I like dressing up as much as the next girl. But a casual capsule wardrobe offers the perfect mix of clothing to carry me through daily activities. With 30 well selected pieces, you can look effortlessly chic on your lowkey days too.
Let’s dive in.
WHAT IS A CASUAL CAPSULE WARDROBE?
A casual capsule wardrobe is a collection of clothing essentials that mix and match easily for simple seamless outfit creation. The wardrobe typically contains 15-30 versatile pieces like neutral tops, flattering denim, and polished outerwear.
Benefits include effortless outfit building and a neater closet filled with staples that flatter you. Since there’s limited space in a capsule, you prioritize only the garments that make you look and feel amazing.
Explore the wardrobe below to see just how much you can do with 30 quality clothing items.
HOW MANY OUTFITS DOES THIS CAPSULE MAKE?
Total outfit combinations from tops and bottoms: 11 (tops) * 7 (bottoms) = 77 outfit options
Dresses aren’t combined with tops or bottoms. So let’s add them separately:
Total outfits including dresses: 77 (from tops and bottoms) + 3 (dresses) = 80 outfit options
Considering only tops, bottoms, and dresses, the capsule wardrobe could create a total of 80 unique outfits.
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30-PIECE CASUAL CAPSULE WARDROBE
Tops (11)
T-Shirt (x3)
The t-shirt serves as the perfect foundation for creating effortless outfits. Be sure to have a classic crew neck in your rotation.Button Down (x2)
This breezy staple is a must. I reach for my button-up to add an effortless polish to a pair of jeans or wide-leg trousers.Tank Top (x2)
When it comes to layering, no one does it better than the humble tank top. Wear this casual capsule wardrobe essential on its own or layered under a cardi, button-down, that oversized blazer you thrifted…Bodysuit (x2)
If you know me, you know I love a good bodysuit. Leverage the neckline (I’m partial to off-the-shoulder varieties) to create a flattering silhouette that accentuates the collarbones.Knit Sweater (x2)
A knit sweater is a classic for a reason. You can pull one with a pattern (stripes, anyone?) to add visual interest. Planning a killer wardrobe? Get the free 7-day wardrobe planner here.Bottoms (7)
Jeans (x3)
Ah, versatile denim. We love a staple that plays well with others. A casual capsule is a perfect place for a baggy pair and a more polished one that you can dress up or down.Skirts (x2)
A form-flattering staple I adore, midi skirts are feminine and functional. Pair one with a flowy blouse, a cozy sweater, or even a structured blazer.Trousers (x2)
Without trousers, my casual capsule wardrobe checklist is not complete. Wide-leg trousers and sneakers make a solid laid-back outfit base.Buttoned Shorts (x1)
Denim shorts are classic. But I find that twill, linen, and cotton varieties feel a bit more versatile as they can easily go from day to night.Dresses (3)
Mini Day Dress (x1)
The mini-day dress? A breezy, time-saving option. Perfect for those days when you want an outfit in a snap.Midi Dress (x2)
Due to their versatility, I always have a few midi dresses on deck. Options include summery silk ones to cozy sweater varieties.Outerwear (4)
Trench coat (x1)
Functionality meets fashion in a well-constructed trench coat. I’ve seen a ton of casual outfits go from normal to casual chic with the addition of a trench.Cardigan (x2)
Whether you opt for a long-flowing cardigan or a short buttoned version, this year-round staple is a perfect layering piece.Blazer (x2)
If you’re on the fence about adding a blazer to your casual rotation, you just haven’t found the right one. Once you do, you’ll layer that bad boy over just about everything.Shoes (4)
Sneakers (x1)
A staple that’s as comfy as it is stylish. It’s the casual capsule wardrobe shoe. That is all.Loafers (x1)
Loafers are the preppy, polished addition to your shoe arsenal. You may have seen them at play in this dark academia capsule wardrobe.Clogs (x1)
Slip into these for a granola girl casual vibe. There are so many ways to style clogs. Permission to get funky with this footwear.Ballet Flats (x1)
Finish off your fit with a feminine touch, courtesy of the classic ballet flat. Browse the 11 best capsule wardrobe shoes here.CASUAL CAPSULE OUTFITS
It’s that time when I give you casual capsule wardrobe outfit inspiration. Browse the fits below and screenshot the chart for easy outfit formulas.
