Being in Southern California I feel like the weather can be different day to day or it’ll be cold/warm or hotttt/cold. So layers are important. Tank tops or short sleeved tops are a must bc i can wear them underneath cardigans, button up shirts or jackets. I’m not comfortable w my arms so i don’t wear tanks by themselves 😅. I’m looking for a cream or ivory shirt bc white is too stark. Black everything is a necessity for me bc I can mix and match other items with black tops or pants. Also- striped shirts! My fav accent piece 😊. Many of my essentials are similar to yours, which is why you’re one of my fav YTers!
Bikini and wetsuit 🧜 But since I can't be on the beach all the time, and our weather is unpredictable, I agree with you and everyone else who mentions layers. Most of my clothes can be layered with one another, even bikinis and dresses. Not sure how to do that with the wetsuit yet but a dry robe can double as a coat.
As I don't feel the cold, I have blazers, trousers, blouses and t-shirts all in cotton or linen. Dresses, again cotton, for summer because they're so easy. I loathe trenchcoats - what's the point of a rain coat without a hood? Plus they look bunchy on everyone - but a Harrington jacket or a car coat work well with my clothes. A thin cotton hoodie, too. Trainers (sneakers but with arch support and half an inch of heel to save those Achilles tendons), several pairs of sandals, ankle boots, riding and biker boots to wear with skirts and dresses in winter (one of my favourite looks). Mary janes and walking boots. Much of my stuff is second hand or fairly cheap, but I only buy clothes in good fabrics, which saves the clothes from looking badly-cut, and preserves the lines. A small effort can really go a long way.
I have about 3 of these! Jeans and knits and sandals! I got all the 'essentials' when I started out then realised if I had lived 40 years without them I probably didn't need them. Most important is working out what YOU love and need not items from a. list!
Most important question when building a capsule is “How do I spend my time?” Realised pretty quickly that I had too much fancy clothes (I don’t go out much) but not a lot of comfy things for the office. However, the first year was a lot of trial and error and I sold a lot of new pieces rather quickly because they didn’t work as intended. Was worth it though :) my capsule is by no means perfect but I’m way more happy with my choice of clothes now.
After losing fifty pounds, I have had to replace 95% of my wardrobe so this video was certainly interesting to me. I purchased simple, solid-colored clothing in black, navy, white, cream, & beige/camel, and can’t believe how versatile it is for putting together outfits. So much easier than when I had a stuffed closet with multiple colors.
Ask yourself when working on your wardrobe: How do I spend my time? What do I want my clothing to say about me? What do I dislike on me? What are my most warn pieces in my closet? What criteria must my clothing have? What is my esthetic? What is my colour palette (What colours do I love on me)? What false rules am I holding onto? What is the weather like where I live? What are the brands I am and am not willing to support? How many pieces do I want to have? How much is too much? How much money am I willing to invest? How long do I want this piece to last? (And more) My favourite question: If I had to fit my clothing into a carry on and throw out everything else what would I take?
Even at 65 yrs old I would pack my favorite jeans and white shirts; short sleeved tees, long sleeve tees, white button ups, loafers, flat thong sandals, Birkenstocks. Gold hoop earrings, gold chain, maybe my Italian coin charm bracelet. Don’t wear blazers, I like a comfy neutral cardigan.
I´ve had the following rules for myself for major clothes shopping expenses: 1) maybe means no 2) if I can't wear it to the office, I don't buy it - I spend 5 days a week in the office and only 2 at home. And most of the clothes I wear in the office I can wear in private, even if they are sometimes a bit too elegant. 3) Basics and clothing for private purposes I buy Seconhand / vintage 4) some items may be more expensive, but then they must have a high wearing percentage. eg a coat, which I will wear several winters in a row.
@Christina Mychas, I've just found this channel and this things also make me grateful for support Ukraine! P.S. This is perfect base to make the individual wardrobe. Thanks a lot! Stand with Ukraine!
Converse boots are essentials, along with Birkenstock sandals for the summer, and DMs for the winter. I’m onboard with your style completely, it’s casual and stylish, but can also look dressed up without too much effort. I think another plus, is that’s it ageless, these outfits look good no matter what age you are, which I think is a good indication of style over fashion. Dresses and skirts do not have a place in my wardrobe either! x
With the start of the pandemic 2 years ago, I reseted my wardrobe from scratch. Until then I haven't had an idea of my style, my lifestyle, my body type and colour type etc... So I learned about all that. Step by step I built a wardrobe which is perfect and joyful for me. Luckily I have a couple of great thrift stores around me, so it wasn't that expensive and bad for the environment. I always look for classic pieces with a really good quality. My core pieces are: oversized t-shirts, 501dark and light, tailored trousers, silky blouses, Breton tops, cashmere sweaters, slightly croped cardigans, many shoes for different occasions 😬 (but all to walk long distances!) And skirts and dresses which are useable on my bike. I have a colour palette of navy, ivory, charcoal, beige, taupe and cognac with pops of blush pink, coral red and greyish blue. 🤩
Thank you so much for including the specific brands from your examples! One of the biggest things I struggle with is knowing where to find the right pieces for my wardrobe! So many fashion YTers don’t specify where to find what they show in their vids. This is so helpful to get started.
Love this. I’m getting ready to graduate from grad school, where my uniform was “ I don’t care if it gets ruined in the lab” and I’ve lost weight, so I’m literally starting from scratch. Shop your closet doesn’t work for me because there’s nothing in there. Now I have a place to start…
Same here. I've been searching for so many videos and they all say to look in your wardrobe, but I'm a college student and my wardrobes just band tees and sweats 😭
Hi, Christina! I appreciate how you presented us with quality items to build a wardrobe as well as functional and based on our own likes. Loved the very neutral, classic wardrobe basics ☺️ thank you so much! I think I would need to add a dress and a skirt, both in black. I totally agree with the tanks being versatile and needed, as a base at least. Great tips. Thanks again.
