Our clothing can consist of so many different types of materials, both natural and synthetic. Cotton, spandex, wool, nylon, cashmere, neoprene, linen, acrylic, silk… But which fabrics are truly best for your wardrobe? In a nutshell, natural fibers almost always win out. In this post I am breaking down all of the best fabrics, what’s great about them, and some shopping tips along the way.

Natural fibers vs Synthetics

Before we get into the nitty gritty, let’s talk natural fibers vs. synthetics. Synthetic materials like polyester, acrylic, nylon, and materials which are blended with synthetics are not breathable and do not wick moisture away from the body. Synthetics and semi-synthetics are also produced with larger amounts of harmful chemicals than natural fabrics. Natural fibers are often superior to synthetics in quality, durability, and temperature-regulating properties. However, the main benefit of some synthetics and semi-synthetics is the improvement in fit. Synthetics can help to improve the stretch and drape of a fabric, resulting in a better fit on a curvy silhouette.

01 // Cotton

01 // COTTON

Cotton is the most common natural fabric in clothing today. It is breathable, and can be woven into a variety of textures and thicknesses. Cotton can be soft or stiff, making it a wearable fabric for all body types. Stiffer styles, like 100% cotton denim, chinos, or a crisp white shirt are more suited to angular body types. Softer styles flatter a curvy figure. Cotton gauze drapes nicely along curves, while a 95-98% cotton denim with 2-5% elastane or spandex will hug your shape while remaining comfortable and durable. Cotton/silk blends can also be great if you are looking for a softer draping cotton garment.

Although cotton is often used for sweaters and knits, it will not keep you warm in cold weather for extended periods of time. Cotton is very breathable and does not retain heat efficiently, even when thickly woven. Therefore, cotton is much better suited for summer clothing or light layers in the cooler months.

There are many different varieties of cotton to choose from. The best choices are pima cotton, organic cotton, and recycled cotton. Unfortunately, the production of cotton can be very harmful to the environment. According to the World Wildlife Fund, over 5,000 gallons of water are used to grow enough cotton to make just one t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Cotton crops also require a lot of pesticides. Opting for organic cotton or recycled cotton helps to reduce the environmental impact of this fabric.

Cotton is natural, soft, durable, breathable, machine-washable, affordable, biodegradable, and recyclable. However cotton will not keep you warm in winter, it’s not as environmentally friendly as some other natural fabrics, it wrinkles, and it can bleed in the wash. My go-to cotton varieties would be pima cotton, organic cotton, and recycled cotton.

Cotton PROS

• Natural

• Soft

• Durable

• Breathable

• Machine-washable

• Affordable

• Versatile

• Biodegradable

• Recyclable

Cotton CONS

• Does not retain heat

• Not environmentally friendly

• Wrinkles

• Can bleed in the wash

GO-TO Cotton Varieties

• Pima cotton

• Organic cotton

• Recycled cotton

02 // LINEN

02 // LINEN

Linen is a breathable, natural fabric which is also UV-resistant, making it the best material for summer by far. The main downside to linen is its tendency to wrinkle very easily. For me, the wrinkles are just part of the style of a linen piece. If the wrinkles bother you, opt for a blended linen material mixed with cotton, silk, or wool.

Like cotton, linen can be stiff or soft depending on the knit or weave of the fabric. Knits are flexible and flowy while tightly woven linen will probably be quite rigid. Linen/silk or linen/rayon blends are also softer and less wrinkle-prone than 100% linen.

Linen is also a relatively sustainable fabric. It can be grown without pesticides and it requires less water than cotton, making it a more environmentally friendly alternative for your summer wardrobe.

Linen is natural, durable, breathable, UV-resistant, biodegradable, recyclable, environmentally friendly, and has cooling properties. However it wrinkles and may require special care. My go-to linen varieties would be 100% linen, linen blended with cotton or silk, and lightweight linen knits.

