Pieces that Every Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe Needs: Part I

The older I get, the more I realize that I tend to appreciate the simplicity of life. Rather than excess, I find joy in things that are functional, selective and long-lasting. This ideality has even seeped its way into my sense of fashion. Even a few years back, I was making more purchases based on what was trending rather than what really fit my own sense of style. The idea of a capsule wardrobe really hit home for me because it made so much sense to invest in essential pieces that I can wear time and time again without worrying about it going out of style. 

Not saying that there is not a time and place for the latest and greatest trends. In fact, I believe a condensed collection is a great foundation for you to thoughtfully layer on more trendy pieces when appropriate. If the idea of this take on fashion speaks to you as well, I wanted to put together a comprehensive guide on what I believe makes for the perfect minimalist capsule wardrobe starting with tops, bottoms and dresses.

Pieces that Every Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe Needs

Minimal Tops for a Capsule Wardrobe

Nailing down a set of tops you can easily mix-and-match with the other bottoms in your collection is a great place to start. Of course, the basics go a long way here. Simple tank tops and t-shirts are the building blocks to a strong capsule wardrobe. Personally, I will stock up on these items from shops like H&M, Mango and ASOS so it is affordable for me to replace them when needed so they can continue to look crisp and new. Along with those items, a button up top is a must in any minimalist’s closet as it is a versatile shirt for both work and play. You can also style this top in different ways by keeping it loose, tucking it into trousers or even doing an asymmetrical tuck. There is so much bandwidth in just this one shirt making it an essential

Must Have Bottoms

Now for the other most important part of your capsule wardrobe – the bottoms. First things first, a reliable pair of jeans needs to be on your list! This is the classic pant that you will likely live in on a day-to-day basis. A standard blue wash is a key element to your wardrobe but do not be afraid to invest in other washes such as black, white and grey so you have a few more casual pant options on hand. On the flipside, I would say a capsule wardrobe needs a formal bottom you can wear for dressier occasions like to the office or to dinner parties. A relaxed pair of trousers or paperbag waist pants are chic, contemporary options that will allow you to keep all your bases covered. 

The last thing I wanted to touch on in the bottom department are skirts to flatter your figure. There are so many cuts and silhouettes like a-line, wrap pencil and mini skirts so carefully evaluate and see what styles you tend to gravitate towards more. From there, select one or two to add to your minimal capsule wardrobe so you have some bottoms in addition to the above denim and trousers. 

Dress Staples for your Capsule Wardrobe

Moving to dresses – my favorite category! All serious capsule wardrobes will consist of at least one LBD. The timeless black dress is a go-to piece for nights out, whether it be for dinner, a party or anything else in between. For a more classic look, shop for plain silhouettes and for a more contemporary flair, look for trendy detailing like cut outs or an off-the-shoulder neckline. I also suggest adding a more daytime appropriate dress to your capsule wardrobe too. This could potentially be a lighter color so you can further differentiate it from your formal LBD. Shop some of my picks for potential capsule wardrobe dresses below. 

I hope this acts as a guide if you are just embarking on your capsule wardrobe journey! Tops, bottoms and dresses are a great place to start but make sure you return because I will delve into outerwear, footwear and accessories next week.