How to Develop a Capsule Wardrobe

A "capsule wardrobe" is a thought-out collection of clothes where all of the items can easily be mixed and matched and are versatile for a number of occasions. You can build a capsule wardrobe if you want to invest in high-end, quality items. You may also want to put together a capsule wardrobe for an extended trip or regular travel. Here are some tips for developing a capsule wardrobe.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Black tank top
• Neutral-colored crewneck sweater
• Black turtleneck
• White button-down shirt
• Cardigan
• Black pants
• Denim jacket
• Jeans
• Pair of khakis
• Long-sleeved and short-sleeved white t-shirts
• Long-sleeved and short-sleeved black t-shirts
• Printed dress
• Patterned fitted jacket
• Bold blouse
• Graphic sweater
• Tweed pants
• Lined wool skirt
• Black suit
• Pin-striped Oxford shirt
• Black dress
• Jeweled-tone silk blouse
• Gray slacks
• Neutral fitted jacket
• Neutral fitted camisole
• Velvet jacket
• Ruffled shirt
• Cocktail skirt
• Velvet pants
• Party dress

1. Purchase basic wardrobe items for your capsule wardrobe. You will need a black tank top, a neutral-colored crewneck sweater, a black turtleneck, a white button-down shirt, a cardigan, black pants, a denim jacket, jeans and a pair of khakis. These are items that should be high-quality so that you will only have to replace them once a year, or once every two years.

2. Purchase disposable items you will have to replace regularly. This includes long-sleeved and short-sleeved white t-shirts, and a long-sleeved and short-sleeved black t-shirts. These items will be replaced as they become worn or soiled. Old Navy, Gap or Target are good places to buy these items.

3. Purchase statement pieces for your capsule wardrobe. Some statement pieces you will need are a printed dress, a patterned fitted jacket, a bold blouse, a graphic sweater and a pair of tweed pants that can be fun or for business. These items will be more trendy and you may want to replace them as styles changes.

4. Purchase dressy staples for your capsule wardrobe. You will need a lined wool skirt, a black suit (with pants and skirt), a pin-striped Oxford shirt, a black dress, a jeweled-tone silk blouse, gray slacks and a neutral fitted jacket. You will also need a neutral fitted camisole for coverage under your items. These items can be high-end and elegant.

5. Purchase a few dressy evening items for your capsule wardrobe. You will need a velvet jacket, a ruffled shirt, a cocktail skirt (something that goes well with heels and any fitted top), velvet pants and a party dress. These items need to be versatile so that you can wear them over and over again in different combinations.

Tips & Warnings

• When traveling, you can take a smaller version of a capsule wardrobe that would include jeans, khakis, a suit, basic white and black shirts and a bold-colored top.