Building the perfect capsule wardrobe is a deeply personal experience. Yes, generally speaking, a capsule is made up of a few basics that pretty much everyone owns, like button-downs, jeans, and tank tops. But the ideal cuts, colors, and lengths vary from person to person, as do your day-to-day needs and personal style. So while we have suggestions of what to buy, only you know what the final product should look like.
Such strong curation does more than make it easier to get dressed in the morning. It also makes tapping into trends effortless. (Think about it: Styling an of-the-moment jacket is simpler when you own the T-shirt and trousers that’ll support it.) To help get you started, we went ahead and curated the closet essentials we reach for the most—many of which you can pick up for less than $50. Mix and match below for the ultimate minimalist closet.
Our capsule wardrobe essentials, at a glance
1. The button-down
The button-down shirt is a wardrobe nonnegotiable. If you’re looking to invest in a tried-and-true brand, Ralph Lauren specializes in Oxford shirts with a bit of heft; otherwise, Amazon and H&M have your back for $25 or less. They make excellent tops on their own, but can also be left open over a tank or layered under a blazer. While white and blue are classics, pick any hue or pattern that best suits your go-to color palette.
Insider tip: Pick an option that’s long enough to tuck, since that’ll give you so much more mileage. Undone, it’ll look laid-back; tucked, it’ll look sleek and professional.