Capsule Wardrobe: How to Elevate It

As promised guys I am back with a little more on building, and living on a capsule wardrobe.   In this short series, I am simply giving pointers on how to work with the little that you might have and build upon it. 

If you look closely at this outfit, you will see that I am wearing the exact pieces from my last post (here) on building a capsule wardrobe.  The classic white button down blouse and my black skinny jeans are the foundation of this look.  However, things here are a bit elevated.  The look is much stronger, and my sense of personal style is shining through.   So yes guys, even with a limited wardrobe it is possible to look great and be stylish. 

Both the blazer and leather trousers are vintage items that I have either thrifted, or were given to me.

   3.  Wildcard. Statement pieces and staples that will allow you to standout in a crowd.  I think it’s most important to have these unique wildcard items in your capsule wardrobe because they allow you to really display your personal style.  Also, I want to reiterate that because it’s merely an abbreviate wardrobe that you shouldn't have a lot of those items -  may not be space, and who wants to lug around all of that stuff. 

   4.  Splurge.  With such a basic, and neutral based wardrobe I think it’s necessary to splurge on a specific accessory.  The entire time that I lived abroad I don't think I purchased a single piece of clothing.  However I did buy shoes.  The item which I splurge on is shoes.  I love shoes.  Shoes are life, and with a limited wardrobe I depend on my cute shoes sometimes to make my plain outfits pop.  Some women love handbags or jewelry, and should use these items.  I would say, pick your poison ladies.

   5.  Borrow.  Tap into your resources.  As a stylist, I have have fashion connections and friends at my finger tips, and at times I have to call them up to borrow items for events or special occasions.  For those of you that may not have that access, you can simply ask your boyfriend if you could borrow his blazer, oversized jumper or trousers even.  Ask a neighbor for a handbag/clutch for the evening.  Or a good, close friend if you could borrow her cute party dress for an event. 

Capsule Wardrobe: Classics

A crisp white button down shirt, or any white top whether jumper or t-shirt is always preferable to me especially paired with skinny jeans.  I have been investing in to more luxury basics lately.  Pieces that will withstand time, as well as seasonal trends.  You know, basically items that will never go out of style.  My ultimate goal is to create a capsule wardrobe that will be able to easily travel with me all over the world. 

Living abroad forced me to pare down my wardrobe extensively, simple because there wasn't space available in my luggage to bring everything with me.  My capsule wardrobe wasn't out of choice, but more so a necessity.  I was forced to live with only my absolute favorite things.  In this series, I want to touch on how I managed to be fashionable off of a fraction of my wardrobe.  Up first, I am focusing on just two pointers in Capsule Wardrobe 101.

1. Basics:  Start with the basics.  A mini collections of thin layering items that can be paired together or with more glam/borrowed pieces.  This items shouldn't be expensive, but they should be of pretty good quality.
2. Neutrals:  Blacks, white, creams, denim, khaki.  Neutrals are key to a capsule wardrobe.  They are super easy to build upon, and they are simply harder to determine if they've been worn repeatedly.  Nothing about neutrals really stand out, and that's exactly what you want with a capsule wardrobe.

outfit details - shirt: The Limited (here); jeans: Forever 21 (here); shoes: H&M (here); earrings: H&M (here, here)

Be sure to check back later in the week for more pointers on building a capsule wardrobe to live by.