I’ve been putting together capsule wardrobes for seven years this fall, and in that time I’ve relied on a handful of staples that I think of as “the glue”. The pieces that tie each look together effortlessly, making the looks easy to repeat, recreate and restyle season after season. Do I enjoy incorporating a trend or two with each new capsule? Absolutely! But it’s the neutral building blocks that can make or break the vibe. Let’s chat about some of those coveted classics today!
A NEUTRAL TRENCH
This will forever and always be a go-to for me in a capsule wardrobe. It’s a piece that truly works for everyone – it is appropriate for the office, is a layering essential for travel, and is also just a sophisticated topper for casual everyday outfits no matter your plans. It’s one of those few wardrobe unicorns that simply just works. Throw it over a sweatsuit for an athleisure look with sneakers, or style it with a black dress and heels for an elevated dinner look! To get the most versatility and timeless appeal, opt for a standard sandy beige/khaki neutral shade. Peruse my past capsules to discover hundreds of styling ideas for a trench like this! The one I’m wearing here is by MANGO and I’ve been very impressed with the quality. I’m wearing the XS!
A WHITE CREW NECK TEE
Obviously a wardrobe essential! My favorite and most wearable tee of the last couple of years is this Zara style. It is 100% cotton and the fit is perfect! The cotton is thick and not sheer whatsoever, which means you can’t see your bra *at all* underneath, which I love. I’ve actually enjoyed it as a more fitted tee (I have the XS in both black and white), but if you want a looser fit definitely size up. I wear this tee on its own, layered under jackets, and even wear it backwards under sweaters! This little hack is a fun way to add texture and depth to your outfits – the white tee peeks up over the top of the sweater collar for a cool layered look. You can see examples of this look here and here!
CLASSIC BLUE JEANS
Depending on the year, the silhouette may change slightly but the goal remains the same. Find a pair of everyday jeans in a classic blue wash that you can wear with all kinds of shoes! Some of my favorites include this AGOLDE cut, this Pistola pair (if you like a subtle barrel look!), and of course, the Khaite Abigail jean. While I’m also loving a wide leg jean right now (these are SO GOOD), I would still suggest a straight leg pair if you’re hoping to get the best bang for your buck.
A BLACK MOCK NECK TOP
A mock neckline is a favorite of mine! I find it slightly more elevated than a crew neck style, and often wear it out for dinner or if I want to add polish to a daytime look. In the winter I rely heavily on my beloved Brochu Walker Anika top (sadly now sold out – I have it in black and in grey!), but for spring, summer and early fall I reach for this sleeveless style from Zara. It’s very comfortable and cute on its own, but the elegant neckline looks gorgeous under all kinds of jackets, blazers and coats!
A BLACK BLAZER
Like the neutral trench, a solid black blazer adds instant polish to a look and can be easily dressed up or down. Take this look I saw on Sarah Pidgeon and recreated for a regular Friday, vs this outfit I wore out one night this fall! While it’s certainly a staple for those with corporate 9-to-5 jobs, I don’t work in corporate America and wear my black blazer a lot. There’s something so effortlessly cool about an oversized black blazer and to me, it’s a must-have!
A CREAM SWEATER
This time of year I love to don bright sweaters as an act of rebellion against winter, in hopes of beckoning spring temps my way. But as much as I love bright knits, my cream sweaters have gotten the most wear in my wardrobe! Like the black mock neck top, they’re such a useful base layer but also look very pretty worn as a stand alone piece. I love a solid (I have this simple crewneck!), but this season I also picked up this striped cotton knit and have been loving it! It works as an accent piece or the base layer, and I know will be a useful item for travel. I have the XS! I’m tempted to get the solid version too!!
There are a number of other items I could probably include here, but these building blocks really do it for me in terms of being a good place to start! They are pieces I use often and they have such a timeless appeal, I return to them season after season!
In terms of accessories, I find shoes to be one of the easiest ways to keep my classic wardrobe feeling current and on trend! I don’t swap out all of my shoes each season, but I will rotate a few fresh silhouettes into the mix to keep things interesting. These Khaite boots were certainly my most successful shoe purchase of the fall/winter season! I need to take them to the cobbler to get spruced up, because I’ve worn them practically every day since the temps dropped in October. Alternatively, I’ve had this pair of Manolo pumps for years and still wear them all the time!
In summary, invest in quality basics first and then go from there! Having solid closet staples will make getting ready every day that much easier. Once you have those items covered, you can throw a trendy item or statement piece into the mix to add flair, color, texture and more personality!
