5 Closet Staples That Are Imperative to Building a Capsule Wardrobe

Here’s how to get started with curating the essentials.
Hailey Bieber, Kate Middleton and Sofia Richie.

Hailey Bieber, Kate Middleton and Sofia Richie.


As shopaholics and consumers are becoming more aware of the importance of sustainability and prioritize quality over quantity, capsule wardrobes are slowly replacing the days of overflowing closets. Forget about saying, “I have nothing to wear,” every time you need to leave the house.

What is a capsule wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is a thoughtfully curated collection of versatile pieces that last a long time—both physically and trend-wise. While for most people it means a lot of neutrals—think gray sweaters, blue jeans, black pants, white sneakers—it doesn’t have to mean boring.

Each person’s capsule wardrobe can look a little different, and should be reflection of your personal style, with a common thread of saving space, streamlining getting ready and reducing your carbon footprint.

Below are five must-have items to start your capsule wardrobe.

White T-Shirt

Banana Republic Timeless T-Shirt, $15 (bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com)

This classic white T-shirt is called timeless for a reason. Be sure to size up if you want a baggier, more loose fit.

Tillys Womens Crew Tee, $9.99 (tillys.com)

A baby tee is key to the model-off-duty look and it will be one of the most versatile pieces in your closet.

Blue Jeans

Mango Wide Leg Mid Rise Jeans, $69.99 (mango.com)

These medium wash jeans are high-quality and feature belt loops, five pockets and a button and zip fastening

Abercrombie & Fitch Ultra High-Rise ’90s Straight Jean, $90 (abercrombie.com)

There’s a reason these best-selling jeans are always sold out and all over your TikTok For You Page. Get them now, in a variety of blue shades, while they’re still available.

Black Slacks

Everlane The Organic Wide-Leg Pant, $79 (everlane.com)

Black non-denim pants are the secret behind any elevated daytime or evening look.

Abercrombie & Fitch Mid-Rise Tailored Relaxed Straight Pant, $67.50 (abercrombie.com)

Wear them to work or wear them on a night out on the town—the possibilities are endless.

Knit Sweater

John Galt White & Blue Striped Brianna Sweater, $38 (pacsun.com)

This cozy and dynamic oversized knit can be tucked into jeans, thrown on over sweatpants or tossed on top of a satin skirt.

H&M Zip-Up Cardigan, $36.99 (hm.com)

This cable-knit zippered cardigan comes in three neutral shades and we guarantee you’ll be wearing it all fall long, no matter what climate you live in.

Shop our non-basic white sneaker picks here.

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Ananya Panchal
ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit, where she covers fashion, beauty, pop culture and the internet’s favorite personalities and trends. She joined the brand in 2022 after roles at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. Panchal loves to write about fashion in all its forms—from standout runway moments and evolving street style to the best accessories to elevate each season’s wardrobe (she rarely goes anywhere without a stack of jewelry and a coffee in hand). A self-proclaimed beauty fanatic, she’s always on the hunt for must-have products and loves breaking down viral trends. Her favorite series at the moment is spotlighting female founders and the stories behind the brands they’ve built—especially those shaping the future of fashion, wellness and tech. She is based between New York City and San Francisco and, when she’s not writing, can be found rewatching One Tree Hill, playing sudoku, trying new restaurants or ranking her favorite Disney Channel Original Movies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism with a minor in criminal justice from Boston University.