HOW TO
BUILD THE ULTIMATE CAPSULE WARDROBE
Marie Kondo fans know the power of decluttering your life. If you’ve already tackled your Tupperware drawer, it's probably high time to take a look at what’s going on in your closet.
From one-hit wonder bridesmaid dresses to the printed jeans you’ve never quite pulled off, saying goodbye to clothes that no longer serve you is actually quite meditative. It’s the age-old quality versus quantity debate. And the phrase ‘less is more’ could not ring truer than when it comes to surviving an outfit crisis – if you’ve curated items that you know you truly love, every ensemble is a winner. Enter the capsule wardrobe.
WHAT IS A CAPSULE WARDROBE?
The idea of a capsule wardrobe is centred around a collection of basics that are easy to wear and can be used to create a range of outfits from as few items as possible. From crisp white shirts to indigo blue denim and a classic khaki trench coat, the colour palette of a capsule wardrobe tends to skew quite neutral. However, there’s no real rule here. Sticking to colour families that you know blend well together is key – but that doesn’t mean your wardrobe needs to be bland.
If you’re a bit bored with black and beige, don’t be afraid to explore new ‘neutrals’, like forest green, burgundy and chocolate brown. And if you’re not naturally a minimalist, playing with textures, and even adding a print in the mix is within the realm of perfecting your forever wardrobe without losing a sense of ‘you’.
WHY SHOULD I BUILD A CAPSULE WARDROBE?
From making mornings easier to refining your personal style, the benefit of a capsule wardrobe is that you always have things that ‘work’ hanging in your closet. No more pre-date meltdowns or work-meeting woes. You are guaranteed to look good and feel even better when you invest in a handful of pieces that create perfect harmony.
But this doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. The art of a well-worn wardrobe is finding a balance between high and low pieces. When it comes to tailoring and outerwear, it pays to spend a little extra on pieces you truly love. Consider fabric and fit – and get things altered if they’re not quite perfect – because, ultimately, comfort is key. You can save on tees, tanks and shirting that you will cycle through more frequently (no one expects you to wear the same white t-shirt for 10 years – you should simply always have one up your sleeve, categorically speaking).
7 PIECES TO START YOUR CAPSULE WARDROBE
1. THE TRENCH
A trench coat is timeless. Worn daily over a pair of jeans and a tee or layered with a slip dress for nights when you’re headed ‘out out’, a trench has the power to make you feel instantly pulled together. Our Cool Clique Trench Coat in its durable cotton blend will stand the test of time.
2. THE FOREVER COAT
Softly structured and cut from elegant wool fabric, our Shapes & Shadows Coat & About Face Coat epitomises the ultimate investment piece. The style has just the right amount of mannish appeal to match perfectly with tailored trousers at the office or sweep effortlessly over activewear for a Sunday morning coffee run; a forever coat is found.
3. THE LEATHER PANT
A symbol of youthful rebellion, the right pair of leather pants will prove there is always room in your wardrobe to have a little fun. Crafted from supple lambskin leather, our Open Season Stretch Leather Pant & Fearless Leather Pant is here to do the heavy lifting for you. Pair with sleek white sneakers and an oversized button-down by day, before slipping into sky-high stilettos and a blazer by night for the ultimate 24-hour wardrobe hero.
4. THE CLASSIC KNIT
The secret to finding the perfect knit is all in the fabric: look for pieces spun from merino wool or cashmere. Not only do they feel heavenly soft, but they’ll also be mainstays in your wardrobe for many winters to come. We love the Flipside Knit Turtle, Love Bites Knit & Cool Snap Knit for staying warm in style.
5. THE BLUE JEAN
We could talk about denim for days. And while finding the elusive ‘perfect’ pair of jeans can seem like an endless mission, our Mood Indigo Cropped Denim Jean ticks a lot of boxes. Cut with a mid-rise, tapered leg and cropped length, they’re saturated in a shade of indigo that would make Brigitte Bardot proud.
6. THE WHITE SHIRT
Quite possibly the desert island pick for every modern wardrobe, the white shirt has a hold over us that we cannot explain. From gently crumpled linen to crisp cotton poplin, tailored to oversized and classic buttons or a contemporary zip fastening, there is a perfect white shirt out there for every woman. Try our Boy Crazy Shirt W Zip for a classic with a twist.
7. THE KNITTED CAMI
A sleek top that tucks well and layers even better is quite literally the building block of many classic outfits. Wear the No Limits Knit Cami with jeans and a trench, layering it with leather pants and your forever coat or match it with a silky slip skirt when you need a little more va-va-voom.
When building the ultimate capsule wardrobe, choose pieces that reflect your go-to style that can be worn time and time again and still remain stunning and classy. Discover our permanent collection from MANNING CARTELL so you can build your own capsule wardrobe and change the outfit game forever.