Why You Only Need 35 Items in Your Closet: Everything to Know About Creating a Capsule Wardrobe

I feel confident saying that no wardrobe—capsule or not—is complete without at least one good white T-shirt. The humble white tee is a sartorial workhorse, pairing as well with trousers and a duster coat as it does with jeans, a miniskirt or pretty much anything in between. If you buy just one white tee, look for a silhouette that’s long enough to be tucked into bottoms and slightly loose for a cool, effortless vibe.  

The beauty of a crisp white button-down is that it can read casual or professional depending on how you style it. Tuck yours into a midi skirt, as seen above, to exude ‘woman in charge,’ or layer it over a tank top and denim shorts to elevate an otherwise casual ensemble into chic territory. (Depending on the material you go for, you can even use it as a swimsuit cover-up.)

An airy silk cami is actually an all-seasons piece, if you think about it. In the summer, it keeps you cool on those days when you want to wear as little material as possible, and in colder weather it’s an excellent layering piece. It’s super thin, so it can be worn under tons of different tops without feeling bulky, and it looks sexy peeking out beneath a blazer or cardi.

Speaking of layering pieces, a slim-fit bodysuit is perfect for when you want a streamlined, tucked-in look but don’t feel like fussing with keeping a T-shirt in place all day long. The color, sleeve length and neckline are up to you, I would just recommend going with a tighter fit, which will be supremely figure-flattering when worn with high-waist bottoms of any kind.

Timeless and elegant, a turtleneck sweater is a surefire way to look poised and in charge. While you obviously won’t want to wear a warmer piece like the one above in spring and summer, I’d urge you to consider seeking out sleeveless turtlenecks in thinner materials to don as temperatures rise. The high neck is so flattering on a wide range of body types—yes, even if you have big boobs.  

Tossed over your shoulders or worn with a white tee peeking out at the collar, a crewneck sweater is a piece you’ll get tons of use out of. I prefer a boxier, boyfriend fit, but you could also opt for a slimmer cut that’s more akin to a thick long-sleeve top.  

A striped sweater can read Parisian or nautical, depending on how you wear it. If the rest of your wardrobe is comprised of neutral basics, a striped sweater is an easy way to add a touch of fun without straying too far outside your comfort zone. It also looks good wrapped around your shoulders. 

No offense to ‘70s flares, skinnies or wide-leg skater jeans, but a straight-leg denim silhouette can’t be topped, in my book. You can choose between different rises, washes and lengths, depending on your style, but straight-leg jeans are quintessential—and extremely versatile.

Even if you don’t work in a business casual office, high-waist trousers are supremely elegant and stylish. In terms of hue, a pair in classic black, navy, tan or brown will likely provide the most bang for your buck. Also, consider the fit: Unless your trousers fit like they were made for you right off the rack (lucky you), I highly recommend tailoring them, which can make an astronomical difference in how your pants look.

There are a few keys to making sure your denim shorts read grown-up versus spring break: First, opt for a longer and looser silhouette. Second, if you’re buying one pair of denim shorts, avoid excessive distressing, which can be harder to style.   

As noted above, denim shorts can look polished, but that doesn’t mean they should be the only shorts in your arsenal. Trouser shorts, paper bag-waist shorts and the like in faux-leather, chino or linen are a great option for when you want to show off your legs but don’t feel like being precious in a skirt.

Whether or not you abide by the ‘no white jeans after Labor Day’ rule (I most certainly do not), a gleaming white denim pant will be one of your closet best friends. Just don’t forget the Tide to Go pen.

A touch easier to dress up than blue or white jeans, black jeans are supremely versatile. Wear them with a tucked-in button-down and boots for a casual day at the office or keep things cool for Sunday brunch with a white tee and crewneck sweater tossed over your shoulders—the possibilities are almost endless.

Winter, spring, summer or fall, you can—and should—wear a simple black miniskirt. When temps drop, toss it on over thick tights and knee-high boots, and as things warm up, go for bare legs and flat sandals or sneakers. I think an A-line silhouette like the one above is super flattering on a wide variety of body types.

Think of this midi skirt as a piece you can toss on when you want to look a bit more polished than if you were wearing jeans, but similarly comfortable. I’m partial to an A-line silhouette for its universally flattering properties, but feel free to try on a variety of different styles to find what you like best. And, unlike when you’re wearing a mini skirt, there’s no need to worry about a big gust of wind in a midi length.

Worn with a graphic tee, striped sweater or button-down, leather or faux-leather pants exude cool. The type of cool depends on your top (a graphic tee reads ‘rockstar girlfriend’ while a button-down reads ‘chic art gallerist’), but nonetheless: It’s hard not to feel hot in leather pants, and for that I’m grateful.

While some fashion traditionalists might prefer to go out naked than in leggings or sweats, many others prove that just because it can be worn to the gym doesn’t mean it can’t also be appropriate for every day. But—and it’s a big but—it’s crucial to think about how you’re wearing athleisure. Leggings can look a little too HIIT class-ready with a sweatshirt and sneakers, but the same comfy pants take on an elevated vibe when worn with a ladylike jacket, luxe bag and knee-high boots.

