2 weeks Ago By Peter Bevan
The term ‘capsule wardrobe’ is bandied around a lot in menswear. If you’re not yet familiar, it means a selection of classic foundational pieces that, in theory, should work together in any combination. It could be a pair of straight leg jeans, an Oxford shirt, some white trainers or simply a plain T-shirt – essentially classic pieces that every guy should have in their wardrobe which transcend fads, trends and seasons.
Learning how to dress with a capsule wardrobe mindset can help in more ways than one. Above all, it makes it easier to get dressed in the morning. It might sound arbitrary, but trust me, it will save you time and energy every single day.
Instead of fretting over clashing colours and silhouettes, you can quickly grab and go and look like you’ve made an effort – even when you haven’t. Secondly, it will make you a pro shopper. You’ll leave the days of indecision, remorse buys and endless returns behind.
Instead, you’ll know exactly what you’re searching for the moment you’re in a store – virtual or otherwise. When you’re after a specific look, you can scroll through a website or browse a shop and quickly find options that will complement the rest of your collection. But what, in particular, should you be looking for? T-shirts, shirts , knitwear , jeans , tailoring, sneakers , smart shoes , bags and glasses can all fit the capsule wardrobe mould.
Just make sure you go for classic pieces in versatile colours that are well-made and use good, high-quality fabrics. In terms of colour, I’ve always found that it’s best to stick with white, black, grey, neutrals and blues. Once you’ve got the basics locked down, you can think about a pop of brights here and there to add some interest and shake things up: think a cherry red jumper or a pair of sneakers in racing green.
Aim to buy quality pieces whenever you can. Since design is generally on the basic side, the fabric and finishing make all the difference. If you want it to look expensive, best to size up – just take a look at The Row’s fashion shows to see what I mean.
Or, you could simply let me do the hard work (I don’t mind, honestly) and snap up the top capsule wardrobe picks from my curation below. Shop now.
