I’m working away like a busy bee over at Shore City This week, so I’ve pulled out this post from later year that I thought would be a good refresher for you at this time of year!

So I’ve had heaps of readers and some of my personal style coaching clients ask me to put together a Capsule Wardrobe, or a post on some wardrobe basics that everyone could do with. So now, my lovelies – your wish is my command.

Now I do have to say that at first, I was a little hesitant. I’m going to be a little controversial here and say I don’t think there is really ONE capsule wardrobe that will suit everyone.

I think that the things that should make up any capsule wardrobe are the things YOU wear the most. The ones that suit your lifestyle, your dress sense and your body shape.

SO, in saying that – I HAVE complied a little list of things that I think every lady can benefit from if they are in her wardrobe.

These items are just a GUIDE for you – look for pieces in your price range, colour preference and body shape to make up your collection.

So here we go!

THE GARMENTS

A chambray shirt can be dressed up or down, tucked in or out, or even worn as a jacket – it really is the jacket-of-all-trades in your capsule wardrobe. The knit can be worn to work, or for play. On it’s own, over the chambray shirt or under the jackets. The leather (or faux leather) jacket will dress causal things up, and give a funky edge to a work look and the structured blazer will make your jeans look sharper, and is the perfect addition to any outfit to make it work-ready.

Printed pants are your go-to-pants for most occasions, wear them with heels and a blazer for work, or a night out, and then back with the chambray shirt and trainers for the weekend. The right pair, on the right body can be super-flattering!. A pencil skirt is the place to start with skirts (it can be slightly more A-line if you are super-Pear shaped). Wear it to work, wear it on a date, wear it on the weekend. It’s all about HOW you wear it. A pair of jeans can be dressed up with a blazer and heels for date night, or worn casually with a knit and some trainers (or ballet flats), and if your workplace is a little more relaxed, perfect for work too! Just make sure you get the right pair of jeans for your shape.

A LBD (Little Black Dress) is THE dress every woman should own. The particular one shown is extra special because it’s convertible, you can choose the ways to wear it that suit your own shape, PLUS you can just change it up all the different ways, for different looks every day. A striped jersey dress is a great one to have for more casual occasions. It doesn’t have to be as fitted as this one, it could be one with more of a swing shape (like this one). Wear it with your ballet flats or trainers and the chambray shirt as a jacket, or team it up with boots and tights and the leather jacket for slightly colder days.

 Trainers will make your dressier things seem more causal (like the jersey dress, or the printed pants, or even the pencil skirt) where as the ballet flats will dress things up a little when you still want/need to wear a flat. A pump (of any colour, but best to start with a black or nude) dresses everything up – wear it with almost any outfit combo to add a classy element. While ankle boots are the perfect combo of dressy and casual – wear with opaque tights and any of the dress options, or team it with the jeans or printed pants for a slightly more casual option than the heels. They should be your winter staple.

THE OUTFITS

So now we have all the bits and pieces, lets look at some of the potential combinations. These are just a few of the endless options ( I could have spent DAYS creating outfits with these garments) but it shows you how many ways you can wear each piece.

 Date night, girls night or just drinks with a friend, these are just some of the combinations you can create with the capsule wardrobe.

Whether your work is corporate, or has more of a relaxed dress code, you will get endless looks from your capsule wardrobe pieces.

Weekend coffees with friends, or playing at the park with the kids, these combos will give you simple, stylish and practical outfits for all your cool and casual occasions.

These are some of the other outfits that could fit into any of the above categories and my favourite combinations – I hope you like them too!

ACCESSORIES

You may have noticed that there are no accessories, no necklace, bags, scarves and the like – this is how you add your OWN personal style to your look. The accessories you choose, can TOTALLY change the look so it’s up to you to add your own.

So there is ONE example of how to put together a capsule wardrobe. Is there anything else you would add? Tell me in the comments below

Until Next Time

In Style & Love Always

Cait xoxo

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Do you want help creating YOUR OWN capsule wardrobe? Sign up for a one-on-one style coaching session with me either in person on via Skype. CLICK HERE for more information.

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