Good list! Men's button downs are excellent things to thrift. In general, men's clothes are better made and shirts seem easy to find in good condition. Thrifted/vintage leather and denim is better when aged than when bought new!
Or sometimes if you're small like I am, the boy's section has barely worn shirts etc. When my "little" brother outgrew me in my teens, I had his hand me downs.
I live in Atlanta, where we have seasons like "more humid" and "less humid" and "really hot" and "pretty mild" (even for winter--it doesn't really get below 35-40). And I work in a very casual work environment but need to mostly wear closed-toe shoes since our offices are attached to more industrial warehouse spaces. And if I can not dress something down and dress something up, I am not likely to get it. So for me, here are some of my biggest essentials: 2 "nicer" looking open cardigans (black and caramel brown) since I do not like blazers and need an extra layer when I am in a cold office or a cold warehouse, tops for layering which typically means a variety of sleeveless tops (2-3 sleeveless blouses and 2-3 tank tops so I have white, grey, black, blue, and a cream/off-white covered), non-distressed jeans (mid-indigo and black right now, though I am thinking of adding in a light wash), two pairs of casual pants (grey and an olive/taupe tone), and 2-3 pairs of lighter weight joggers, hoodies, and plain (non-graphic) long-sleeved t-shirts for my WFH days. For shoes, I focus on 1 non-athletic sneaker and 2 pairs of ballet flats for work (beige and black), 1 pair of taupe ankle booties for winter, and 1 pair of go-to black wedge sandals that are appropriate for outings in the city in the summer and a pair of flat, comfortable birkenstocks. This is at the heart of my formula (aside from 2-3 go-to little black dresses that I keep on deck for dressier things like when I visit my parents and have to go to church--same shape, but different fabric weights for seasonality).
"Because...Canada." is my go-to response for all questions relating to my mood, wardrobe, and overall lifestyle choices. It's surprisingly valid because others immediately understand the sentiment as soon as I say it 😄
Blazers! I love mines so much 🥰 they elevate any outfit! I will add a casual jacket like denim jacket or shirt style jacket , in linen or cotton, you can wear all year long . As outwear in spring/summer or layers in autumn/winter
I am absolutely more of a dress and cardigan kind of girl but lately I've been experimenting with having more "masc" or boyfriend styles and I'm finding so much freedom in it
Really good idea to select 'what you would buy if you were starting a capsule wardrobe'. This should ensure clearing out what shouldn't be there easily! Will definitely try it!
I am a dress-skirt lover girl, so I would include the following: - a pencil skirt, - an A-line flowy skirt, - a warmer skirt with a slit in the middle, - a fancy tango skirt. With dresses, I am in more significant trouble (addiction?), so it is harder to say, but I would have: - a button-up dress, - a little black dress, both long sleeves and sleeveless, - a shape-fitting red dress with short sleeves, - a very flowy simple line summer dress with print.
Love the concept of this video! I recently did a major overhaul of my closet and wasn’t surprised at the things that remained and that I purchased - neutral colors, basics, and some Kibbe inspired pieces
In case you don't know it yet, please let me clear that I love you, your style, your ideas, your videos, and all soooo much! I'm already over the hill so it's time for me to live more intentionally and simply which will bring me peace.
I personally love the really deep indigo denim for more formal wear. You can still see the blue tones to it that makes it look like denim, but they read more like black pants from a distance too. :) For me, a wool knee-length skirt is a staple. I love a good neutral slack in a shade like khaki or camel, and a chunky knit sweater and a cardigan. I am such a cardigan girl. You love your moto jackets, I love my sweaters.
I watched so many videos about capsule wardrobes and minimalist style. In terms of style and color all of them look the same and yours is no exception. Loose fit+ neutral, pastel colors
Thank you so much for including the parka in this collection! would love so much to find a video on how to style it since every “winter” outfit I find on IG and pinterest is usually a wool coat with ballet flat or loafers
This was great and helpful. I work in a professional environment so much of my wardrobe is business casual or professional but I love these pieces for some versatility
Hi Christina! I absolutely adore your videos and your vibe. I’m on the capsule wardrobe quest now and you have really given the best tips. You inspired me to literally make an inventory of all of my items. I managed to get rid of those that “don’t spark joy” and now I know where my “weak points” are- loungewear! I don’t have nearly enough considering i wfh permanently!
If I had start all over from scratch I would avoid ANYTHING (tops and bottoms alike) made from polyester or other synthetic fibers. I long wasn't really aware of materials and their pro and cons UNTIL I got interested in fashion and especially sustainable fashion. Only then I realized how much polyester I actually own. The main problem with synthetic fibers is that they aren't breathable, yet often very thin material. In summer it's too hot in them but in winter it's too cold. Also one accidental scratch and you're pulling out fibers leaving a trail of pulled together fibers (it's so annoying). I also would avoid shoulder pads in blazers since I already have broad shoulders but narrow hips, which makes me look like too bulky on the top. Furthermore I would invest in great basics and narrow down fancy dresses or other fancy clothes, since I don't have the opportunities to wear them on a daily basis and barely go out somewhere fancy. However you can dress up any basic if needed.
I'm just searching for inspo for my first capsule because I'm full of random old mismatched items. And I've been pleasantly surprised by Ukrainian symbols here 😮 Thanks a lot for the high-quality content and your support 🇺🇦❤
Year later. Still coming here to this same video for advice. I mean. Also the newer things. Snagged a green blazer and 🎉. But whenever I get off track. This is just a great guideline to get back to when I know I need to Declutter or recenter to my basics. ❤ thanks 🙏
I got more into blazers last year, i bought just two good quality ones, one mid weight and one linen and i have been wearing them almost every single week to work. i have added a couple more to my list.
