A capsule wardrobe is simply a small assortment of essential designs that complement each other, that don’t go out of style, and can be easily integrated with your seasonal pieces. The key is quality over quantity. A capsule wardrobe contains only the styles you love and will wear repeatedly that can easily mix and match to create countless stylish outfits. They are the 20% in your closet that you will wear 80% of the time.
Decision fatigue is real
Have you ever looked in your closet and thought, “I have nothing to wear”? Owning too much clothing or the wrong styles can lead to “decision fatigue” which is real. We are programmed to make only a certain number of decisions per day. After that, it gets tiring, and we struggle to make more decisions. A great capsule wardrobe containing styles you love makes getting dressed easy because no matter how you combine the pieces, they always work.
• More time– A curated wardrobe saves time. As you get more familiar with your personal style and what works for you, you’ll know exactly what you need to buy. You won’t waste time shopping mindlessly or digging through piles of clothes, thinking you have nothing to wear.
• More sustainable– Owning mostly timeless quality pieces that will last for years and won’t go out of style is a more sustainable and effortless approach to your wardrobe.
• Save money– When you have a capsule wardrobe, you don’t have to go shopping as often because your closet is interchangeable and versatile. This means you wear each style multiple times and avoid buying random pieces you might not wear regularly or at all.
• Less stress– The concept of the capsule wardrobe automatically means less excess and less stress in your life. Getting dressed should be easy with the assurance that you always look on point.
Planning a capsule wardrobe
Once you understand the basics of a capsule, it’s time to start planning. Consider the categories of clothing based on your lifestyle that are important to you and the number of pieces you think you may need. Choose a color scheme with different neutral colors such as white, black, gray, navy, and cream. These colors are a good base and work well together with any other color. This makes them interchangeable and easy to mix and match. They will get you through the day just as well today as five years from now and will be easy to pair up! Pop colors of the season can be added as you go.
A classic poplin shirt
A white poplin shirt is a must-have style that instantly elevates any outfit. Whether you’re dressing it up with pants, or keeping it casual with denim, a poplin button-up is a wardrobe essential for everyone.
At Stella Carakasi we use a high-quality, stretchy, organic cotton fabric for all of our shirts, which is easy to care for and will last for many seasons. Our button-ups range from the classic with a twist to something with a few bells and whistles.
Whether it’s the perfectly placed bias cut panels that create the flattering, silhouette of our Crossroads Tunic, the comfy appeal of the Prime Time Tunic, or the intricate pattern work of our new Showstopper Shirt, a poplin shirt is all about sophistication and practicality.
This season we’ve added a couple of updated options to our best-selling Tiburon Tunic. We’ve embellished this sweet customer favorite with placed metal studs around the hem and there’s also a printed version!
The must-have cardigan
A cardigan is one of the most versatile and practical garments a woman can own. Whether you’re dressing up for a casual day at the office or a spontaneous night out on the town, a cardigan is the perfect go-to style to top off any outfit. Wear a solid color like black, gray, or white for a more traditional look and easy pairing.
Or if you’re feeling a bit daring, try bold colors like Atlantis, Magenta, Saffron, or Aubergine to make a statement. Just make sure to avoid big patterns since these will come and go style-wise.
Leggings are a must-have
Leggings are stylish essentials, comfortable, easy to wear, and a must-have for almost any occasion because you can dress them up or down. The key to style success with leggings is choosing the right fabric and fit. They should be slim fitting but not skin-tight and hit at the ankle for a modern look like our Tencel® Criss Cross Leggings with their charming ankle detail. Or, you might prefer a legging that actually looks more like a pant like our best-selling Slimming Ankle Pants. Next, think about the color. Leggings come in various colors, but light neutrals, charcoal, and black are the most popular options when considering a capsule wardrobe. Choose a few colors that will work with the rest of your wardrobe, and you’re off to a good start.
Denim for a casual look
Denim is popular among women of all ages and can be dressed up or down. Our 100%Tencel® denim is soft, silky, and sustainable! Our selection ranges from traditional button-ups with a twist like our Between The Lines Tunic or, our take on an artist smock with our rendition of a button-down Henley like the Ultimate Tunic. The Mendocino Tunic has become a customer favorite and was inspired by our best-selling Tiburon Tunic. Regardless of your style, an easy denim top is a must in every woman’s wardrobe.
Jeggings the jeans alternative
A well-fitting pair of organic cotton denim knit leggings are a great option and a no-brainer go-to style for any casual occasion. When considering the wash of denim, a darker wash is the most versatile and can be dressed up or down, while a lighter wash is more casual. Our Criss Cross Denim Knit Leggings are offered in both washes and have a fabulous, comfy fit, and an ankle detail to set them apart. Finally, you can pair knitted denim leggings with just about any top, for example, a button-up shirt or a simple tee.
Picking a great jacket
A jacket is the perfect finishing touch for any outfit and a vital component of any capsule wardrobe, whether it’s date night or taking a walk with friends. For a transitional capsule, we suggest a lighter-weight jacket. You can never go wrong with our take on the classic trench coat, the Favorite Jacket, or our shorter moto-inspired style the Style To Spare Jacket. Both alternatives come in Black or Birch. Either jacket or color would be an excellent choice for your capsule wardrobe because they will never go out of style.
Accessories
You can’t forget about accessories! Fun jewelry and beautiful scarves instantly elevate any outfit. Our artisan accessories are hand-picked for their statement style and one-of-a-kind appeal.
We also love Stella & Dot jewelry. You’ll find something special whether you are looking for a statement piece or something more delicate. As far as scarves are concerned, we’ve discovered beautiful, lightweight cashmere scarves from Ovcio, which are offered in a variety of stunning colors that can be worn across all seasons. These scarves are fabulous investment pieces you will treasure forever.
The most important rule
Select high-quality styles that are flattering, and comfortable, and that makes you look and feel great. Check out our Looks We Love page for outfit ideas to help jumpstart your efforts in creating a stunning capsule wardrobe of functional and versatile pieces that fit well and easily mix and match.
