As the dog days of summer pass, fall trends quickly emerge. While they can be a great way to find a new flair for your style, they can also become a waste of money when they fizzle out months later, often leaving you with an item you don’t really love and probably won’t wear.
The capsule wardrobe is a concept where you create a collection of timeless basics interspersed with personality and seasonal pieces in your closet. It’s a way to have less clothes but more outfit possibilities. Think of it like paper dolls, pulling from a set pool of items and accessories to make endless combinations. With the rise in sustainability and fatigue from endless micro-trends, this concept has gained a lot of traction in the past few years.
The first step to creating a capsule wardrobe is to go through your closet and decide what you really like to wear versus what might be better off being donated. The goal is to have a clutter-free closet where every apparel item is worn. After that’s done, look and see what is missing from your closet. From there you can fill in the gaps with more items like layering pieces or neutrals.
Just because these standard items are basic doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Below are some suggestions for five capsule wardrobe essentials.
The Basic Tank/Tee
The Women’s Baby Rib Tank from BELLA+CANVAS is a great choice that will go with anything. You can wear it plain on a hot day or use it as a base under a button down or cardigan. This tank comes in white or black and is 100% cotton. White feels a bit more year-round but black can be great for winter or paired with bright colored layers.
BELLA+CANVAS / PPAI 304892, Silver / bellacanvas.com
The Unisex EcoMax Short Sleeve Tee from BELLA+CANVAS is for anyone who is looking for more coverage or a boxier fit. This shirt could be worn under a cardigan, sweater vest, button down and more. This tee comes in black, white and navy and is made of 100% GRS-certified recycled materials. It also uses a water free dye process to conserve water. Add a small front imprint or do an artsy larger graphic to make this tee stand out.
BELLA+CANVAS / PPAI 304892, Silver / bellacanvas.com
The Quintessential Button-Down
Marine Layer’s Jane Relaxed Shirt in Cali Poplin is the perfect button-down shirt. It’s made of soft and lightweight Cali poplin and comes in either midnight or moss stripes. Throwing this button down over a tank creates an effortless Parisian vibe, or for work, tuck it into some slacks or jeans. It’s a lifesaver in the summer as a light layer warm enough for a cold office but cool enough for a walk outside.
Marine Layer / PPAI 690355, Standard-Base / marinelayer.com
The Stretch Oxford Stripe Men’s Long Sleeve Dress Shirt from Cutter & Buck is a classic menswear staple. Most guys will already have a button-down in their closet, but this style offers stripes in charcoal, French blue and light blue. This shirt has a wrinkle resistant finish and is made of “easy care stretch” fabric. Add a sweater vest on top for a preppy look or try it as a layering piece over a T-shirt for a casual occasion.
Cutter & Buck/ PPAI 196156, Gold / cbcorporate.com
Versatile Sweaters
The Port Authority Women’s Easy-Care Crewneck Cardigan Sweater from SanMar is a timeless basic fit for any occasion. This cardigan could be worn closed, open or partially buttoned. It comes in black, navy and grey, which means it’s a great piece to pair with a bright color or fun pattern. This cardigan is machine washable and allows for custom embroidered personalization. It also comes in sizes XS-4XL, making it an inclusive style.
SanMar / PPAI 110788, Platinum / sanmar.com
SanMar’s Port Authority Sweater Vest is versatile and gender neutral. It comes in the same set of colors, sizes and imprint options as the cardigan, making it a great coordinating gift. The vest could be styled over a tee for a casual summer look or over a button-down for work. It’s also a good piece to experiment with colored accessories.
SanMar / PPAI 110788, Platinum / sanmar.com
Standout Sunglasses
The Milan Sunglasses from Pop! Promos are a chic pair of sunglasses perfect for your commute to work or a pool day. These sunglasses are in a vintage-inspired and trendy shape, making them both current and timeless. They come in many different color options, including the stylish tortoise shell print shown.
Pop! Promos / PPAI 564497, Gold / poppromos.com
The Brooklyn Sunglasses from Pop! Promos are more gender neutral and are a classic shape. They offer many different imprint and personalization options, including special patterns or upgrades. Additionally, both pairs of sunglasses can get upgraded to include pouches ensuring your shades stay safe on the go.
Pop! Promos / PPAI 564497, Gold / poppromos.com
Something Fun
The Camp Collar Ladies Shirt from Edwards Garment is a stylish summer basic. The shirt can be worn buttoned for a day out on the town or thrown over a tank for a more casual look. The shirt comes in fun colors like light blue, sage, riviera blue and paprika. Colorful pieces like this are a great way to add some excitement to your capsule wardrobe. This shirt has UPF 40 sun protection and has moisture wicking fabric. It comes in sizes XS-3XL and there is also a unisex version with the same bright color options.
Edwards Garment / PPAI 198530, Platinum / edwardsgarment.com
The Haka Rugby Shirt from Fairweather Johnson is a classic style that adds some athletic personality to any closet. Whether you are a rugby fan or not, the collared pullover is a great statement piece. It’s made from 100% recycled materials and comes in sizes small to 3XL. It also has a shrinkage control finishing and the signature rugby twill collar. Pair this black shirt with colorful shoes for a casual look or with khakis for a dressier feel.
Fairweather Johnson/ PPAI 883970, Silver / fairweatherjohnson.com
