After my last capsule wardrobe post, the requests started pouring in for a capsule wardrobe for work. I’ll admit it was a little harder for me to put this one together. I struggle to find pants that fit me well (a few options here) and it’s not as easy to be creative with your work clothing. Also, I wanted to create this capsule wardrobe for summer, so a lot of layering, which is something that can make a capsule wardrobe versatile, is something I wanted to avoid. So, it took me some time to really think this one out and find the perfect pieces to complete it.
For this capsule, I chose to stick with pink, blue and white – all colors I already love and own a lot of. Since I didn’t want to do a lot of layering, I chose a range of tops that would mix with both pants and skirts, and in different styles to give some variety. All in all, there are 12 items in this post and 29 outfits. However, the possibilities don’t end there, you can keep on mixing and matching for a multitude of outfits.
12 Piece Petite Friendly Work Capsule Wardrobe
The Items:
My Sizing: I’m 4’10” and around 105″. My bust, waist, and hip measurements are 32″, 24″, and 36″. I’m typically a size Petite 24, Petite 00, Petite XXS, and a size 5 shoe, but I will list what size I’m wearing in each one to help you choose the best size for you.
Blue Peplum Top Petite XXS
One thing some of you asked for is items that can also be worn casually, so I kept that in mind when putting this capsule together. This top is one that would also look great with a pair of jeans for a weekend outfit. I’m wearing it in Petite XXS, but the elastic around the waist is a little tight. If you want more room you may want to size up.
Gingham Top Petite XXS
This top is another one that can be dressed down if you wanted to. What I appreciate about this top is the silky fabric that doesn’t wrinkle. It looks great untucked, but also tucks well. There also is no gap in the arm holes.
White Top Petite XXS
I now own variations of this top in different sleeve lengths and colors. It’s a really great top that I would recommend over and over for dressier looks. It has a close fit, but the fabric is thicker and stretchy so it’s not see through and is flattering.
Light Pink Ruffle Top XXS
This top does have some room in the arm holes, but nothing so dramatic. It is also a little thin so you may want to wear a cami underneath, but most definitely wear a nude bra.
Hot Pink Top Top Petite XXS
I chose to include this top because it’s one of my all-around favorites. It also doesn’t wrinkle, lays nicely untucked, and has zero gaping in the armholes. It’s also lined and really well made. If hot pink isn’t your style it comes in other colors as well. You can see this top in this post also.
Floral Top Petite XXS
This top is part of a matching set (sold separately) that I styled several ways in this post. It was an easy choice to include in a capsule wardrobe. I wear the top in petite XXS, but regular XS in the skirt for extra length.
Blazer Petite 00
This blazer gets high points from me for fit, quality, and affordability. It’s not as nice as my J.Crew blazers but it has that same great fit. Just because it isn’t “as nice” as my J.Crew blazers, it’s still really well made and my particular blazer is a few years old. Also, the navy one works well with my Cameron pants from J.Crew.
Navy Pencil Skirt Petite 0
A pencil skirt is a classic for the office and this one has a great fit. I’m wearing it in petite 0 and it does have a little room in the waist on me. I’ll also note, this cotton version takes on some wrinkles easily. If you’re looking for a version that wrinkles less, I recommend this skirt. It is a little longer than the one I have in this post, you can see it styled in dark green in this post.
Cameron High-Rise Skinny Pants Petite 2
I recently wrote about a few pairs of no-hem work pants for Petites and the Cameron High-Rise Skinny ended up being my favorite of the bunch. In that post, I had on a black pair in a size 0, but I ended up ordering a navy pair in a size 2 and find them to be more comfortable. I’m a little wider in the hips proportionately and the 0 felt a little snug there for me.
White Jeans Petite 24
If you can wear white jeans to work, grab these before they sell out! They keep teetering on just a few sizes left. This pair isn’t see-through, they’re mid-rise and the most flattering pair of white jeans that I own. You can see them styled in this post as well. If you can’t wear jeans to work but want to recreate these white flare pants looks, I recommend the Hayden pant from J.Crew.
