When it comes to fashion, every woman is guilty of the feeling of “not having enough” clothes for everyday use. Dressing up is a way of expressing oneself, so going full minimalist is almost impossible to happen. Not until 2019, when the minimalist approach in life has become not just a trend but has slowly turned into a way of life.
The world of minimalism also introduced the idea of a capsule wardrobe or capsule closet.
It merely means owning a collection of essential and versatile clothing items that are wearable over and over.
To achieve this, one must go through a tedious clothes-purging process, letting go of the unnecessary items and keeping staples that can be mixed and matched with other essentials. So what happens to the eliminated clothes? Hand them down to family and friends, donate them, or simply sell them online.
But before you start purging, keep these ten essential items that should be inside an ultimate capsule-wardrobe goal.
1. Blazer
2. Perfect White Tee
3. Button-down Shirt
4. Sweater
5. Jeans
6. Little Black Dress
7. Trench Coat
8. Neutral-Colored Ballet Flats
9. Sneakers
10. Neutral-Colored Pumps
Tips for Fall and Winter Capsule Wardrobe
Prepare for fall and winter ensembles by decluttering the ones that no longer spark joy. Set aside the items that no longer fit or have been unused in the past twelve months. Decluttering is also the right way of assessing missing items and filling gaps in your go-to essentials.
Learn to Let Go
Make Money out of It
After successfully decluttering clothes, it’s now easier to decide what to sell online, keep and reuse, pass on, or donate. Nowadays, it’s easy to sell preloved clothes on social media, but if you want to have a wider market aside from family and friends, you can also try a trusted e-commerce platform. Just make sure to have excellent-quality photos and include all the details (yes, even the slightest damage of clothes) on the listing.
Always be armed with look inspo when shopping for new clothes. Practice this to avoid impulsive buying and duplicating clothing items.
Research for Pegs
Colour Scheme
Try to stick to a color scheme. Better stick with the basic black, white, gray, and brown as these colors are more comfortable to mix and match with other essentials.
Although it is very tempting to follow the current trend of coats, jackets, and boots, try to be practical. Dress up for the weather rather than jumping on the latest trend.
Consider the Weather
Layer Wisely
Fall and winter are the seasons to level up your layering game. Make use of other staple items, like tees, sweaters, or jeans, to achieve a stylish layering.
End-of-season sale is very tempting—buy one, get one; 50 percent off; buying three for the price of two; and other promotions are everywhere. But do you really need those? A sale doesn’t always bring you savings. Buy only high-quality items that can still be useful in the coming years.
Quality over Quantity
Bottom Line
It may sound cliché, but it is true when they say that less is more. The journey to achieving a hassle-free capsule wardrobe may not be a breeze, but it will surely be worth it.
Stephi LaReine is a multi-award-winning Liverpool UK based content creator, journalist and influencer and digital storyteller. Since launching stephilareine.com in 2014, she has written over a thousand articles spanning fashion, beauty, health, lifestyle, and conscious travel. With a background in trend forecasting, neurodivergent advocacy, and longevity research, Stephi brings a unique lens to every post—blending scientific insight with a soulful, poetic voice.
She’s collaborated with leading global brands and has been featured across fashion week panels, travel campaigns, and health optimization forums.
Her content is rooted in lived experience, personal curiosity, and a relentless drive to empower women to take up space, explore the world boldly, and live longer, more radiant lives. Every article is a step toward building a kinder, smarter, more colourful world.
✨ Follow more stories, insights, and behind-the-scenes on Instagram @stephilareine and stephilareine.com.