The strongest sartorial statements are often the most quietly powerful, rather than ostentatious. Think of the perfect cut of a pair of trousers, the natural drape of a suit jacket and perhaps even the expertly crafted roll of a shirt collar.
These all speak to the idea of “less is better,” an idea epitomized by what one might call the capsule wardrobe. Rather than building a plentiful closet with items that are rarely worn, focus on building a versatile wardrobe with objects that are plentiful in quality, rather than quantity.
This starts with an array of beautifully crafted essentials that, while occasionally an investment up front, are able to be worn in a variety of style situations and seasons. In colors like navy, grey or beige, the idea of versatility is further solidified, whether one examines a V-neck sweater or a sport coat. The same holds true for pieces that are utterly classic in their form and function, like the cotton chino or the navy sport coat in a multi-season wool.
These are pieces that have earned their keep in the menswear world, offering a refined, elegant and yet versatile outlook as part of a thoughtfully curated capsule wardrobe. To take the next step on your own sartorial journey, read on as we explore this truly essential wardrobe design process.
Why the Capsule Wardrobe Works
Think of your wardrobe like a toolbox, or a puzzle with various pieces that, when done the right way, fits together in expert fashion. The capsule wardrobe relies on both expertly crafted essentials (from solid-colored dress shirts to timeless charcoal trousers) and the idea that these pieces, in the proper color and style, can be mixed and matched.
Think of the classic navy sport coat as the first piece in this puzzle (among others, naturally). That navy sport coat can work as a foundational piece alongside a variety of items: The light blue shirt, the handsome tan or tobacco chino, and dark brown leather dress shoes represent just one combination. And yet, when keeping the sport coat the same, another ensemble entirely emerges with the capsule wardrobe approach: Swap the light blue shirt for a crisp white Oxford shirt, trade your reliable chino pants for charcoal wool trousers, and step instead into black dress shoes.
The capsule wardrobe also plays wonderfully across the seasons, even when starting your journey using the navy sport coat as a building block. In the warmer months, that might entail wearing a striped blue shirt, off-white linen trousers, and those very same dark brown leather dress shoes. Once you develop an eye for the proper combination for a given situation—be it a day of formal office meetings or an evening sipping a Manhattan out on the town—ideas for a capsule wardrobe can suddenly appear (nearly) limitless.
The Essentials For a Capsule Wardrobe for the Modern Man
Jackets
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MaxDavoli Solid Modern Blazer
Our MaxDavoli Solid Modern Blazer epitomizes the proper construction and design for an everyday sportcoat, with a modern fit, a two-button build and a nicely sized lapel. -
Black Wool-Cashmere Blazer
Our Black Wool-Cashmere Blazer acts as a more formal and somber change of pace.
Together, both can be paired almost seamlessly with several other building blocks in the capsule wardrobe, especially trousers and chinos in neutral tones.
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Traveler Jackets
For a touch more casually rugged style, our selection of field coat-inspired Traveler Jackets (particularly in shades like Light Brown or Olive) complement a thoughtfully designed pair of blue jeans quite nicely.
Trousers
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Olive Green Cotton Twill 5-Pocket Pants
Our Olive Green Cotton Twill 5-Pocket Pants should wear rather remarkably with shirting and jackets in colors like navy, charcoal, white and even black and other lighter shades of khaki. They’re able to be dressed more formally alongside a traditional white dress shirt and navy blazer, while they can also serve a more sporting purpose alongside a light grey V-neck sweater. -
Blue Tasmanian Trousers
For a dash more variety, opt for our Blue Tasmanian Trousers made from Loro Piana fabric, which offer expert business casual and daily style, especially alongside light blue, light grey and bright white shirting. -
Charcoal Cavalry Wool Trousers
Charcoal trousers can also prove essential, particularly in a Cavalry Wool build – the right shade of charcoal works well with your navy sport coat or your black blazer. -
Japanese Selvedge Jeans
And yet, since some occasions are decidedly more laidback, we advise rounding out your capsule wardrobe with expertly crafted Japanese Selvedge Jeans. The denim jean is, after all, a style icon with dependable workwear roots, yet in the proper fabrication, the selvedge jean can be dressed up slightly alongside a white Oxford shirt.
Shirts
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White Twill Cotton Dress Shirt
Shirting serves an essential purpose in the capsule wardrobe, a foundational perspective made all the better by the ease and wearability of our White Twill Cotton Dress Shirt. A wise choice whether worn with a charcoal suit, beneath a navy sweater or as a statement neutral with a navy sport coat, the white shirt is a must-have for any modern man. -
Light Blue Cotton Poplin Dress Shirt
The same can be said for our Light Blue Cotton Poplin Dress Shirt, which serves as a suave date night move alongside a merino wool cardigan, or as a refined option at the office beneath a light grey suit or a black blazer. -
Light Grey Cotton Knit Shirt
The Light Grey Cotton Knit Shirt (produced by our shirtmaking partners at 100 Hands) offers variety in the way of sport shirting, and should prove particularly stylish beneath a Traveler Jacket – or with a navy sport coat and your favorite chinos. -
Blue and Grey Striped Linen Shirt
To expand the versatility of your wardrobe in warmer weather, a Blue and Grey Striped Linen Shirt delivers a welcome dash of pattern and contrast, all the while wearing well with other must-haves in your layering rotation.
Knitwear
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Light Brown Merino Wool Cardigan
The capsule wardrobe is ultimately about making the most of the pieces you own, and our Light Brown Merino Wool Cardigan blends the classic look of a traditional cardigan with the hybrid nature of a blazer-sweater: Selections that merge the form and function of multiple style staples are a prized part of any capsule wardrobe. -
Charcoal Lambswool Sweater
The sleek appeal of this Charcoal Lambswool Sweater is well-suited for an evening around the fire or as a replacement for a dress shirt underneath your office-approved navy blazer.
Shoes
Building a proper look for virtually any style scenario is never complete without adequate footwear.
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Cap Toe Derby
The timeless Cap Toe Derby, either in crisp Black or richly crafted Dark Brown, should suffice in many a scenario where putting your best foot forward is of the essence. -
Suede Loafers
Suede Loafers, particularly in Grey or Brown, offer sporty appeal and a dash of sprezzatura, whether worn with selvedge denim and a white Oxford shirt, or alongside olive cotton chinos, a light grey knit shirt and a navy blazer.
Summarizing the Capsule Wardrobe
Once you believe that the capsule wardrobe is the well-suited approach for your life and the way you move through the world, the possibilities can seem nearly endless as far as appropriate style is concerned. Following the idea that less is better is a gateway to investing in pieces made with exceptional care and craftsmanship–the kind of menswear selections that stand the test of time and thus, work well to bridge the gap between casual and overly formal.
To name but one example, the light blue poplin shirt can work as readily beneath a more laidback crewneck sweater as it can with a navy sport coat, for instance. In fact, building a capsule wardrobe and wearing its several time-honored selections can even be fun and enlightening. And since these offerings are likely to see plenty of wear, there’s an idea that the best pieces in each of these categories are worth the investment. The dividends with the capsule wardrobe are yours for the taking.