Linen PROS

• Natural

• Durable

• Breathable

• Cooling properties

• UV-resistant

• Environmentally friendly

• Biodegradable

• Recyclable

Linen CONS

• Wrinkles

• Special care may be required

GO-TO Linen Varieties

• 100% linen

• Linen blends

• Lightweight linen knits

03 // SILK

03 // SILK

Silk is seen as one of the most luxurious natural fabrics out there, but did you know that it is also very practical? Silk can help regulate your body temperature, keeping you cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Silk is also the strongest natural fiber, making it surprisingly durable despite its delicate appearance.

Silk also drapes very nicely and works well for all body types, although silk is not often flattering in a tight-fitting garment. Choose flowy silhouettes which allow the silk to drape elegantly over your curves.

Caring for silk is what makes it less practical for every day wear. Most silk garments cannot be machine washed and must be hand washed or dry cleaned instead (although Everlane has come out with some washable silk pieces). I suggest getting a few wears out of your silk garments in between washes if you can. Steam every 1-2 wears and dry clean when needed. In between dry cleaning visits, hand wash or use a delicates bag to wash silk garments in the washing machine on a gentle setting, but don’t throw it in the dryer. When you are done washing your item, hang it up and steam it before it dries to avoid stubborn wrinkles.

Silk is natural, durable, elegant, formal, biodegradable, and regulates body temperature. However it can be expensive, can seem overly formal, may require special care, and is not always considered ethical. My go-to silk varieties would be 100% silk, peace silk, and cotton/silk blends.

SILK PROS

• Natural

• Durable

• Elegant and formal

• Regulates temperature

• Biodegradable

SILK CONS

• Expensive

• Special care may be required

• Less suitable for informal wear

• Not always ethical

GO-TO SILK VARIETIES

• 100% silk

• Peace silk

• Cotton/silk blends for summer

04 // WOOL

04 // WOOL

Wool is a natural fiber that can be found in a number of varieties, including sheep wool, alpaca wool, merino wool, angora wool, cashmere, mohair, and wool/synthetic blends. Similar to silk, wool can regulate your body temperature, keeping you warm when the temperature is cold, or cool when the temperature is hot. Wool is one of the warmest fabrics out there, with merino, alpaca, and cashmere being the warmest. Merino wool and cashmere are also the softest varieties, and merino wool is the most resistant to pilling. Alpaca is the most environmentally friendly type of wool, since alpaca tread lightly on the earth, graze gently, and require minimal water and resources.

Be careful when purchasing wool items. If an item is itchy, or if it shows signs of pilling or loose threads upon purchase, return it. Almost any wool sweater will eventually pill, but wool fabric with longer fibers are higher quality and will pill less. In general, cost and quality are closely associated when it comes to wool items. However, sometimes expensive pieces can be made from low-quality wool. When purchasing wool online, take a look at the reviews before buying or stick with trusted brands.

Wool may be blended with synthetics to help soften the fabric, although many times synthetic blends are simply used to reduce price, and also quality. Items made from synthetic blends are also not as warm as 100% wool pieces. I suggest sticking with 100% merino wool or cashmere if you’re not sure where to start.

Wool is natural, wrinkle-resistant, flame-resistant, recyclable, and warm in winter although it will regulate body temperature in both warm and cold weather. However it can be itchy, it pills, it usually requires special care, some varieties are more environmentally friendly than others, and it’s not always ethical. My go-to wool varieties would be merino wool, cashmere, alpaca, and recycled wool.

Wool PROS

• Natural

• Regulates temperature

• Warm in winter

• Wrinkle-resistant

• Flame-resistant

• Recyclable

Wool CONS

• Can be itchy

• Pilling

• Special care may be required

• Not always environmentally friendly

• Not always ethical

GO-TO Wool Varieties

• Merino wool

• Cashmere

• Alpaca

• Recycled wool

05 // Lyocell & Tencel

Although its name may not be familiar, lyocell is a semi-synthetic fabric that is very similar to cotton. The production of lyocell is relatively gentle on the environment. It is made from eucalyptus trees which require little water and land to grow. Non-toxic chemicals are used in the production process and are recycled for use in future production. Lyocell is also biodegradable and recyclable, making it the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly semi-synthetic fabric available.

Lyocell is machine washable and shrink-resistant, but it is recommended to wash on a cool setting and hang or lay flat to dry. Although lyocell is wrinkle-resistant, it may hold some wrinkles from time to time. Iron with a warm (not hot) iron or steam to avoid burning the fabric.

