In case you have recently looked through your full closet and said “I’ve got nothing to wear”, you probably need a personal capsule collection.

A capsule collection is a term mostly used by fashion houses and brands and refers to a collection that is always relevant. Building your own capsule collection is not very hard if you follow a few guidelines. This is why we have put together a few rules to follow if you want to invest in a series of clothes that you can always go to. This does not mean that you should not have things that are on-trend or different, it only means that you should always have something to wear.

1. Invest in timeless pieces

The key to establishing a strong base for your wardrobe is to invest in timeless pieces. If you take a little time to think about it, certain pieces don’t go out of style easily. A basic charcoal or navy suit is something every man must have in his closet, always ready to be worn. A suit that fits you and that comes in one of these two colors can be worn anywhere: you can wear it for lunch, for a job interview, for a special event or anything else. Suits have the great advantage that they can be easily dressed up or down. If you put on a navy suit and accessorize it with a bow tie, a boutonnière and a very fancy dress shirt, it is the perfect outfit for a dressy outing. Take off the jacket and all other accessories and unbutton your first button from the top and you are stylish, approachable and casual.

Other pieces such as vests, simple dress shoes, simple socks, dress shirts, leather jackets, trench coats, etc. are also timeless pieces, in which you should definitely invest. A good pair of dark wash jeans also falls in this category. Dark wash jeans are better capsule pieces, as they look dressier and go with more settings than jeans in other colors.

Sweaters and polo shirts are also pieces that might not go out of style any time soon, so you might want to look into those as well.

2. Invest in versatility

The second thing you need to make sure you check when you are creating a capsule wardrobe is that you invest in clothes that have a high degree of versatility. Lederhosen are amazing, don’t get us wrong, but you shouldn’t start your shopping spree with something you can’t wear every day. As we said earlier, well-made charcoal and navy suits (black is a little too sober) are very versatile. Simple shirts (with no pockets, as shirts with pockets are too casual and not versatile!) and leather jackets are also very versatile pieces. If you look at it closely, you will notice that most timeless pieces are also very versatile.

However, there is another point that needs to be addressed here. And that is shoes. Many men have issues with which shoes go in which setting, especially if you cannot afford to spend a lot of money on many pairs of shoes. If you can’t buy many pairs of shoes for the moment, the go-to shoe is the wingtip shoe. Wingtips are dress shoes that feature a design in the form of a W on their tip. These shoes can be worn with jeans, with suits, with chinos and khakis and everything in between.

 

If you can invest in a second pair of shoes, consider whether you need one for more casual settings or for more dressy settings. If you need something for more casual settings, you should definitely opt for moccasins or loafers, and if you need something that is more on the dressy side, you should invest in a good pair of oxford shoes.

 

 

3. Buy statement pieces

A personal capsule collection is not personal if it doesn’t feature a few style statements. Shop for a few things that you like, in which you feel comfortable and that have something special about them. This something can be anything you want: a color, a pattern, a special fabric, etc. The reason why should buy statement pieces is because you should express your personality through your clothes. Doing so will make you more in sync with yourself, it will let others know who you are and how they should treat you and it will grow your overall confidence levels.

Think about what you like and find a place to get it! These days, with so many e-stores, you can find almost anything. And, if you can’t find exactly what you want, you can have it made at a tailor’s.

 

 

4. Buy statement accessories

Accessories are a great way to complete an outfit and to make it look polished and refined. The right accessories can make you look like a million dollars. This is why it is highly recommended to wear high-quality accessories.

The key to buying accessories that will fit you well is to always buy accessories that are proportionate to your body. Bigger men should wear wider ties, bigger bow ties, larger watches, etc., while men with smaller frames should wear smaller accessories.

Of course, you can break this rule, but then your options should be motivated and affirmed. This way, you will have a lot of style.

 

Building your own capsule wardrobe is easy: you just need to be organized and to think your clothes through. Owning a capsule collection of your own does not mean that you should not have clothes that are quirky or on-trend, it only means that you should have a part of your wardrobe that is proper for any setting and one on which you can make sure you can rely. Having such a core will always ensure you that you always have something to wear, which will give you confidence and will make you ready to go anywhere.

 

 

Fraquoh and Franchomme

 

 

 

 

 

Further reading:

Buying versatile and timeless clothes: A practical guide

How to create a versatile wardrobe

Less is more: A man’s guide to minimalist elegance

P.S. Do you have a capsule collection? How do you build and develop yours?  Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, don’t forget to subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook or Twitter!