A capsule wardrobe is a collection of items that can easily be mixed and matched into multiple outfits. The concept is used to build a wardrobe base or to keep the items in your closet to a minimum, while still always having something to wear.
My capsule wardrobes are built on classic items, with some trend pieces that make the outfits current (like the white wide leg jeans in this post). My goal is for you to be able to build outfits from these items for years to come rather than feel like you need to replace them every season. You’ll see some pieces that are similar or the same from previous years for that reason.
I try to create a workwear and a casual capsule each season. This season, I’m starting with the workwear capsule wardrobe. There are 20 total items in this capsule including the shoes and the trench coat I added to a few of the outfits and 27 outfit ideas. I don’t count the outfits with the trench coat in my outfit count, because it’s not an outfit you would wear inside, but I show how the outfits look for wearing it while outdoors. It takes me several hours to photograph and film each outfit so I have to cut it off somewhere, but these pieces can mix into many more than just 27 outfits.
Finally, I offer up less expensive options for each piece where I can. I often get comments and requests for lower prices with my recommendations and I do my best to accommodate all budgets. My overall goal with the pieces I style and recommend is fit and quality. I don’t want to share things that don’t truly fit and/or won’t last you through a season just because it’s less expensive. So, while some of the pieces are more expensive up front, the cost per wear is what I have in mind when I select it.
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Spring Workwear Capsule
My Sizing: I’m 4’10”, and my bust, waist, and hip measurements are 32″, 24″, and 36″. My inseam is 25″ (the measurement from the inside of my leg to my ankle bone). The clothes shown are unaltered and show how they fit me right from the store. I list my sizing beside each item to help you compare when shopping online. When referencing my true size, that is often the smallest option available at a brand or petite xxs/00/24. I wear a size 5 shoe.
Workwear is the most popular topic on my blog, but it’s also the most broad. I take all of your requests and occupations into account when I create outfit ideas but it’s difficult to nail each one with one post. So I tend to go with business casual overall and add ideas with jeans for those who can wear them. My hope is that I can offer up ideas for most people and build foundations that can be adjusted to your specific needs.
Cashmere T-Shirt XS in oatmeal | Green Sweater XXS | Floral Cardigan Petite XXS | Striped Vest XXS | White Button Down Top XXS | White T-Shirt Petite XXS | White Cardigan XXS | Sage Blazer Petite 00 | Navy Blazer Petite 00 | Linen Blazer Petite 00 flax ivory | Navy Pleated Skirt XS | Dark Wash Jeans 24 x 26″ | Ivory/Cream Ankle Pants Petite 00 | White Wide Leg Jeans Petite 24 | Trench Coat petite 00 | Slingback Heels | Loafers soft beige | Ballet Flats | Sneakers | Tote cappuccino | Earrings | Bracelet
20 Capsule Items
Cashmere T-Shirt XS in oatmeal
I chose a cashmere t-shirt from Quince for the capsule, but this cotton option from J. Crew Factory is a little bit less expensive and easier to care for than the Quince sweater. I could go with either one, I think it just comes down to material preference. They are both similar in color, the Quince sweater I’m wearing is oatmeal and the J. Crew Factory option is heather mushroom. For sizing reference, I’m wearing the Quince sweater in XS and wear the J.Crew Factory sweater in XXS.
Green Sweater XXS
Short sleeve sweaters offer up a polished look without being too warm outdoors. The green one I chose is from Abercrombie. It is thick and textured and I love the soft green. If you prefer a slimmer sweater, I would choose an option from Quince or J.Crew Factory that I linked above. To note – this sweater will layer, but if your blazer is well fitted, it was tricky to tuck the sleeves into.
Floral Cardigan Petite XXS
To add a little interest, I included a floral cardigan. This cardigan is lightweight and thin so it can be worn tucked in or untucked. It’s also a great top layer (although I failed to style any of the outfits that way). It has a slim fit, that I find to be overall true to size.
Striped Vest XXS
A vest is another piece that can be worn as a stand alone but also layers well. Although the vest looks great worn casually all by itself, I didn’t feel like it was appropriate to style it that way for work so I mostly used it as a base layer under a blazer and as a topper with a button down. You could also layer it open over the long sleeve white top and as a layer under the white cropped cardigan. You can use this piece in your casual wardrobe with jeans, shorts, and skirts.
You can find a button-down top around every corner, but they are not all created equal. I’ve tried enough of them to know. I chose this oxford option for the capsule because in my search for a perfect white button down, this one feels pretty perfect to me. I like it because it’s thicker, so it isn’t see-through, and the material doesn’t wrinkle as easily as some of the other tops I’ve tried. It has a close fit but I consider it to be true to size (if you’re petite). It doesn’t come in petite sizing, but the regular fit in XXS is perfect for me, sleeves and all.
White T-Shirt Petite XXS
I chose this top because it is thick and has a polished fit. It’s a great base layer, but it can also be worn all by itself. It has a little bit of stretch to it and is overall true to size.
