Are you looking to take your closet from cluttered to curated? It’s time to welcome a capsule wardrobe into your life. A capsule wardrobe ensures that you have a closet of items that a) fit your style and b) that you actually want to wear. It takes the guesswork out of getting dressed, and with our busy lives as Realtors who are always on the go around the Chicagoland area, we don't have time to waste. Our goal is a capsule wardrobe filled with a collection of essential, timeless pieces that can be mixed and matched to create any number of outfits. The pieces that fill a capsule wardrobe should be quality items that fit you well, and more importantly, make you feel good while wearing them. Have you ever heard the phrase "look good, feel good"?
It can be daunting to start buying pieces with deliberate intent instead of whatever catches your eye, so we’ve rounded up five must-have items in a capsule wardrobe.
A Good Pair of Jeans While some capsule wardrobe guides encourage you to lean towards straight-legged jeans, we’re here to say that the best kind of jeans for your capsule wardrobe is one that fits you well, and that you feel good in. Don’t worry Millennials, you can keep your skinny jeans. Choose a light wash if you have a more casual style, while a pair of dark wash jeans are more traditional. Avoid anything with rips or feathering as it will quickly date the jeans. A staple in our closet is AGOLDE's Lana Straight Leg.
White Button Down Shirt A nod to structured style, a white button-down shirt will go a surprisingly long way in your capsule wardrobe. This multi-functional piece can be worn with jeans for a casual look, or tucked into slim dark pants for a professional vibe. Wear it open over dresses or shorts for a breezy, effortless look.
We love this classic white button down from AYR.
Trench Coat Is there anything more classic than a trench coat? We think not. Its versatility between seasons, and with varying styles, make it a no-brainer when curating a capsule wardrobe. Dress it up or down, and accessorize as needed for changing temperatures. Look for one in a neutral tan, black, or navy to get even more longevity out of it. Our Creative Director, Stef Coyne is wearing a trench coat from Aritzia which has sold out but there are similar styles available in stores now.
Black Tank Dress Preferably in midi length. A black dress is timeless. A black midi tank dress is versatile. Look for a dress made of quality material that won’t fade or stretch over time. Wear it year-round, pairing it with sandals in the summer, and a blazer and boots in the winter. Your black dress will be the foundation of your look, and you can build on it from there.
White Sneakers A white sneaker will get you far, literally and stylistically. A pair of white sneakers with clean lines are the quintessential versatile shoe. Pair them with the jeans, trousers, skirts, and dresses in your capsule wardrobe for a casual, effortless look. They’re always the right choice, whether you’re going out for dinner, heading in to work, or going for a neighborhood stroll. We like these classic Adidas from Amazon.
A Go-to Hat
Our team lead Lauren Mitrick Wood is a big fan of hats. They can easily dress up an outfit and quickly elevate your look. We are big fans of Gigi Pip because they are not only stylish but affordable and a women run business. Use code OLIVEWELL when checking out for a discount at Gigi Pip.
A capsule wardrobe is meant to make worrying about getting dressed a thing of the past. Filling your closet with intentional choices means that you’ll always have complementary pieces at the ready while knowing you’ll feel good in whatever you pull on. Try not to focus too much on trends and rather what makes you feel good. And if doesn't make you feel good, then it's time to donate. We donate all our gently used clothing to the Salvation Army and Goodwill.
Below are just a few of the members of the Olive Well team at Compass in Chicago. We love dressing in neutrals so you can easily mix and match. Showing homes all around the Chicagoland area from the South Loop to the Suburbs has us always rushing around. Building a closet with some classic staples is key for busy professionals on the move. Check out some of our listings we show around town here.
Until next time,
The Olive Well crew
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