Floral Skirt XS
This is the skirt that matches the floral top above. I mentioned already that I sized up to a regular XS in the skirt. I find LOFT’s mini skirts to be too short in petite and the regular works better overall. The fabric is a little bit sheer and works well with nude undergarments. However, for the outfits where I wore a hot pink top with it, I wore a nude slip under it and tucked the top into the slip so it wouldn’t show through.
Dress Petite 00
This dress is basically sold out at this point, but I planned to include it so I went with it anyway. Plus, it may restock, so I’ll keep an eye out for that! I’ve recently had a hard time finding dresses for posts that don’t sell out before I can post it and it’s been frustrating! I have an entire post of bridal/baby shower dresses and the large majority sold out so I’ve been holding out for restocks.
29 Outfits for Work
Top Petite XXS | Pants Petite 2 | Pumps Size 5 | Earrings
Top Petite XXS | Pants Petite 2 | Clear Strap Shoes Size 5
Floral Top Petite XXS | Pants Petite 2 | Pumps Size 5 | Earrings
Blazer Petite 00 | Floral Top Petite XXS | Pants Petite 2 | Pumps Size 5 | Earrings
Top Petite XXS | Pants Petite 2 | Clear Strap Shoes Size 5 | Earrings | Necklace
Top Petite XXS | Pants Petite 2 | Earrings | Pink Flats Size 5
Top XXS | Pants Petite 2 | Clear Strap Shoes Size 5 | Earrings
Top XXS | Skirt XS | Earrings | Clear Strap Shoes Size 5
Top XXS | Jeans Petite 24 | Earrings | Shoes Size 5
Top XXS | Skirt Petite 0 | Pumps Size 5 | Earrings
Top Petite XXS | Skirt Petite 0 | Necklace | Earrings | Pink Flats Size 5
Top Petite XXS | Skirt Petite 0 | Earrings | Necklace | Shoes Size 5
Top Petite XXS | Skirt XS | Necklace | Earrings | Shoes Size 5
Top Petite XXS | Blazer Petite 00 | Skirt XS | Clear Strap Shoes Size 5 | Necklace | Earrings
Top Petite XXS | Blazer Petite 00 | Jeans Petite 24 | Pink Flats Size 5 | Necklace | Earrings
Top Petite XXS | Jeans Petite 24 | Clear Strap Shoes Size 5 | Necklace | Earrings
Top Petite XXS | Skirt XS | Necklace | Earrings | Pumps Size 5
Top Petite XXS | Skirt Petite 0 | Pumps Size 5 | Earrings
Top Petite XXS | Jeans Petite 24 | Clear Strap Shoes Size 5 | Earrings
Floral Top Petite XXS | Jeans Petite 24 | Earrings | Similar Shoes
Floral Top Petite XXS | Skirt XS | Earrings | Similar Shoes
Blazer Petite 00 | Floral Top Petite XXS | Skirt XS | Pumps Size 5 | Earrings
Top Petite XXS | Skirt XS | Pumps Size 5 | Earrings
Floral Top Petite XXS | Skirt Petite 0 | Earrings | Similar Shoes
Top Petite XXS | Skirt XS | Blazer Petite 00 | Clear Strap Shoes Size 5
Top Petite XXS | Skirt Petite 0 | Pink Flats Size 5 | Earrings
Top Petite XXS | Jeans Petite 24 | Earrings | Similar Shoes
Dress Petite 00 | Necklace | Earrings | Clear Strap Shoes Size 5
Dress Petite 00 | Blazer Petite 00 | Pumps Size 5 | Earrings | Necklace
I tried to stay middle-ground with the outfits here to hit as many dress codes as I could. I know not all of these will work for your workplace, but I hope you find some inspiration from them and maybe adapt them to what works for you! If you need help finding an alternative to something that may not be dress-code appropriate for you, feel free to message me and I’ll do my best to help!
-Brooke
