Building your ideal capsule wardrobe is a personal journey and varies based on your own aesthetic. That said, it’s often intriguing to learn about the specific pieces that make up the capsule wardrobes of others for styling inspiration. And that’s what you’ll find more on below. That’s right. Susie Wright, the former Nordstrom buyer and current stylist and blogger behind So Susie, recently added a few new items to her version of a summer capsule wardrobe. And yes, she’s sharing the new items she’s wearing on repeat ahead.
Keep scrolling to check out Wright’s seven-piece capsule wardrobe. You’ll notice that the items included in the mix are all versatile and can be mixed and matched either with each other or with other pieces in a closet to create chic looks. There are also styling references and shopping picks for each category if you want to incorporate any of Wright’s must-haves into your own wardrobe.
I recently came back from a fun trip to Paris where I spent several days in the Marais district of Paris. For those who haven’t been, the Marais is a neighborhood bustling with the young, cool crowd. There are a ton of vintage shops, natural wine bars, and, you guessed it, lots of stylish women. As a fashion editor, I naturally kept an eye out for some of the recurrent dressing themes, so I could report back stateside of what the cool girls in Paris are wearing right now. While there definitely are a smattering of trendy pieces (think: rosette neck ties and sports sunglasses) in rotation, I was focused on identifying the core wardrobe workhouses that I imagine will remain in style for seasons to come. My resulting list can be considered the Parisian capsule wardrobe checklist. Scroll on to get the look, which I think would look chouette (cool) no matter which country you’re in.
Shopping makes up 80% of my life mostly because it’s my job, but I also can’t deny the boost of serotonin I get when I find an item of clothing I know will transcend current trends and become an everyday staple in my wardrobe. But there’s still a lot of sifting through the internet that goes on before I get there.
The pieces I always choose to incorporate into my daily looks can ultimately be styled with anything from a pair of classic jeans to a simple white tee. Finding new pieces that embrace this ethos is a robust routine that has become a little less daunting thanks to MOTF. The brand’s newest City Chic collection houses some seriously effortless and sophisticated pieces, and it’s a treasure trove of classics, especially when shopping for the warmer seasons. Think breathable and lightweight fabrics, like pure silk and natural linen, in chic silhouettes that won’t be out of style next season. Below are 15 of my current favorites, and you really shouldn’t miss out on them for summer.
Cult-favorite brand Jacquemus has done it again. Poised to be the It-label of the summer, Jacquemus debuted its latest limited-release collection at Saks. Called Été, which translates to “summer” in French, the collection takes inspiration from vacations on the French Riviera, featuring the bright colors and distinctive silhouettes that Jacquemus fans know and love.
There’s something for everyone to enjoy, whether or not your summer plans require a passport. With a mix of women’s and men’s clothing, handbags, and hats, there’s bound to be a piece that catches your eye. Plus, only Saks carries the gorgeous canary yellow and deep earth-tone garments, with natural textures emphasized in Jacquemus’s iconic accessories.
If, like us, you can’t wait until summer to dive into shorter hemlines, lightweight fabrics, and colorful accessories, we totally get it. Keep scrolling to shop 11 of our favorite finds from the Jacquemus Été collection, available now at Saks.
A dress, lightweight pants, a woven bag, sandals, a lightweight top, shorts, sunglasses, and a one-piece—separately, they may not mean much, but when you combine them, you have a recipe for the ultimate summer starter pack. Sure, you won’t exclusively wear these items, but collectively, they’re the perfect foundation for a versatile summer wardrobe. Simply integrate them with the seasonless pieces you already own, and you’ll have a functional wardrobe for the next few months and even beyond. Consider it the light seasonal update your wardrobe needs to prepare it for sunny skies, tropical vacations, outdoor dining, and whatever else summer’s arrival may mean to you.
Whether you need one, own none, or have them all but are simply in the mood to refresh your look, today, I’ve assembled my favorites for each category at four different price points so your closet can get the seasonal update it deserves. Shop all of my curated picks, starting at less than $50, below.