Oh My God! I grew up watching Inspector Gadget and then fell in love with Sherlock Holmes! You just mentioning Inspector Gadget brought back so many memories! Also, thank you so much for your authentic style, I love it! =^.^=
I love so much of what you chose, love the looks! My challenge is a large bust that requires a bra with a wire. I do get tired of YT’ers who are like just wear this with no bra or bralette for easy packing - LOL! Not going to happen. I would love to get a reduction, but I terrified of the surgery and complications….Just have to adjust clothing that is large breast inclusive - haha.
I love your channel. I am curvy, so I didn't expect to find anything I would want to buy until the parka (because Ireland ... is wet). I totally agree wool coats are a must too for a professional look (mine is black, so I can wear for funerals too). My wardrobe would not be complete without a black biker jacket, black biker boots and colourful print skater/tea style dresses to complete my look 😎
Do you wear the blazer as a jacket? I actually don‘t know how I should wear it. As an extra layer under my jackets/ trench it is way to big. As a jacket I don‘t know what to wear under it, because most of the time it is to warm or to cold outside/inside 🙈the struggle is real, because I really love the vibe of a blazer, but never wear it.
Hey Christina! Love this! Have you considered wide leg jeans? you look so darn good in the wide leg pants! We have similar body types, and once I discovered wide leg jeans my straight ones have never seen the light of day again lol.
I have a hard time seeing outerwear as a layering piece because I take it off asap when I get to my destination. Maybe if I spent more time in places where there are parks and so on to hang out in? In spite of that I still love my denim jacket though. Denim jacket+a hoodie is a really solid look
Me too; it's so cold during "layer7ng season" that outerwear is heavy and dense - I'd never wear them as a layering piece. In the spring/summer it's too hot, as-well.
I have several pairs of Keen footwear. They are essential for my arches. I have summer sandals for everyday, a waterproof pair to wear in the lake, winter boots, hiking boots, all for my casual lifestyle. A summer must for me is a light weight navy cardigan, a colorful cardigan in a rose, and a light shade of green. I love neutral khakis for summer.
I just found your channel and these tips are amazing! You're probably the first person I've seen pairing a hoodie with a classic blazer, I'd never have thought of such combination and it looks great! Personally I drift between classic more formal and comfy wear. I'd orefer the former, but I'm a teacher, and I find that too fitted "elegant" clothes somehow impede my free movement, I tend to move around a lot in class. But I don't like to look too sporty, either, since I don't do much sport :-( and to be honest I'm tired of grey hoodies as I see them around all the time, it seems the mandatory uniform for most teens! Also, any high heels or smoother soles are a no-no in our rather slippery hallways, and I'm always running, so it's sneakers and heavy boots most of the time. I live in a warmer climate (Mediterranean) and don't really nees heavy coats, but we have almost no heating and it's often colder inside than outside (heavy stone buildings!) so sweaters for the win! I wear a tank top under almost everything, in winter for warmth, but once I find the weather took a turn for warmer, I can take off the upper layer(s) at any moment and still look ok since my tanks are actually no underwear. One thing I never wear is black trousers, or anything black on bottom, because most of my classrooms still have a blackboard, and yay, chalk! I have to be careful even with my shoes. My usual mid-wash jeans look a lot more washed out in the afternoon...
Hi Christina! I replayed your YT wardrobe videos yesterday and it got me thinking: where do you put your t-shirts and camisoles: fold in drawer or hangin in the closet? Because they are fold here but everytime I want to wear them they are all wrinkled. At the same time I have a small closet so I dont have huge place to hang all t-shirt in addition to my clothes. Solution besides ironing them every morning? Thank you so much
oh girl, I loved this video.... I think I need to just let you do the shopping for me and you can tell me what looks right for me and what doesn't!! Love your picks/style !! We don't need many warm outfits or outer layers~ in Southeast Tx and it's pretty warm most of the year and we have extremely mild winters~ you probably wouldn't even consider it a winter!!!
I have all those things. I do like dresses and when I worked, I wore them all the time (with tights or leggings) in the winter. I love my sweaters and have a cashmere collection of shorter and longer. I have a couple of hoodies, but enough is enough. Have several jeans, various cuts and washes, including black. The standard tops and Breton tops, white, blue and denim button down. I have two blazers but I am looking for a camel one. I do switch out my stuff and try different combos, but I do like to have some fun pieces, so I don’t look like a clone. I have a vintage Roots bomber leather jacket, inherited from my dear friend who loved his clothes. And the coats and jackets, I am fine. I haven’t had to buy any outerwear this winter. I would buy all these items but I would add some exercise clothes with some bum warmers! These with leggings are great for cold days when I am around the house before I go to Pickleball. Turtlenecks, I have bamboo ones, in black and white and navy and some layering long sleeved tops in colours that are wardrobe complimentary. I like booties and have some pairs in neat colours to perk up my overly dark winter wardrobe. A Jean jacket is also a staple. I do I find capsules very handy for travel!
Thank you, Christina! A lot of helpful information here. It seems the Organic Basics company does not carry the items you linked to. Can you please recommend similar quality hoodie and sweatshirt brands? Thank you!
On top of this, if you spend a little time studying different body types and personal colors, you can personalize these capsule items even more. For example, I would never buy SS white t shirt that sits almost around my shoulder, or an overfit SS white t shirt, even though it can be considered a nice staple piece in someone's closet. I had a black blazer for years because I thought it would be a nice staple piece, never wore it because I'm Summer light tone and black just makes my skintone look so dirty ☠️☠️ I bought a nice light blue linen blazer instead and got tons of compliments❤
i love your style and would wear everything but though I am 175 cm and relatively slim, I always had a spare tyre, a bloated belly and cannot wear tucked t shirts, always had to mask midsection...
