20 Essentials for Building the Perfect Capsule Wardrobe
The MVPs for Timeless Dressing
My family and I recently moved into a temporary new home, and let me tell you, packing and unpacking has been a process. But as I sorted through boxes, it hit me: less really is more. I once read that we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time—meaning so many pieces just sit untouched. The ones we reach for? They’re either basics or the perfect pieces for your capsule wardrobe.
So, what’s a capsule wardrobe? It’s the foundation of your personal style—a curated set of essentials that make getting dressed fuss-free and enjoyable. It’s about owning fewer, high-quality pieces that mix and match effortlessly, so you can create endless outfits without a closet the size of Carrie Bradshaw’s. If you want some extra inspo, we had Allison Bornstein on Lipstick on the Rim who gave GREAT advice on building a capsule wardrobe and styling the pieces you own.
In the meantime, here are my 20 must-have pieces to get you started.
Basic Tees & Tank
Poor quality tees are not the move. They stretch out, lose their shape, and make you look like you care less (and not in an effortless way).
My all time favorite has to be my Khaite crewneck Emmylou tee. I have it in both black and white and wear it all the time.
And a high quality tank is a layering essential, and it can even hold its own when styled right. Invest in a few high-quality ones—you’ll wear them nonstop, and they’ll actually last the test of time. Always quality over quantity— tees, tanks, friends— you get it 😉. Start with white & black, then get into additional neutrals.
A Chic Black Purse
Having a good leather tote is non-negotiable— a bag to rely on for busy days where you’ve probably packed way more than you need. They key is to find a bag that’s big and spacious, but not too big where it looks like it’s dragging you around. The one pictured below is my all time favorite black tote and it’s from The Row.
Plus every girl needs a good crossbody for the day to day that fits the absolute essentials. Bonus points if it doubles as a clutch, like my tried and true LOEWE flamenco bag.
Crewneck Sweater
Confession: I own WAY too many crewneck sweaters. Like way too many, and I always find myself coming back to the same few, like my Jenni Kayne Everyday Sweater (or any Jenni Kayne sweater) and my Quince Boyfriend Sweater. You really don’t need that many— just a few in each of the colors you’ll wear most (plus a striped option to spice things up).
You can wear it with jeans for a casual look, over a dress, or throw it over your shoulders and kinda turn it into a scarf during winter. This is just such a staple in every closet.
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P.S. If you use this link you can get free shipping on the Quince site — quince.com/lipstick 💋
White Sneakers
This feels like an obvious one, but a great pair of white sneakers is such an essential for me. I love my Celine pair, but also Dolce Vita makes such cute (and affordable) ones, I love their Notice Sneakers and own them in so many different colors + patterns.
They are my ride-or-die and go with everything—dresses, jeans, skirts, you name it. You’re going to be reaching for them often so make sure it’s a pair you not only love, but is comfortable, too!
Black Jeans
Black jeans are sleek, slimming, and can be a bit dressier than your typical blue jeans. They’re also perfect for taking your look from day to night.
Here’s a super simple look I put together with my favorite black jeans from SLVRLAKE. I wore this fit to a podcast recording, then went straight to drinks and didn’t need to change which I love.
Classic White Button-Down Shirt
This is the piece that does it all. Pair it with trousers for a meeting, style a casual yet elevated look with jeans, or wear it open with a tank for that “off-duty” vibe. Bonus points if it’s perfectly oversized while also not being too boxy.
This was a traveling day outfit so as you can imagine, I wanted to be super comfortable. My Frank & Eileen Button down is always the perfect choice because not only is it insanely comfy, but it instantly makes you look and feel put together.
Strappy Heels
I’m all about neutral shades like a nude or a classic black for versatility. I have the Gianvito Rossi pair in the nude color and somehow, the 4” stilettos by Stuart Weitzman are one of the comfiest pairs I’ve ever worn. But I also LOVE a metallic finish, like the heels I wore at the Golden Globes —
I’ve always been a high heel girl and forever will be but I’ve also been loving a kitten heel lately which are so great for daytime wear. Whatever height your heart desires, find your go-to pair and keep her close.
Cardigan
I live for a good cardigan. Start with neutrals—they’re endlessly wearable—but don’t be afraid to add some color down the line. I love love love my Jenni Kayne cardigans like the Cocoon cardigan, Spencer cardigan, and Finley cardigan.
Wear it as a top, layer it over a shirt or dress, or just throw it over your shoulders like you do with crewnecks. I mean you really can’t go wrong with how you style it.
Denim Jacket
A denim jacket is truly an all-season hero. Whether you’re tossing it over a dress like I did here (with my Grizzo jacket)—
…Or pairing it with jeans (yes, denim on denim is a thing), or adding it to a skirt, a denim jacket gives you that perfect touch of cool without trying too hard.
