It’s important to invest in quality clothes that you love. Cheap, poorly made items have a tendency to wear out quickly and end up in landfills.
Start by identifying what you already have in your closet that works well for business casual. You’ll find that you only need a few additional clothing pieces to create your capsule wardrobe.
Attire Essentials
A few key pieces can give you a professional look that is both flattering and comfortable. A versatile dress, a pair of classic pumps, and a leather tote bag are just the start. Add a sheath skirt in a warm neutral like khaki or brown, and you have an outfit that can be worn throughout the season. The sleeveless silhouette is feminine but can be easily dressed up with a blouse or blazer, and the shoes can be swapped out for boots or flats as the temperature drops.
While you’re building your capsule wardrobe, it’s a good idea to go through your current workwear and get rid of anything that no longer fits, doesn’t align with the office dress code, or simply doesn’t make you feel great. This will give you a clean slate to experiment with your new capsule wardrobe and figure out how many different business casual outfits can be created from the remaining pieces in your closet.
The items you need for your business casual capsule wardrobe will depend on your workplace’s dress code policy, but you’ll want to include the basics, like a tailored blazer and a few pairs of pants or dresses, along with some tops and accessories. In general, you’ll want to have about 5 dress pants and 7 blouses that can be worn with each other to create multiple outfits. You’ll also want to keep a few layering pieces, like a cardigan sweater and a lightweight tee or crew neck shirt, on hand, too.
Wardrobe Pieces
A carefully curated wardrobe can make getting dressed in the morning so much easier. Investing upfront energy in a business casual capsule wardrobe can save you time, money and stress every day.
If you’re new to the smart casual style, start with a few key pieces that can be worn in many different ways. A tee shirt or blouse with a little detail, a pair of neutral shoes, a leather tote and some jewelry will provide you with the base for a multitude of outfits. Then, you can add in a few accessories that will dress up your look or down depending on the occasion.
For example, a simple sheath dress like this one by Kobi Halperin is versatile enough to wear for work or for a casual business retreat. If you want to dress it up, you can wear it with heels and a blazer. Or, you can wear it with flats and a cardi for an easy summer outfit.
Depending on where you live, you might also need to include a few outerwear pieces in your smart casual capsule wardrobe. For example, if you live in a warm place, it might not be necessary to include a heavy wool coat in your closet, unless you plan to use it for fall and winter workwear. However, if you do need a coat for those colder days, you can easily dress this khaki trench up or down with tights and boots.
Creating a Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe reserves your hard-earned cash for pieces that are classic and will last. This is a great way to save time, money and effort while making fewer fashion mistakes that end up in the trash.
Start by taking a good look at what you already have. Assess each item of clothing in your closet to determine if it suits your style, is functional for your lifestyle, and works well with other items in your wardrobe. If an outfit doesn’t fit one of these criteria, you can choose to alter it or donate it.
Next, decide on the number of staple pieces you want to include in your wardrobe. For instance, you might want to pick a few different pairs of jeans and dress them up or down for casual weekends, https://aristino.com/ao-nam/ao-so-mi-nam/ work, and travel. You can also include some flattering pants in sustainable fabrics to provide a flexible fit for your day-to-day activities.
Another essential wardrobe piece is a leather belt, which can cinch your waist and define your silhouette while elevating any outfit. Whether you opt for a buckled or backless option, such as Vagabond’s Naima loafer, or Duke & Dexter’s suede sling bag, make sure your belt is made from recycled materials to reduce the amount of plastic that goes into landfills. Lastly, select a few durable and stylish outer layers and jackets to create versatile outfits for every occasion.
Business Casual Outfit Ideas
Having an easy-to-use business casual capsule wardrobe will take the guesswork out of getting dressed every morning. This collection of clothing will be tailored to your specific job and work environment, but it will also reflect your unique style. You can wear these outfits for business casual events or to the office and feel stylish, professional, and confident!
To start, make sure you have the basics such as black pants, a dark denim skirt or a suit jacket. Then, select a few neutral-colored tops that are versatile enough to go with everything. Then, add in a couple of dresses and a pair of comfortable shoes that are appropriate for your workplace. For example, brown mules are a great option for work since they cover the toes and are comfortable to wear all day. A leather tote is another must-have accessory that can hold all of your work essentials like file folders, notepads and a laptop.
To finish the look, add a few styling hacks to elevate your looks! Tucking in your shirt or cami will instantly make it more polished and put-together. A tee or cami can also be worn under a sheath dress to give it a more formal silhouette. Just remember to avoid anything too short or sexy, such as a crop top or a thigh high split.