Is it us, or does it suddenly seem like less is so much more? While the minimalist lifestyle has been gaining traction for a while now, lately it seems the trend has narrowed in on an area dear to our hearts: the closet. Whether it’s Marie Kondo’s often wardrobe-focused tidying technique or Matilda Kahl’s choice to wear one outfit to work for three years, many are looking to edit down their closets. We know we’re guilty of stocking some unworn, low-quality items, but we’d like to change that.
One closet-reducing program that’s especially buzzy as of late is the capsule wardrobe. While many have jumped on the clothes-purging bandwagon, the authority on the capsule wardrobe movement is Caroline Rector of Un-Fancy. Below, we explore what a real capsule wardrobe looks like, Rector’s methodology, what it’s done to change her life, and how to start your own capsule collection.
Scroll down to see our how-to and what the capsule wardrobe looks like IRL so you can start simplifying your closet and your life.
The shopping struggle can be seriously real, but when you enter a new era in your lifetime (we’re talking a new decade), it becomes all the more difficult. Why? Because your style is likely to change as you get older, which, in turn, means you won’t be shopping at all the same places you did in your early to mid-20s—farewell, Forever 21.
When you reach your 30s, it’s more important than ever to build a reliable capsule wardrobe that consists of timeless, classic staples that you can easily wear for both work or play. Not sure where to find said pieces? You’re in luck, then, because below, we’ve highlighted the seven best places to shop in your 30s, along with our roundup of must-have pieces from each retailer. Ready? Set. Go!
Capsule wardrobes make the art of getting dressed that much easier with the idea that a few core staples can be mixed and matched to create a range of standout looks. While everyone’s personal style certainly varies, we’re routinely intrigued by how various creatives define their capsule wardrobes for potential inspiration. And that’s where Jennifer Sattler comes in. She’s currently a stylist and the mastermind behind Closet Choreography. She also worked as a stylist at Nordstrom for years, so her sartorial point of view is, well, on point. And her 2023 capsule wardrobe is quite noteworthy.
“So many of us choose to start over and redo our wardrobes at the start of the new year,” Sattler said. “If you’ve decided it’s time for a new wardrobe, make sure you have these eight closet essentials below.” With that in mind, keep scrolling to find Sattler’s 2023 checklist, complete with a range of shopping recommendations if you want to add the items to your own capsule wardrobe.
The little black dress is perhaps one of the most beloved wardrobe staples of all time. Whether you prefer a sleek, clingy mini à la Saint Laurent or a more festive look, the LBD is never the wrong answer.
During this time of year, it may feel like glitter and vibrant hues are a qualifier for the celebratory season. But what makes the little black dress favorable over overwhelming metallics and noisy sequins is its year-round appeal and multitude of styling possibilities.
Below, check out six chic LBD-based outfits for almost every kind of occasion and aesthetic.
The I-Just-Finished-Watching-“Wednesday” Look
Photos: Courtesy of brands
If you haven’t already binge-watched the new “Wednesday” series with Jenna Ortega in the titular role, you’re missing out — not just on the show, but on the Addams’ spook-inducing style inspo.
16Arlington Adara Cutout Stretch-Jersey Mini Dress, $312 (from $780), available here (sizes UK 4-16)
Jennifer Behr Layla Silk-Satin Headband, $165, available here
Spero London Sterling Silver Safety Pin Earring, $100, available here
Larroude Olivia Platform Pump in Black Patent Leather, $315, available here
Torrid At The Knee Velvet Mesh Ruched Bodycon Dress, $52 (from $80), available here (sizes 10-30)
The Tea Time Look
Photos: Courtesy of brands
Not every little black dress has to be tight and fitted. Try a babydoll silhouette for a feminine tea-time-esque look.
