour and prints later for more variation.
Step 4: Invest in
staples
To help with day-to-day outfitting, you want to build a core foundation. Look for quality fabrics and noble fibres such as cotton and linen, wool and cashmere, and leather.
Step 5: Filling in the
gaps
Once you've reviewed your current wardrobe and defined what you need from it, discover what you're missing and fill the gaps! Whether it's a waterproof coat for unpredictable weather forecasts or a pair of lighter trousers for warmer days, shop with practicality in mind.
Seasonal
Capsule
Wardrobe
Updates
When it comes to a seasonal shift, it's common to feel the need to refresh your current rotation. But with a capsule collection, this will help diminish the need to buy new clothes and instead, you should be able to swap out for pieces that are more seasonally appropriate.
Through spring and summer, keep your rotation light and airy with cotton tops, linen trousers, light jackets and sandals.
When it comes to autumn and winter, store away lighter pieces and swap them out for knitted tops, longline coats and boots.
HOW TO EVOLVE YOUR CAPSULE WARDROBE OVER TIME
As you're refreshing your wardrobe for the new season, this is a great time to relook at your collection again. Thinking back to this time last year, did you find yourself missing anything? Is there anything this year you could do with updating – for example, you'd prefer a more fitted blazer over your current relaxed style?
When it comes to your favourite pair of jeans or your most-coveted cardigan, can you buy them in another colour for more variation? Building on the styles you know fit great and last well will help evolve your capsule wardrobe over time – and should help get your collection to a place where you don't feel the need to constantly buy new pieces.
7 CAPSULE WARDROBE ESSENTIALS
Thinking back to your personal style needs, consider the essentials you need in your capsule wardrobe.
A tailored blazer
In airy linen, wooly tweed or tailored crepe, a blazer should fit the shoulders neatly to lend infinite layering options through Monday to Sunday.
Well‑fitting trousers
Wide leg or slim, cropped or full length – a pair of well-fitting trousers strikes the perfect balance between flattering and comfortable.
Come-rain-or-shine layers
Shower-resistant or breathable cotton, invest in the layers that you can throw-on-and-go in. Cue the timeless trench coat that does it all.
Versatile dresses
From office to work to weekends, a versatile dress takes the effort out of getting dressed. Look to shirt and tunic silhouettes for everyday ease, while a cotton midi dress is a staple.
Knits to note
If you're looking for new layers, opt for fabrics with natural, temperature-regulating qualities – such as cashmere and wool.
Tops for now
The cotton tee. The airy blouse. A good rotation of tops makes all the difference to those mornings running around in a rush.
Smart shoes
Depending on how you spend your time, opt for the shoes that move through life with you. Lean on leather boots for town-to-country ease, while a pair of suede loafers masters city chic.
TIPS FOR BUILDING
A CAPSULE
WARDROBE THAT
LASTS
With a capsule wardrobe comes the need for long-lasting fabrics. Prioritising noble fibres, look to cotton and viscose for everyday ease – while wool, cashmere and linen lend natural, temperature-regulating qualities.
Invest the time in finding the perfect fit. If you can't stop thinking about that pair of trousers, but they were just a little too long – take them to your local tailors.
And finally, spend more time on the care of your clothes. If you're unsure on the appropriate ways to wash something, double check the care label. If something is made with wool or cashmere, store it safely away. And if you find a fabric is starting to bobble, buy a good-quality lint remover (also known as a fabric shaver) to regularly refresh your clothes.
CARE GUIDE
CREATING A CAPSULE WARDROBE THAT WORKS FOR YOU
The key to a capsule wardrobe? Personalising it to you and your style needs. Take the time to build a core of flexible foundations; a curated edit that makes trend-leaning and statement pieces effortless to dress up, dress down and re-style.
SHOP CAPSULE WARDROBE ESSENTIALS