I think the pandemic fundamentally changed how many people dress and view their personal style—at least, I know it changed mine. Suddenly, I had nowhere to go, no reason to wear my clothes, just a giant pile of stuff. As restrictions lifted, I found myself with completely different wardrobe needs. I was in an entirely new phase of life. I needed clothes that could work in both casual and business settings, and I also found myself gravitating toward a more mature version of sexy.
With all that, I realized I needed very different things from my clothes, which led me to the idea of a capsule wardrobe. Now, I wouldn’t say I’m strict about it, but a large portion of what I wear comes from my capsule wardrobe. I divide it into two seasons: hot and cold (and yes, those are seasons in Chicago). I also tend to stick to wearing white, red, and black, which makes it even easier to maintain.
If you're looking for tips on building a capsule wardrobe, I’ve written about that [here]. But with all that in mind, here are some of my favorite pieces from my capsule collection:
Classic Slip Skirt
I think this is my most-worn piece of clothing. I got mine from J.Crew a few years ago and had it tailored. I love wearing it casually with a band tee, platform Vans, and a dad hat. Other times, I’ll dress it up with heels, a nice sweater or blouse, and a tiny purse. It works well for casual, professional, and formal occasions. I wear this piece all the time—it’s by far my best in terms of cost per wear.
Cropped Blazer
I love blazers, but I find they can sometimes overwhelm my frame, and if I’m being honest, they don’t always align with my personal style. A cropped blazer, however, hits me right at the waist, highlighting the area I want to accentuate while offering a playful twist on a classic. I typically wear it in business settings or dress it up with fun brooches for a night out. It could also be styled casually with the right outfit.
Cashmere Crew Neck
I absolutely love my cashmere crew neck. I got it from J.Crew (shocker) and had it embroidered, which gives it a more elevated feel. I usually wear it in cooler months over a slip dress with boots. It works equally well in casual settings with jeans or sweats, and it can be dressed up for more formal occasions.
Classic Turtleneck
I love turtlenecks—it's my Elizabeth Holmes moment, I guess. They are great for layering and strike a balance between modesty and sexiness. My current favorites are from Marcella NYC for a sheer option and Vixen by Micheline Pitt for a classic, heavyweight cotton version.
Cropped Cardigan
I love a cropped cardigan for nights out. It adds a sweet touch while also being somewhat practical. I usually wear it with a pencil skirt on summer nights when the temperature drops or over a blouse in a more corporate setting. Once again, my fav is from J. Crew.
Knitted Scoop Cami
A scoop neck is perfect for summer, and having it in a knit adds structure, making it feel more polished, even in casual moments. I’ve got some staple pieces from J.Crew and Marcella NYC. I usually pair it with a slip skirt and platform Vans for casual summer errands.
Classic Slip Dress
I stick to what I love, and that’s a polished silhouette. I often wear this dress as is, with heels and jewelry for martini dinners, or under a sweater with Docs for fall errands. I’ve had this one from J.Crew for four years and wear it all the time!
Chelsea Boots
My Chelsea boots from AllSaints are my most-worn shoes. They’re extremely comfortable and great quality. I’ll often wear them with leggings and an oversized T-shirt (think 2010s blog core), or pair them with a skirt and sweater.
High Cut Top
I’m including this because I absolutely love high-cut tops, especially from Marcella NYC. They are chic, streamlined, and perfect for summer, which I find to be the hardest season to dress for. High-cut tops help balance my silhouette, by playing around with what parts of my body are covered.
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Some of my favorite places to shop for basics are Marcella NYC, Uniqlo, Ellien Fisher, and J. Crew.
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