Six Essentials I Included in My Friend’s Capsule Wardrobe

A few months ago, one of my best friends asked me to help her renew her wardrobe because she felt she had nothing to wear. And, to be honest, I think it’s a feeling we’ve all experienced at least once. We open it, it’s full of clothes and yet it seems that nothing ever quite works. The problem (almost) never is the number of pieces we have, but rather the lack of a solid base on which to build our looks.

Before buying anything, I asked her which pieces she repeated over and over, and the answer was revealing. There were items she loved but hardly wore, and others much simpler that ended up saving her on any complicated day. There I understood that the first thing to do was to identify those basics you always end up turning to, those versatile, flattering and easy-to-match garments.

In the end, our list ended up being short. She didn’t need a radical style change or to mortgage her house, just six well-chosen pieces that were highly wearable and adaptable to any occasion. Since then, she writes to me constantly to tell me how much she uses them. I receive WhatsApp messages every day.

My friend already has these capsule wardrobe basics

Ralph Lauren white shirt, 175 euros. If I had to recommend a single garment to start a capsule wardrobe, it would be a white shirt. It is elegant, timeless and has the ability to adapt to practically any situation. You can wear it with jeans for a relaxed look, with dress pants to go to the office, or open over a dress or a bikini during vacation.

COS straight jeans, 89 euros. They are the most versatile there is. They flatter everyone, balance proportions and work just as well with sneakers as with loafers or heels. Additionally, it is a design that never goes out of fashion, so you can wear it for years.

NA-KD structured blazer, 53,19 euros. It is perfect for work, going out to dinner or attending an informal event. The best part is that you can wear it year-round. In spring it substitutes a jacket, in autumn it’s the perfect extra layer, and in winter you can wear it under a coat.

Sézane quality white T-shirt, 40 euros. A white T-shirt with a good cut and nice fabric pairs with absolutely everything and is the starting point for countless outfits. You’ll reach for it every time you don’t know what to wear.

Zara black dress, 49,95 euros. It has the best of both worlds. On the one hand it is very wearable, and on the other it has a little something different that is irresistible. You will wear it with flats during the day and with heeled sandals on more special occasions.

Mango flats, 29,99 euros. They are comfortable, elegant and you can wear them with dresses, trousers, skirts and jeans. A plus is that they are very versatile, but they have a special touch that is irresistible.