My favorite blue jeans are a grey-blue straight leg. I love skinny jeans, with my curvy legs, but they can be a challenge to find ones that fit well everywhere, and aren’t a struggle to get on because of being skinny jeans. The comfy ones I do have need to be hemmed in the waist, because they keep sliding down all day. Straight leg ones feel more casual, and are easier to find ones that fit.
My staples are jeans -skinny and straight mostly, black trousers, I love long sleeve t shirts ( I get cold arms), lightweight viscose or organic cotton knitwear, comfy socks, a Bardot top, a halter top, a cardi, a nice jacket, a quilted winter coat, hats. I do own a couple of blazers but they aren't really "me" . I also don't have a trench coat as they are definitely not "me". I do have my own style, I also have a number of wildcards in my wardrobe, I love all in one jumpsuits I've got 3 and I recently bought some leather look culottes/loose cropped trousers which I love. Footwear for me is leather smart plimsolls and ankle boots and long boots for winter. I only wear sandals when it's super hot ( about a day in the UK 🤣). X
When I retired, I got rid of all of my plus sized office clothes (mostly pants, silk blouses and cardigans with a few blazers tossed in). I was left with my 10 pairs of jeans, one pair of lined wool pants and one silk tunic. However, in the past year, I have done nothing but attend weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and funerals, all suitably socially distanced of course. I had to go buy a simple black dress which can be dressed up or down, more trousers in dark colors and a black blazer. Black looks not great on me but sometimes it is all that is appropriate. I am kicking myself that I got rid of my office items as they would have solved many of my issues. I refuse to count outerwear or footwear for the elements here in Ottawa but mine is not new anyway. Thrifting plus sized items is virtually impossible so I am fortunate to be able to afford new. I detest most of the US plus sized brands as they are all too young, too flouncy and just not classic enough for me. I have a couple of sites I frequent including Lands End for swimwear in DDD cup sizes so I am not suffering, LOL! And I am not naked beneath any of my 4 parkas.
Great video and presentation! I love trench coats! I have three Vintage London Fog trenches… love them so much. I can’t wear a black trench though. I feel too Matrix. On the contrary, I found a Beautiful genuine black leather trench at my local thrift for $9… and it’s gorgeous, superb condition and slightly feminine cut with the slightest gathered shoulder (but not a puff look). Do you have true style which in my opinion is the most fashionable thing! I think it’s so funny how classic style is fashionable to some degree throughout just about every season, year after year. I am on the hunt for a good striped sweater. I’ve decided it either needs to be cashmere or cotton! I tend to wear the mostly cream with navy stripe in the warmer months so I think I will go with cotton.
I think Arket is your place to be then. They have currently a 100% cotton stripped with a minimal shoulder buttoms which just makes it an obsession of mine!
Thank you for this video!, I just lost 65 pounds and am starting from scratch. I literally only have gym clothing. Because that is all I have been doing for the last year. I just discovered Sezanne and starting there.
Love your basics! Well done, Christina. I own so many coats. You can never have too many coats, cardigans, or scarves when you live in a cold climate like Michigan.
I can never wear white, I work too much with messy stuff and have 9 grandchildren, nuff said. Also black is just not my color. So I tend to lean more towards navy and tan for neutrals.
What are your wardrobe staples? Let me know! 🥰
From Alberta so I totally agree with the parka as a staple! Love my Olive green utility jacket, and beige corduroy jacket. 😊
Being in Southern California I feel like the weather can be different day to day or it’ll be cold/warm or hotttt/cold. So layers are important. Tank tops or short sleeved tops are a must bc i can wear them underneath cardigans, button up shirts or jackets. I’m not comfortable w my arms so i don’t wear tanks by themselves 😅. I’m looking for a cream or ivory shirt bc white is too stark.
Black everything is a necessity for me bc I can mix and match other items with black tops or pants. Also- striped shirts! My fav accent piece 😊. Many of my essentials are similar to yours, which is why you’re one of my fav YTers!
Bikini and wetsuit 🧜 But since I can't be on the beach all the time, and our weather is unpredictable, I agree with you and everyone else who mentions layers. Most of my clothes can be layered with one another, even bikinis and dresses.
Not sure how to do that with the wetsuit yet but a dry robe can double as a coat.
As I don't feel the cold, I have blazers, trousers, blouses and t-shirts all in cotton or linen. Dresses, again cotton, for summer because they're so easy. I loathe trenchcoats - what's the point of a rain coat without a hood? Plus they look bunchy on everyone - but a Harrington jacket or a car coat work well with my clothes. A thin cotton hoodie, too. Trainers (sneakers but with arch support and half an inch of heel to save those Achilles tendons), several pairs of sandals, ankle boots, riding and biker boots to wear with skirts and dresses in winter (one of my favourite looks). Mary janes and walking boots. Much of my stuff is second hand or fairly cheap, but I only buy clothes in good fabrics, which saves the clothes from looking badly-cut, and preserves the lines. A small effort can really go a long way.
I have about 3 of these! Jeans and knits and sandals! I got all the 'essentials' when I started out then realised if I had lived 40 years without them I probably didn't need them. Most important is working out what YOU love and need not items from a. list!
Most important question when building a capsule is “How do I spend my time?” Realised pretty quickly that I had too much fancy clothes (I don’t go out much) but not a lot of comfy things for the office. However, the first year was a lot of trial and error and I sold a lot of new pieces rather quickly because they didn’t work as intended. Was worth it though :) my capsule is by no means perfect but I’m way more happy with my choice of clothes now.
Exactly! I do a lot more “manual labor “ than I think anyone on UA-cam. That makes a huge difference in my clothing choices!
@@chrys2953 same. That farm life for me. And Some going out.
