It’s a well-established fact that the way you dress influences your mood. I can attest to this.
Does anyone else practically glide down the sidewalk when in a frilly little dress and dainty sandals? The same can’t be said of my gait when I’m in leggings and a baseball cap.
From the frills to the florals, there’s something undeniably attractive about feminine clothing. Fortunately, putting together beautiful outfits is simple with a feminine capsule wardrobe like the one I’ve created below.
Read on to explore the feminine capsule wardrobe, elegant outfit ideas, and tips for dressing with style and grace daily.
WHAT IS A FEMININE CAPSULE WARDROBE?
Much like a typical capsule wardrobe, a feminine capsule is a collection of versatile pieces that can be easily mixed and matched. The difference here is that the feminine capsule is tailored to suit the elegant, romantic, and graceful aesthetic associated with feminine style.
So while a typical capsule may feature a minimalist and neutral color palette, a feminine capsule wardrobe embraces softer hues, delicate prints, and dainty detailing.
Characteristics of feminine style include:
- Delicate details like lace trim and ruffles
- Prints like florals and polka dots
- Muted hues and light colors like pastels
- Classy silhouettes like a-line skirts
- Soft fabrics like silk and cashmere
A CLASSY & FEMININE CAPSULE WARDROBE
Let’s not forget- a feminine wardrobe needs to be functional too. These versatile pieces are designed to flatter and are easy to mix and match. What’s not to love?
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FEMININE CAPSULE WARDROBE OUTFITS
Are you in need of some dreamy feminine capsule wardrobe outfit inspiration? The elegant attire below features pieces from the capsule that have you covered from date night to running errands.
CASUAL FEMININE OUTFITS
Casual clothing is ever popular thanks to the comfort and ease it offers. But you can stand out and add a bit of polish to your looks with these feminine outfit ideas.
CLASSY FEMININE OUTFITS
Special event? Date night? Whatever the occasion, a classy feminine outfit will help you dress the part. Focus on flattering silhouettes that lightly accentuate your natural curves.
FEMININE CAPSULE WARDROBE CHECKLIST
When it comes to dressing in a graceful, feminine way, certain wardrobe essentials make your life so much easier. Here are the essentials that form the foundation of a feminine capsule wardrobe.
SUMMER WARDROBE ESSENTIALS
1. Light Blouse
2. Silk Camisole
3. Tailored Shorts
4. Midi Skirt
5. Flattering Maxi Dress
6. Wrap Dress
7. Strappy Sandals
FEMININE SUMMER OUTFITS
WINTER WARDROBE ESSENTIALS
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Off the Shoulder Sweater
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Turtleneck
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Chic Cardigan
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Tailored Trousers
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Sweater Dress
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Trench Coat
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Ankle Boots
FEMININE WINTER OUTFITS
HOW TO BUILD A FEMINE CAPSULE WARDROBE
ASSESS YOUR LIFESTYLE
To get the most out of your pretty little capsule, you need to pick pieces that support you in your daily activities. So take a step back to map out how you spend your time and what clothing would best suit that. Ask yourself:
- What is my daily routine?
- What dress code do I need to follow most of the time?
- Do I have certain occasions coming up?
- What will the weather be like for the next few months?
Have clarity on the types of clothes you need and the places you’ll be wearing them? Good. You’re ready for step two of creating a feminine capsule wardrobe.
CHOOSE FEMINE FOUNDATION PIECES
Every capsule wardrobe needs a strong foundation. To begin, select pieces that will meet your lifestyle needs and offer a feminine style element.
These pieces will fit the typical feminine characteristics mentioned above from silhouette to detailing to color. The exact pieces you select should be influenced by your lifestyle.
For instance, if you spend the majority of your time in an office, then you should select workwear pieces in feminine silhouettes. Elegant blouses, feminine dresses, and tailored skirts all make the cut.
If you crave a more casual wardrobe, then choose feminine essentials like flowy maxi dresses, crisp jeans, and tops with dainty details like lace trim.
SELECT A SOFT COLOR PALETTE
Next up, narrow down your selection of foundational pieces by setting a color palette for your feminine capsule wardrobe.
Opt for hues that evoke a sense of romance and femininity. Think blush pink, lavender, peach, or ivory. These gentle and delicate shades are ideal for this type of capsule.
Style Tip: A feminine wardrobe is more about the cuts and silhouettes than the colors. You don’t have to wear pink or pastels to look feminine.
Of course, you should also include neutrals in your color palette for easy mixing and matching. A good rule of thumb is 3 neutrals and 2 accent colors.
Explore 6 ways to build a capsule wardrobe color palette here.
