How to Create Your Own Luxury Capsule Wardrobe?

While the concept of ‘capsule wardrobe’ hasn’t completely settled down in the mainstream culture yet, it seems like the post-pandemic era is definitely the wake-up call we needed for this shift. This pandemic has urged luxury giants like Gucci and Michael Kors to walk away from the traditional fashion calendars and go entirely seasonless by opting for fewer fashion shows and collections. The concept of ‘luxury basics’ is something that the French women swear by wherein they invest in some extremely superior quality luxurious brands that they wear often rather than mindlessly hoard cheap quality products that they rarely wear. A condensed collection with timeless wardrobe essentials versatile enough to smoothly transition from work to cocktail hours as well as dressed down weekends is not just a practical and feasible way out from the overburdened fast fashion cycles and closets, once you get the hang of it, you’ll realize over time that ‘less is more’ is a lifestyle, not just a trend. Probably, reducing our wardrobes to bare minimal subtly chic and stylish quality products that transcend seasons and trends with functionality and versatility on the forefront seems like an uphill battle especially for the ‘nothing to wear’ with a closet falling left, right and centre set of women, but don’t worry we’ve got your back. Here’s a basic set of rules you can count on while preparing your luxury capsule wardrobe right from scratch. By the end of this blog, you’ll be halfway through sorting out your very own sustainably fashionable and exclusive collection.

1. Determine Your Individualistic Style

A capsule wardrobe goes beyond the boundaries of seasons, trends and forecasts. Sit patiently and understand what are the key traits that define your fashion aesthetics. The foundation for this is purely your personal style. It is you who decide which shapes and silhouettes flatter your body and accordingly you figure out which styles to go for.

2. Choose Your Colour Palette

You probably never had a well-coordinated colour scheme for your entire wardrobe before. For this concept, however, you’ll have to settle down to a well thought of palette with more neutrals as well as some core seasonal colours that remain the same through years and ages. The colours should be in sync to mix and match without a hassle with anything and everything.

3. Scale Down to a Number

Here comes the tricky part! While figuring out how many pieces are enough for each individual style to fit your everyday needs, you’ll have to stay well within a specified limit and not fall into your temptations of hoarding again. Roughly a wardrobe with 35-40 pieces is enough to come up with a redefined OOTD every day. You can maintain a closet with about 35 essentials leaving you a little space every season to invest in 2-3 irresistible seasonal trends. This way you can strike a perfect balance between a concise closest as well as satiate your urge to invest in a few quality additions without piling up.

4. Decide Your Budget

Probably when preparing a capsule closet at first, you’ll have to invest a little in good quality durable essentials however you need to understand that this is a one-time investment for a longer period compared to when you splurge throughout on fast fashion. A budget helps you spend wisely and smartly as well as save up for spending on things that actually add value to you without a thought. You’ll realise that once you get into the habit of shopping bare minimum only once every season, you end up with a spare amount to indulge in your desired luxury brands that you just dreamt of.

5. Pick Versatile Pieces

Undoubtedly the most important thing to be kept in mind while planning out your collection has to be the ability of each quality piece that you buy to contrast and co-ordinate with at least 10 other products available in your closet. The silhouettes, styles and colours should be in as much sync as possible to create a revamped look with the same products every other day.

6. Choose Your Essential Products

One major rule that definitely should be on your list is to jot down a list of products that’ll form your collection. At this point, the styles and silhouettes that you decided will come in handy for a more detailed list. For your ease, here’s a list of products that could sort out most of your versatile fashion essentials.

• A White Crisp Shirt

Whether a formal meeting, a casual brunch or a shopping day out a white crisp shirt is capable of being worn as underneath a blazer, a corset or over a slip dress and a basic tee. It can be easily paired with up jeans for that semi-casual look or even a saree for that perfect Indo-Western fusion. It can be easily draped and styled into a plethora of ways to give you a new top every day and even transition to a skirt.

• A Well-Worn Skirt

A classic pencil skirt or a midi skirt can be easily paired up with shirts for workwear formals and can transform into a casual day outfit a cute cardigan or a tee. A sexy crop top or a bodysuit along with it and you’re all set to party!