25 MORE CASUAL OUTFITS IDEAS
You can mix and match the clothes in this capsule to create over 70 looks. Here are some of the outfit formulas I whipped up to keep you looking chic on casual days.
| Top | Bottom | Shoes |
|---|---|---|
| White T-Shirt | Wide-Leg Jeans | Loafers |
| Dark Button Down | Midi Denim Skirt | Knee-High Boots |
| Tank Top (White) | Dark Trousers | Sneakers |
| Striped Sweater | Boyfriend Jeans | Ballet Flats |
| Dark Bodysuit | Midi Silk Skirt | Clogs |
| Breezy Button Down | Dark Denim Shorts | Flats |
| Knit Sweater (Solid) | Light Trousers | Sneakers |
| White Tank Top | Midi Silk Skirt | Ballet Flats |
| Dark Bodysuit | Midi Denim Skirt | Knee-High Boots |
| Dark Button Down | Wide-Leg Jeans | Loafers |
| Solid Knit Sweater | Dark Trousers | Ballet Flats |
| White T-Shirt | Midi Denim Skirt | Flats |
| Striped Sweater | Midi Silk Skirt | Sneakers |
| Dark Tank Top | Boyfriend Jeans | Clogs |
| Breezy Button Down | Midi Denim Skirt | Knee-High Boots |
| White Bodysuit | Dark Trousers | Ballet Flats |
| Knit Sweater (Striped) | Midi Denim Skirt | Flats |
| Dark Tank Top | Light Trousers | Sneakers |
| Dark Button Down | Midi Silk Skirt | Clogs |
| White T-Shirt | Dark Denim Shorts | Loafers |
| Solid Knit Sweater | Midi Silk Skirt | Ballet Flats |
| Breezy Button Down | Wide-Leg Jeans | Sneakers |
| White Tank Top | Dark Trousers | Flats |
| Striped Sweater | Midi Denim Skirt | Knee-High Boots |
| Dark Bodysuit | Boyfriend Jeans | Clogs |
HOW TO BUILD A CASUAL CAPSULE WARDROBE
GATHER CORE PIECES
Rather than starting with an overwhelming closet clean, you can go into your closet and pull out the most versatile pieces you own. Go through and gather pieces that:
Fit you well
Pair well with other items
Are in a similar color palette
Start with 15-30 pieces. These will form the basis of casual capsule.
BUILD OUTFITS
Now for the fun part. Use the pieces you’ve pulled to build outfits for your daily activities. Experiment by mixing and matching tops, bottoms, and your outerwear. Try these on and snap some full-length mirror pics to log the ones you love.
Word to the fashion-forward- don’t skip this step. It helps you gauge the versatility of your wardrobe. It also informs the next phase of building our casual capsule wardrobe.
FILL WARDROBE GAPS
Now, assess the gaps in your collection. Note the items that would complement the existing pieces to create a more comprehensive wardrobe.
For instance, if you have a ton of statement tops but few neutral ones, add a white t-shirt and a solid button-down to your list. Maybe you need more modest yet chic pieces. The gaps in your closet become clear as you build outfits.
So take note of what your outfits are missing. This capsule wardrobe checklist will help.
SHOP INVESTMENT PIECES
Next up, fill those gaps. When adding new pieces, prioritize quality over quantity. You’ll be wearing these on repeat, after all. Go for well-constructed pieces that are built to last (here are the quality pieces I recommend).
Yes, you can get quality garments without overspending. These affordable luxury brands may help.
TLDR: Shop timeless pieces that can withstand frequent wear and stay in the rotation across seasons.
REFINE AND ADJUST
Capsule created. What’s next? Keep it flexible so it changes with you. Every so often, remove any pieces that don’t fit well, align with your style, or contribute to the overall versatility of your closet.
Make adjustments based on your lifestyle, ensuring that each item contributes to a range of outfit possibilities.
CASUAL CAPSULE WARDROBE CHECKLIST
Here’s a recap of the casual capsule wardrobe essentials. Feel free to shake things up. I won’t be mad.
TOPS (11)
T-SHIRT
BUTTON DOWN
TANK TOP
BODYSUIT
KNIT SWEATER
BOTTOMS (7)
JEANS
SKIRTS
TROUSERS
BUTTONED SHORTS
DRESSES (3)
MINI DAY DRESS
MIDI DRESS
OUTERWEAR (4)
TRENCH COAT
CARDIGAN
BLAZER
SHOES (4)
SNEAKERS
LOAFERS
CLOGS
BALLET FLATS
CASUAL DRESSING FAQS
First, let’s talk fabrics. Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics like linen, 100% cotton, and silk in your summer casual capsule wardrobe. As for staples, breezy pieces like sleeveless tops, relaxed shorts, lightweight sundresses, and linen pants all make for casual summer outfits that keep you cool.
This vibrant summer capsule wardrobe offers a full list of essentials.
