How-To Create 13 Outfits Using Only 10 Pieces

Who doesn’t love scrolling Pinterest for outfit ideas!? Talk about treasure troves of inspiration, handbags, shoes and jewelry. As inspiring as that is, it can sometimes be daunting to figure out which styles, colors, patterns and combinations would work on your own body. That’s where a capsule wardrobe comes in! These ensembles are curated especially for you. They include fresh pairings that you might not have thought of and offer multiple outfit options using only a few items.

What exactly is a Capsule Wardrobe?

In a nutshell, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few key pieces of clothing, like skirts, trousers, dresses and jackets or coats in a complementary color palette that are interchangeable. The result is that you can put together a maximum number of outfits with a minimum number of items. In other words, make more with less.

Why should I have Capsule Wardrobe?

These versatile essentials assure that you always look fabulous, while at the same time cutting down the clutter in your closet and they help you avoid frustration getting dressed each day. Learning to pack for a trip based on the capsule wardrobe technique is also a game changer and takes a lot of the hassle out of the process. A personal stylist can give you tips on how to use a capsule wardrobe approach to understand what outfits make you feel confident that you look your best, no matter the occasion, and over time will help you to define and refine your own signature style. It also lets you focus on the clothes you really love, so that you can spend more of your time, money and energy focusing on those things in your life that matter more, like joyously celebrating the holidays with the people you love.

A little backstory on the Capsule Wardrobe

So, who dreamed up the capsule wardrobe concept? Back in the 1940s, images of the capsule wardrobe started popping up in various American publications. Fast forward to the 1970s when a clever London-based boutique owner named Susie Faux (we know—can you believe it!) began promoting the idea to her customers of building a wardrobe around a limited number of essential pieces that you can wear for multiple seasons. She called the concept the capsule wardrobe. The total number of pieces that comprise a capsule wardrobes varies, but can typically be around 30 pieces, that includes shoes and accessories like jewelry. However, in 1985, American designer Donna Karan popularized the concept of a mini capsule wardrobe with her “7 Easy Pieces” collection.

Our Holiday Mini Capsule Wardrobe

In this mini capsule wardrobe, lookingGLASS is featuring ten pieces paired thirteen different ways to take you through the season from casual meeting or day at the office to holiday cocktail party, dinner or this year’s performance of The Nutcracker.

Festive Cairo Pants

Holidays are the season to glam it up and have fun. And how fun is this pair of sequin Cairo pants? The unexpected pairing of the casual cut with festive fabric will be sure to chase away any fashion doldrums.

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Versatile Jumpsuit

This halter neck jumpsuit has so many possibilities for the holidays and beyond. You’ll love pairing these with the other items below. Talk about an elegant piece for taking you from dawn to dusk holiday style. This is it!

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Sweater Dress

This gorgeous square neck sweater dress is a fabulous piece for work to party transitions. The tie in the back and the understated puff sleeves bring out your softer side, while at the same time projecting your power goddess presence. Who doesn’t love that combo!

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Little Black Leather Skirt

If the little black dress has a first cousin, surely it’s the little black skirt. The former originated circa the 1920s in the designs of Coco Chanel as a piece intended to be long-lasting and versatile. We love this modern rendition, a little black faux leather skirt from Loft. The cut is classic and the interesting detailing gives it that little boost that works great for holiday versatility.

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Classic Button-Down Shirt

There are white shirts, then there is this silky class act. The fabric and the cut are timeless, while the oversizing gives it an up-to-date look. As to pairings, what can’t you do with this key capsule wardrobe piece?

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Chic Black Turtleneck

Experience the epitome of comfort and luxury with our exquisite women's turtleneck sweater. Crafted from ultrasoft cotton and adorned with a hint of sumptuous cashmere knitting, this versatile sweater is a must-have addition to your holiday wardrobe. Plus, its effortless care design allows you to simply toss it in the wash, ensuring your perfect look lasts without any hassle.

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Timeless Tweed

Channel your inner Coco Chanel (the queen of tweed!) for the holidays with this fabulously classic cropped tweed blazer from Tuckernuck. Whether paired up for daytime or fancier after hours events, this piece is a reliable fashion anchor for any winter wardrobe.

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Fuzzy Oversize Jackets

Wrap yourself in luxury with this dreamy faux fur from Revolve. The neutral color and simple cut add glamour to any outfit, from jeans to after-eight on the town events. And, silhouettes with volume are on trend for holidays 2023, so snuggle into this statement piece on those blustery days and you’re sure to feel fabulous.

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Statement Shoes

If there is one fashion element that can change the same basic outfit from casual fun to fabulously formal in a flash, it’s shoes. There have actually been studies that show that shoes can reveal more about your basic style than you might think—with up to 90 percent accuracy! For instance, ballet flats might reveal that you’re easy going and agreeable and see yourself as intelligent and feminine. Athleisure running shoes as your daily footwear of choice could point to a preference for a contemporary, casual style. A quality pair of shoes is an excellent focus for the investment statement piece. Take these gorgeous pumps from Badgley Mischka. In classic black satin, the crystal-embellished bow is just the right amount of glitz to add a little Cinderella to any ensemble and transform an otherwise strictly-business outfit into an evening stunner.

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Tartan Plaid

Ladies, what could possibly say elegant, gorgeous and downright adorable all at the same time? These red plaid flats! And the diamond-esque oval buckles! Don’t be alarmed if you start having visions of country dances in the great hall of a Scottish highlands castle, complete with men in kilts, tartans galore and bagpipes playing. Who said Dorothy was the only one with magic red slippers! Talk about fun! How could you feel anything but festive when you step out in these beauties.

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If your holiday calendar is extra full this year, expand the versatility idea even further. Throw in a little black satin dress. Wear a vintage brooch on the tweed jacket or plush faux fur coat. Add a little dazzle with a green necklace. Consider a red velvet jumpsuit or an emerald green velvet dress. The possibilities are endless when the fashions you wear carry that one essential theme—You. Reflected.  

Do you need help putting your outfit together?

Whether you're a busy mom on the go, in need of versatile outfits that can handle everything from playdates to meetings, or a woman who wants to express her one-of-a-kind style with confidence, our personal styling services are designed just for you. 

Contact us here to get started with a personal stylist!