Ballet Flats
They’re easy, they’re cute, and they give you that effortless put-together look. Everyone is saying “ballet flats are back,” but to me— they never left. And they never will. They’re such a timeless staple so don’t be scared to invest in a pricier pair. I wear my Chanel pair all the time, but my Margaux pair that’s much less $$ almost just as much.
And I love that ballet flats can really be a personality piece— you can pick from so many different colors, materials (leather, tweed, etc.), and detailing (a bow, metal hardware, etc.). So no matter your style, there’s a ballet flat out there with your name on it.
Leather Jacket
Let’s also talk about the leather jacket—your instant cool-girl pass. It’s the piece that can transform even the simplest outfits into something edgy and different from your usual. Check out how my ME+EM leather jacket gave this super feminine floral dress a little something extra—
The best part? It only gets better with age, so invest in a good one and wear it forever. Pro-tip: you can find great secondhand leather jackets from designers like YSL, Versace, Prada, and Dior.
Black Maxi Dress
Since we’re talking about great potential, let’s just give the black maxi dress the moment it deserves… Here’s a black dress look I wore last Summer (unfortunately the dress is sold out) but hopefully you get the inspo you need to make it our own—
And if you're always on the go, like me, pair it with sneakers in the morning, swap for loafers at work, and step into heels when the evening calls. The perfect match for a busy lady.
Black Blazer
A black blazer is like the little black dress of outerwear. You need a good one that make you feel like the IT girl you are. I wear mine with everything—jeans, trousers, dresses, you name it. It’s sleek, timeless, and goes with literally anything. It’s so easy to take from day to night and makes any look look so much more polished and refined.
BTW, another styling tip is to belt your blazer and it makes for such a chic top.
Long Coat
Not sure why but in my eyes, a long coat is such a power move. Whether it’s a trench, or a tailored wool piece— it just looks so good. Perfect for a casual or dressy look.
Blue Jeans
I mean this is obvious but you need to find your perfect pair of blue jeans. Ones that just fit you perfectly, and you feel good no matter when you put them on. Find your fit—whether it’s a high-rise straight leg, a wide leg, a vintage-inspired flare— you get the point. Personally, one of my many favorites is my cropped wide leg pair from Pistola.
A great pair of jeans is like a best friend: hard to find, but when you do, you can’t get enough 😉.
Loafers
Menswear-inspired but totally feminine. Don’t feel like wearing heels? Loafers are your next best bet. So many super cute designer ones out there like my Chanel pair—
…But also great options on the lower price end like this suede pair for under $80. Keep things classic with a black or brown leather pair or have fun with colors like a deep maroon!
Black Leggings
They’re not just for the gym. A thick, high-quality pair of leggings can easily transition to everyday wear. Pair them with an oversized sweater or a long blazer for that casual-chic look we all love.
When in Paris last year for Fashion Week, I wore an outfit with leggings and was so comfy walking around all day but also felt so chic.
Silk Dress
A good silk dress will never do you wrong. I speak from experience. It can be worn as a dress, obviously— dressed up or down depending on the shoes and accessories (like a belt!). You can wear a tee/cardigan/sweater over it and make it look like it’s a skirt, like I did over my Jenni Kayne dress (with a Jenni Kayne sweater)—
One dress, so much potential— honestly, what’s not to love?
Boots
Boots: One turns into a small collection. Trust me, it happens. But you can’t blame me. You need to consider heel height as well as boot height— low, mid, and tall, so there are clearly a lot of combinations to choose from.
Chelsea boots, like this LOEWE pair are a great place to start because they can easily be worn with a mini dress but also dressed down with jeans. In the end, each pair will serve a different purpose and though you may end up with a favorite— you’ll definitely be wearing them all on rotation.
Jewelry & Just a Few More Accessories…
To say I’m a big fan of a chunky gold necklace is an understatement. You already knew that about me, but if you didn’t, let me introduce to you my everyday essential— my Adina Reyter necklace, a forever piece that I customize with charms I swap here and there. I also love my Shylee Rose pieces like my large heart charm that I wear on a jumbo link chain. Whether layered up or worn solo, a great gold necklace is always just right and elevates any look.
And black belt is an accessory MUST and weirdly difficult to ffind. I am obsessed with my Bambi belt from Khaite. If you are going to splurge on an accessory, I totally think a timeless black belt is a staple.
Just for the hell of it, here are some things I’m loving this week:
nerdy shopping hack: i use wanttoloveit.com to find most "capsule-worthy" pieces to buy. just put in creators you love and find their favorites
Love a minimalist capsule collection with great neutral basics, Molly!