Lyocell and Tencel are durable, breathable, soft, silky, static-resistant, biodegradable, recyclable, and environmentally friendly in comparison to other synthetic fabrics. However it is semi-synthetic, may require special care, and does not provide heat regulating properties. My go-to lyocell varieties would be 100% lyocell or Tencel, cotton/lyocell blends, and linen/lyocell blends.

Lyocell PROS

• Durable

• Breathable

• Soft/silky

• Wrinkle-resistant

• Static-resistant

• Environmentally friendly

• Biodegradable

• Recyclable

Lyocell CONS

• Semi-synthetic

• Does not retain heat

• Special care may be required

GO-TO Lyocell Varieties

• 100% Tencel or lyocell

• Cotton/lyocell blends

• Linen/lyocell blends

06 // Viscose & Rayon

Viscose and rayon are two words for the same fabric. Viscose is made from eucalyptus, pine, or bamboo wood, however it is a semi-synthetic fabric because chemicals are used in the production process. The texture of viscose is somewhere between cotton and silk. It is soft, somewhat shiny, and more wrinkle-resistant than cotton. However, the fibers in viscose are shorter than those in cotton, making this fabric less durable than most cotton fabrics.

Rayon can be somewhat more difficult to care for than cotton. Although it is more wrinkle resistant than stiff cotton, rayon can wrinkle but it cannot be ironed. Steam your rayon pieces to avoid damaging the fabric.

Rayon is soft, wrinkle-resistant, static-resistant, and affordable. However it is semi-synthetic, it shrinks, it is less durable than cotton, and is less environmentally friendly than lyocell and Tencel. My go-to viscose and rayon varieties would be 100% viscose or rayon, silk/rayon blends, and cotton/rayon blends.

Rayon PROS

• Soft

• Wrinkle-resistant

• Static-resistant

• Affordable

Rayon CONS

• Semi-synthetic

• Shrinks

• Less durable than cotton

• Not environmentally friendly

GO-TO Rayon and Viscose Varieties

• 100% rayon (especially for jacket linings)

• 100% viscose

• Silk/rayon blends

• Cotton/rayon blends

07 // LEATHER

07 // LEATHER

High quality leather is very durable and can even get better with age. In most cases, avoid clothing made from “genuine leather.” Genuine leather is the lowest quality leather that can be produced. If at all possible, look for top-grain or full-grain leather.

If you’re worried about the sustainability or ethics of leather, buying second-hand is your best bet. The great thing about leather is that it can improve with age which makes it an amazing candidate for second-hand shopping. Buying higher quality leather pieces will also extend their life in your wardrobe which helps to reduce their environmental impact.

Leather is natural, durable, and can improve with age. However leather carries both environmental and ethical issues. My go-to leather options would be top-grain leather, full-grain leather, or second-hand leather.

Leather PROS

• Natural

• Durable

• Can improve with age

Leather CONS

• Not environmentally friendly

• Unethical

GO-TO Leather Options

• Top-grain leather

• Full-grain leather

• Second-hand leather

08 // Modal

Modal is another version of viscose, but it is more durable (longer fibers), more breathable, and less likely to shrink than viscose or cotton. Modal is more environmentally friendly than viscose or rayon because the chemicals are often recycled for future production. It is also biodegradable and recyclable.

Modal drapes very well, forming closely to the figure underneath. This characteristic makes it very comfortable and elegant, but be careful when choosing undergarments.

Modal is soft, silky, breathable, wrinkle-resistant, biodegradable, and recyclable. However it is semi-synthetic and can be clingy. My go-to modal varieties would be 100% modal and cotton/modal blends.

Modal PROS

• Soft/silky

• Breathable

• Wrinkle-resistant

• Biodegradable

• Recyclable

Modal CONS

• Semi-synthetic

GO-TO Modal Varieties

• 100% modal

• Cotton/modal blends

09 // Hemp

Hemp is a natural fiber that is similar to linen in its properties and its environmentally friendly production. Like linen, hemp does not require pesticides or large amounts of water to grow. It also does not deplete nutrients in the soil which reduces the need for fertilizers.

