My Winter 2021 Classic Neutral Capsule Wardrobe
See how I created a classic style all-neutral color capsule wardrobe, which includes tops, bottoms, layers and shoes, based on the Simplified Style®: Dressy & Casual Capsule Wardrobe. I’m sharing everything in my own capsule wardrobe that is in my closet.
For those of you that follow the Classy Yet Trendy blog, you know that I have been using a capsule wardrobe in my closet for several years. I absolutely love using a capsule wardrobe every season and by using a capsule wardrobe, I get dressed quickly and easily everyday. A capsule wardrobe is a small set of clothes and shoes, which all mix and match and will make many outfits. Using a capsule wardrobe lets you focus on more important things in your life and takes the stress away from getting dressed everyday.
In previous years, all the capsule wardrobes I created were ones with neutral plus accent color capsules, but never just neutral colors. The first all-neutral capsule I created was my Spring 2020 neutral capsule wardrobe. In the past, when I participated in the 10×10 Challenges, I used mostly all-neutrals and really enjoyed wearing them!
Being that I work at home on Classy Yet Trendy, I wear casual clothes like jeans, casual pants, shorts and casual tops. My job everyday consists of many duties: working at my desk, doing photo sessions of clothes and shoes, moving about creating flatlays for Instagram, etc. so dresses or skirts are not feasible for my lifestyle.
Our Winters are mostly mild, with average Winter temperatures ranging from the teens to the 50’s. We rarely have snow, but we do have rain and wind in Winter.
I created my all-neutral capsule for my closet based on my eBook, the women’s Simplified Style®: The Dressy & Casual Collection – A Year-Round Core Closet Essentials Capsule Wardrobe. In my Simplified Style® eBook, there are 400+ outfit combinations for the entire year, capsule collections for all seasons, outfit calendars and more!
CLICK HERE to get your copy today!
Simplified Style®: The Dressy & Casual Collection
Why An All-Neutral Capsule Wardrobe?
There is just something about neutral colors that I myself love! A couple of years ago, I found myself gravitating toward neutrals more, wearing my favorite neutral pieces over and over. I enjoy wearing clothes and shoes in a neutral color palette because they can mix and match so easily, plus I don’t get tired of the colors since they are neutrals. Amy from fashionjackson.com is a top fashion blogger and she wears neutrals beautifully! Other fashion influencers who also wear neutrals are Hannah from Cocobeautea, Crystalin Marie from crystalinmarie.com, Anna from somethingwhite (Instagram) and Ewelina from ewelinakanty (Instagram).
So, the capsule wardrobes I share from my own closet every season, are clothes that I have and enjoy wearing. Everyone has their own personal style as well as color preference in clothes. If you enjoy wearing neutrals, you are welcome to use my capsules as inspiration for building your own capsule wardrobes! If you enjoy wearing colors, like blues, greens, reds, etc., then you may enjoy using one of my “ready to wear” season capsule wardrobes available in the Capsule Wardrobe eBook Store!
From time to time, some readers will write to me asking, “Will I get tired of wearing neutral colors all the time?“, or “How can I add color to my neutral outfits?” Since neutral color wardrobe essentials are the core items in your closet that we use in all our outfits, chances are you may not get tired of wearing them, but if you want to change things up a bit, you can add some color by adding colorful handbags and accessories, like jewelry and scarves! For more on this, see the blog post, “4 Ways To Add Color To Neutral Outfits“.
What Is Leanne’s Personal Style?
My first and foremost favorite style is “Classic”, which includes solid color tees, button-down shirts, ankle pants, jeans, cardigans, denim jackets, loafers, mules and flats. What is “classic” style? Classic style is timeless designs that stands the test of time in mostly solid, neutral colors.
I love the simplicity of classic styles and I enjoy wearing this style the most. I also enjoying wearing “Athleisure”, especially in the Winter season, but I mostly wear athleisure on the weekends when I am relaxing at home.
What Did I Buy For This All-Neutral Capsule Wardrobe?
I did a closet cleanout a few weeks ago and donated several bags of clothes that either I don’t wear anymore, didn’t fit or were worn or faded. I have bought a few pieces recently, mainly sweaters and coats that I can wear for years to come. I have found myself drawn to wearing more sweaters, so I had to buy a few sweaters for my closet. I didn’t have many sweaters in my closet, so it is nice to have tops that will keep me warm. Before this year, I had never been a huge fan of coats. But, now that I am wearing classic styles, tailored/wool coats look better with classic style tops and bottoms. I bought 3 coats and they are in my Winter capsule: a long camel coat, a short black coat and a herringbone pattern coat.
How Did I Create This Neutral Capsule Wardrobe?
