HOW TO CREATE YOUR TIME CAPSULE WARDROBE
One of my New Year's resolutions for 2024 is to start building my time capsule wardrobe. I am 27 and I now want to start building a wardrobe of foundational pieces to get me through the year on top of shopping my favorite core trend styles through the seasons. Working in retail, I always want to keep my wardrobe fresh, so starting with these foundation pieces is important. Below, I mapped out how to start building your wardrobe of timeless pieces to keep your wardrobe always feeling fresh.
A C L O S E T R E F R E S H
Every year, I urge you to go through your closet and get rid of old pieces. If you haven’t worn it in the past 1-2 years, get rid of it. Fill up bags of old clothes and donate them to Goodwill, Greendrop, American Red Cross and more. You can even make money off your old clothes at places like Plato's Closet. The new year is a great time to get rid of the old and refresh.
G O F O R T H E B A S I C S
Step one to creating your time capsule wardrobe is getting some good basics in your closet. Everyone can use a black bodysuit, white tee, and a good long sleeve in their closet. These are great pieces that can be worn under blazers, with denim or a skirt, and honestly go with anything. They also can be elevated with stacked jewelry, fun bags, and more accessories. My favorite basics are the cotton bodysuits I have gotten at Stile - I have one in almost every color and they have been a staple in my wardrobe.
B O T T O M S
Bottoms are the foundation of an outfit. They’re an easy starting point when building your capsule wardrobe. Choose a few bottoms that fit well, are comfortable and can be worn with multiple tops, tees, sweaters, and jackets. As the seasons change, you’ll have to buy different colors for every season (for example, lighter breezy pants in the summer), but the overall style will be the same. I recommend getting a great pair of black trouser pants, a good fitting pair of straight denim (they can be worn with a variety of shoes), and one knee-length midi skirt to start. One of my favorites this season is Pistola’s Alice denim skirt and it comes in both black and denim!
T O P S
Look for tops and blouses that easily mix and match with the bottoms you’ve chosen and that can be dressed up or down with different shoes, jackets, and accessories. Neutrals are more versatile than busy prints but of course you can add a bold color in there as well! Some tops to add into your time capsule wardrobe include a nice-short sleeve top, a white button-down, a silk blouse, and a few nice sweaters - choose sweaters that are light weight as you can wear them throughout the different seasons. I also find that v-neck and crew neck sweaters are the most versatile and can be worn with lots of different necklaces.
D R E S S E S
It’s always great to have a few dresses in your closet. I recommend getting one really nice little black dress that you can dress up or down. Also a maxi or midi dress that you can wear throughout the spring and fall and even layer with a cardigan or blazer. A nice neutral sweater dress is great for the fall and winter. And then a classic mid-length a-line dress.
C O A T S & J A C K E T S
Think about the jackets you wear the most throughout the year and build around that. Maybe you wear one thick winter jacket a lot, and one dressier jacket and a denim jacket as well. Some key capsule wardrobe jackets and coats to consider are a versatile blazer, a denim jacket, a neutral lightweight jacket, a black leather jacket, and a heavier winter coat. I always love completing my outfit with a fun jacket in the winter so if you have one more that you love (I love my sherpa right now!) then keep it in there as well. I am a big fan of the long peacoat as it dresses up just about any outfit and can make even a t-shirt look put together!
F O R T H E F E E T
For shoes, you want to stick to a few pairs that can go with anything. A good pair of fashion sneakers are a must - Vejas are great because they match anything from sundresses to trouser pants to denim. Also, I love a nice pair of loafers because they make any outfit a bit dressier. A nude or black heel is also a staple. Lastly, a nice pair of ankle boots (black preferably or brown) and a pair of winter boots you can wear in the cold and beyond.
I hope this helps guide you through your 2024 closet refresh and beyond!! All of these capsule pieces can be elevated with jewelry, fun accessories and chic bags, and more. If you have any recommendations, send them my way!! I’m always looking for ways to refresh my style and stay on trend while also creating a timeless closet.
