Whatever is trending is labeled as fashion. A random celebrity might don a flashy outfit one day, and that particular style could become a fashion statement the next, with almost everyone jumping on the bandwagon. While buying items to follow a trend can make you feel hip and cool, the hype is usually short-lived, leaving you with an item of clothing you’ll never wear again.
Instead of filling your closet to the brim with items that you’ll only wear once or twice, you can create a capsule wardrobe for men that includes all the clothing articles you can use for any occasion. A capsule wardrobe comprises limited clothing pieces that can be mixed and matched and worn interchangeably.
Capsule wardrobes focus on minimalist styles for men that set a statement wherever they go. The goal is to enhance the functionality and versatility of all your clothes. In this article, we give you a complete guide on how to build a capsule wardrobe for men and which items to include in it.
What is Considered a Minimalist Style for Men?
Building a minimalist capsule wardrobe is a great way to simplify your life and reduce clutter so that getting dressed in the morning becomes a breeze. It involves carefully curating a collection of high-quality clothes that you can mix and match to create a variety of stylish outfits. Basically, you achieve more with less.
The minimalist style focuses on achieving an elegant fashion style that isn’t too flashy. It mainly consists of muted, or solid colors. The ideal ones are black, blue, gray, and white. Once you have all these, you can experiment with other solid colors.
Another essential aspect of minimalist style for men is that it consists of timeless clothing pieces. A plain white formal shirt can be worn to any occasion, from a first date to a friend’s hangout, depending on what you pair it up with.
The minimalist style for men is evergreen, which means it will always stay in fashion. But you can always add your own personal touch to turn heads or grab women’s attention. To do that, here are the essential factors for men’s minimalist wardrobe.
Timeless and high-quality basics
The cornerstone of a minimalist capsule wardrobe is high-quality basics. These are the foundation of your closet and should be made from durable, long-lasting materials that you can wear anytime. Purchasing good quality pieces is like investing in yourself.
A good place to start is by having high-quality clothing of the classic style. These wardrobe essentials can be dressed up or down and are versatile enough to be worn in various settings.
Clothes made of excellent material stand the test of time even after rough use. For example, t-shirts made of top-notch fabrics like linen and cotton will retain their condition after prolonged usage. Being made from natural fibers, they are also friendlier to the environment, unlike synthetic options like nylon and polyester.
Now you might wonder how to pick the right quality when choosing pieces for your attire. A general rule of thumb is to look for wool or cotton materials. Other important aspects you should be aware of are the stitches along the borders and the quality of the buttons or zippers. While there are more ways to identify good quality clothing, these are good practices to start with.
A neutral or muted color palette
A key component of a minimalist capsule wardrobe is sticking to a neutral or muted color palette. A neutral color palette means choosing black, white, gray, navy, and beige colors. These colors are timeless, versatile, and easy to mix and match.
But if you like to have slight bursts of other colors in your outfits to represent your style, then go for muted colors. Muted colors are those that have been blended with gray tones or the complementary color on the color wheel.
These colors have reduced brilliance and may appear softer or paler, but still convey a rich and timeless impression. Grayish green and grayish blue, or toned-down red and orange colors like rusty tones, are examples of softer pastel colors.
By sticking to a neutral or muted color palette, you’ll be able to create various stylish outfits without worrying about clashing colors.
Creating a Capsule Wardrobe for Men
Now that you know the fundamentals of the minimalist style, let’s look at how to build a capsule wardrobe for men from scratch.
Figure out your personal style
The first step in building a minimalist capsule wardrobe is identifying your style. This means looking closely at your current clothes and your preferred styles. Do you prefer classic or trendy pieces? Comfort over style, or vice versa? Are you drawn to neutral colors or slightly brighter hues? Once you understand your preferred style, you can select clothes that fit your aesthetic.
Do a wardrobe overhaul
The second step to building your minimalist capsule wardrobe is to check your closet for unnecessary items. This means removing clothes that no longer fit, are out of style, or haven’t been worn in years. This can be daunting, but creating a solid foundation for your minimalist wardrobe is essential.
When purging your closet, be honest with yourself about what you wear and what you don't. If you haven't worn something in the last year, it's time to let it go. Consider donating or selling your unwanted clothes, or recycle them if they are too worn out.
Finding Timeless Pieces for Every Season
Once you’ve removed any unnecessary items from your wardrobe, it’s time to sort whatever you have left. Figure out which pieces you can wear in the summer, spring, fall, or winter. It’s best to keep items that you can wear for two or more seasons, and those you can easily dress up and down, depending on the occasion.
Summer Capsule Wardrobe
T-shirts: The first essential item in a summer men’s capsule wardrobe is a t-shirt. Both round-neck and v-neck shirts are timeless and great for the summer. Get yourself a nice white t-shirt, but also consider adding lightweight t-shirts in neutral colors like black, gray, or navy. Opt for breathable materials like cotton or linen.
