Building a capsule wardrobe is all about figuring out what, exactly, you like to wear on a daily basis, and then tailoring your closet to those needs. Everyone does this to an extent, but investing in the right wardrobe essentials—and saving money on unnecessary purchases in the long run—requires some intentionality. “The idea of a capsule wardrobe can be completely different for everyone,” says Rent the Runway stylist Maeve Reilly, who builds looks around staple pieces. “Your capsule…is your go-to items that make you feel confident and comfortable,” whether that’s elevated tailored suits or simple white sneakers.
Liisa Jokinen, a street style photographer and founder of vintage shopping hub Gem, echoes that sentiment: “There isn’t just one capsule wardrobe; mine can look completely different from someone else’s, and you don’t need to add any trench coats or blue jeans,” she says. It’s really about setting yourself up with well-made pieces you’ll want to wear over and over again. Both experts agree that it’s best to invest in your hero items; meanwhile seasonal trends and statement pieces can be cheaper, secondhand, or rented in case you fall out of love with them in a season or two.
Below are the pieces that fit in most women’s closets—think of them like guideposts as you’re filling out your collection of everyday essentials.
1. The white T-shirt
Regardless of your personal style, you could use a nice white T-shirt in your wardrobe. They go with everything—wide-leg jeans, blazers, you name it—and are crucially important layering pieces for every season. Find a fit and a cut that speaks to you, then buy multiples.
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2. The everyday sneakers
Sneaker trends come and go, but slim, sporty kicks are timeless. Your best bet for a capsule, Reilly says, is a pair in a neutral shade that’ll complement most everything in your closet; these time-honored styles from Adidas and Puma will do the trick.
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3. The straight-leg jeans
Classic straight-leg jeans (preferably in a mid-blue wash) will more than pull their weight in your capsule. Unlike some other cuts, they’re completely trend-proof; feel confident investing in a pair that’ll last you more than a few wears. Reilly recommends styling them with everything, especially sneakers and heels; up top, try a white tank and a blazer.
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4. The tote bag
If you’re going to invest in one handbag for your capsule wardrobe, make it a tote bag. Pick one that’s just big enough for your laptop so it doubles as a work bag; you’ll find yourself using it for everything from weekend shopping to weekday commutes. We love the designer bags below, both of which come from trusted brands, but you don’t need to spend more than $100 on yours.
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5. The just-right blazer
Everyone could use a tailored jacket for business meetings and casual hangs alike: “A good blazer always goes a long way,” Reilly says. The key is getting the right fit; we suggest going for a slightly relaxed but still trim cut for your capsule blazer. (You can then supplement it with trendier oversized jackets.) Navy and black look great with matching trousers, silk skirts, and well-worn jeans.
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6. The neutral heels
Heels take dresses and jeans to the next level, especially if you’re dressing to impress, so make sure you have a nice pair on hand. “I would suggest a mid to low heel for versatility,” Reilly says; these easy picks are available in plenty of colors and aren’t too trendy.
7. The black leggings
Sure, we love fancier pieces for our capsule wardrobes—but you still need something to turn to when you just don’t feel like trying. Black leggings can take you from the gym to low-key lunches, depending on your styling, so make sure you’re stocked up on these top-rated pairs.
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8. The button-down shirt
An oversized button-down shirt forms the backbone of Jokinen’s personal capsule wardrobe, and she recommends the all-season piece because it’s so easy to layer. Pack it in your vacation carry-on; wear it to work; throw it on over a tank. You really can’t go wrong here.
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9. The dinner dress
You know the concept of the LBD, but we don’t think it has to be black. Use these elevated numbers as wedding guest dresses (just not the white), date-night go-tos, or the piece you pull out of your closet when you need to look nice at a moment’s notice; they’re versatile enough to work with any shoe, jewelry, and hair choices.
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10. The crew socks
This might be controversial, but in the vast majority of cases, we prefer visible socks to hidden ones; they add just a touch of preppy, sporty style to any outfit, from summer dresses to sweatpants. These multipacks will zhuzh up your sneaker rotation.
