Winter is all about layering up and a capsule wardrobe may seem in total opposition to the whole concept. That’s not the case though - it is more about planning well and investing in higher-quality fabrics.

So in this post, I promise to prove that it is possible to create more than 50 winter outfits with only 20 pieces.

Before building the winter capsuleland though, let’s talk about capsule wardrobes a bit more.

What is a capsule wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is a collection of pieces that go along well with each other, usually consisting of 20 to 50 items. Those include clothing, shoes, and accessories.

The main goal is to create more possibilities with fewer items. As all the pieces in a capsule wardrobe represent a similar style and color palette, the game of mix and match becomes much more easier.

Why does a capsule wardrobe work?

Well, are you familiar with that feeling when you go through a pile of clothes and leave all of them aside? The capsule wardrobe excludes exactly those “one day but not today” pieces.

The result is simple: You continue to wear the style you love, declutter the space, and save time and energy from making decisions in front of the mirror every single day.

As the focus of selection is on harmony and style, it creates a lot of versatility. Each piece contributes differently to a different outfit with one goal - matching it all.

Of course, it also promotes mindful shopping and sustainable choices, with an appreciation for higher-quality materials that will last longer.

How to Build the Winter Capsule Wardrobe

As we have covered the what and why, it is now about how. Let’s build the winter capsule wardrobe that will keep you stylish and warm.

Style: It may sound obvious, but it is actually the most crucial step. The wardrobe should reflect your personal taste and consist of only the things you love. Otherwise, no matter how expensive your clothes are or how much warmth they provide, everything loses meaning. You’ll be the one wearing the clothes every day so you really should go for the pieces you love.
Colors: As neutral colors are much easier to match with each other, capsule wardrobes tend to have more of those instead of bright shades. For the winter season, some great options include white, beige, grey, burgundy, and black.
Fabrics: As you need to work with fewer options, it is essential to choose better-quality materials. It defines the lifetime of your capsule wardrobe. In winter, such materials are wool, cashmere, merino, and fleece.
Planning: Before going shopping, it is always better to plan it out to avoid pieces that may not serve any purpose or match the overall vibe of your collection. To give an example and perhaps save you from the hassle, I prepared a detailed list of possible options.

The Ultimate Winter Capsule Wardrobe List

Black wool coat
Beige wool coat
Black down jacket
Beige long sleeve merino top
Black long sleeve cashmere top
Tailored white shirt from 100% cotton
Beige crew-neck wool-blend sweater
Staple neutral turtleneck sweater from 100% wool
Grey turtleneck sweater from 100% wool
Black tailored trousers from cotton
Grey wool trousers
Blue jeans
Washed black jeans
Satin or silk black dress
Camel leather handbag
Black shoulder bag with gold details
Black leather bag
Black leather chelsea boots
Black leather ankle boots with heels
Beige sustainable sneakers

Above you can see a representation of how that list may look like in practice. And, I’m sure now it is already easier to envision creating many outfits from the list. Just before that, I also want to give some credit to the pieces individually to explain their purpose.

Outerwear: I picked three different coats and the selection is done in a way that all three will match almost all of the other pieces individually.

Long sleeves: These may seem less fancy or less relevant even, but the long sleeves will be your best friend for texture and warmth. Adding a layer below elevates the outfits providing texture and keeping you warm if chosen from materials like merino or cashmere.

White shirt: Another joker item is the white shirt. Underneath the sweaters or worn alone, it will go well with all of the bottoms and even the dress!

Trousers: Grey and black trousers are ideal for all the sweaters, but also will provide more of a polished look.

Jeans: Well, all I have to say is it couldn’t be without the jeans.

Black dress: It is another multifunctional piece that can be worn for a fancy date or casual work day with a sweater on so it looks like a skirt. Countless ways to combine it really, you can even put it on the cashmere long sleeve.

Bags: Both bags will be a good match for the colors and the style - regardless of the occasion.

Leather belt: This one is obvious - it is the piece that immediately levels up the outfit.

Footwear: Three pieces that suit all the outfits, but will match the right occasion and level of comfort as well.

The Maths: 20 = 50+

Now, we have finally reached the fun part.

I mixed and matched the pieces without ever using the same combination entirely. So, in each outfit, at least one, but usually more than two pieces will vary.

You’ll find below 51 outfits from exactly the 20 pieces I’ve previously shared. From me-time reading books at a cute coffee shop to fancy dinners, it is possible to twist the look even with the limited collection.

I’ll let you browse and hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed styling the outfits. Cheers for reading!