Shorts: Look for versatile shorts in neutral colors like beige or khaki. Chino or linen shorts are a great option for summer.
Sneakers: Opt for lightweight, breathable sneakers made of canvas or mesh, in light colors like white or beige. Sneakers are extremely versatile since you can pair them with both semi-formal and casual outfits. You really can’t go wrong with a pair of Nike Air Forces or Adidas Stan Smiths.
Button-down shirt: A button-down shirt is another versatile item that you can wear with jeans or chinos for a casual look, or with a blazer and dress pants for more formal settings. In the summer, pick muted colors like mustard or rusty orange.
Dark wash jeans: A pair of dark wash jeans are a classic staple that can be worn with a t-shirt for a casual look or paired with a button-down shirt and blazer for a more polished appearance. Dark jeans hide stains better than light-colored ones, so you’ll have more freedom to do a variety of activities.
Chinos: Chinos are a more comfortable alternative to jeans and can be worn in various settings. Pair them with a button-down shirt or a t-shirt, or layer both for a more casual look. Investing in good-quality chinos will easily last you a couple of years.
Fall and Spring Capsule Wardrobe
Lightweight coats and jackets: The weather in fall and spring is unpredictable. It can be chilly in the morning, then warm at night. Be prepared by investing in items that you can layer on top of each other. A nice bomber jacket or trench coat made of suede or denim is incredibly versatile because you can layer them with t-shirts and button-down shirts in any setting.
Polo t-shirts - Polo t-shirts are comfortable and can be worn semi-formal to casual gatherings with a light jacket or a blazer. Invest in a good quality polo shirt, or two. White and navy are always good options.
Long-sleeve t-shirts - Another piece of clothing you can add to your men’s minimalist wardrobe is a long-sleeve shirt, like a henley. These timeless pieces are elegant and perfect for mildly chilly weather.
Chelsea boots: The perfect footwear for the fall and spring seasons are Chelsea boots, which can be worn with jeans, chinos, or even dress pants. You can always count on a good pair of Chelseas to make you look good.
Scarves: Add a lightweight scarf to your wardrobe for warmth during the cooler months. Avoid loud patterns and flashy colors, and instead look for gray, beige, or navy ones. Plain designs and neutral colors will go well with any outfit.
Flannel shirts: Flannel shirts are great for layering on top of a nice sweater or hoodie during the colder months. Classic prints like plaid or houndstooth are always in fashion and will complement any casual outfit you want to wear.
Winter Capsule Wardrobe
Leather jacket: Leather jackets are timeless, and can add an edge to any outfit. They are perfect for layering over a t-shirt or sweater during the winter, spring, and fall months. Find a leather jacket lined with fur for winter and you're good to go.
Sweater: A sweater in a neutral color like gray or navy can be worn in various settings. Wear it over a button-down shirt for a more polished look, or pair it with jeans to look more casual.
Sweatshirts: Sweatshirts are usually made from soft and cozy materials like cotton or fleece, making them excellent for casual wear or lounging around the house. They can also be dressed up with more structured pieces like a blazer or leather jacket. Sweatshirts come in various colors and styles, from classic crewnecks to hoodies. You’ll easily find one that matches your personal style.
Overcoat: An overcoat is a piece of outerwear that can be worn during the fall and winter seasons. These longer coats are often made from wool or cashmere, and extend below the knee, providing added warmth and protection from the elements. A classic overcoat in a neutral color like black, navy, or camel can be worn casually and formally, making it a great investment piece for any wardrobe.
Heavy pants: The best heavy fabric for pants during winter are wool or corduroy. They can be matched with a sweater, button-down shirt, and even a leather jacket. A good pair of corduroy pants will upgrade your style and keep you warm during winter.
Winter boots: Make sure that your feet are warm and dry with a good pair of winter boots. Boots made of leather or Gore-Tex are waterproof and have good traction. You can also try ugg winter boots if you want something more snug and cozy.
Beanies: Beanies are excellent for warming your head during the colder months. A minimalist beanie made of wool that covers your ears and head properly should be good to go. Beanies with cartoonish designs or ears stitched onto them are cute, but they won’t age well both on you and in your closet.
Improvise
Finally, review and revise your minimalist capsule wardrobe regularly. As your style evolves and your needs change, you may need to add or remove items from your wardrobe. Take stock of what you have every season and make adjustments as necessary.
Creating a minimalist men's capsule wardrobe helps save you time and money since versatile, timeless pieces can be combined and matched in many ways. It streamlines your everyday activities by letting you concentrate on the clothes you genuinely adore and often wear.
Take the time to really assess your current style and wardrobe. Choose items that genuinely make you feel good and confident, and invest in high-quality pieces that will last for years. By prioritizing quality over quantity, you can build a functional and practical wardrobe to express your own personal style.