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11. The everyday sunglasses
Ever notice how every celebrity and style influencer almost always wears sunglasses on the street? Beyond protecting your eyes, they also punch up any outfit; go with a black pair for your capsule, since they look good with everything. Ovals and cat-eyes have plenty of personality and look good on everyone.
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12. The lightweight cardigan
Even when it’s hot out, high-quality knits should be part of your rotation in case of chilly evenings and office air conditioning. These airy cardigans are modular and spice up dresses and tees.
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13. The tank top
The magic of the tank top is simple: You’ll look (and feel) effortlessly cool when wearing one. Uniqlo and Old Navy make some of our favorites, but you can find standouts everywhere at every price point; the goal is to find a fit that’ll make you feel confident worn solo or layered under something else.
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14. The ballet flats
It’s possible to dress ballet flats up or down, making them some of the most versatile footwear around. Go with a classic bow-adorned pair or a new-school pair of Mary Janes; either way, they’ll make your denim, trousers, and skirts sing.
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15. The vacation dress
Whether or not you’re packing a carry-on, you could use a nice casual dress for getaways and low-key gatherings alike. Pro tip: Throw a lightweight knit or a sweatshirt on top when it gets chilly; you’ll get even more wear out of these dresses when you style them as skirts.
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16. The trusty sweatshirt
Paired with leggings, sweatshirts make the perfect day-off uniform. They can also help ground jeans, denim skirts, and more adventurous bottoms like boxer shorts—play around and you’ll prove to yourself just how versatile these tops are.
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17. The stackable chain
There is absolutely a time and a place for statement jewelry, but the most stylish women we know are almost always wearing a simple chain or two that stacks well with other pieces. Whether you’re more of a gold or silver person, these affordable jewelry picks are the perfect foundation for your other favorites.
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18. The denim skirt
Although they’re available in every length, we prefer our denim skirts as midis. A refreshing alternative to jeans, these picks project a sense of ease; pair them with a cardigan and leather slides around the neighborhood or a ribbed tank and jelly sandals on vacation. (And yes, you can totally wear them to the office.)
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19. The slim loafers
Whether or not you’re a disciple of the Hailey Bieber school of dressing, you could use a pair of loafers. While chunkier silhouettes have trended in the past, go slim for your hero pair; they’ll never go out of style and look smart with jeans and suits alike. G.H. Bass makes perhaps the most classic pair on the market, while Sam Edelman’s are even slimmer and come with gold hardware.
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20. The leather jacket
Easy and a little edgy, leather jackets have long been part of capsule wardrobe recommendations—and we agree that they belong in every wardrobe. If you’re really looking to invest, Free People’s genuine leather option is a winner; if you like the look but not the material, try this faux-leather pick from Levi’s.
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21. The elevated top
Don’t save your nice tops for special occasions; by pairing something elevated with, say, jeans, you’ll look like you know what you’re doing. We love this surprisingly chic pick from Old Navy, while Jokinen recommends Pleats Please tops for their forgiving stretch and unique shapes.
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22. The minimalist belt
We love a good statement belt here at Glamour, but your collection should start with a belt that’s nearly invisible. Neither too thin nor too wide, these picks look great with jeans and trousers alike, especially when you’re tucking in your top. It’s a subtle way to make your ’fit feel just a touch more polished.
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23. The relaxed trousers
You might be tempted to only wear jeans on your day off, but slouchy trousers can be just as comfortable—not to mention incredibly versatile. If you’re off to brunch, style these pairs with a tank top or a breezy button-down, then take your pick from sneakers or trendy fisherman sandals. Plus, we love that they’re also office-friendly.
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24. The baseball cap
Bad hair days are no match for a classic baseball cap. Beyond hiding greasy roots—we’ve all been there—hats also add just a touch more personality to any ensemble. When you’re not entirely sold on your outfit, these picks will come in clutch.
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