How To Create A Spring Capsule Wardrobe On A Budget

Spring is here and now you are thinking about a fresh new wardrobe for the season. However, you may not want to buy too many new pieces. After all, you just got through your spring cleaning! And besides, you really don’t want to spend a lot of money. I’ll show you how you can create a spring capsule wardrobe with 5 pieces on a budget of only $250!

What Is A Capsule Wardrobe?

First of all, you may be wondering what exactly is a capsule wardrobe? A capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential pieces that don’t go out of style and will remain classic wardrobe staples for years. For spring, capsule wardrobe examples include items like a crisp button-down shirt, a great fitting pair of jeans, a flattering midi skirt, a simple dress and a well-made jacket or blazer. You can then incorporate more trendy or fun pieces to create different seasonal looks with these staples.

The term ‘capsule wardrobe’ was coined in the 1970s by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique called Wardrobe. The concept of designers releasing capsule collections was then popularized by Donna Karan in the 1980s. She released functional, key looks that transcended seasons and trends in capsule collections. The idea of a capsule wardrobe is to create a wardrobe that features only the essential pieces from a collection.

Spring Capsule Wardrobe Essentials

Spring Denim

Start off your spring capsule wardrobe with a pair of plain, well-fitting jeans. Jeans are always a go-to, casual wardrobe staple you will wear in spring. Though I have worn many different brands of denim over the years, I have found that Levi’s is a tried and true, trusted brand that never goes out of style. They are reasonably priced, too, so they will stay in your budget. Levi’s creates jeans for all body types and offers many style options, so you’re bound to find something that works best for you.

Button Down Shirt

I always love a high-quality, tailored button-down shirt because you can dress it up or down, and you’ll always feel and look polished. Express offers the everyday button down in many different colors and patterns.

Wrap Dress

Wrap dresses are flattering, sophisticated and effortless. This season H&M offers wrap dresses in different colors, and this one is under $40. A wrap dress is extremely versatile. You can dress it up with jewelry and heels for a cocktail or wedding party, keep it professional and wear it under a jacket for work or wear it with flat sandals for a picnic or casual event.

Spring Jacket

A simple classic jacket is another capsule wardrobe essential. H&M has a myriad of blazer options in a variety of fabrics and styles. This straight-cut jacket in a stripe pattern is perfect to wear over skinny jeans, pants, skirts and dresses. This longer menswear-inspired jacket is slightly oversized but not overly trendy, which makes it easier to style with the rest of your wardrobe.

Pleated Midi Skirt

Breezy skirts for warmer weather are a wardrobe essential because they are so easy to mix and match to style different looks. I have a skirt almost identical to this pleated black skirt from ASOS, and I practically lived in it last spring and summer. I plan to wear it a lot again this year, especially to the office. The skirt looks chic when worn with black sandals and a nice top and unexpectedly fun when paired with simple sneakers and a tee.

Capsule Wardrobe On A Budget Tips

1. Decide how much you would like to spend. For example, I set my budget at $250-$300 (and came out under budget!)

2. Divide your budget into 5 for the 5 pieces you will need for your capsule wardrobe. This will give you an idea of how much you can spend on each piece. With my budget of $250-$300, I was allowed to spend $50 or $60 on each piece.

3. Shop at stores where the prices are lower, and they offer fashion basics, and not just trendy apparel. To find fashion pieces under $50, I suggest shopping at Express, H&M, ASOS, Topshop, Gap, Loft and outlets like J.Crew Factory, Banana Republic Factory, Nordstrom Rack and Neiman Marcus Last Call.

4. For your capsule wardrobe you will need 5 pieces: jeans or pants, a skirt, a dress, a shirt and a jacket. Think of what you may need if you were traveling for a long weekend, and pieces that you can dress up or down, and are not too trendy. Remember that you can wear your trendy pieces along with your capsule wardrobe essentials. A wild floral print blouse or graphic T-shirt can be worn with the capsule wardrobe jeans or under the capsule wardrobe jacket.

Shop My Spring Capsule Wardrobe

(picture above)

Levi’s 710 Super Skinny Jeans, $59.50

Express Original Long Sleeve Essential Shirt, $59.90

H&M Wrap Dress, $39.99

H&M Straight-Cut Jacket, $34.99

ASOS Design Pleated Midi Skirt, $45

Now you can create your own spring capsule wardrobe. You can put together your own capsule wardrobe planner, or simply shop my 5 recommendations. All 5 of my spring capsule wardrobe pieces are under $240, so you won’t break the bank!

–Claire Mykrantz

Sources: wikipedia, businessoffashion

You may also like to read more fashion on a budget posts like Looks For Less: What To Pack For A Springtime Getaway and How to Mix High and Low Fashion When Styling A Trench Coat.

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