Love this rationale
Your style is very masculine , but there’s still lots of great tips no matter your style.
“I promise I don’t dance” got me cackling 😂
It’s better for all of us that I don’t 🤣
Same. Best comment ❤🤣
After losing fifty pounds, I have had to replace 95% of my wardrobe so this video was certainly interesting to me. I purchased simple, solid-colored clothing in black, navy, white, cream, & beige/camel, and can’t believe how versatile it is for putting together outfits. So much easier than when I had a stuffed closet with multiple colors.
Ask yourself when working on your wardrobe:
How do I spend my time?
What do I want my clothing to say about me?
What do I dislike on me?
What are my most warn pieces in my closet?
What criteria must my clothing have?
What is my esthetic?
What is my colour palette (What colours do I love on me)?
What false rules am I holding onto?
What is the weather like where I live?
What are the brands I am and am not willing to support?
How many pieces do I want to have?
How much is too much?
How much money am I willing to invest?
How long do I want this piece to last?
(And more)
My favourite question: If I had to fit my clothing into a carry on and throw out everything else what would I take?
these are great!!
Even at 65 yrs old I would pack my favorite jeans and white shirts; short sleeved tees, long sleeve tees, white button ups, loafers, flat thong sandals, Birkenstocks. Gold hoop earrings, gold chain, maybe my Italian coin charm bracelet. Don’t wear blazers, I like a comfy neutral cardigan.
I´ve had the following rules for myself for major clothes shopping expenses: 1) maybe means no 2) if I can't wear it to the office, I don't buy it - I spend 5 days a week in the office and only 2 at home. And most of the clothes I wear in the office I can wear in private, even if they are sometimes a bit too elegant. 3) Basics and clothing for private purposes I buy Seconhand / vintage 4) some items may be more expensive, but then they must have a high wearing percentage. eg a coat, which I will wear several winters in a row.
Hi Christina,
Thank you for the Ukrainian colours/symbols!
I am Ukrainian, when I see that I cry every time!
Highly appreciated!!!
♥️
Slava Ukraini!
@@Christinamychas Heroyam Slava 💙💛
@Christina Mychas, I've just found this channel and this things also make me grateful for support Ukraine!
P.S. This is perfect base to make the individual wardrobe. Thanks a lot! Stand with Ukraine!
Converse boots are essentials, along with Birkenstock sandals for the summer, and DMs for the winter. I’m onboard with your style completely, it’s casual and stylish, but can also look dressed up without too much effort. I think another plus, is that’s it ageless, these outfits look good no matter what age you are, which I think is a good indication of style over fashion. Dresses and skirts do not have a place in my wardrobe either! x
Christina you’ve really inspired me to get rid of over half my wardrobe and honestly I do not miss it one bit. Getting ready is so easy now!
With the start of the pandemic 2 years ago, I reseted my wardrobe from scratch. Until then I haven't had an idea of my style, my lifestyle, my body type and colour type etc... So I learned about all that. Step by step I built a wardrobe which is perfect and joyful for me. Luckily I have a couple of great thrift stores around me, so it wasn't that expensive and bad for the environment. I always look for classic pieces with a really good quality. My core pieces are: oversized t-shirts, 501dark and light, tailored trousers, silky blouses, Breton tops, cashmere sweaters, slightly croped cardigans, many shoes for different occasions 😬 (but all to walk long distances!) And skirts and dresses which are useable on my bike. I have a colour palette of navy, ivory, charcoal, beige, taupe and cognac with pops of blush pink, coral red and greyish blue. 🤩
Thank you so much for including the specific brands from your examples! One of the biggest things I struggle with is knowing where to find the right pieces for my wardrobe! So many fashion YTers don’t specify where to find what they show in their vids. This is so helpful to get started.
My red Burberry trench coat is my number one staple. It never looks dated and always gets compliments. Expensive but lasts forever! Love your ideas!
Love this. I’m getting ready to graduate from grad school, where my uniform was “ I don’t care if it gets ruined in the lab” and I’ve lost weight, so I’m literally starting from scratch. Shop your closet doesn’t work for me because there’s nothing in there. Now I have a place to start…
Same here. I've been searching for so many videos and they all say to look in your wardrobe, but I'm a college student and my wardrobes just band tees and sweats 😭
Hi, Christina! I appreciate how you presented us with quality items to build a wardrobe as well as functional and based on our own likes. Loved the very neutral, classic wardrobe basics ☺️ thank you so much!
I think I would need to add a dress and a skirt, both in black. I totally agree with the tanks being versatile and needed, as a base at least.
Great tips. Thanks again.
Good list! Men's button downs are excellent things to thrift. In general, men's clothes are better made and shirts seem easy to find in good condition. Thrifted/vintage leather and denim is better when aged than when bought new!
Totally agree!!
Or sometimes if you're small like I am, the boy's section has barely worn shirts etc. When my "little" brother outgrew me in my teens, I had his hand me downs.
I live in Atlanta, where we have seasons like "more humid" and "less humid" and "really hot" and "pretty mild" (even for winter--it doesn't really get below 35-40). And I work in a very casual work environment but need to mostly wear closed-toe shoes since our offices are attached to more industrial warehouse spaces. And if I can not dress something down and dress something up, I am not likely to get it. So for me, here are some of my biggest essentials: 2 "nicer" looking open cardigans (black and caramel brown) since I do not like blazers and need an extra layer when I am in a cold office or a cold warehouse, tops for layering which typically means a variety of sleeveless tops (2-3 sleeveless blouses and 2-3 tank tops so I have white, grey, black, blue, and a cream/off-white covered), non-distressed jeans (mid-indigo and black right now, though I am thinking of adding in a light wash), two pairs of casual pants (grey and an olive/taupe tone), and 2-3 pairs of lighter weight joggers, hoodies, and plain (non-graphic) long-sleeved t-shirts for my WFH days. For shoes, I focus on 1 non-athletic sneaker and 2 pairs of ballet flats for work (beige and black), 1 pair of taupe ankle booties for winter, and 1 pair of go-to black wedge sandals that are appropriate for outings in the city in the summer and a pair of flat, comfortable birkenstocks. This is at the heart of my formula (aside from 2-3 go-to little black dresses that I keep on deck for dressier things like when I visit my parents and have to go to church--same shape, but different fabric weights for seasonality).
