Building the Foundation of a Capsule Wardrobe

The essence of a capsule wardrobe is to develop a foundation of clothing essentials that mix and match effortlessly. Your personal style will dictate some of the most worn pieces, and starting your wardrobe’s capsule is a great way to determine what works best for you.

How Do You Get Started With a Capsule Wardrobe?

Begin with the basic must-have pieces. High-quality tees and button-ups are essential for layering and can be worn endlessly. Starting with a neutral color palette allows for maximum versatility and effortless pairing throughout the seasons. Focusing on well-made garments and investing in pieces you can wear every day is key to developing a timeless, long-lasting wardrobe.

White Button-Ups: A True Wardrobe Essential

For an easy-to-wear, sustainably crafted button-up, Frank & Eileen is one of our most commonly recommended designers. Known for reinventing the classic button-up shirt, the brand offers multiple silhouettes of crisp white styles. Once you find the perfect fit, you can continue building your collection with new colors and patterns.

Frank & Eileen Waverly Relaxed Button Up Shirt in White (Italian Cotton)

Frank & Eileen Oona Continuous Button Up Shirt in White (Italian Superluxe Poplin)

The Importance of High-Quality Tees

High-quality long sleeve and short sleeve tees are wardrobe staples for everyday wear and comfort. The key to choosing the right pieces is focusing on fabric and construction to ensure each item retains its structure over time. While there are thousands of white tees on the market, Perfect White Tee stands out for its fit, feel, quality, and craftsmanship.

The Harley is a must-have classic short sleeve crew neck made for layering and constant wear. Its relaxed fit pairs effortlessly under sweaters and blazers or works just as well worn on its own.

Perfect White Tee Harley Cotton Short Sleeve Crew Tee in White

Perfect White Tee Harley Cotton Short Sleeve Crew Tee in Grey

Long Sleeve Tees & Layering Pieces

Other staple classics we love include long sleeve white tees. Depending on your preference, you can build a variety with different necklines, textures, fits, and sleeve lengths. The Bina Crewneck is a great layering piece and is the perfect gateway piece into Citizens of Humanity and their assortment. The Mason Baseball Tee is also a beautifully fitted long sleeve which comes in a variety of colors. 

Citizens of Humanity Bina Crewneck Top in Pashmina

Veronica Beard Mason Baseball Tee in White

Investment Denim: The Jeans You Never Want to Take Off

The next most important staple in a closet are the jeans you never want to take off. Choosing the perfect pair of investment denim depends on the type of denim you prefer and the style you find most flattering. A classic wash wide leg is a easy-to-style versatile jean that can be styled up or down. For an effortless cool and versatile jean is the Emerson by Nili Lotan, a prominent designer who helped bring the rise of barrel jeans.

Questions to help you identify how to find the perfect pair of jeans:

• What style of leg are you looking for? Wide, bootcut, flare, skinny, barrel, etc?
• What wash are you looking for and for what occasion? Day or night?
• What rise feels most comfortable and suits your proportions? How do you plan to style the jeans considering the upper garment, tucked, layered over, etc?
• Try and understand different material constructions from rigid denim to stretch denim and how it differs in fit and feel.

Reach out to info@shopambiance.com to book a styling appointment.

Nili Lotan Emerson Jean in Classic Wash

L’Agence Alicent High Rise Sneaker Wide Leg in Marvista

Why Crewneck Sweaters Are a Capsule Must-Have

Crewneck Sweaters are a great piece to invest and build a collection in to develop a array of colors, knits, and weights to wear throughout the seasons. A few colors, including black, white, and a natural brown or beige, are all you need. Paired with jeans or slacks for a more business look is a simple way to look elevated as is a staple for any closet. 

Secret Mission Haven Sweater in Taupe

Michael Stars Sophia Honeycomb Stitch Sweater in Charcoal

Ask yourself a few key questions:

1. What pieces do I reach for multiple times a week?

• • These are the items you notice you are wearing multiple times a week. Once you identify these items, you can determine which style features you would like for your collection to hold, ie. v-neck collars, barrel leg jeans, mid-rise pants, etc.

2. What occasions and dress codes will I be dressing for?

• • Consider your work style, seasonal weather changes, and day to day activities.

3. What key pieces are best to invest in?

• • You want to invest in pieces you can style throughout the seasons. Transitional jeans and sweaters are important for the shifts between warm and cold weather, and your basic tees and tanks can be worn endlessly throughout the year.

Refining Your Capsule Wardrobe

At this stage, you may find yourself asking: What is the point of a capsule wardrobe? And the answer is simple, literally. A capsule wardrobe is intended to simplify the decision making process by creating an ultimate mix-and-match wardrobe. By investing in quality pieces which you can wear endlessly, you are able to identify your personal style with thoughtfully curated basics and items specific to your preference.  

Seen styled two ways above, this look shows just how versatile a great basic can be. Every piece featured is part of our curated collection—made to mix, match, and wear on repeat.

Browse our curated collection of classic essentials and start building your collection!