The Five Piece Capsule Wardrobe Starter Kit
When I first started learning about capsule wardrobes, I had the idea that my closet should contain 20 or 30 key pieces to mix and match throughout the seasons. Now that I have some experience under my belt and a better understanding of my personal style, I realize that those arbitrary numbers are a bit misleading. They often include duplicate items in three neutral shades, and other things that I didn’t feel were ‘essential‘ for me.
The perfect capsule wardrobe doesn’t really boil down to a magic number; it’s more about having a good set of wardrobe staples. So I decided to pinpoint the five pieces that make up my wardrobe staples in the hopes that it might help you get started. Consider this your very minimal capsule wardrobe starter kit with room to grow.
Silk Blouse: Last Brand | T-Shirt: Orejas
No. 1 - A Basic Tee
Of course the basic white tee is always a favorite of mine. I wear them almost every day, paired with minimal gold jewelry and under knitwear. I think it’s good to be picky about the cut and materials, finding which style you like most because there is a surprisingly large array to choose from. A loose fit and a crewneck cut in a soft natural material is my tried and tested combination. And it makes sense to have multiples of these if you’re wearing them as often as I do. Once you have the basic white and black covered, then add color, pattern and graphics. My wardrobe is fairly neutral so I have a tan colored tee, a striped tee and a vintage graphic tee along with a few white and black tees of varying fits.
Shop the Orejas Universal Tee and use code JESSICA15 for 15% off your order.
No. 2 - A Classic Blouse
If you work in an office setting you probably already own a few blouses, but I find them so important to elevating a wardrobe. And they definitely don’t have to be reserved for workwear. They can easily dress up a pair of jeans for a polished yet effortless causal look. I’d say the classic white cotton button down is the best place to start, adding variations in material (like the silk blouse pictured) and pattern. A collarless blouse, peasant blouse or tunic are all chic variations on the classic, and cater to different personal styles.
Shop the Last Brand Silk Blouse and use code JESSICA10 for $10 of your order.
Earrings: Mejuri (similar) | Short Necklace: Missoma | Long Necklace: Mejuri (similar) | Dome Ring: Mejuri | Stacker Ring: Mejuri
No. 3 - A Luxe Knit
Knitwear might be my favorite category of the lot and something I reach for year-round. In my opinion, knitwear looks best in a classic style and quality material. We’ve all struggled with ill-fitting synthetic sweaters that pill, shrink and unravel after just a few washes. And while I’ve got lucky with approximately one acrylic-blend sweater that’s lasted over the years (thank you fabric shaver!), for the most part, I’ve learned that it pays to invest in knitwear if you plan for it to be in heavy rotation. I’ve just properly introduced cashmere into my collection this past season and it’s an instant staple - thin, warm and ultra soft. Go for a color that works with lots of different items in your wardrobe.
Shop the Last Brand Cashmere Sweater and use code JESSICA10 for $10 of your order.
No. 4 - Great Fitting Denim
A great fitting pair of denim is sort of a holy grail item in the world of fashion. Some people swear by vintage Levi’s but those can be quite hard to come by at a reasonable price and takes some research on styles (501, 505, etc). I consider the Levi’s Wedgie Jeans my ideal denim, with a vintage, non-stretchy feel, a high waist and a straight leg. And nowadays there are so many brands making great denim at an affordable price, a few being Weekday, Monki and Arket. Once you find the right fit, consider washes: a mid-wash is a great starter and then add a light or dark denim to change things up. I personally love light wash denim and then I’d opt for a washed black (still looking for them) in place of a dark indigo wash.
Cashmere Sweater: Last Brand | Jeans: Levi’s
No. 5 - Statement Outerwear
By statement I don’t mean you need to go out and buy the brightest pattered coat you can find, unless that’s what your heart yearns for then by all means. Statement outerwear is a beautiful piece that adds something to your outfit rather than just covering it up. And it should work with the rest of your wardrobe. I also don’t have a definitive list of outerwear pieces you should own - that really depends on the climate you live in. Besides, I just looove outerwear and have too much of it for someone who resides in SoCal, so it would be hypocritical coming from me. But there’s one piece I consider a staple in my capsule and that’s a leather biker jacket. It’s a classic shape, it’s cool and it adds a whole lot to the simplest of outfits. Your statement piece might be an oversized trench coat or a plaid blazer - I think you’ll know it when you see it.
Leather Jacket | Old Zara (similar Genuine, Faux)
The “Perfect” Formula
So there you have it, the five-piece capsule wardrobe starter kit. I intended for this to be a launching pad to crafting the perfect capsule wardrobe for you, the number of items and types of items naturally varying from person to person. I hope this encourages you to start one or continue with the one you have, knowing that it’s not about the perfect formula; it’s about honing in on your personal style and consciously consuming. I’d love to compare notes and see what your starter kit includes in the comments below! Thanks so much for reading! xx Jessica