• A Perfectly Fitted Pair of Trousers

Whether flared pants, straight cut or tailored whatever flatters you the most, trousers are a must in your closet for your formal co-ordinates along with blazers. A switch to a tee or a blouse along with heels and your Sunday brunch look is done. You can opt for subtle prints or solid neutrals that can be matched with everything.

• An Easy-Going Tee

Whether as a basic layer under jackets, shrugs and rompers or as a garment in itself, a few classic tees in your wardrobe can be easily paired up with jeans, skirts, shorts as well as formal pants topped with a blazer for that elegant semi-formal look. A few tank tops in neutral tones could also substitute basic tees easily.

• A Chic Pair of Denim

Straight flared jeans have been a rage for a while now and they’re here to stay simply because of the breeziness along with the denim touch. However, whichever style of denim suits you are capable of being paired with shirts, blouses, jackets, blazers, trench coats and SAREES as well. Why wouldn’t you have them?

• A Splendid Bodysuit

Breaking the shackles of fashion, bodysuits have almost become your go-to upper alternatives thanks to their ability to enhance your curves just with the same feel and look as shirts and blouses.

• A Sharp Blazer

A key outerwear product, a blazer other than a meeting essential can be paired up with jeans and skirts for lunches and brunches. Throw in a classic belt over and there you have a new silhouette at your bay.

• A Swaying Shrug

A printed or a solid long shrug is all you need to elevate a basic dress or a typical combination of jeans/shorts along with basic tees and tops. 

• A Well-Cut Trench Coat

Another winter outerwear essential, trench coats can be worn as the perfectly stylish protective layering and could even act as dresses with sheer tights underneath and ankle boots to top it off. A statement belt over it could definitely up your fashion game.

• A Sleek Slip Dress

A shirt, a basic tee, a jacket or a blazer over, a blouse or a turtleneck under with probably a wide belt around your midriff, a classic slip dress has a lot to offer. Pair them along with lowers and they’ll act as tops!

7. Choose Your Go-To Brands

Once you know what styles, colours and products to opt for you can easily decide upon which brands to go for based on what are their best bets. Since you’re investing in luxury essentials, you’ll only want to invest in the most sought-after brands available for them.

8. Accessories are a Must

A voguish accessory can change your look altogether in a jiffy. While we’re building our capsule closet don’t forget to add some vital accessory additions especially these few must-haves.

• A Timeless Belt

Basically, a timeless belt is more than enough to finish any outfit and redefine it completely whether over dresses, skirts, blazers and even traditional sarees. Not to forget the various ways you can creatively knot a simple belt.

• A Comfortable Pair of Shoes

Styles like sneakers can work for both sporty and chic looks while something like pumps can transition from formal wear to cocktail nights. Choose from classic footwear styles like flats, ankle boots or wedges in subdued tones or seasonal shades whatever fits your style and climate to complete your wardrobe.

• An Elegant Luxury Bag

A premium tote or a luxury handbag is worth investing in terms of longevity as well as timelessness. Opt for styles that can be carried off in more than one ways like crossbodies, chest bags or belt bags for more flexibility.

• A Dazzling Scarf

A single scarf in contemporary prints can transition from a pretty hair accessory to a quirky top within seconds. Whether with different layering techniques or just a beautiful knot addition on your bag handle, it completely changes your look. It’s without a doubt one of the most versatile accessories out there.

• A Regal Watch

A magnificent watch in gold, rose gold, silver and copper finishes is an investment worth all the money for it can easily surpass decades. Even a tech watch with its ability to switch straps as and when is drool-worthy.

• A Stylish Pair of Sunglasses

While shapes like aviators and wayfarers suit almost every face shape, you can choose which style suits you best and indulge in a premium pair of sunglasses for they never go out of fashion.

9. Layering is the Key

Once you’ve belted your wardrobe, remember that at the end of the day it comes down to how well you can layer your pieces. The more creatively you can switch and slide products, the more fashionably innovative new looks you’ll be able to come up with every other day without having to own a thousand clothes and accessories.

10. Plan in Advance for the Next Season

Now that you have all the basics at hand don’t forget to use them to always and always plan at least 2-3 weeks before the next season approaches so that you’re aware of what all you already own and the things you’d like to invest in and how much space you have at hand to walk it off every day with a brand new fashionable look with just bare minimum luxury basics.