When it comes to fashion, having a capsule wardrobe is the best way to ensure you’re promoting slow fashion and making the most of your garments. Everyone should have a selection of wardrobe staples that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits.

If you’re looking to curate your capsule wardrobe and make sure you have the basics on hand, read on!

What is a capsule wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe refers to a limited selection of interchangeable clothing pieces that complement each other, allowing you to create various outfits. Although capsule wardrobes can be perceived as ‘boring’ or ‘repetitive’, they are quite the opposite! Having different staple pieces means you can create a range of outfits from the same garments, giving each garment multiple unique ‘looks’.

Why should I invest in a capsule wardrobe?

There are so many benefits of capsule wardrobes. Our favourite one, though, is the slow fashion and sustainability aspect of them. Sadly, the average person consumes 27kgs of new clothing each year while disposing of 23kg – all of which end up in landfills. When you invest in fewer high-quality pieces, the need for buying new clothing like ‘fast-fashion’ will diminish. Keeping your garments for a longer period also means these garments aren’t ending up in landfills – a growing issue around the world.

To learn more, read our blog on The Benefits of Having a Capsule Wardrobe.

How to curate your capsule wardrobe staples

Now you know what a capsule wardrobe is and why you should invest in one, it’s time to put together your wardrobe staples!

Evaluate your current wardrobe

Before you throw out your whole wardrobe so you can start fresh (apart from the fact that throwing out your clothes isn’t good for landfill), evaluate the pieces you have. You might find that some of the items you currently own will become staple pieces for you.

Consider your personal style

Most people incorrectly assume that having a capsule wardrobe means that they will be wearing the same, plain thing every day. This is not the case. Everyone’s capsule wardrobe will be different as it is tailored to you and what you like. Think about things like:

• Your body type and the silhouette you gravitate toward.
• Which necklines suit you best.
• The fabrics you most like the feel of.

Knowing what you like is the most important step when it comes to curating your closet.

What to include

Now comes the fun part – choosing what to include in your wardrobe! Here are our recommendations:

Blazers

A blazer is one of those items that is a great layering piece for all seasons. It also can be dressed up or down and makes your outfit look put together in an instant. Our go-to is our favourite Arden smart casual blazer. This linen-look blazer is a versatile piece that presents a style for every eventuality. Pair it with sneakers for casual Friday’s in the office, or dress it up with heels for after work drinks.

Shirts

Shirts are making a comeback, and we’re loving it! Having an oversized shirt in your wardrobe provides so many outfit options. This can be worn tucked in or out, over or under other garments, and in so many more creative ways. Plain business shirts are another great staple to have – especially for those working in corporate environments.

Some of our favourite shirts include:

·       Hudson

·       Noah

·       Newport

·       Charlie

Neutral dress

Having a staple dress in your wardrobe is essential – especially one that looks great dressed up or down. Styling with sneakers or heels as well as your favourite accessories such as jewellery and bags can give your outfit an instant change of pace.

Our favourite dresses are:

·       Chloe georgette shirt dress

·       Siena extended short-sleeve midi dress

·       Comfort wool stretch sleeveless V-neck dress

Knits

For the cooler months, having some quality knitwear might mean the difference between cold and warmth. Even in the summer months, there’s always that one employee who changes the air conditioner settings to a lower temperature than you’d like! Choosing knitwear in neutral colours will ensure you’re choosing pieces that match with multiple garments in your wardrobe.

Check out some of these knitwear essentials:

·       Sofia

·       Osaka

·       Chelsea

Trousers

Having a few pairs of pants that can be used for multiple situations or occasions is a must. Choose a couple of base colours, such as black or navy, that can be mixed and matched with other garments. Different fabrics or styles of pants (such as chinos or slacks) are also a good idea, as they can be suited to various dress codes.

Our recommendations include:

·       Siena

·       Traveller

·       Comfort wool

Base skirts

On the topic of bottoms, skirts are another great asset to style from casual to corporate. Like dresses, pairing with heels or sneakers and accessorising can turn one outfit into many.

Skirts to consider for your wardrobe are:

·       Traveller

·       Siena

·       Cool stretch

Polished blouses

A blouse is a fun piece to liven up your outfit. Whether you choose patterned or plain, long or sheet sleeve, this is one wardrobe staple everyone should invest in. Mix up your blouses with other pieces in your wardrobe, and don’t be afraid to get adventurous!

Our favourites include:

·       Juliette

·       Vienna

·       Seville

·       Aria

Jackets

Last but certainly not least, having a high-quality jacket to last you through the colder months is essential. Investing in a large overcoat as a final layering piece helps to keep the cold out.

Staple pieces to consider include:

·       Cavalry

·       Celeste

Creating your closet full of wardrobe staples is exciting. It means spending time hand-selecting which items will go into your closet and creating multiple outfits from pieces you love. Investing in a capsule wardrobe is also great for the environment as it means you’re not contributing to various landfills or putting your money toward fast fashion.

To start your capsule closet, head into your closest Biz Corporates stockist to find all of your wardrobe staples.