Since hemp can be rough or itchy on its own, go for 50/50 mixes with organic cotton or linen.

Hemp is natural, durable, breathable, UV-resistant, biodegradable, recyclable, environmentally friendly, and softens over time. However it wrinkles and can be rough or itchy. My go-to hemp fabric varieties would be cotton/hemp blends and linen/hemp blends.

Hemp Fabric PROS

• Natural

• Durable

• Breathable

• Softens over time

• UV-resistant

• Environmentally friendly

• Biodegradable

• Recyclable

Hemp Fabric CONS

• Wrinkles

• Can be rough or itchy

GO-TO Hemp Fabric Options

• Organic cotton/hemp blends

• Linen/hemp blends

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Winter Season | Winter Color Type

20 Pieces // 44 Outfits

Not sure what to include in your workwear capsule wardrobe this winter? This colorful winter work wardrobe is small, practical, and includes outfits that are appropriate for all dress codes - business formal, business casual, & casual Friday. I hope you enjoy it and get some ideas for your own winter work wardrobe!

I align most closely with the winter color type, so like most of my personal capsules the color palette is great for anyone with a cool undertone and deep, saturated coloring. I’m experimenting with a camel coat which has a slightly warm undertone, and I will admit that I think a charcoal coat would have suited my coloring better. But a nice camel coat is still a classic, so I’m going to give it a chance for a few seasons anyways.

8 Tops

short sleeve silk shirt (similar) // teal cashmere sweater (similar) // white high-neck tank // gray cropped sweater (similar) // green silk shirt (old) // blue button-up shirt // teal silk shirt // black high-neck tank

4 Bottoms

black stove-pipe jeans // black tie-front pant // navy tie-front pant // black straight-leg trousers (similar)

3 Outerwear

camel wool coat // double-breasted blazer (similar) // black leather jacket

5 Accessories

large leather tote (similar) // black pointed-toe heels (similar) // black cowboy ankle boots // black slim heeled boots // white veja sneakers

44 Outfits

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Do you want to learn how to create the perfect wardrobe color palette? I'll show you how to create a color palette for your wardrobe that will be harmonious with your natural beauty and NOT BORING! Download the worksheet below if you’d like to get some extra color guides and a template to record your color palette for future reference.

WORKSHEET // Your Wardrobe Color Palette

01 // Start with Your Natural Beauty

As we’ve discussed in previous blog posts, knowing your undertone is the first step to creating a flattering color palette that will bring out the best in you. Your undertone will inform whether you should choose warmer (more yellow) or cooler (more blue) colors for your color palette. If you’re not sure about your undertone, check out this post first.

RESOURCE // What is My Undertone?

It is also helpful to understand your own natural coloring in terms of value, intensity, and contrast. To perform your own personal color analysis, take a look at this post before moving onto step 2.

RESOURCE // How to Find Your Best Colors According to Color Theory

Identify your Color Character

Warm or cool? Light or dark? Muted or saturated? Blended or contrasted? If you’re not sure, watch this helpful video!

02 // Shop Your Closet

Now that you’ve started to understand how to describe your natural coloring, take a look through your closet and pull out 1-5 items in colors that you really enjoy wearing. It’s useful to note which neutral colors you enjoy wearing as well, but try to choose colors other than black, white, gray, or beige for now. How do they compare to your undertone? Try each item on and evaluate how well they flatter your skin tone. And remember, just because you have a warm undertone doesn’t mean you can’t wear green, blue, or purple - your undertone simply informs which versions of these colors will look best on you. For example, lime green, teal blue, and red-violet would be warmer versions of green, blue, and purple. Now, take the items of clothing which best suit you and note their colors. This is a great place to start for your capsule wardrobe color palette. Don’t worry if you only found one color that you like, the following steps will help you find additional colors to round out your palette.

What You Love

What colors do you love wearing right now? Which ones do you already have in your wardrobe? This is the best place to start for your capsule wardrobe color palette!

