The Capsule Wardrobe Checklist: Tick Off What You Own, Shop What You Don’t
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This capsule wardrobe checklist is the short list of pieces that make getting dressed easy in any season. Every line is a classic in a soft neutral, so the tops, bottoms, layers and shoes all mix with each other. We matched each line with one real product we would buy, from brands you already know.
Start by looking at what is already in your closet before you shop for anything. Most women find they own a good part of this list in some form, and the gaps are where your money should go. The goal is fewer, better clothes that you actually wear every week.
Tap the box next to any line you already own and it gets a check mark. The page saves your ticks in this browser on your device, so you can close it and pick up where you left off. Anything left unticked is your shopping list.
Tops
Six tops cover crisp, casual, cozy and dressy days, and every one of them works under the layers further down.
Crisp white shirts work open over a tee, tucked into trousers or layered under a sweater. Quince makes this one in 100% organic cotton poplin that feels lightweight yet crisp. Our pick: Quince 100% Organic Cotton Poplin Long Sleeve Shirt
You will probably wear a good white tee more than anything else on this list. Everlane's Box-Cut Tee is 100% organic cotton with a relaxed fit and a slightly cropped length that looks neat untucked with high rise jeans. Our pick: Everlane The Box-Cut Tee in Essential Cotton
Stripes count as a neutral, and a navy and ivory Breton adds pattern without fighting anything else here. Boden's Olivia is 100% cotton with the classic boat neck. Our pick: Boden Olivia Long Sleeve Breton
Pull a cashmere crewneck over a shirt collar or wear it alone with jeans. Quince knits this one from 100% Grade A Mongolian cashmere in a fine 12 gauge, and heather grey goes with every other color on the page. Our pick: Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
Silk turns jeans into a dinner outfit in seconds. Reformation's Raya is 100% silk charmeuse with a collar and a fitted cut, and the almond shade is softer than stark white. Our pick: Reformation Raya Fitted Silk Shirt
Black turtlenecks are the base layer for cold months, under blazers, cardigans and coats. Everlane's Luxe Rib Turtleneck blends fine ribbed Supima cotton with elastane for a snug fit and a fold over neck. Our pick: Everlane The Luxe Rib Turtleneck
Bottoms
Four bottoms in dark denim, white denim, black trousers and silk give each top at least three places to go.
Dark straight jeans are the most useful pants you can own, dressy enough with a blazer and relaxed enough with sneakers. AG's Brinley has a mid rise, a straight leg and a deep indigo wash finished with gold stitching. Our pick: AG Jeans Brinley Jean
Tailored black trousers carry you through work, travel and evenings out. Banana Republic's Modern Straight pant is cut from soft, stretchy City Stretch fabric with a super high rise, a fitted waist and a straight, full length leg. Our pick: Banana Republic Ultra High-Rise Modern Straight City Stretch Pant
White jeans brighten every dark layer in this list and are not just for summer. AG's Mari is a mid rise slim straight jean in Cloud Soft stretch denim that is made to get softer the more you wear it. Our pick: AG Jeans Mari Jean
Midi skirts give you a dressier option that still works with a tee and sneakers. Quince's black skirt is washable 100% mulberry silk with a bias cut, a hidden elastic waist and a 29 inch length. Our pick: Quince 100% Washable Silk Skirt
Layers
Layers do the heavy lifting from fall through spring, so pick colors that sit happily over everything else.
Camel makes everything under it look more put together, from jeans to a dress. Abercrombie's version is 100% boiled wool with a relaxed, double breasted cut, a classic lapel and a full lining. Our pick: Abercrombie & Fitch 100% Wool Mid-Length Coat
Trench coats cover the in between weather of spring and fall, when a wool coat is too much. Everlane's Drapey Twill Trench has a soft brushed feel, an oversized fit and the classic belt and storm flap. Our pick: Everlane Drapey Twill Trench
Navy is a gentler alternative to black, and a navy blazer still looks sharp over a tee or a silk shirt. Boden's Stamford is made from a stretchy, crease resistant ponte, which makes it an easy travel layer. Our pick: Boden Stamford Ponte Blazer
Cardigans are the layer you reach for indoors, over tees, dresses and turtlenecks. Jenni Kayne's Cropped Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan is soft Mongolian cashmere in a slightly cropped, boxy shape with faux horn buttons. Our pick: Jenni Kayne Cropped Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan
Dresses
Two dresses handle the days when you want to put on one piece and walk out the door.
