When you were younger, did you ever think having a big closet like Carrie Bradshaw’s where you could get lost in clouds of tulle, ruffles, and dresses in every color of the rainbow, sounded like peak adulthood? If so, you’re not alone. The thought of growing up and having rows and rows of fabulous clothes to choose from seemed like it’d be fashion goals. But the true dream might involve a capsule wardrobe instead.
In reality, when you get your own place, you may be surprised to find that having a gigantic wardrobe can be less of a dreamy escape and more of an overwhelming space filled with mountains of clothes you can never quite manage to organize. Because of that, instead of making you feel like a fashion icon every morning when you get dressed, you may end up getting annoyed while sifting through piles of fabric, trying to find something to wear.
That’s why more women are discovering that when it comes to their attire, sometimes less is more, which is why capsule wardrobes are becoming more popular. To learn more about them and how you can create one if you want to decrease the amount of garments you have, we reached out to celebrity stylist Kristine Anigwe, who is known for dressing some of the WNBA’s chicest women off the court, like Skylar Diggins-Smith, Cameron Brink, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Tiffany Hayes and more.
Find out what she told Parade about building capsule wardrobes and what suggestions she gave so you can narrow down your fashion choices—without sacrificing your style.
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What Is a Capsule Wardrobe?
If you’ve never heard of a capsule wardrobe, it was coined by author Susie Faux and basically refers to a limited number of clothing options to choose from in your home.
Instead of incorporating trendy clothing that will quickly go out of style or pattern pieces that can’t be worn with a lot of different outfits, Anigwe says it’s made up of timeless staples that can create multiple looks with the same core pieces.
“A capsule wardrobe is a minimalist wardrobe that can be easily mixed and matched to help you achieve a more cohesive style and can help you better organize your closet,” she explains. “It became popular when the quiet luxury trend took off and sustainability started becoming more popular as the world became full of fast fashion.”
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How Many Items Does Your Capsule Wardrobe Need?
A capsule wardrobe typically contains 20-50 pieces of clothing, which includes tops, bottoms and accessories.
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Benefits of a Capsule Wardrobe
Easier Styling
Having a lot of clothes can be fun, but when it comes to putting together an outfit, sometimes having more items can make getting ready a little more complicated and time-consuming.
“A capsule wardrobe makes it less stressful when you’re deciding what to wear because you won’t be trying on tons of different pieces in your closet to see what goes with what,” Anigwe says. “This is especially great for people with busy schedules and who travel often because you won’t have to worry as much about what you are going to wear every day so it’ll save you time and it will open up your mental space for more important decisions.”
Decreases Your Clothing Expenses
“Having a capsule wardrobe is budget-friendly,” Anigwe tells Parade. “It saves you money in the long run because it encourages you to invest in quality and timeless pieces instead of trendy pieces that go out of style each season that you’ll want to constantly replace. Because of that, you’ll save money by not shopping every month, and not having the urge to impulse buy.”
Helps Define Your Look
While most walk-in closets are filled with different types of clothing that range in colors, patterns and styles, capsule wardrobes are much more unified, which can help define your style.
“Most capsule collections follow a theme that maintains a style someone likes, whether it’s minimalistic, office-core or preppy chic,” Anigwe notes. “As a result, that specific style is represented in a person’s entire capsule and streamlines its overall image and appearance. Therefore, when someone wants to put an outfit together, whatever they grab will usually result in a cohesive look.”
Greater Flexibility
You might think having less clothing to choose from would result in you having less combinations to wear, however, Anigwe says it’s actually the opposite because your pieces all go so well together unlike large wardrobes which might only have a couple options that can be paired together.
“A capsule wardrobe’s versatility lies in its ability to create numerous outfit combinations with fewer items, ensuring a polished and cohesive look for any occasion,” she states.
More Sustainable
“By investing in well-made, interchangeable clothing staples, you not only minimize your environmental impact, but you also refine your personal style with ease,” Anigwe reveals.
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Cons of a Capsule Wardrobe
Could Seem Dull
“A capsule wardrobe may feel boring and monotone,” Anigwe discloses. “Sticking to their limited color palette and classic silhouettes may feel restrictive over time to some people, especially for those who enjoy experimenting with trends.”
