How to Create a Modest, Casual Capsule Wardrobe

Julie Diana
20 hours ago
3 min read

Owning a capsule wardrobe is life-altering.

What exactly is a capsule wardrobe, you ask? It's a wardrobe in which every garment could be worn with every other.

It saves you time and money. It can spare you frustration when making an outfit. It also creates endless joy.

So basically, it's opening your closet in the morning, and hearing angels sing.

Keep reading for my top 6 tips to creating a capsule wardrobe for modest gals. In this article, I'll focus on casual attire. As always, everything is affordable and size-inclusive.

Ready to transform your life? Let's jump in!

1. Choose foundation colors

Left: Dress by The Drop, XXS-5X / Bolero, S-XL / Tshirt dickey

Right: Skirt, 2-18

Some gals get specific with individual color shades, but I say keep this general.

Choose from 2 groups: earth tones (brown, beige, green) or grayscale (black, gray, white). I bet you already know your preference.

Moving right along now...

2. Dresses

Dresses are a modest gal's best friend. Especially dresses that don't need any layering.

Pick a few dresses in solid colors. Make sure they match your foundation colors (again: earth tones or grayscale). Save the fun prints for accessories like scarves and bags.

The most life-altering tip here: take each frock to a seamstress who can customize the length and fit. Your dresses will look more flattering, and feel much more comfortable.

3. Skirts

Blue: Esteez, S-XXL here, 1X-4X here / Gray: Quince cashmere skirt, XS-XL

Skirts are another major staple for classy gals.

I favor midi pencil skirts for winter, and cotton or linen maxi skirts for summer.

Since this article is about casual attire, I recommend also having two or more stretch denim skirts.

(click photos to shop skirts)

4. Tops

Tops include sweaters, cardigans, blouses, and button-down shirts.

I love wool and cashmere for chilly weather, and linen and combed cotton in the heat. Four to five of each piece, per season, will be sufficient to make numerous outfit combos.

Again, solid colors are easiest when making an outfit. Tonal prints--like navy with cobalt, or brown and beige--can work for a capsule wardrobe, too.

A few sleeveless layering tops can multiply your outfit possibilities.

5. Shoes and bags

I love the elegance of matching shoes and bags. The effect is positively royal, even with a casual outfit.

Browse some of my current favorites below!

6. Outerwear

Emerald jacket, XS-XXL / Similar wool wrap coat

Navy coatigan, XS-XXL

For the most outfit possibilities, choose outerwear in your color palette's darkest shade.

I have the most luck with chocolate brown and midnight navy. Black is a wardrobe staple for many, and certainly the easiest coat color to find.

Essential reading

For more ideas, check out my three favorite books on capsule wardrobes.

First: Color Me Beautiful by Carole Jackson. It was published in 1980, and is as useful today as it was then.

Even if you ignore the color palette advice, it's a comprehensive style guide. I love how down-to-earth the advice is: no recommending leather miniskirts for the office, or spiky heels for meeting the parents. Unlike many contemporary fashion & style books, this one is in touch with reality.

For plus size gals, I recommend Perfect Plus: Sew a Mix-and-Match Wardrobe for Plus and Petite-Plus Sizes by Kathleen Cheetham. Even if you've never sewn and don't intend to start, it's a brilliant guide for flattering a fuller figure.

The author is the lovely model, and she demos how to make 51 outfits just 4 basic garments. Wow!

Last, I highly recommend Lessons from Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott. When Jennifer studied abroad in Paris, she was fascinated by her host mother's elegant (and tiny!) capsule wardrobe. She brings it to life in the book. It's an inspiration to us all.