"Because...Canada." is my go-to response for all questions relating to my mood, wardrobe, and overall lifestyle choices. It's surprisingly valid because others immediately understand the sentiment as soon as I say it 😄
Haha same but Finland 😅
Blazers! I love mines so much 🥰 they elevate any outfit! I will add a casual jacket like denim jacket or shirt style jacket , in linen or cotton, you can wear all year long . As outwear in spring/summer or layers in autumn/winter
How can u wear jackets in summer?? It's scorching hot
I am absolutely more of a dress and cardigan kind of girl but lately I've been experimenting with having more "masc" or boyfriend styles and I'm finding so much freedom in it
Really good idea to select 'what you would buy if you were starting a capsule wardrobe'. This should ensure clearing out what shouldn't be there easily! Will definitely try it!
A good scarf. Start with any print you like.
I am a dress-skirt lover girl, so I would include the following:
- a pencil skirt,
- an A-line flowy skirt,
- a warmer skirt with a slit in the middle,
- a fancy tango skirt.
With dresses, I am in more significant trouble (addiction?), so it is harder to say, but I would have:
- a button-up dress,
- a little black dress, both long sleeves and sleeveless,
- a shape-fitting red dress with short sleeves,
- a very flowy simple line summer dress with print.
Love the concept of this video! I recently did a major overhaul of my closet and wasn’t surprised at the things that remained and that I purchased - neutral colors, basics, and some Kibbe inspired pieces
In case you don't know it yet, please let me clear that I love you, your style, your ideas, your videos, and all soooo much! I'm already over the hill so it's time for me to live more intentionally and simply which will bring me peace.
This is literally the ultimate guide for a minimal closet. Thank you so much!!!!
Inspector Gadget!! So good memories! He did look great on his trench coat! 🧥
I personally love the really deep indigo denim for more formal wear. You can still see the blue tones to it that makes it look like denim, but they read more like black pants from a distance too. :) For me, a wool knee-length skirt is a staple. I love a good neutral slack in a shade like khaki or camel, and a chunky knit sweater and a cardigan. I am such a cardigan girl. You love your moto jackets, I love my sweaters.
I watched so many videos about capsule wardrobes and minimalist style. In terms of style and color all of them look the same and yours is no exception. Loose fit+ neutral, pastel colors
Thank you so much for including the parka in this collection! would love so much to find a video on how to style it since every “winter” outfit I find on IG and pinterest is usually a wool coat with ballet flat or loafers
Soulful Simplicity was the second book on minimalism I read. Sooo good, love Courtney Carver!!
She’s great!
Dear Christina, I enjoyed your video. Thank you for the valuable information. Thank you for supporting Ukraine, my country!
This was great and helpful. I work in a professional environment so much of my wardrobe is business casual or professional but I love these pieces for some versatility
So glad!!
Hi Christina! I absolutely adore your videos and your vibe. I’m on the capsule wardrobe quest now and you have really given the best tips. You inspired me to literally make an inventory of all of my items. I managed to get rid of those that “don’t spark joy” and now I know where my “weak points” are- loungewear! I don’t have nearly enough considering i wfh permanently!
If I had start all over from scratch I would avoid ANYTHING (tops and bottoms alike) made from polyester or other synthetic fibers. I long wasn't really aware of materials and their pro and cons UNTIL I got interested in fashion and especially sustainable fashion. Only then I realized how much polyester I actually own. The main problem with synthetic fibers is that they aren't breathable, yet often very thin material. In summer it's too hot in them but in winter it's too cold. Also one accidental scratch and you're pulling out fibers leaving a trail of pulled together fibers (it's so annoying). I also would avoid shoulder pads in blazers since I already have broad shoulders but narrow hips, which makes me look like too bulky on the top. Furthermore I would invest in great basics and narrow down fancy dresses or other fancy clothes, since I don't have the opportunities to wear them on a daily basis and barely go out somewhere fancy. However you can dress up any basic if needed.
I'm just searching for inspo for my first capsule because I'm full of random old mismatched items. And I've been pleasantly surprised by Ukrainian symbols here 😮 Thanks a lot for the high-quality content and your support 🇺🇦❤
Awesome list! I would add Birkenstocks and a neutral flat shoe.
Year later. Still coming here to this same video for advice. I mean. Also the newer things. Snagged a green blazer and 🎉. But whenever I get off track. This is just a great guideline to get back to when I know I need to Declutter or recenter to my basics. ❤ thanks 🙏
I am not sure why but watching or even just listening to your videos is so calming. I am literally on a binge.
🥹🫶 thank you
Yesss I’m so here for this content 🙌🏼
I am loving the support 💙💛
I got more into blazers last year, i bought just two good quality ones, one mid weight and one linen and i have been wearing them almost every single week to work. i have added a couple more to my list.
Love all these versatile pieces!!!! For me personally, a pair of black leggings are also the MUST HAVE😊 I lounge and sweat in them all the time😆😆😆
Omg how could I forget?! They’re essential!!