Lacks Trend Integration
If you are someone who loves trying out the latest fashion each season, a capsule wardrobe may not be for you.
“Capsule wardrobes prioritize longevity over trends, which can sometimes make them feel static in a fast-moving fashion world,” Anigwe points out. “Since you aren’t constantly incorporating fresh elements into them, like in a normal wardrobe, a capsule collection may feel outdated or overly basic to some people. For example, there might be trends that consumers feel very aligned with, such as the Y2K trend that has been resurging, but since capsules are very minimalistic, such a trend can’t be incorporated into a capsule wardrobe.”
Predictable Fashion
“While the mix-and-match potential of capsule wardrobes are a major selling point, the limited selection of clothing in it may mean outfit combinations may start to feel predictable if people wear the same combinations over and over again and don’t utilize all the pieces to create different outfits from them. Without new textures, patterns, or standout items, styling options may become uninspiring for some people,” Anigwe tells Parade.
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How To Build a Capsule Wardrobe: 8 Must-Have Items
1. Jeans
According to Anigwe, no capsule wardrobe is complete without a great pair of jeans.
“Jeans are important to include as a core clothing item because they are easy to style,” she tells Parade, adding that what makes jeans especially essential is that they can be paired with every type of top and footwear, which can transform their look.
“They can be dressed down with sneakers and dressed up with heels or boots,” she adds.
However, since jeans can range from skinny to wide-legged, flared and more, does it matter which ones you include? According to Anigwe, it doesn’t. She says it’s more important that they give you confidence and you like how you look in them.
“You should add your favorite pair of jeans that you love and feel comfortable wearing over and over again,” she shares.
2. Trench Coat
When it comes to outerwear, Anigwe suggests including something in your capsule wardrobe that is a neutral tone, stylish and can be worn throughout multiple seasons, like a trench coat.
“It’s a great piece because it also easily elevates every look you wear it with,” she adds.
3. White Button-Up Shirt
One basic Anigwe tells Parade you can’t forget to include is a button-up shirt.
“A crisp white button-up shirt is a classic piece that pairs seamlessly with everything from tailored trousers to casual denim, offering you endless styling possibilities,” Anigwe states. “It’s also perfect for layering and can be worn throughout the year, helping you create multiple different outfits.”
4. Black Slacks
Aside from jeans, Anigwe tells Parade you should have at least one more pant choice in your capsule wardrobe. It should be something that can be worn both to work and to dressier places, like a nice restaurant or event.
“I’d recommend including black slacks because they are easy to pair with different colored tops and can be worn on various occasions,” she advises.
5. Blazer
Because you don’t have room in a capsule wardrobe to include lots of jackets, cardigans and layering pieces, you need to include something that can take the place of them all, in a timeless way, that can also be paired with almost anything. That’s why Anigwe says having a blazer comes in handy.
“A well-fitted or oversized blazer can instantly elevate any outfit, adding sophistication to even the most basic looks,” she shares. “Whether worn over a dress or paired with jeans, it provides structure and polish, making it an essential layering piece in a capsule wardrobe.”
As for what color you should have? She says a classic black one is best.
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6. Scarf
While there are countless options for accessories you can include in your capsule wardrobe, Anigwe suggests including a scarf as it can be worn all year long and will provide way more styling options for you.
“Besides adding elegance to any look it is paired with, a scarf is a super versatile accessory,” she tells Parade. “Depending on how a scarf is draped or tied, it can even be worn as a top.”
7. Little Black Dress
“A little black dress is the ultimate versatile piece, as you can effortlessly transition it from day to night by simply switching out your accessories. You can wear something like a ballerina flat with it to work and then stilettos that evening,” Anigwe says. “Its timeless elegance ensures it never goes out of style, making it a staple in any well-curated capsule wardrobe.”
8. Halter Top
Since you are limiting the amount of clothing you have, Anigwe notes that you need to make sure that the tops you include don’t all look the same. That’s why she says you should have one with a different neckline, like a halter top.
“A classic halter top is a good capsule piece because it is very versatile and can be dressed up or down,” Anigwe points out. “It’s also a great option for layering with other pieces.”
Tip: You want to make sure you choose one in a solid color, like black or white, so you can easily mix and match it with other pieces in your wardrobe.
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