Wardrobe Essentials for a Classic Capsule Wardrobe

So, I’m still obsessed with wardrobe classics and capsule wardrobes.

I know I’ve talked about it a lot, but for me this year has been about identifying and tracking down my wardrobe classics, and trying to resist the lure of endless pretty dresses (er, I’m not saying I’ve actually MANAGED that one, obviously: I have TRIED, though…), in favour of high-quality basics that will last forever, and provide me with endless options. I still don’t subscribe to the capsule wardrobe philosophy, and don’t think I ever will – there are just too many clothes in the world for that – but I’m finding that the older I get, the more drawn I am to the all-time classics.

You know those items that always appear on lists of wardrobe classics that everyone should own? Well, I don’t subscribe to that idea AT ALL: I mean, it’s totally crazy to me to think that everyone in the world would have the same style, and require the same clothes. I have to be honest, though, and say that in MY case I do like most of the items that normally appear on those lists: what can I say, I’m pretty basic, I guess!

Anyway, a few months ago, I showed you my retro-inspired capsule wardrobe: since then, I’ve been adding and removing things, and refining the selection a little, so today I bring you my new and improved list of my ultimate wardrobe essentials – and some of the outfits you can create from them. Drumroll, please…

So, three things:

01. Yeah, it’s quite similar to my last capsule wardrobe: like I said, though, this is mostly an exercise in refining and defining my own personal style, so I’m in no way trying to claim that these will work for everyone: just for me. I’m selfish like that.

02. I’m also not claiming to need the EXACT items shown here, or even the exact colours: I mean, that would be really, REALLY nice, but it would also probably cost more than my house, so yeah, inspiration only, unfortunately. In real life, I’m slowly working on tracking down more affordable versions of some of these, but I think the key to a classic capsule wardrobe is that every item should be perfect, so for the purposes of this post, I’ve chosen the pieces that looked best, rather than the ones I could actually afford. (Oh, and I also chose just one of each item, purely for the sake of simplicity: I mean, you all know I’d need the cardigan in every single colour I could find, right? )

03. It kinda goes without saying that I’m not exactly reinventing the wheel here by choosing things like trench coats and black dresses and, well, all the other stuff, really. More and more these days, though, I’m finding that this is the kind of stuff I most want to wear: super-simple, very minimal in style… maybe even just a little bit “boring”, if you’re the kind of person who’s into bright colours, experimental fashion, and that kind of thing. And, of course, the fact is, I’m NOT that kind of person. AT ALL. I think the main style lesson I’ve learned this year, though, is that as much as I love clothes, I’m actually happiest wearing the kind of simple, basic outfits that most people would consider “boring”. And I’m totally fine with that.

My wardrobe classics:

trench coat; wool coat; sunglasses ; tuxedo jacket; biker jacket; denim jacket; white t-shirt; chambray shirt; silk shirt; Breton top; cami top; cardigan; cable-knit sweater; turtleneck sweater; pencil skirt; full skirt; jeans; trousers; sundress; nude pumps; black pumps; shoe boots; tall boots; casual boots; flats; black dress; evening bag; satchel; shoulder bag

And here are just some of the outfits you could create from them:

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