Five Capsule Wardrobe Essentials

A capsule wardrobe is, at its core, a cohesive, curated edit of clothes that go together and can be worn in endless ways, year after year. It’s made up of essentials — pieces that are designed to endure seasons and trends, and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

Every well-curated wardrobe starts with a foundation of black and white tees and tanks, the everyday basics that go with everything, but where do you go from there? Here, we share a guide on how to create a capsule wardrobe and the five spring collection pieces that will stand the test of time.

What makes a blazer worthy of your capsule wardrobe? This outerwear style transitions between formal and off-duty outfits, it can be layered over tees, tanks, knitwear and shirts, and it’s perfect for wearing in-between seasons when it’s not too hot and not too cold. A blazer will add polish to a casual denim outfit, and the tailored silhouette makes it ideal for work and dinner dates. Discover our edit of tailored jackets and blazers in linen and wool. 

For pants that combine comfort and timeless style, look to a wide leg silhouette. The extra volume through the leg creates a flowing and flattering shape that moves with the body, and the silhouette is versatile enough to wear with close-fitting knits and tops as well as more relaxed, slouchy silhouettes like an oversized shirt — play around with the proportions and see what works for you. Wide leg pants are a staple in every Assembly Label collection, and this season offers styles crafted from linen, wool and silk. 

A button up shirt in an oversized silhouette is guaranteed to be one of the pieces you return to almost every day. Why? Updated with more relaxed proportions, oversized shirts put a modern spin on traditional workwear, and they can just as easily be styled for casual occasions in endless ways — loose and unbuttoned, or even layered over swimwear. Opt for a white linen oversized shirt for a naturally laidback look, or opt for a cotton poplin shirt that has a fresh, crisp feel.

Denim is the foundation of every wardrobe, but if there’s one item you should add to your capsule wardrobe, it’s a pair of straight leg denim jeans. This is a classic style with cool, effortless appeal — no matter what the latest trend, straight leg denim will go with everything in your wardrobe (including that oversized shirt and tailored blazer). Straight leg jeans can also take you from day to night, off-duty to dressed up, simply swap your footwear from sneakers to heeled boots or sandals depending on the occasion. Take a look at Assembly Label’s vintage-inspired high waisted straight jeans.

Your capsule wardrobe will rotate from season to season, for example in spring, minimal sandals will become one of your most-worn items. While you might pack them away in winter, warmer weather requires footwear that will take you from the office to after-work events and a flat sandal with a minimal silhouette is the perfect option. This style can be worn with everything from denim to wide leg pants and occasion dresses, and the barely-there look is sophisticated enough that you don’t need to worry about changing into heels. Find your new favourite pair in our spring collection of leather sandals.