ADD VERSATILE BASICS
You have your feminine foundational pieces and set a defined color palette. You’re on the path toward a fabulously feminine closet. Now, turn up the versatility of your capsule by adding basics.
Look for pieces that can be easily mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits.
Style Tip: Invest in tops, bottoms, and dresses that can be effortlessly paired in different combinations. Choose pieces that can transition seamlessly from day to night or from casual to more formal occasions. Closet chameleons work beautifully in a feminine capsule wardrobe.
Versatile basics like a structured blazer, a classic white t-shirt, or a waist-accentuating wrap dress can serve as the building blocks of lots of outfits.
Remember that these pieces don’t have to scream feminine. When paired with other items and your solid capsule wardrobe accessories, they’ll work well in your elegant wardrobe.
WHERE TO SHOP FOR FEMININE CLOTHING
Select any store name below to browse its beautiful collections.
FOR EVERYDAY PIECES
& OTHER STORIES
Effortless elegance is what comes to mind when I think of & Other Stories. The international brand offers a mix of statement styles and wear on repeat basics. You can shop collections via the brand’s website or at Nordstrom.
SEZANE
Slow fashion retailer Sezane has earned itself a dedicated base of stylish fans. From ruffled necklines to lace collars, the feminine details and timeless designs make this a beautiful option for capsule staples.
Shop these stores like Sezane for similar pieces.
MADEWELL
While Madewell put itself on the map for its flattering denim styles – a top company official once remarked being “ on a mission to get more butts in our jeans”- the retailer also offers quality basics perfect for a feminine capsule. Cotton dresses, leather sandals, and of course jeans that hit all the right places are all in stock at Madewell.
QUINCE
Quality and affordability are not mutually exclusive. Quince, a fairly new online clothing store, is making sure of it. With classy basics and prices that will make you do a double take ($50 for a 100% cashmere crewneck), you’ll be wishing you heard about Quince a few shopping sprees ago.
FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS
REVOLVE
Trend-forward mega brand Revolve needs no introduction. While you will need to do some filtering to find the feminine frock of your dreams, the odds of uncovering it are high. From elegant evening gowns to chic cocktail dresses, Revolve’s massive selection is the cup that runneth over.
BHLDN
Hearing wedding bells? Enter BHLDN, an ideal place to find dresses for weddings and special events. The collections feature classically feminine silhouettes as well as flowy boho options. lace, I wore (and adored) the BHLDN gown I chose as the maid of honor at my sister’s nuptials.
LOVESHACKFANCY
Look up whimsical, romantic designs and you’re sure to see dreamy dresses courtesy of LoveShackFancy. A sprinkle of vintage charm makes these designs extra alluring. You can also check out these more affordable LoveShakckFancy dupes for look-alikes that don’t break the bank.
REFORMATION
I have yet to see a Ref dress I don’t like. And by the looks of Reformation’s cult-like following, I’m not the only one drooling over the designs. The sustainably made dresses are showstoppers and the tops add the perfect feminine touch to an outfit.
FOR THE OFFICE
M.M.LAFLEUR
Based in the city that never sleeps, M.M. LaFleur’s clothing collections are ideal for the fashion-forward working woman. This brand is perfect for feminine capsule lovers that want to veer away from pastels and pinks. The built-to-last pieces will be in your rotation for years to come.
SPANX
Prepare to get a confidence boost with SPANX’s innovative and oh-so-flattering designs. Take the Perfect Pant collection, for example. The designs elongate the legs while looking incredibly polished. If you need function and fashion in your feminine capsule, you know where to go.
HOW TO DRESS MORE FEMININE
Here are four impactful ways to add a feminine flare to your outfits.
A figure-flattering dress and dainty drop earrings make for a top-tier feminine look.
SWAP PANTS FOR SKIRTS AND DRESSES
An obvious but sometimes overlooked way to up the feminine factor is to wear more classically feminine items like skirts and dresses. This can be an instant transformation if you tend to wear pants often.
INCORPORATE DELICATE DETAILS
Pleats, lace, bows, and other delicate details offer a tried and true way to enhance the femininity of your outfits. These details add texture, femininity, and a sense of refinement to your clothing choices.
ADD DAINTY ACCESSORIES
You can quickly enhance your feminine style by slipping on some dainty accessories. Tiny floral rings, beautiful hair scarves, and delicate drop earrings are all small but impactful additions.
PICK FLATTERING SILHOUETTES
Here’s how to unlock effortless feminine outfits: Choose flattering silhouettes that accentuate your curves. Embrace styles that highlight your waist, such as fit-and-flare dresses or tops with cinched waists. Voila! Your feminine capsule wardrobe is ready to go.
