if there’s one thing i am a firm believer in, it’s a good capsule wardrobe. not a closet stuffed with stuff you never wear, not a new outfit for every occasion, but a small, intentional collection of pieces that actually work together so getting dressed every morning feels easy. effortless. maybe even a little fun.
spring is the perfect time to reset. swap out the heavy layers, clear some space, and build a capsule wardrobe that carries you from school drop-offs to weekend plans to dinner out without breaking a sweat. and honestly? you don’t need a lot. you just need the right things.
here are my 8 spring capsule wardrobe must-haves this season.
just a note: this blog post contains affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you if you purchase through these links i make a small commission.
the spring capsule wardrobe lineup
1. a great pair of baggy jeans
every capsule wardrobe starts with a solid pair of jeans, and right now my heart belongs to a good baggy fit. the levi’s women’s 94 baggy jeans are everything: roomy, relaxed, and flattering in that effortless way that makes you look like you’re trying even when you’re not. pair them with a tucked-in tee and sneakers for a casual day, or dress them up with a button-up and sandals when you want to look a little more put together. denim is the backbone of a capsule wardrobe, and this pair earns its spot every single time.
shop levi’s 94 baggy jeans here
2. the perfect white tee
okay, this one is non-negotiable. a solid white tee is the most versatile piece in your entire capsule wardrobe, full stop. my current pick is the interlock cotton pegasus t-shirt from aritzia, and it’s the kind of white tee that just works. the fit is clean, the fabric is quality, and it goes with literally everything in this list.
if you want to go deeper on white tees (because there are actually a lot of great options depending on your style), i wrote a whole guide breaking down 7 styles every woman needs. you can read that here.
shop the aritzia pegasus tee here
3. a comfy pair of jean shorts
spring means shorts season is officially back on the table, and a great pair of denim shorts is a capsule wardrobe staple. my current go-to is the levi’s premium rolled 80s mom shorts. they fit like a dream, sit high-waisted, and that subtle rolled cuff gives them such a classic, laid-back vibe. throw them on with the white tee from this list and your sandals and you’ve got a full outfit in about 30 seconds.
want even more shorts options? i rounded up 10 summer shorts outfits you’ll actually want to wear over on the blog. check it out here.
shop levi’s 80s mom shorts here
4. an oversized button-up
this is the piece that ties everything together. an oversized button-up shirt is what you throw on when you want to look like you have your life together without actually having your life together. my pick is the dissh rhea blue oversized cotton shirt, and it is so good. wear it open over a tank, half-tucked into your baggy jeans, or fully buttoned and belted over shorts. it’s the definition of a capsule wardrobe workhorse. light enough for spring, stylish enough for everywhere.
shop the dissh rhea button-up here
5. a light sweatshirt for those in-between days
spring weather is sneaky. it’ll be 72 degrees at noon and 55 by 6pm, so a lightweight sweatshirt in your capsule wardrobe is a must. the old navy socomfy oversized button-front sweatshirt is exactly what it sounds like: so. comfy. it’s got that relaxed, lived-in feel that looks intentional rather than sloppy. great for school drop-offs, weekend errands, or just those evenings when you want something cozy but still cute.
shop the old navy socomfy sweatshirt here
6. a black tank that goes with everything
every capsule wardrobe needs that one go-to layering piece you can grab without thinking, and a simple black tank is it. the h&m smocked camisole top is such a good pick because the smocking adds a little detail that makes it feel special without being fussy. wear it alone with shorts on a hot day, layer it under the button-up or sweatshirt, or tuck it into your baggy jeans with a heel. the black tank is quiet, but it’s carrying a lot of weight in this capsule wardrobe.
shop the h&m smocked camisole here
7. a fun pair of sneakers
a capsule wardrobe lives or dies by its shoes, and a great sneaker is non-negotiable. my current obsession is the adidas gazelle, and honestly, i don’t see myself leaving this phase anytime soon. they come in the most fun colors (hello, a pop of something unexpected with a neutral outfit) as well as classic neutrals if that’s more your vibe. they’re comfortable enough for a full day on your feet and stylish enough to pull together any look in this lineup. if you haven’t tried them yet, consider this your sign.
shop adidas gazelle sneakers here
8. a good sandal
and finally, the sandal. because when spring actually feels like spring, you want to be ready. the birkenstock arizona big buckle sandal is a forever staple in any capsule wardrobe. they’re comfortable from day one, they go with everything (shorts, jeans, a midi skirt if you want to branch out), and they just look cool in that effortless way that’s impossible to fake. grab them in a neutral like birch or mocha and watch how often you reach for them.
shop the birkenstock arizona big buckle here
putting it all together
the whole point of a capsule wardrobe is that every single piece works with every other piece. jeans plus white tee plus sandals. shorts plus black tank plus button-up tied at the waist. sweatshirt plus baggy jeans plus sneakers. mix, match, repeat. getting dressed in the morning becomes less of a decision and more of a reflex, and honestly that’s the goal.
you don’t need a massive wardrobe to look and feel your best. you just need the right foundation, and these 8 pieces are it. shop what you love, skip what doesn’t fit your life, and build a spring capsule wardrobe that actually works for you.
liked this post? don’t forget to pin it for later!
your next reads:
+ show Comments
- Hide Comments
add a comment