A Colorful Capsule Wardrobe for Every Season (Outfits Included)
A neutral trench coat, a little black dress, a white tee shirt. It’s the classic capsule that graces Pinterest boards and Instagram feeds ad infinitum. If a neutral capsule wardrobe color palette leaves you less than thrilled, it’s time to try a colorful capsule wardrobe.
Color? In a capsule? Yes, it’s allowed. And when done correctly, the results are simply stunning (see outfit ideas below to confirm).
Read on to build a functional capsule wardrobe that doesn’t skimp on color.
What is a Colorful Capsule Wardrobe?
A colorful capsule wardrobe is a thoughtfully selected collection of colorful (And versatile) clothing that you mix and match to create loads of outfits. The key to a successful colorful capsule wardrobe lies in choosing colors that work harmoniously together while ensuring you have pieces to suit various occasions.
While traditional capsule wardrobes center around neutrals, a colorful one includes vibrant hues or muted colors that reflect your personal style.
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2 Dresses
2 Outerwear
4 Shoes
For my fall capsule, I chose pink and purple as my main colors.
🎨 Time for a mini color theory lesson:
Pink and purple sit near each other on the color wheel, making them analogous colors. These colors create a beautiful almost blended effect, unlike the stark contrast of complementary colors like the pink and green of my summer wardrobe below.
To work in more the rich fall hues, I tied in brown as my base color. My trousers, houndstooth coat, and maxi dress are all a rich chocolate hue.
This muted color palette proves that a capsule does not have to be vibrant to be colorful
Colorful Fall Capsule Wardrobe Outfits
I chose pink and green, complementary colors to be the colorful building blocks of this closet.
Since the vibrant dress also featured orange, I pulled that into the mix.
To ground the wardrobe and keep it easy to mix and match, I opted for tan and white as my base colors.
My white button-down, white linen pants, and tan utility vest are a few key pieces that balance out the vibrant and patterned ones.
Colorful Summer Capsule Wardrobe Outfits
2 Dresses
2 Outerwear
4 Shoes
Colorful Capsule Wardrobe Outfits for Spring
Colorful Capsule Wardrobe for Winter
In case it isn’t obvious, the hero piece in this colorful capsule wardrobe is the printed maxi wrap skirt. The winter color palette features a deep rust color, a navy blue, and a muted chartreuse all pulled from the print.
1 Dress
2 Outerwear
3 Shoes
Colorful Capsule Wardrobe Outfits for Winter
3. Include Neutral Wardrobe Staples
Yes, this is a colorful capsule. But we want to keep it functional and easy. You have a few colorful capsule wardrobe prints. Now, for effortless outfit creation, include neutral items like jeans, plain shirts, and muted jackets. You can see this at play in the Hawaii capsule wardrobe I created.
This next tip is just what you need for a low-effort colored capsule. Here goes: keep color in one area of your wardrobe.
For example, select an array of colored tops and then keep most of your bottoms and outerwear neutral. Or flip the script with bold-colored bottoms and neutral shirts. Printed midi skirt, it’s your time to shine.
4. Add Layering Pieces
Tips for Color in a Capsule Wardrobe
How many colors should you have in a capsule wardrobe?
When creating a capsule wardrobe color palette, choose six colors to start with. Opt for 1-2 base colors, 2-3 supporting colors and 2 accent colors. Ideally, you should have no more than 7 colors in the capsule color palette. A smaller set of colors helps you maintain an effortless wardrobe, with pieces complementing each other easily.
What essential items should be in a colorful capsule wardrobe?
To bring a colorful closet to life, gather the following essentials:
Colored Tops: Start with a few colorful statement tops that come in timeless silhouettes. Be sure to have an assortment of blouses, t-shirts, sweaters, and tanks to take you through the seasons.
Vibrant Bottoms: Colorful pants and skirts offer a fun way to stand out. When everyone is clad in black trousers, your green-tailored ones take center stage. I suggest adding a few colorful trousers and skirts to the mix.
Patterned Dresses: Since dresses are one-and-done pieces, they offer the perfect place to bring in patterns. I’m a fan of florals but geometric prints are also gorg.
Colorful Layers: If you notice you have a lot of neutral clothes, you can bring in color with layering pieces like blazers, cardigans, and jackets. Pop one over a solid-colored look for more interest and depth.
Statement Shoes: Include colorful shoes in your wardrobe, such as red heels, green flats, or patterned sneakers. Shoes can be a focal point of your outfit and add a pop of color to any look.
Neutral Basics: Don’t sleep on neutrals. Balance is key for a functional wardrobe. Include items like a classic pair of jeans and a neutral jacket and a cream top to easily weave your more colorful items together.
Can you have a colorful capsule wardrobe?
Yes! To create a colorful capsule that’s easy to style, keep color in one area of your clothing. For example, you might decide to have colored tops but neutral pants and outerwear for easy pairing and layering. Dresses can be colored and patterned too since they stand alone.
Another stellar way to build a colorful closet is to pick a multicolored statement piece and select supporting pieces to complement it. Building around one piece helps create a cohesive wardrobe.