Build Your Casual Winter Capsule Wardrobe
If you’ve been looking for ideas for a casual winter capsule wardrobe, keep reading! Today I’m sharing how I’m building my own winter capsule wardrobe, using outfits as a starting point.
A quick update: Thanks for your patience while I’ve been focused on the fire situation. We’re still safe. I’ve been spending most of the last few days indoors due to unhealthful air quality from the smoke and ash. But compared to what so many people here in L.A. are dealing with, I’m feeling extremely lucky.
The capsule wardrobe concept
One of my favorite tools for simplifying and refining one’s style is to work from a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is simply a cohesive core of pieces that you can use as a starting point for outfits most days. I find a framework like this helps reduce decision fatigue, and eliminates those “nothing to wear” days. You don’t have to limit yourself to just the items in your capsule (though you can if you like). And you can always change it up as your needs change.
Last week, I shared a method for creating a wardrobe capsule using outfits as a starting point. Here’s a quick review:
- Day 1: put together an outfit with some of your favorite pieces, or those you wear most often (and like).
- At the end of the day, those pieces go on the rolling rack.
- Day 2: start with one of the pieces from the rack, and build another outfit with what’s in your closet. Add those to the rack at the end of the day.
- Day 3, select a different piece from the rack, and add from your closet to create another outfit.
- Keep going until you have 12-15 pieces on the rack. Then mix and match to create more outfits. (Take photos for future reference if you like.)
- If an item doesn’t work in multiple combinations, pull it from the rack and choose something else that does.
- There’s your wardrobe capsule! Use it as a starting point for outfits, or even for a travel wardrobe.
Creating a casual winter capsule wardrobe
I’ve been trying this out myself, and thought I’d share my process. Here’s the outfit I started with:
Capsule wardrobe building outfit #1
My sizes: Jacket – XS, Sweater – XS, Jeans – 28
And here’s what I’ve added to the mix:
Outfit #2
My sizes: Sweater – XS, Jacket – 6, Jeans – 8 Petite
Started with: the striped sweater from outfit #1.
Added: jacket and jeans (both c/o) from Ruti. The jacket is from their new collection, and I really like it! It’s a lightweight stretchy twill, fully lined, and would be a great travel piece as it’s washable. I’m wearing a size 6 which fits through the shoulders, but is still roomy enough for a sweater underneath. This warm camel color is great for Springs & Autumns. It’s also available in Black.
Outfit #3
Started with: the barrel leg jeans from outfit #2.
Added: the Confetti sweater.
Outfit #4
Started with: Confetti sweater from outfit #3
Added: Espresso brown pleated straight leg trousers. (These Madewell pants were one of my 2024 Wardrobe MVP’s, and I’m still continually rediscovering how versatile they are!)
Outfit #5
My sizes: Jacket – Small, Sweater – Medium, Pants – 6 Petite
Started with: straight-leg trousers from outfit #4
Added: cashmere crewneck sweater and leopard print collared cardigan
I wanted to include at least one look that could be dressed up a bit. (Unfortunately the sweater seems to be sold out in this butter yellow color, but other colors are available.)
So I’m up to 9 pieces in my capsule:
Fleece Peacoat | Striped Sweater | Straight-leg Jeans | Barrel-leg Jeans | Confetti Sweater | Espresso Trousers | Cashmere Sweater | Leopard Collared Cardigan
I’ll keep going until I hit 12 pieces or so, then play with combinations. One thing I’d like to add: let’s de-stigmatize repeating outfits! There’s no rule that says we have to look different every day. And accessories can do a lot of “heavy lifting” to change things up and provide variety.
Have you tried this method for creating casual capsule wardrobes? What do you think? Let me know in comments!
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Thank you for sharing. I seem to fall into the red/navy/white clothes for traveling just for the ease of it. While the colors you’ve shown are not my colors, the way you mix them with pattern is something I can appreciate.
Thank you!
Thanks Deb! I’m glad it’s helpful.
It is a good method as you demonstrated so well. For me it doesn’t work. I need at least five completely different capsules and have the pieces not only mix within their capsule but also with pieces from the other capsules. Which defies the whole purpose of a capsule. I get so easily bored with clothes that I need a lot of different looks, really totally different. I wish I was easier to please.
Greetje
Hi Greetje, I think it’s fine to have multiple capsules. The goal is to do what works for you.
Love your outfits and sense of style. However many of the things that look good on you probably won’t work well on me. Aside from different colors do you have tips for different body shapes? Long (or short) waisted, pear (or apple shapes)? Any advice wold be appreciated
Hi Amy, thanks so much! I find that proportions and style personalities are a more helpful tool for honing personal style. (Two “apples” might have very different proportions and style personalities.)
This is my new favorite post! Snagged the carob trousers for $39.99. Now, if the confetti sweater would go on sale my winter capsule wardrobe would be complete. Please consider doing capsule wardrobe again for spring.
Hi Kay, thanks! So glad you like it, and yes, I’ll be doing capsule wardrobes and travel wardrobes for each season.