Oh My God! I grew up watching Inspector Gadget and then fell in love with Sherlock Holmes! You just mentioning Inspector Gadget brought back so many memories! Also, thank you so much for your authentic style, I love it! =^.^=
I love so much of what you chose, love the looks! My challenge is a large bust that requires a bra with a wire. I do get tired of YT’ers who are like just wear this with no bra or bralette for easy packing - LOL! Not going to happen. I would love to get a reduction, but I terrified of the surgery and complications….Just have to adjust clothing that is large breast inclusive - haha.
Thank you for the useful video and for support to Ukrainians 💙💛
Yes! Thank you so much, I have noticed your manicure 💙💛 Your support is so precious and important for our country!
I love your channel. I am curvy, so I didn't expect to find anything I would want to buy until the parka (because Ireland ... is wet).
I totally agree wool coats are a must too for a professional look (mine is black, so I can wear for funerals too). My wardrobe would not be complete without a black biker jacket, black biker boots and colourful print skater/tea style dresses to complete my look 😎
Christina, I absolutely love this video!! I will use it as reference 😃
Yayyyy so glad!
Do you wear the blazer as a jacket? I actually don‘t know how I should wear it. As an extra layer under my jackets/ trench it is way to big. As a jacket I don‘t know what to wear under it, because most of the time it is to warm or to cold outside/inside 🙈the struggle is real, because I really love the vibe of a blazer, but never wear it.
Hey Christina! Love this! Have you considered wide leg jeans? you look so darn good in the wide leg pants! We have similar body types, and once I discovered wide leg jeans my straight ones have never seen the light of day again lol.
Omg yessss I don’t own any but I think they’d look awesome!
This is so helpfull and stunning. I love your hoop earrings can you tell me from where you got it? 😍😍😍
I have a hard time seeing outerwear as a layering piece because I take it off asap when I get to my destination. Maybe if I spent more time in places where there are parks and so on to hang out in? In spite of that I still love my denim jacket though. Denim jacket+a hoodie is a really solid look
Yesssss denim jacket!
Me too; it's so cold during "layer7ng season" that outerwear is heavy and dense - I'd never wear them as a layering piece. In the spring/summer it's too hot, as-well.
Nice video, great combinations!
Thanks for supporting Ukraine, we grateful for that!
Thank you... It helps me to build my dream future capsule wardrobe
Thank you for supporting Ukraine, Christina, subtle touches but appreciated 🥰
💙💛
I have several pairs of Keen footwear. They are essential for my arches. I have summer sandals for everyday, a waterproof pair to wear in the lake, winter boots, hiking boots, all for my casual lifestyle. A summer must for me is a light weight navy cardigan, a colorful cardigan in a rose, and a light shade of green. I love neutral khakis for summer.
I just found your channel and these tips are amazing! You're probably the first person I've seen pairing a hoodie with a classic blazer, I'd never have thought of such combination and it looks great!
Personally I drift between classic more formal and comfy wear. I'd orefer the former, but I'm a teacher, and I find that too fitted "elegant" clothes somehow impede my free movement, I tend to move around a lot in class. But I don't like to look too sporty, either, since I don't do much sport :-( and to be honest I'm tired of grey hoodies as I see them around all the time, it seems the mandatory uniform for most teens!
Also, any high heels or smoother soles are a no-no in our rather slippery hallways, and I'm always running, so it's sneakers and heavy boots most of the time.
I live in a warmer climate (Mediterranean) and don't really nees heavy coats, but we have almost no heating and it's often colder inside than outside (heavy stone buildings!) so sweaters for the win!
I wear a tank top under almost everything, in winter for warmth, but once I find the weather took a turn for warmer, I can take off the upper layer(s) at any moment and still look ok since my tanks are actually no underwear.
One thing I never wear is black trousers, or anything black on bottom, because most of my classrooms still have a blackboard, and yay, chalk! I have to be careful even with my shoes. My usual mid-wash jeans look a lot more washed out in the afternoon...
Hi Christina! I replayed your YT wardrobe videos yesterday and it got me thinking: where do you put your t-shirts and camisoles: fold in drawer or hangin in the closet? Because they are fold here but everytime I want to wear them they are all wrinkled. At the same time I have a small closet so I dont have huge place to hang all t-shirt in addition to my clothes. Solution besides ironing them every morning? Thank you so much
oh girl, I loved this video.... I think I need to just let you do the shopping for me and you can tell me what looks right for me and what doesn't!! Love your picks/style !! We don't need many warm outfits or outer layers~ in Southeast Tx and it's pretty warm most of the year and we have extremely mild winters~ you probably wouldn't even consider it a winter!!!
I have all those things. I do like dresses and when I worked, I wore them all the time (with tights or leggings) in the winter. I love my sweaters and have a cashmere collection of shorter and longer. I have a couple of hoodies, but enough is enough. Have several jeans, various cuts and washes, including black. The standard tops and Breton tops, white, blue and denim button down. I have two blazers but I am looking for a camel one. I do switch out my stuff and try different combos, but I do like to have some fun pieces, so I don’t look like a clone. I have a vintage Roots bomber leather jacket, inherited from my dear friend who loved his clothes. And the coats and jackets, I am fine. I haven’t had to buy any outerwear this winter. I would buy all these items but I would add some exercise clothes with some bum warmers! These with leggings are great for cold days when I am around the house before I go to Pickleball. Turtlenecks, I have bamboo ones, in black and white and navy and some layering long sleeved tops in colours that are wardrobe complimentary. I like booties and have some pairs in neat colours to perk up my overly dark winter wardrobe. A Jean jacket is also a staple. I do I find capsules very handy for travel!
Super helpful. Thanks for the wardrobe links.
Christina, I don't see the source for the chunky turtleneck sweater. Do you remember where to get one? Thanks!!
Thank you, Christina! A lot of helpful information here. It seems the Organic Basics company does not carry the items you linked to. Can you please recommend similar quality hoodie and sweatshirt brands? Thank you!