Kika Vargas Black Mathilde Minidress, $374 (from $645), available here (sizes XXS-XL)
Jennifer Behr Mirabelle Silvertone & Crystal Bow Drop Earrings, $250, available here
Miscreants Cupid Gloves in Hot Pink, $132, available here
Simone Rocha Lace-Effect 100mm Platform Pumps, $1,046, available here
Wolford X Sergio Rossi Satin-Effect Tights, $141, available here
Charles & Keith x Shushu/Tong Chloris Satin & Leather Rose-Embellished Shoulder Bag, $173, available here
Selkie The Black Swan Recycled Parliament Dress, $289, available here (sizes XXS-5X)
The Casually Cool Look
Photos: Courtesy of brands
Say goodbye to a cinched look and hello to drop-waist silhouettes. If you’re looking for a casual LBD to emulate the cool-girl style of today, try this Tove Studio mini paired with your favorite loafer.
Tove Studio Iris Silk Mini Dress in Black, $216 (from $533), available here (sizes FR 34-42)
JW Anderson Large Bumper Moon Leather Shoulder Bag, $468 (from $890), available here
Numbering Gold #8552 Necklace, $64 (from $140), available here
Tanner Fletcher Gold Vintage Oval Locket Necklace, $131 (from $195), available here
Sam Edelman Quincy Loafer, $103 (from $170), available here
Mara Hoffman Mereba Dress, $795, available here (sizes XXS-3X)
The Classy Cocktail Look
Photos: Courtesy of brands
Sometimes, less is more. For a more elevated take on the classic, pair a high-neck design with color-complimentary accessories and a simple drop earring.
ShuShu/Tong Floral-Embroidered Halterneck Mini Dress, $456 (from $760), available here (sizes XS-L)
The French-girl wardrobe is fascinating for a number of reasons: it’s simple, timeless, and effortless. And the quest for the right pieces to achieve it can easily become a lifelong endeavor. We could spend all day figuring out how to emulate the key elements that make French style so good, and if you’re a consistent Who What Wear reader, you know that we do spend a considerable amount of time on the topic.
We’re hardly the only sartorial Francophiles, either. We chatted with an NYC-based wardrobe stylist who is so enamored with the simplicity of French style that she went out and designed her very own French-inspired capsule wardrobe. Meet Bryn Taylor, a stylist of 10 years who recently launched Ouisa, a well-edited assortment of just six pieces that make up what she deems to be the perfect capsule wardrobe.
“While I love fashion and understand the power of clothing to change people’s mindsets,” Taylor shared with us, “I noticed that my clients often expressed frustration over the paralysis of choice within their wardrobes and shopping for clothes in general. They wanted to create an easy, cool, signature style but lacked the confidence and tools to do so. I would always advocate for a smaller, more thoughtful wardrobe consisting of pieces they could depend on in any situation, and seamlessly mix and match. Essentially, a capsule collection. I kept noticing that the foundational pieces my clients’ closets were missing were the same tried and true essentials I depended on in my own wardrobe.”
Dressing for winter and pulling it off in a stylish way can sometimes be a tall order. While a leather jacket and a few light layers are all that’s ever really needed to get by in the South and West, here on the East Coast, though, it’s another story. Enter Shalini Acharya, an influencer and veteran New Yorker. We routinely turn to this fashion creative for top-notch outfit ideas because of her directional and elevated approach to style. And while everyone has a different method for bundling up in the winter, the 17 years (and counting) that she’s spent living in NYC have helped her develop a well-rounded and well-edited lineup of winter staples. To that point, her capsule wardrobe, in particular, is consistently worth noting.
As a minimalist, Acharya never wants to buy too many pieces, but after a little trial and error, she’s landed on a winter capsule wardrobe that allows her to stay both warm and stylish with a few key essentials. First, the turtleneck top became the ultimate layering piece. When worn with jeans or under a dress, it lends a sophisticated spin to any look. Next, a heavier sweater was perfect for colder days. Not one to give up dresses, she learned to love longer hemlines and taller boots to meet them. Another winter must? Knee-high boots, which are essential for pairing with long dresses and navigating snowy sidewalks. And finally, classic wool coats are the ultimate topper for both banishing the cold and looking stylish. Go on to shop the 16 pieces from her winter capsule wardrobe, and check out a few outfit combinations along the way.
