A Different Kind of Capsule

I’ve written several articles about capsule wardrobes. So if you’ve been reading my blog you know that a capsule wardrobe is a limited number of bottoms, tops, dresses, outerwear, shoes, and accessories, which work together in lots of combinations. But today I’m writing about a “5-Piece French Capsule Wardrobe,” which is a different thing. Instead of a capsule that combines in multiple ways to make lots of outfits, this is a seasonal capsule that combines with the other pieces in your wardrobe to add variety and wearability for a specific season. 

As the French Style blog explains, “Once you’ve got a solid set of basics in your wardrobe, you can select 5 items each season to add to your closet. Now, this could be either twice a year or 4 times per year depending on how you [define] your seasons…. Don’t buy things on impulse, and think about your long-term needs for that season before buying a new item. I don’t think the number five is important so much as the reflection and conscious decision making that happens when we take a long-term view of our wardrobes, instead of a short-term one.” 

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Be Warm & Look Nice

“Once you’ve got a solid set of basics in your wardrobe, you can select 5 items each season to add to your closet. Now, this could be either twice a year or 4 times per year depending on how you [define] your seasons…. Don’t buy things on impulse, and think about your long-term needs for that season before buying a new item. I don’t think the number five is important so much as the reflection and conscious decision making that happens when we take a long-term view of our wardrobes, instead of a short-term one.” –The French Style blog

With that in mind, let’s look at 5 pieces you could add to your wardrobe basics to carry you through the winter. 

Let’s start with a pretty, embellished wool jacket. It’s dressy and pretty, and as I’m writing this it’s on sale for just $89.99 (over 55%off).

Now add a soft, warm sweater. I love this wool/cashmere blend Irish sweater from the Aran Sweater Market. It comes in no fewer than 16 colors, and I own it in Teal Harbor. But for this I’m using it in red, for a bright pop of color to brighten up your winter. 

This grey merino skirt by Duckworth is versatile and flattering. Fleece-lined knit tights for just $12 will help keep your legs toasty. And a plaid scarf like this, with red, gray, black, and white, will pull it all together.

Wear These With Your Basics

To begin with, of course, you could simply wear these pieces together for one nice, coordinated outfit.

But the point is to be able to wear them with your existing wardrobe, as well. Let’s look at some of these pieces together with some pieces from my Very Versatile cool-weather capsule wardrobe. 

That wardrobe lacks a dressy coat, so the Chico’s Wool Blend Embellished Jacket would be great to add. It will look nice with anything and everything in the wardrobe.

The red sweater would look fine with any of the bottoms, but let’s pair it with the Workleisure Pants and wear it with the boots. If it’s really cold out, you can wear the base layer top from the main wardrobe under it.

The skirt would look great with any of the pullover tops. Let’s pair it with the merino tunic and wear it with the scarf.

Finally, let’s wear the bell-sleeve merino dress with the embellished jacket and fleece tights.

In fact, the jacket, skirt, and plaid scarf would go well with any of the neutrals from the Very Versatile capsule.

So that’s how you can use a French 5-Piece ‘Wardrobe’ to spice up your regular wardrobe for a season. Questions? Tips? Leave a comment below!