Over the past several years, the idea of capsule wardrobes has spread across the internet in a variety of iterations. There’s the tightly edited ‘original’ version, the less restricted seasonal version, the reluctant fashionista version – I’ve shared my own travel versions for spring & summer, fall, and winter packing. Somewhere along the way, capsule wardrobes have become mostly synonymous with neutral colors and a minimalist aesthetic, which makes sense if your goal is to make getting dressed as simple as possible, or if you’re learning what you like (more on this in the future).
But what if you’re someone who craves a bit more flavor or a bit less matching, and still a smaller suitcase to travel with or more breathing room in your closet? Just because you’re choosing to have fewer clothes doesn’t mean they need to be less fun; you can pick the pieces you actually wear and love, even if none of them are black. The freedom of owning less and the joy of wearing non-vanilla clothes aren’t mutually exclusive.
Here, I’ve collected two basic capsule wardrobes: one of the classic minimalist variety, and one for the mismatching maximalist. I personally fall somewhere between the two, in my own happy mix of classic and eccentric – always on the lookout for fantastic closet staples that will last for years and for the more interesting pieces that will make an outfit feel more like me. And also, who says that for an outfit to “go together” everything has to match?
this post contains affiliate links that contribute towards my oat-milk cappuccino fund at no extra cost to you. thank you!
Minimalist Capsule
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11
Maximalist Capsule
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11
Would you wear one of these capsules, a mix of both, or something completely different? Let me know in the comments below or on Instagram!
The Travel Capsule
Wardrobe Planner
My printable five-step
guide to packing light &
traveling in style.