Every capsule needs one black dress that can go to a wedding, a dinner or the office under a blazer. Reformation's Rou is a stretchy knit midi with a scoop neck, a fitted bodice and an easy fit and flare skirt. Our pick: Reformation Rou Knit Dress
Shirt dresses are the simplest one piece outfit on a busy morning. Jenni Kayne's Hastings is lightweight washed cotton poplin in navy with a button front and a drawcord waist. Our pick: Jenni Kayne Hastings Dress
Shoes
Four pairs take you from weekend errands to the office to dinner without needing a fifth.
Clean white sneakers make dresses, skirts and trousers feel relaxed and ready for walking. VEJA's Campo has a genuine leather upper, a low profile shape and a sole made with wild rubber from the Amazon. Our pick: VEJA Campo
Ankle boots in black get you through fall and winter with jeans, trousers or dresses. Dolce Vita's Tarine is genuine leather with a pointed toe, center stitching and a low 1 inch stacked heel. Our pick: Dolce Vita Tarine Booties
Loafers are the polished flat that works with trousers, jeans and skirts alike. Sam Edelman's Loraine is a horse bit loafer with gold hardware, a low block heel and a padded leather insole. Our pick: Sam Edelman Loraine Loafer
Ballet flats are the comfortable dressy shoe for skirts, dresses and cropped trousers. Loeffler Randall's Leonie comes in soft safari tan glove calf leather with a bow, a padded footbed and an elastic bridge strap. Our pick: Loeffler Randall Leonie Leather Ballet Flat
Bags and accessories
A few good accessories make the same clothes look finished, so buy these once and wear them daily.
One leather tote that fits a laptop covers work, travel and weekends. Tory Burch's Perry Tote holds a laptop up to 13 inches in a removable pouch, and black pebbled leather goes with every outfit here. Our pick: Tory Burch Perry Tote
Small crossbody bags free your hands for errands, trips and nights out. Tory Burch's Romy Flap Crossbody is pebbled leather in a warm tan called Tiramisu, and it fits a phone, keys, cards and bills without folding them. Our pick: Tory Burch Romy Flap Crossbody
Simple gold hoops finish an outfit even on a plain tee day. Quince's 2mm tube hoops are crafted from 14K gold with a polished finish and a latch closure. Our pick: Quince 14K Gold 2mm Tube Hoops
Belts finish a tucked shirt and jeans, and brown leather warms up all the black and navy. Banana Republic's Slim Leather Belt has a rounded buckle and is designed to be worn at the hips. Our pick: Banana Republic Slim Leather Belt
The Printable Checklist
Fill the gaps in order
Shop the unticked lines you would wear most often first, which is usually jeans, a coat and comfortable shoes. Pieces that work with five or more other items on the list earn their place fastest. Leave the dressier lines like the silk skirt and the black dress for later if you rarely need them.
Shop slowly
Buy one or two pieces a month instead of the whole list at once. Wear each new piece for a few weeks and notice what you reach for and what you still miss. That pause keeps you from buying near copies of things you already have.
Keep it working
Look over the list at the start of each season and untick anything that is worn out or no longer fits. Wash knits gently, hang or lay silk flat, and polish leather shoes now and then. A capsule only works if every piece in it is ready to wear on a busy morning.
What should be on a capsule wardrobe checklist?
A good list covers basic tops, two kinds of jeans, trousers, a skirt, a few layers, a couple of dresses, four pairs of shoes and some simple accessories. Keep the colors to neutrals like black, navy, camel, grey and white so everything mixes. Ours has 24 lines, which is enough for a full year of outfits.
How many pieces should a capsule wardrobe have?
Most capsules land somewhere between 20 and 40 pieces, depending on your climate and how often you dress up. A set of 24 pieces in matching neutrals can make dozens of outfits. Start with this list and add only what your real life needs, such as workout clothes or a heavier winter coat.
Do I have to buy everything at once?
No, and it is better if you don't. Tick off what you already own, then fill the gaps slowly over a few months. Your ticks stay saved on your device, so you can come back and update the list as you shop.