I’ve tried this method for travel ( to London last fall,with uncertain weather) I was doing it so I could be presentable and comfortable, but I kept wearing my selections when I came home to Connecticut. I started working on a different colr palette using the same method. Now I want to integrate the two separate collections. Tricky because one is navy based and the other is black/gray.
Hi Susan, I think you can absolutely wear black or gray together with navy. I’m working on some combos to share, but you might want to check out some past travel wardrobe ideas like this one: https://unefemme.net/how-to-pack-for-fall-travel-with-a-cool-neutral-capsule-wardrobe.html
Amen to destigmatizing repeating outfits! Why wouldn’t we want to rewear something that makes us feel authentic and fantastic?!
Thanks Pam, and I agree!
Genius! Love the practical advice of building a core wardrobe. Thanks !
Thanks so much, Ann!
It’s basically like packing a suitcase for a trip. Minimum choices and mix and match…love it! Thanks for the ‘methodology’…as always!
Hi Tea, yes, exactly!
Brilliant!
Thanks, Judy!
Stay safe Susan, I always enjoy your content! Cheers, Linda
Thanks, Linda! We seem to be past the worst of it, at least for now. Though for those who have lost everything, it’s going to be a long slog.
Great ideas, Susan. I would not have thought to pair that butter yellow with the leopard print, but it looks amazing. Thanks!
Hi Rona, thanks so much!
That is a great way to choose a capsule wardrobe. Staying modern and relevant takes work!
Hi Julie, thanks, and yes it does take work.
This has been so helpful….thank you
You’re very welcome, Diane, and thank you!
This is very helpful, thank you! You have a lovely, quirky style.
Thanks very much, Martine!
As another reader noted, this is very much like deciding on a cohesive travel wardrobe. I enjoy colour, like Greetje, so I agree with her about perhaps coming up with a few capsule combinations. As I edit my wardrobe, due to a move and much less space, I am finding ways to combine different pieces, discovering new ways to wear older favourites.
It’s very gratifying to see how creative I can be. Ironically, again due to space constraints, I put my rolling rack (which I used to choose travel outfits) for sale on local Marketplace. Would be so useful if only there was room!
Hi Cath, yes, this approach could absolutely be used to create a travel capsule wardrobe. It’s fun to be creative with style!
So glad you are safe in your community. Great idea for starting a capsule, something I have not been able to achieve.
Thanks, Elisa!
Thank you for showing this. It is the most practical, creative, and useful approaches to defining a personal capsule wardrobe that I have seen. All of your choices are spot on!
Thanks, Paula! I’m glad you find it helpful.
For the purpose of downsizing, we are hoping for a sale on our home after enjoying 10 years of settled life. The grand declutter went surprisingly well as a result of tuning out of sentimental and “just in case” mindsets.
My wardrobe has been vastly reduced, mainly by choosing a tighter colour palette.
Hi Angela, glad to hear it went well! I agree that working within a cohesive color palette can make all the difference.
I concur with SusanR that integrating a navy wardrobe with a black/gray one is harder than one would think. I welcome ideas on how to do it well.
I also agree with Amy that advice for different heights and body types would be helpful.
Hi Dianne, I’m working on some ideas for the black/gray/navy capsule. I believe that proportions and personality are more helpful in developing personal style than focusing on shape, per se. I’ll be writing more about these in the future, so “stay tuned…”
I’ve been struggling to build a capsule wardrobe for quite a while and have not been successful until I read your post last week and followed your suggestion. I now have 15 pieces and they all mix and match! Thank you so much. I’m excited to try it with different seasons since we do travel a lot and travel with only a carry on.
Hi Nancy, I’m delighted to hear it worked so well for you!
Well that is just a fun way to build a capsule!
Thanks, Laura! I’m glad you like it.
I’ve always struggled with creating a capsule wardrobe, this is just brilliant! On another note, glad you are safe from the fires, our son and family live in Studio City, so I know what a stressful time this has been. Please take good care.
Hi Lola, thank you for your kind wishes.
Susan, this is hands down the best blog post I’ve seen on how to do a capsule wardrobe. Thank you so much for the step by step explanation with pictures! My heart goes out to you, been seeing the footage of the fires. How devastating. Glad you are ok.
Thanks very much, Carolyn!
Totally agree that this is a genius way to do a capsule wardrobe ! And like some others have said, it would be super helpful if you posted about how to integrate a navy wardrobe with a black/gray one.
Hi Murphy, thanks, and I’m working on that one.
Susan, I think the Ruti jacket was designed just for you, what a knock out piece that is.
Thanks Arlene, I really love it too!
Susan,
I’ve always admired your rust colored eye glass frames. What is the make please?
I hope that you will continue to be safe in your area and that the fires will be contained soon.
Hi Mo, thanks! These frames are from Warby Parker here: https://bit.ly/3ZZupE6
Susan
Thanks for sharing your process and progress. I recently moved into a retirement community with much less closet space and am working on a core wardrobe that works for my new lifestyle and space. It’s been quite a challenge and you have inspired me!
I love this idea! I’m trying it now. I’ve already been trying to stick to a coherent color scheme over the past few months, and I have a couple of days coming up where I’ll have to dress properly for work, so I’m excited to see what I end up with as a winter capsule.