A classic trench is a staple of French fashion for good reason: You look like the epitome of style when wearing one. Sure, you could wear yours over an all-white outfit like above, but I’ve seen fashionable New York women tossing theirs over athleisure as they head to and from the gym and they look absolutely fabulous.

Don’t worry if you don’t work in an office that necessitates a blazer and trousers; this versatile topper suits—pun intended—nearly every style. Keep in mind that a slimmer fit looks more built for a business causal setting, while a boxy, borrowed-from-the-boys silhouette lends a cool-girl air to everything from light-wash jeans to the aforementioned black miniskirt.

For all its beautiful flowers and diminishing seasonal affective depression, spring can be tricky to dress for. It’s chilly in the morning, hot in the afternoon and crisp again at night. A classic denim jacket is one of my favorite ways to face those weather fluctuations head on.  

The style you choose doesn’t matter too much—if you’re into biker silhouettes like the one above, great; if you prefer a Matrix-esque blazer, go for it—but a leather jacket is an integral part of a capsule wardrobe that oozes cool. When it comes to styling, I’d say wear it with pretty much anything except leather pants, which can take the whole thing a little too far into Village People territory.    

As much as I love trench coats and denim jackets, a statement coat—be it in leopard print, hunter green fur or metallic—is so much fun, and surprisingly versatile. If you’ll notice, many of the pieces on this list are neutral in color and timeless in silhouette. That serves as the perfect base for a head-turning jacket or coat.  

Chic and just sexy enough to make an impact without going overboard, a slip dress can work for loads of occasions and with tons of different accessories. One thing I’d consider when styling a slip dress is that if yours has an above-the-knee hem, stick to flat shoes or low block heels; a silky mini with sky-high stilettos can look a touch bedroom for every day.

If you don’t already have a go-to little black dress, this is your sign to pick one up. An LBD is a timeless wardrobe staple that you’re meant to wear into the ground. Take your pick of style and silhouette; my only advice would be to avoid anything that makes too much of a statement so you can wear it time and time again without anyone noticing.c

Many of the pieces on this list are neutral, solid colors. That’s because, in general, they’re the easiest to pair with one another for no-brainer outfit combinations. An exception is a printed maxi dress, which is way more versatile than you might think: You can wear it across multiple seasons. With a jacket and knee-high boots when it’s cold, sans coat and with flat sandals when it’s warm.

I love a good heel or ankle boot as much as the next person, but in my opinion, a good white sneaker is one of the most important shoes to have in your capsule wardrobe. Whether you opt for a sleek Adidas Samba or a chunkier dad sneaker, this is a shoe that’s meant to be worn with pretty much everything on this list.

In white, black or brown with whatever heel height suits your style (and comfort level), ankle boots are a must-have in any capsule wardrobe. While I love a fun print or color or unexpected fabric, choose your go-to ankle boots based on how many pieces in your wardrobe you can pair them with. You’ll want to make sure to choose boots that can look as great with a midi dress as they can with jeans, a miniskirt and more.

A good sandal feels comfortable to walk in (even when it’s 100 degrees out) and looks stylish with all of your dresses, skirts and shorts come spring and summer. If you’re just looking to add one pair to your rotation, you can never go wrong with a one- or two-strap silhouette with some gold or silver hardware (think: Birkenstock Arizonas).

If you ask me, a loafer adds a touch of cool to just about any outfit, from slightly cropped jeans to mini slip dresses to trousers. If you want to be ultra on-trend, be sure to wear yours with Gen Z-approved crew socks.

“Walkable” is extremely subjective, I know, but the point is this: Don’t buy heels that are going to kill your feet after ten minutes of walking. It can be tempting to reach for the sky-high pairs you know will make your legs and outfit look supermodel-esque, but when it comes to shoes, practicality is key. Make sure you can walk around (and even just stand) for a significant amount of time. Your blister-free feet will thank you. 

No matter if you opt for black leather and a silver buckle, brown leather and a gold buckle or any other combination, a belt is often the icing atop an ensemble. Especially if you’re wearing a fully monochromatic outfit, a gold or silver belt buckle—no matter how subtle—can add a hint of visual interest and break up the single color.

Ideal for toting around your laptop, makeup bag, chargers, snacks, you name it, a cavernous tote bag is a must. To ensure it fits within the rest of your capsule wardrobe, opt for a bag in a neutral color and luxe (or luxe-looking) fabric like leather, faux-leather or suede.

Aviators and cat eyes, oh my! There are *so many* sunglass styles to choose from, but when it comes to buying a pair for your capsule wardrobe, think about what color and style will match with the vast majority of your closet. While a square frame in a cool print may be fun now and then, you might find that your existing pieces are better suited to a classic rectangle shape in black or tortoiseshell.

For those days when you don’t need all of the laptops and chargers and snacks that can fit in your roomy tote, reach for a smaller handbag that can still fit the essentials. I personally like shoulder bags that have the option to attach a crossbody strap; it feels like I’m getting more bang for my buck if I can wear a bag in multiple ways.

A big scarf comes in handy in so many situations beyond the obvious (staying warm). On a flight? Toss it into your carry-on to drape over yourself when you’re freezing mid-air. Sudden rainstorm? Wrap it over your head to protect your blowout. The color you choose is going to depend on what fits within your wardrobe, but I’m a fan of choosing a scarf in a bright color that’ll make a statement against my mostly neutral fits.