White Cardigan XXS
I chose this white cardigan because it’s polished and versatile. It is thick, so it’s a layer that will keep you warm if you need it. Although it’s not petite it has a great fit, even through the sleeves. You can wear it as a base under the blazers, on its own and also as a topper.
Sage Blazer Petite 00
This blazer is relaxed and lightweight. To me, this blazer looks different online that it actually is in person. For that reason it was almost a return for me when I first bought it. The fabric is not structured, it’s very lightweight and has a little bit of drape to it. I ultimately kept it once I got over myself because I found that I loved it – even if it wasn’t what I expected from the photos. The color is soft and beautiful and because the sleeves are lightweight, they’re easy to wear pushed back. To note, this blazer is true to size, but the sleeves are a little bit long on me, so I need to cuff them or push them back.
Navy Blazer Petite 00
I included the Helena blazer from J.Crew in other colors in my fall and winter capsule. The blazer has a perfect petite fit and the quality is unmatched. This blazer is a great length through the sleeves, fits me well through the shoulders and has a polished modern fit. I went with navy for a spring update, but you could also create these outfits with the camel or black option I used in the fall and winter capsule. The blazer is true to size but runs slim through the shoulders.
Linen Blazer Petite 00
This blazer is very similar to the navy blazer, but is a slightly different fit. It is also from J.Crew so it has the same perfect petite fit. This blazer is linen, but is tightly knit so it wrinkles, but doesn’t wrinkle as heavily as some of my other linen pieces. I included it because I love the soft color (I’m wearing it in Flax Ivory) and love that it can dressed up and worn casually. It’s a piece that can work through many seasons as well.
If you like to wear skirts to work, I included one of my trusty pleated skirts. It matches well with the tops in the capsule and can be worn with a blazer as well. I chose the Aritzia Twirl Skirt because I love it – but this one from Amazon is great as well and one I own in multiple colors. I wear the Amazon skirt in Small for reference.
Dark Wash Jeans 24 x 26″ inseam
I chose my favorite dark wash jeans from Quince for this capsule. They often go in and out of stock and are currently on preorder. If you don’t already have a pair, I highly recommend grabbing them on preorder or signing up for a restock alert. I think these jeans are so comfortable, and they don’t stretch out with wear. The dark clean wash is perfect for wearing to work. I also love the wider leg on these jeans (they have a 16″ leg opening) – it works well with almost every style of shoes. I also used these jeans in the winter capsule, check that out if you want to see how they look with boots.
Navy Ankle Pants Petite 00
I chose a pair of navy ankle pants from Ann Taylor for the capsule. I chose these pants because I like the length (25″ in petite) and the slim leg. I find them to be true to size, but like some reviewers mentioned they’re a little bit roomy through the waist. I also note that they stretch some with wear so you may want to size down for a fit that will stay through the day. For a less expensive option I recommend the Pixie Straight Pants from Old Navy. After my winter capsule I had many requests for pants that were not wide-leg since I went all wide-leg in that capsule. With that said, if you love a wide leg, the navy pair I included in the winter capsule will pair beautifully with these outfits. The blue pants I styled in this post will also pair well with these outfits. They are crepe so they don’t wrinkle easily and they also have a matching blazer, as seen in this previous capsule style post from last season.
Ivory/Cream Ankle Pants Petite 00
If you want to add a pair of light pants to your spring and summer work wardrobe – this pair is the best of the best (in my humble opinion). I also included these pants last year for my spring capsule. These crepe pants are fully lined so they aren’t see-through and they don’t wrinkle easily. Light pants can be very unforgiving, but the lining added to this pair makes them magic. If you want a full suit, there is also a matching blazer that I love. If you prefer wide leg instead of ankle, this crepe pair from LOFT can be worn with flats.
White Wide Leg Jeans Petite 24
I included a pair of white wide leg jeans from Banana Republic Factory. These jeans are true to size, not see through and they have a very petite-friendly 27.5″ inseam. I like that these jeans can be worn with flats by most petites and the denim is comfortable for sitting at a desk. If you want to add white jeans into your work capsule, but don’t love a wide-leg style, check out this roundup of petite white jeans.
Trench Coat petite 00
For a classic trench coat, the Icon Trench Coat from J.Crew is my top pick. If you’re a frequent reader of my blog – that’s not the first time I’ve told you that. The jacket is well proportioned for petites. It fits well through the shoulders and sleeves and isn’t too long and overwhelming in overall length. The hood is optional and the fabric is water resistant – so this one also works in light rain. I wear the jacket in my true size but it does run a little slim through the arms so you may want to size up if you prefer more room there.
27 Outfit Ideas
You can see all of the outfits from the capsule in one place in this post but I will also be creating individual posts categorized by the bottoms worn. That way you can see the photos up close.
If you’re looking for more capsule wardrobes, check out this fall and winter capsule.
-Brooke