I created this neutral capsule wardrobe based on my best selling eBook, Simplified Style®: The Dressy & Casual Collection. I also followed the 4 steps in my blog post, How To Start A Capsule Wardrobe: An Easy 4-Step Visual Guide to create my capsule.
Here is my color palette for my capsule wardrobe…
I chose BLACK as my base color. As I was creating my capsule, I selected a few tops and bottoms in black, then built the rest of my capsule around those pieces.
What’s In My Neutral Capsule Wardrobe?
Here’s everything in my Winter 2021 All-Neutral Capsule Wardrobe. I keep my capsule wardrobe on my wardrobe rack in my Studio Room. If you follow me on Instagram (@classyyettrendy), you will see the wardrobe rack behind me when I take my mirror photos. I had kept my capsule wardrobe in our walk-in closet, but I found it is easier for me to access in in my Studio Room when I am working taking photos for Instagram.
For my Winter 2021 capsule, I included tees, lots of sweaters, two cardigans, a few jeans, a pair of pants and three coats.
Every time I create a capsule wardrobe, I select my tops first, I guess it’s maybe out of habit, but you can also start building your capsule by choosing bottoms or shoes first! I almost always dress in solid, neutral bottoms styles, so I included several of those. Then, I added a few pairs of shoes to complete my capsule.
To give you a visual of what a capsule wardrobe looks like in a closet, here is what my capsule looks like in the closet in my office…
Here is everything in my own Winter 2021 capsule wardrobe, along with shopping links!
Tops & Layers
I used mostly core closet essentials, which are classic and timeless basics, to build my capsule wardrobe! You can use similar pieces to mine (shopping links are below) OR you can “shop your closet” too, including your favorite pieces for your capsule!
Left To Right:
(I noted the brand of my items in my capsule. I linked “similar” items if any of my exact ones are sold out)
J. Crew Factory Artist Tee (white color) exact
J. Crew Ribbed Turtleneck Sweater (ivory color) exact
Jenni Kayne Everyday Sweater (oatmeal color) exact
Express Dolman Sleeve Asymmetrical Sweater (sandshell color) exact
Lilysilk V-Neck Cashmere Sweater (greige color) exact
Banana Republic Button Cashmere Cardigan (champagne toast color) exact
Crewneck Sweater (camel color) similar
Caslon Open Cardigan (gray color sold out) LOVE this cardigan!
Banana Republic V-Neck Sweater (heather gray color) exact
Striped Sweater (sold out) LOVE this sweater!
J. Crew Factory Striped Tee exact
Ribbed Mockneck Tee (black color) exact
Wool Double Breasted Coat (black color) exact
Sam Edelman Tweed Coat exact / Madewell Herringbone Coat (shown) swapped for the tweed coat
Zara Wool Coat (taupe brown color) exact
Shop The Tops & Layers:
You may also like:
How To Create A Carry-On Capsule Wardrobe (Spring Edition) + Outfits
How To Create a Core Closet
How To Create a Classic Wardrobe
How To Dress Like a French Woman
Bottoms
I have 6 bottoms in my Winter capsule. Since I work from home, I wear mostly jeans. I included one pair of black ankle pants.
Left To Right:
Madewell Roadtripper Skinny Jeans exact / Also love these similar jeans!
Dark Gray Jeans similar
Dark Wash Skinny Jeans exact / See me wearing the jeans in this blog post!
AG Black Cigarette Jeans exact
Wit & Wisdom black ankle pants similar
Tommy Bahama Ecru Jeans exact / See 6 ways to wear these jeans in this blog post!
Shop The Bottoms:
Shoes
TOP ROW (Left To Right):
Sam Edelman Loraine Loafers (cedarwood color) exact
Gucci Brixton Horsebit Loafers (black color) exact love these Gucci-inspired loafers!
Veja Campo Sneakers exact
BOTTOM ROW (Left To Right):
Thursday Boot Co. Ankle Boots (golden brown color) exact
Marc Fisher Ankle Boots (black color) exact
Franco Sarto Ankle Boots (cognac color) exact
Shop The Shoes:
Accessories
Although accessories are not included in a capsule wardrobe, I did want to mention a few accessories I will be wearing with my capsule, which includes bags, jewelry and scarves. I bought a new bag which is being shipped. It is the Demellier London Vancouver Bag in the “smooth black” color. This bag comes in other colors too, including a camel color which is a new color they will have. The 3 scarves that will be in rotation is this Wool & Cashmere Gray Scarf (so soft), Herringbone Plaid Scarf and this Camel Plaid Scarf (looks similar to the Burberry Check Scarf – I have had this scarf for several years and it is so soft). I also linked my jewelry that I have been wearing.
I’ll be sharing outfits I wear from this capsule on my Instagram @classyyettrendy!
A Bit Of Inspiration For Your Day:
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” – Psalm 9:1
