IF your wardrobe is bursting at the seams but you still find yourself staring at it every morning thinking you’ve got nothing to wear, one fashion pro has the answer.
Scarlett, known to her 60,000 TikTok followers as @Scarlettchalk03 , has revealed the five staple tops that form the backbone of a capsule wardrobe and claims they’ll completely transform how you get dressed.
Speaking to fans in her latest video , Scarlett explained that a capsule wardrobe is all about intentional dressing, which means investing in pieces that all work together, making it easy to throw on an outfit without overthinking.
Not only does it save time, but it’s more cost-efficient in the long run and keeps your wardrobe organised.
Here’s Scarlett’s five wardrobe essentials.
Tank top
Her edit, dubbed “Top Half Essentials”, starts with a classic basic – the humble tank top.
Scarlett says they’re endlessly useful, especially if you choose reversible ones for double the wear.
She swears by her white M&S version, a Zara staple, and a sunny yellow New Look buy.
Classic T shirt
Next up, the classic T-shirt, but not the shapeless, boxy kind.
Scarlett recommends tees with a little more structure for an instantly elevated look, whether they’re from H&M, ASOS , Zara or high street favourite Naked.
“When you put on a T-shirt with more shape, it elevates the whole outfit,” she said.
Elevated tops
For days when you want to look like you’ve made an effort without actually trying, Scarlett’s go-to is the ‘elevated basic’ T-shirt, which is the kind that works just as well in the office as it does for dinner and drinks.
Her most-worn are from H&M, but she says the style is easy to find on the high street.
Elevated jumpers
When it comes to knitwear , Scarlett says it’s time to ditch the bog-standard crew neck and opt for a jumper or cardigan with shape.
Her favourites, from ASOS Design, prove that subtle tailoring can turn a simple grey knit into something polished.
“They just make you look so much more put together, when actually you haven’t thought about it at all,” she explained.
Cropped sleeve jumper
Finally, Scarlett swears by a cropped jumper that is versatile enough for spring through winter and a surprisingly flattering cut.
Her current rotation is from Naked, but similar styles are everywhere.
“I don’t know what it is about a cropped sleeve jumper, but it just makes you look more put together,” she added.
According to Scarlett, the magic of a capsule wardrobe is in its simplicity, every item goes with everything else, meaning you can throw on an outfit in seconds and still look effortlessly polished.
“It’s outfits you don’t have to think about so getting dressed in the morning becomes easy.” She said
Fans praised the fashion guru saying her advice was “incredibly helpful”.
One user said: “The outfit combos are gorgeous, thank you”.
While another added: “I love everything on this list”.
Building a capsule wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is essentially a minimalist collection of clothes, that you can put together in different ways to create a simpler, more sustainable way of dressing.
Typically a capsule collection is a refined collection of some of your most worn pieces, your classic go-to’s you can’t live without, but are versatile enough to see you through every season, any occasion, year after year.
Some of the most popular wardrobe staples we have in our closet and have done for many decades include a trusted pair of jeans, smart wide-leg trousers, classic layering items, such as T-shirts and tanks, as well as a timeless leather biker jacket or blazer.
In most cases, you can wear every item in your capsule wardrobe as one complete outfit or use it as a base to style with other garments for effortless, versatile looks.
Pair your failsafe Levi jeans with a white t-shirt, black heeled boots , and a black leather jacket for the office , after-work drinks, brunch with friends, or your next shopping spree.
Alternatively switch the white t-shirt for a more jazzy top for an evening out, either way your capsule wardrobe will be the base for many looks, save you money in the long run and leave you feeling confident and looking great.
The best part of a capsule wardrobe is that it is timeless, so if you don’t have select items in your wardrobe already, they are well worthy investment pieces to see you through any occasion, season, and style.
Generally, a capsule wardrobe is classic colours and tonal hues, such as black, white, greys, navy, and camel, which can be paired with any outfit, hence why it is so popular to nail.
For those who may prefer a colourful wardrobe, you can easily inject colour through other layering items, accessories, or your make-up to elevate a look and make it more personal to your style.
And, if you change your style in years to come, the capsule wardrobe is still a fallback you can rely on.
How to look chic on a budget
Fashion stylist Gemma Rose Breger, and beauty journalist Samantha Silver revealed how you can make your outfits elevated without spending hundreds of pounds.
- Don’t ever spend on designer denim: River Island ”always has such a great selection of fashion-forward jeans that follow the current trends”. The high street retailer offers a great range of sizes to fit UK 6 – UK 18, and three leg lengths – and prices start from an affordable £25.
- There are no rules for jewels: ”Pick up something at a car boot sale, or charity shop , scroll on Vinted & eBay , snap up something from the clothing section in your local supermarket when doing the food shop or check out high street clothing stores.”
- Don’t forget the pre-loved sites: With a rising number of second-hand sites, such as Vinted and Depop , there’s no excuse for not buying – or selling – pre-loved garments. Gemma, for instance, has managed to get her hands on chic Chanel sunnies for a mere £17.
