Free Capsules

Forget the 25-piece, $5,000 “Pinterest-worthy” fall capsule that takes an economics degree to afford—and an arts degree to style. This semester, I’m teaching Capsule Wardrobe 101, and this is the cheat sheet. All you really need are 8 fresh fall finds that fit your budget, flex with your lifestyle, and remix into more outfits than there are days in the month. Think of it as capsule wardrobe Cliff Notes—with my free 27-page lookbook as your study guide. I’m the kid who carried the group project, so you get to ace the final without breaking a sweat. Want extra credit? Add a striped polo or lace slip skirt. Layer in suede accessories, and congratulations—you’ve officially made the fall fashion honor roll.

We all know hot sex takes effort. Hot sets? Not so much. Think of these capsule kickstarters as the quickie your closet actually needs—adding instant spark to your style. Do you want a new wardrobe? Start smaller. Kickstart capsule wardrobe sets—just two chic pieces styled as one outfit—are the two-piece trick that lays the foundation for dozens of looks. It’s a DIY capsule wardrobe formula: add seasonal layers, pair with new finds or old favorites, and suddenly your closet choreographs itself into endless outfit options. From workdays to weekends, these starter sets prove you don’t need more clothes—you just need the right starting point.

They say May is like December—but in a tank top! With so many events and travel plans packed into summer, having flexible and stylish capsule wardrobes is the key to feeling great and keeping your outfits effortless.

The students you know are getting a break from work this summer, but if you’re not, you can use this fashionable summer travel capsule wardrobe for work. I made a fashionable work capsule wardrobe inspired by my travel to Texas and San Diego this summer. You can make at least 26 different outfits with the nine pieces on my checklist. Create even more work outfits by changing your accessories to suit the day, for meetings, or the evening, for business dinners and events. Maximize your outfit potential with double-duty fashion essentials that you can style to give them a different look.

Every year the Nordstrom 6 June Drop gets better. This drop inspired me to make you two new capsules with lots of outfits for summer.

This never happens to me. I thought I had lost my shopping mojo last week when I left Nordstrom empty-handed. Inspired by all the different hats women wear, I wanted to gift you some new capsule wardrobe formulas. At five O’clock on Friday night, I put on my shopping black belt and headed to my small neighborhood Nordstrom Rack. I left with four brand-name capsule wardrobes from Nordstrom, including shoes, a designer bag, and premium denim. All the pieces in the capsules mix and match, regardless of the combinations you choose, so you’ll have plenty to wear.

I really did pack over one hundred outfit combinations for our trip to Europe during shoulder season. Most of my European travel capsule wardrobes include fewer than 10 pieces that make at least two dozen travel outfits. For this trip to the biggest fashion capital in the world, I wanted to embrace my inner Emily in Paris fashion fantasies, so I combined the most versatile pieces and fashionable accessories to make a travel capsule wardrobe that had outfits for any reason or season.

We are traveling through France for almost two weeks, but with the versatile pieces I’m packing, I won’t be able to wear all of the outfit combinations. I have so many great options. That’s the biggest benefit in packing a travel capsule wardrobe. So, although I don’t know if the weather forecast will be accurate or if our plans for the day may change, I know I’ll be wearing a travel outfit that I feel great in.

How do two nights, three days, and 30 outfits to go with it sound? You can use my 7-piece checklist to make an outfit that works with all your weekend plans. If you’ve ever wondered what to wear for a weekend getaway, here is a lookbook with 30 fun outfit ideas. A weekend always requires a stylish and comfortable travel outfit and at least one fun look for a night out. Like your weekend, these pieces are fun but also packed with long-term wardrobe staple potential. The 3 pieces in my dark denim capsule collection are the cornerstone to this versatile travel capsule. Shop my high-low list of shopping links to score a new leather jacket, cardigan, dressy tee, button-up, and slim black pants.

This is how I make a travel capsule wardrobe that you’ll be excited to wear for any length trip, anywhere, any time of the year. I love packing, and I promise if you pack a capsule wardrobe like this you will always have what you need, and it won’t look like you’re wearing the same outfit every day. My travel capsule wardrobe planner is based on my trademark capsule wardrobe formula.