The #STYLEDbyFLORENCIA Capsule Wardobe
Every Sunday I do a Q+A with my followers on @styledbyflorencia, and without fail the topic of a capsule wardrobe always comes up. At first I was hesitant to create a one-size-fits all type wardrobe; each person has a unique style and different everyday activities, how could I create something relevant to everyone?
After a few weeks of giving up, going back to the drawing board, deleting, re-doing (then deleting again), I am finally happy with my list. This is a collection of under 15 items that are universal; I would recommend them to a college freshman and a woman who is deep into her professional life.
The objective of this capsule wardrobe is to give you a strong starting place for your personal style- to introduce you to pieces that can be worn in multiple ways, through the seasons. Trends will come and go, but I am confident that my selections in this post are timeless.
tops / The Camisole
A simple, well cut camisole can take any outfit to the next level. This piece can take the place of a boxy t-shirt, and can be worn under a blazer at dinner or work. I chose to spotlight one of my favorite brands, Cami NYC in this post- but any silk camisole is perfect.
TOPS / The Turtleneck Sweater
It’s a daily struggle for me to not wear this sweater daily. It’s the perfect piece for fall / winter: cozy, versatile, and easy to layer with. You can dress it up with leather leggings at night, then wear it with jeans and a robe coat for Sunday morning brunch.
OUTERWEAR / THE CAMEL COAT
The robe coat is an outerwear staple; it can be worn on the coldest days, and still looks 10x more chic than your average puffer jacket. I’d choose a camel color over black or grey to add a bit of warmth and color to an otherwise dark winter wardrobe.
OUTERWEAR / THE BIKER JACKET
If you’ve looked through my posts over the last year, you know this one. A biker jacket is one of the best investment pieces I can think of, especially for those starting the wardrobe from square one. It can be layered with knits and hoodies, or worn over the shoulders on a night out.
BOTTOMS / BLACK COATED JEANS
I chose to include these instead of regular black jeans because I think they add so much extra personality to an outfit. ASOS does a great job on denim in general, but their coated jeans are super comfortable, plus the high rise fit looks great on all body types. These are killer with a bodysuit and boots for going out, or with an oversized sweater and sneakers for school.
Bottoms / light wash jeans
Light wash jeans, specifically from AGOLDE- I recommend these to almost all of my styling clients. They’re the right balance of vintage fit and flattering / figure hugging. There’s no wrong way to wear these- I absolutely love how they look with a blazer and sneakers.
shoes / the white sneaker
When in doubt, white sneakers always save me. I have way way WAY too many pairs of these than I’d like to admit, but one will do the trick. I’m a Nike girl all day- I just got the jester’s, and would definitely recommend them as your main daily sneakers.
shoes / the black bootie
A good pair of these is definitely worth the investment- you’ll end up wearing them on a weekly basis (especially in the fall + winter). I’ve learned from my mistakes on this one- don’t get a heel that is too high. I’ve linked a great pair of suede booties with a 3” heel: high enough for going out, but low enough for work.
SHOES / THE BLACK HEELS
The Stuart Weitzman Nudist pumps are another piece I recommend to my clients, especially when we’re looking for staple shoes. These will work for any and all events, dinners, work, and going out. The best part of these is how minimal they are- they can compliment any style without distracting.
shoes / the loafers
These are just as comfy as sneakers, but add a sophisticated element to your outfit. This is the #1 shoe I’d recommend for a work wardrobe, you can wear them all day without getting tired- and they look awesome with a matching suit set!
THE DRESS
I couldn’t make a list like this and not include an “LBD”. You can wear this over and over again, just switch the shoes / bag and it becomes a whole new look. Lately I’ve been all about midi length dresses, there’s something so classy about them- even if you wear them with sneakers and a moto jacket.
THE BAG
If you know me, you know I live and die by my YSL sac de jour(s), yes it’s that serious. I recommend this bag to everyone, regardless of age or personal style. It can really blend into anyone’s look, and the structured shape takes every outfit to a whole new level. I have both sizes, but for this I’m going to recommend the smaller version- it’s the best for everyday.