Building a capsule wardrobe: 6 wardrobe essentials
Trends come and go, but these pieces will always take pride of place in your wardrobe.
It often happens that with the change of season and the consequent stylistic change of season, every day becomes a face to face with our own clothes in which the phrase "I have nothing to wear" ends up ringing in a loop. This statement is not really true in most cases, but rather the opposite: too many clothes can lead to a lack of ideas to make the most of them by creating different outfits. This is something that the well-known capsule wardrobe has been solving for more than half a century. We see it appearing daily in articles and social networks, as it is already a regular in the fashion world and, especially in recent years, its relevance has grown like wildfire. The secret of its success? It makes our lives easier while teaching us to appreciate the power of 'less is more'. And now that the return to routine is a reality, it's the best time to put it into practice.
What is a capsule wardrobe?
The term "capsule wardrobe" refers to the set of garments and accessories – an average of 30 – that can be easily combined with each other that constitute the foundations of the wardrobe and allow you to create an infinite number of different outfits. In other words, it is about investing in those pieces considered essential that will accompany you for years without losing an iota of charm or functionality.
How to build a capsule wardrobe?
The first key when selecting the garments for your women's capsule wardrobe it is choosing those pieces that have a timeless design and are untouched by ephemeral trends. The second, that they are made with qualitative fabrics or materials, which will prolong their durability. And, finally, that they offer various possibilities when it comes to combining them, regardless of the context or occasion. As we mentioned in the previous point, the goal is for those designs to remain in your wardrobe for a long, long time. Not forgotten in a drawer, but as key pieces in your day-to-day outfits.
The golden rule is that the garments and accessories fit your own personality, and not the other way around. Your tastes, your lifestyle and your identity must take precedence over the trends of the moment, because it is about that, when it comes to combining a look, you do not have any doubts and feel like yourself. Think of it this way: no matter how much time passes, they are designs that you will continue to like as much as the first day and that you will not stop coming back to again and again.
With this in mind, it is complex to define the garments for a definitive wardrobe. However, there are certain basics that never go out of style and work as a wild card on any occasion, wardrobe and season. And they are precisely the ones we have compiled in this selection of examples for a capsule wardrobe.
White shirts: a must-have classic
There are garments whose place of honor in the wardrobe is non-negotiable. And the passage of time has shown that the white shirt will always be one of them. Its innate timelessness, simplicity and elegance give it the power to successfully solve any outfit, becoming the perfect stylistic wildcard. Check it out by wearing it with tailored trousers, over a top or sweater to add an extra layer or with jeans when you are looking for a casual look.
A striped sweater for a chic touch
Creating a capsule wardrobe is essentially an ode to simplicity and the essence of personal style. It is the search for pieces that not only adapt to multiple combinations, but also tell a story, your story. In this sense, striped sweaters emerge as true protagonists, those infallible allies that never fail to bring a touch of relaxed and timeless elegance.
The real magic of this garment lies in its ability to adapt to any occasion, always bringing a touch of freshness and modernity. Its clean lines and simple patterns make each garment in your capsule wardrobe feel coherent and harmonious, allowing you to experiment with different combinations effortlessly.
A blazer as a synonym for comfort
If you had to keep only 10 items in your women's capsule wardrobe, the blazer would certainly be one of the top choices, especially for between-season looks. Especially for transition outfits. The reason? Its natural talent for instantly elevating any look. A slightly oversized, plain or micro-printed design effortlessly combines formality with a laid-back feel, allowing you to wear it to the office in a suit, with trainers for a laid-back look or at night paired with a satin dress and heeled sandals.
The key lies in choosing garments that have a timeless design and are trend-free
Little Black Dress: the eternal ally in any capsule wardrobe
Its creator said that "to be irreplaceable, one must always seek to be different", and she soon proved it by popularising what is by far the most famous and revered dress in history. Revolutionary at first, today we can no longer live without a black dress in our wardrobe. It may vary in length, fabric, cut or details, but its natural elegance, charm and flattering power remain intact. Day or night, for a total black look for a celebration or a more casual style, the outfit is served.
All in denim
The most ubiquitous and universal pair of trousers in history are, of course, jeans. That's why we can't imagine a capsule wardrobe without at least one denim outfit. Over the course of more than 150 years, they have been reinterpreted to the point of exhaustion in different finishes, always preserving the quality that made them a legend: versatility. Finding the perfect fit is no easy task, but the passage of time has confirmed that there is no style or silhouette that can resist classic straight-fit jeans. An unconditional garment that will be ready to solve any style that comes along.
The trench coat
Long gone is the purely utilitarian vocation that gave life to this immortal coat, which has become an icon in the world of cinema and a fashion icon with its own personality. Today, the women's trench coat boasts of being one of the irreplaceable wardrobe staples, especially during the mid-season months. It's waterproof, it goes with absolutely everything, it can be worn at different times of the year and, what we love most: wearing it instantly lends a dose of enigmatic sophistication that is impossible to match.