On top of this, if you spend a little time studying different body types and personal colors, you can personalize these capsule items even more. For example, I would never buy SS white t shirt that sits almost around my shoulder, or an overfit SS white t shirt, even though it can be considered a nice staple piece in someone's closet. I had a black blazer for years because I thought it would be a nice staple piece, never wore it because I'm Summer light tone and black just makes my skintone look so dirty ☠️☠️ I bought a nice light blue linen blazer instead and got tons of compliments❤
May I add: good quality socks designed for walking or doing sports! They make all the difference if you have to walk all day long ✨
i love your style and would wear everything but though I am 175 cm and relatively slim, I always had a spare tyre, a bloated belly and cannot wear tucked t shirts, always had to mask midsection...
Great tips! Kudos too for the support for the Ukraine.
My favorite blue jeans are a grey-blue straight leg. I love skinny jeans, with my curvy legs, but they can be a challenge to find ones that fit well everywhere, and aren’t a struggle to get on because of being skinny jeans. The comfy ones I do have need to be hemmed in the waist, because they keep sliding down all day. Straight leg ones feel more casual, and are easier to find ones that fit.
My staples are jeans -skinny and straight mostly, black trousers, I love long sleeve t shirts ( I get cold arms), lightweight viscose or organic cotton knitwear, comfy socks, a Bardot top, a halter top, a cardi, a nice jacket, a quilted winter coat, hats. I do own a couple of blazers but they aren't really "me" . I also don't have a trench coat as they are definitely not "me". I do have my own style, I also have a number of wildcards in my wardrobe, I love all in one jumpsuits I've got 3 and I recently bought some leather look culottes/loose cropped trousers which I love. Footwear for me is leather smart plimsolls and ankle boots and long boots for winter. I only wear sandals when it's super hot ( about a day in the UK 🤣). X
Love the Inspector Gadget reference. Great capsule video!
Hi Christina, Can you please tell me what style Blunstones you show in this video. Do you have any videos with how you style them?
Thank you very much Christina! These videos are very helpful, I love your channel!😘🧡
It is indeed the perfect capsule wardrobe- loved every piece
My chocolate brown LL Bean wool coat gets so many compliments
Wardrobe staples for me are wool jackets, merino fitted tshirts, jeans and heeled black boots. Can you tell I always feel the cold ha!
When I retired, I got rid of all of my plus sized office clothes (mostly pants, silk blouses and cardigans with a few blazers tossed in). I was left with my 10 pairs of jeans, one pair of lined wool pants and one silk tunic. However, in the past year, I have done nothing but attend weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and funerals, all suitably socially distanced of course. I had to go buy a simple black dress which can be dressed up or down, more trousers in dark colors and a black blazer. Black looks not great on me but sometimes it is all that is appropriate. I am kicking myself that I got rid of my office items as they would have solved many of my issues. I refuse to count outerwear or footwear for the elements here in Ottawa but mine is not new anyway. Thrifting plus sized items is virtually impossible so I am fortunate to be able to afford new. I detest most of the US plus sized brands as they are all too young, too flouncy and just not classic enough for me. I have a couple of sites I frequent including Lands End for swimwear in DDD cup sizes so I am not suffering, LOL! And I am not naked beneath any of my 4 parkas.
We have completely opposite styles and body types but i found this video interesting.
Such a beautiful and simple wardrobe. Loveeeeeee. Less is more
Great video and presentation! I love trench coats! I have three Vintage London Fog trenches… love them so much. I can’t wear a black trench though. I feel too Matrix. On the contrary, I found a Beautiful genuine black leather trench at my local thrift for $9… and it’s gorgeous, superb condition and slightly feminine cut with the slightest gathered shoulder (but not a puff look). Do you have true style which in my opinion is the most fashionable thing! I think it’s so funny how classic style is fashionable to some degree throughout just about every season, year after year. I am on the hunt for a good striped sweater. I’ve decided it either needs to be cashmere or cotton! I tend to wear the mostly cream with navy stripe in the warmer months so I think I will go with cotton.
Love it!
I think Arket is your place to be then. They have currently a 100% cotton stripped with a minimal shoulder buttoms which just makes it an obsession of mine!
Thank you for this video!, I just lost 65 pounds and am starting from scratch. I literally only have gym clothing. Because that is all I have been doing for the last year. I just discovered Sezanne and starting there.
Love your basics! Well done, Christina. I own so many coats. You can never have too many coats, cardigans, or scarves when you live in a cold climate like Michigan.
Hello,, i would love to ask ur opinion on wht should a hijabi hv on her capsule wardrobe,, thank you in advance if u would help!
Saving this video for life. ❤❤
Great video 👍
I like your manicure ;) 💛💙
This was AMAZING❤
I absolutely loved this video. You nailed it! ✨
Thank you for the ideas!
@9:35 wait.... You promised us no dancing 😂
😂😂 I was listening to the U2 live at Slane Castle concert while filming this - I couldn’t resist haha
Florida girl here… absolutely need a couple pair of shorts!
You nailed the perfect capsule wardrobe!! Loved this video!
This was the BEST
Amazing video, thank you very much for advices
I can never wear white, I work too much with messy stuff and have 9 grandchildren, nuff said. Also black is just not my color. So I tend to lean more towards navy and tan for neutrals.
Love it!
Thank you for this super helpful video!
amzing chefs kiss
Thank you this is a great place for me to start
i was just thinking about wanting to start a capsule wardrobe, and i saw you uploaded this! excited to watch ♥️♥️♥️
Yayyy I hope this is helpful! Refine and tailor it to your needs ❤️
love your style, very chill
Great video! Thanks! 😊
Thank you for supporting Ukraine 💙💛 That means a lot 🥹
Slava Ukraini!
Love this video! Thanks for sharing your top picks!