I’ve Been a Stylist For Almost 25 Years and Swear There Are No Good Capsule Wardrobe Examples So I’m Trademarking Mine

I’m getting a reputation for something I’ve always despised, capsule wardrobes. Weather its packing a client for Europe, or refreshing their wardrobe for the season, I’ve been making personalized capsule wardrobes for over half my life! Most capsule wardrobe examples either have too many pieces that leave you guessing what goes together, or a minimal mix that makes boring outfits that all look the same. My capsule wardrobes examples are different. Each one includes a 7-10 item checklist of updated closet essentials, more than two weeks of different outfit ideas, and options to customize each one to match your style. The capsules I sell and share for free on closetchoreography.com are easy to recreate. Every capsule comes with a unique high-low mix of brands from different websites all in one place. You’ll also get professional personal styling suggestions that will help you choose the best fits and variations of each style. Below is the 5-step foolproof, creative capsule wardrobe formula that I use every time. You can too! Never be stuck standing in a closet full of nothing to wear ever again!

1. Decide What Kind Of Outfits You Want to Wear?

What kind of outfits do you want to wear? Maybe you’ve got your work wardrobe dialed, but when it comes to weekends you feel lost. Are you bored with what you’ve been wearing and looking to refresh your wardrobe for the next season? Where are you headed next? Do you have these 9 pieces you can pack in a carry-on and use to make 49 different outfits? Customize my 8 piece European Travel Capsule Wardrobe and pack light, but stay stylish for two weeks or more!

2. Make A Master List

The best plans always start with a list. Thinking about the kind of outfits you want to wear make a list of all the updated closet essentials that might be in them. Write down different top styles, bottom options, and maybe some dress styles.

The most important pieces on your list are ones that you can layer. Learning how to layer is the ultimate style tip you can use to transform ordinary outfits into Pinterest-worthy posts that will be the envy of everyone. Two of my all-time favorite layering pieces are this Veronica Beard blazer and my Burberry trench.

3. Edit Your List

Next, edit your list down to 7-10 of the most versatile pieces. You’ll be able to make the most outfits if you only include pieces that mix and match no matter what combination you choose. Start with the most current versions of the closet essentials you want to wear. Then choose styles from your list that are similar or look the best with them. For example, if you’re focused on new wide-leg jeans, choose similar wide leg pant styles like chinos. Then both bottoms will work with the same tops, layering pieces, and shoes. Having pieces that match is just one part of the puzzle. Paying attention to the different shapes, silhouettes, proportions, and shoe choices ensure you’ll be wearing the most flattering outfit combinations.

4. Think Outside the Box

Before you finalize those sacred 7-10 spaces on your checklist see how many of your picks you may be able to style differently than you initially think. This is how to make even more outfits with fewer pieces while keeping the combinations interesting. This makes the biggest difference in a travel capsule wardrobe. My Carryon Capsule has 4 pieces like this.

1. A skirt that you can style like a dress
2. A button Up that looks like as a halter top
3. A bodysuit that becomes a one-shoulder cocktail top
4. A wrap sweater that works as a sexy pullover

5. Customize Your Capsule With a Color Story

This is the fun part. Whether you prefer a monochromatic or classic two-tone color story, like the one in my Fashionable Black and White Vacation Capsule, or you prefer prints and lots of color, a color story customizes your capsule to match your style. If one of the key pieces in your capsule is a print you can pull inspiration for your color story from it. For example, my Street Style Capsule includes a graphic tee. You can choose some of the colors in it for inspiration. Simply replace one or more of the solid neutral pieces in the capsule with coordinated colorful ones.

This works with a solely solid capsule wardrobe too. You can substitute any solid color that makes you happy for solid separates or small accessories. Look what a colorful cap and sneakers can do for this neutral Effortlessly Chic Casual Capsule, or some red shoes and accessories can do for this Blue and White Collection.

Anyone can use neutral prints to make their outfits more interesting. This styling suggestion works if you’re not a big fan of color or you want to play with mixing prints and patterns! Neutral prints are patterns, like stripes, that play well with others or add interest to solid separates.

4 of the 8 items on the my Feeling Blue Capsule Wardrobe checklist are striped. Contrary, to what you may have heard, everyone can wear stripes. Horizontal striped tops with an open neckline are more slenderizing than a crew neck because they start and stop the eye. Unevenly spaced stripes are more slimming too. A mostly solid background with a narrow stripe on it looks good and works well with other stripes. You can always go vertical like I did with the jeans in my Feeling Blue Capsule or the versatile oversized striped button up from my Carryon Capsule.