How To Build A Classic French Capsule Wardrobe – The 16 Items You Need
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Hey, pretty people!
I haven’t posted anything fashion-related in a while now, and I actually missed that. I have found a passion about it I didn’t really know I had, and I do think I am going to focus more on that in the near future.
This type of style guide isn’t exactly anything too new for me; in fact, I have posted something similar with Tim Gunn’s Wardrobe Essentials. I didn’t really know if I was going to post anything similar anytime soon, but here I am!
French fashion is something everybody seems interested to, and with good reason in my opinion.
It is the perfect choice for people who like to keep it simple and classy, and quite the good option for people who aren’t really into colorful and ‘loud’ patterns and designs.
A french capsule wardrobe can actually be customized according to your likings, although not as much as you may want.
You have a lot more room for fun with aesthetics-inspired outfits, but I am sure you can find your own style here as well.
In this Classic French Capsule wardrobe, we are going to analyze a total of 16 items. I purposefully left accessories out, and only included actual clothes, shoes and bags. I would love to hear your thoughts about accessories, though!
So, are you finally ready to find out how you can build your very own Classic French Capsule Wardrobe?
Let’s get started!
PART 1: TOPS
I have decided to split these 16 items in a total of 6 categories, this will allow me to dive deep into each item, and possibly make things clearer and easier to analyze.
This first part will be all about tops; I have given jackets their own separate category, so we can focus on T-shirts and others here. I will also add a few tips on how you can customize the clothes and more.
WHITE T-SHIRT
This is the most basic piece of clothing ever, and it is most likely already present in your wardrobe.
White T-shirts pair well with almost anything, and they’re always a good item to have laying around in your closet. Although quite simple and casual, it can give a polished vibe to your look without making you feel too dressed up.
I would recommend picking a short sleeved one just because you can always pair it up with anything. If you’re cold, you can layer it with something else – in summer, on the other hand, it will look complete on its own.
When it comes to customization, I would recommend picking something with minimal and small designs. This won’t take anything away from the outfit, and only add a bit of your own uniqueness into it.
STRIPED T-SHIRT
This is the only proper design you’ll find in this Classic French Capsule Wardrobe. Needless to say, it is a pretty classic and simple one.
Striped T-shirts come in so many colors, it’s quite hard to pick one. This is your chance to get crazy and pick whichever one you prefer! If you wanted something more classic, I would recommend going for a black and white one. Otherwise, feel free to experiment around!
When it comes to sleeves length, you can go for either short or long ones. This goes down to personal preference, so let your likings guide you!
BUTTON DOWN
This is one of the most popular choices when it comes to french fashion. It’s also quite sought-after when it comes to work outfits in general.
Much like with striped shirts, there is a wide variety of colors to choose from;. I would recommend going for a solid one, even better if there aren’t any prints or designs. This goes down with personal preference, of course, so don’t feel pressured picking a solid-colored item if you don’t want to!
When it comes to colors, I would recommend picking a white one. It is a great choice for a more polished look, and it pairs well with anything.
CAMI TOP
Since we have just talked about a very elegant piece, let’s add a more casual one to the mix!
Cami tops come in many forms, and I definitely encourage you to pick whichever one you prefer. There really is one for everybody out there!
If you wanted something more elegant, I would pick something with thin sleeves and possibly cute designs. There are also more casual choices out there, so feel free to pick whichever style you prefer.
When it comes to colors, you have a pretty big room to play around with. I do think solid colors are a basic and safe choice, black being the most popular one. However, I once again encourage you to experiment around!
PART 2: BOTTOMS
You won’t find many items in this category; in fact, we are only going to talk about three.
These three are essentials when it comes to creating your own Classic French Capsule Wardrobe. You can experiment around with colors and designs, too!
JEANS
I am pretty sure you already have a pair of jeans hanging in your closet. You possibly have even more than one!
There are so many colors and cuts to choose from, you can easily get overwhelmed. Jeans are definitely one of the most popular articles of clothing ever, and can come at pretty low price points.
When it comes to color, I would recommend the classic blue denim one. It pairs well with anything, and always manages to look both casual and polished at the same time.
On the other hand, when it comes to cut, I encourage you to pick whichever one you feel comfortable with. Mom or dad jeans, slim fit or anything else. You comfort is the number one priority here!
TROUSERS
Trousers are another incredibly popular article of clothing, and they come in so many colors, cuts and designs it is quite hard to keep track of them!
Contrary to jeans, you have complete creative control here. From cut to color, you have to pick whichever one speaks to you and fully represents your aesthetic. If you wanted something more classic, I would recommend picking either black or beige one, solid colored; however, these aren’t the only choices you have!
When it comes to cut, the most important thing to keep in mind is your comfort; you definitely want to be comfortable wearing them!
Another important aspect to keep in mind is the fabric of your trousers. The smart thing to do would be to have a pair of lighter ones for spring and summer, and a pair of heavier ones for the colder months of the year.
PENCIL SKIRT
In all honesty, I think pencil skirts are one of the most underrated clothing items in history.
They are one of those clothes that manage to look both casual and polished at the same time, and pair well with a lot of things. Plus, you can find them in so many colors and cuts!
I feel like we can apply the same logic we applied on trousers here; you can pick whichever color you prefer, and whichever style best suits you. Black and beige are quite good choices, although red looks quite good, too. Solid colors in general are just perfect in general!
Once again, you have complete creative control over length as well. Knee and ankle length are quite popular, but I think you should go for whichever one that makes you feel the best while you’re wearing it!
PART 3: BLACK DRESS
Black dresses are a staple when it comes to fashion; you will find one anywhere, at any price point.
With this item, you have complete creative control; whichever style, cut and design you pick, it’s the right one as long as you’re happy with it.
PART 4: JACKETS
We are almost at the very end of the post!
Jackets are also a big part of the Classic French Capsule Wardrobe, and here are three staples you should look into.
BLAZER
This is a formal and classic piece of attire, so I wouldn’t expect everybody to feel comfortable wearing one; you can totally leave it out of your wardrobe if you don’t feel like investing in one!
Blazers almost always have a classic cut, and they are perfect for work outfits; they pair well with more casual outfits as well, although they tend to add that polished and elegant vibe.
When it comes to colors, I think that black, white and beige are the obvious choices; once again, I have to say that red looks quite good as well.
LEATHER JACKET
Leather jackets are yet another in demand article of clothing, and one you can find in pretty much any store.
I feel like the coolest thing about leather jackets is that you can easily customize them yourself; you can add pins and even patches, and actually give it your own, unique style.
That being said, I would recommend picking a plain black leather jacket; this way, you can actually make it yours by adding anything you’d like. However, I once again encourage you to pick the piece that you like the most without minding the designs too much.
TRENCH COAT
This article was also featured in my Tim Gunn’s Clothing Essentials post; once again, I have to say it is one of the most underrated clothing pieces out there.
A camel or beige colored trench coat pairs well with any outfit, and is incredibly versatile; you can wear it with a casual outfit and with a more formal one as well – it won’t alter the vibe either way.
Plus, trench coats can be used in pretty much any season; they usually are a bit lighter, which is kind of good if you plan on using them all year around.
PART 5: SHOES
There so many shoes out there, and you probably own many different pairs yourself.
The three solutions offered here are just a starting point, of course; since this is a pretty personal and tricky item, take this suggestions as a grain of salt.
SNEAKERS
White snickers are a simple item, sure, but one that will pair incredibly well with pretty much any outfit.
They won’t take anything away from the aesthetic, whether that is a more formal or casual one; moreover, they are such a basic piece of clothing you can find them anywhere at a more than convenient price.
I personally prefer Vans-style white sneakers, but I encourage you to go for whichever ones you prefer!
FLATS
Flats are another incredibly common type of shoe to come by, and nowadays have become incredibly cheap.
They are the classic shoe when it comes to French fashion, and one that is incredibly easy to wear; you can pair flats with any outfit, and they will always look good.
You can pick whichever color you prefer, and whichever design and pattern you most like; solid colors, as you have probably gathered by now, are always a big yes, but don’t feel restricted by them!
HEELS
Well, the shoe category of this Classic French Capsule Wardrobe would not be complete without a pair of heels!
There so many heels out there, I am pleased to say you can pick whichever one you prefer; even the shortest one is a great choice, as long as you feel happy with it and you feel great wearing them.
If you are not used to wearing heels, I would recommend picking short and chunky ones; they will feel more comfortable than stilettos, that’s for sure!
PART 6: BAGS
We have reached the final part of this Classic French Capsule Wardrobe guide!
Bags are a very personal choice, which is why I want you to take these suggestions as a grain of salt; you can pick the ones that you like, at the end of the day!
TOTE
A tote is the perfect everyday bag. You can fill it with everything you need for your day, from your wallet to medicines.
Tote bags are an essential to have, in my opinion; you can use them for any occasion, and they are also quite efficient.
I would recommend picking a solid-colored one, although black is not a must this time; pick whichever color you prefer!
SIDE BAG
And the last item of this Classic French Capsule Wardrobe is a side bag!
They are usually quite smaller than tote bags, meaning they’re not too ideal to carry around at work or at school; on the other hand, they feel quite classy and comfortable to wear when you’re just going out with your friends.
You can’t carry a lot of stuff in them, that’s true, but they are still an iconic article to wear!
♡ Thank you so much for reading! I hope we kept each other company for a while. Have a wonderful day! ♡