03 // Complete Your Base

Next, it’s time to complete your set of base colors. If you’ve chosen more than one color from the previous step, do your colors mix and match well with one another? If not, you may want to eliminate some of the colors from your palette, or make adjustments. For example, one of your colors may have a clashing undertone when compared to the others. If you’d like to keep that color in your palette, consider swapping it for a similar hue within your undertone family.

If you would like to add more colors to your base, a great place to start would be to take one color you know you love and choose an analogous color within the color family of your natural undertone. Analogous colors are those that are close to each other on the color wheel. For example, if you love emerald and you have a cool undertone, you could choose blue-green teal color which will naturally harmonize with both emerald and your natural undertone. Adobe Color is an awesome free online tool that you can use to play around and find analogous color palettes if you’re not sure where to start!

RESOURCE // Adobe Color

Once you have 2-3 colors in your base palette that mix and match well together, continue to step 4. The number of colors in your base is completely up to you, but I would encourage you to choose at least one non-neutral color to include in your color palette at this stage.

Your Color Spring board

Use the colors that you know you love as a spring board for your base palette! Add and subtract colors to refine as needed. Analogous colors are a great place to start if you want to add more colors to your base.

04 // Choose Supporting Colors

Now that you have your base colors, let’s choose some supporting colors. Here is where the concepts of value and intensity really come into play. If your natural hair is on the darker side and you have a more saturated complexion, take your base colors and add pure black to them to create deeper shades of your base color palette. If your natural hair is on the lighter side and you have a saturated complexion, take your base colors and add pure white to them to create lighter tints of your base colors. If your hair is dark and your complexion is muted, add dark gray to your base colors to create deeper tones of your base colors. If your hair is light and your complexion is muted, add light gray to your base colors to create lighter tones of your base colors. This will be your set of supporting colors. Feel free to pick and choose which ones you would like to add to your palette! I would recommend you choose at least one supporting color before moving onto the final step.

WORKSHEET // Your Wardrobe Color Palette

Amplify your Natural Beauty

Supporting colors are meant to amplify your natural beauty by taking colors you love and bringing them closer to your natural coloring - whether that be lighter, darker, softer, or brighter.

05 // Select Your Neutrals

Finally, let’s pick out some neutrals. I like to leave neutrals for last because, especially in the capsule wardrobe community, we usually overbuy our neutrals at the expense of color. When we choose our non-neutral colors first, it’s easy to choose the right neutrals. Neutral colors are traditionally black, white, gray, navy, beige, and earth tones. I would recommend choosing neutrals based on your undertone, value, and contrast. For example, if you are highly contrasted with dark hair and a warm undertone, you may want to add a warm white which will allow you to create highly contrasted outfits when combined with the darker shades that you’ve chosen in the previous steps. On the other hand, if you have low contrast and light coloring, you may want to avoid adding stark black to your capsule as it may be too harsh in comparison to your light and soft base colors. Choose a soft gray or beige instead to complement your natural value and contrast.

your Best Neutrals

Choosing neutrals is easy when you leave it for last! Choose your neutrals based on your undertone, value, and contrast.

06 // Visualize Your Color Palette

Your capsule wardrobe color palette is complete! How did it turn out? Use this color palette worksheet to record your color palette for reference next time you want to add a new item to your capsule. I’d love for you to share your color palettes with me on Instagram - just use the Instagram template in the color palette worksheet and tag me in your post, @waardrobe_!

It may also be helpful to create a Pinterest board which represents your color theme. Check out my Pinterest to find inspiration boards for every color!

RESOURCE // Get the Color Guides!

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Figuring out which colors suit you best is probably one of the most frustrating and difficult steps in putting together your perfect wardrobe. I know I’ve struggled with the seasonal color analysis method myself. So I hope that I can help break down each element of the process and provide a method that can be tailored to your unique look. Instead of trying to squeeze into one specific seasonal color type, like clear winter or warm spring, let’s look at each aspect of color analysis individually and create a color palette that’s customized just for you.

There are five main aspects of color analysis that you can take advantage of when choosing your color palette: your skin undertone, the overall lightness or deepness of your coloring, the intensity of your coloring, contrast, and your personal style. Let’s start with the most important element, undertone.

01 // Undertone

What is undertone? Your undertone is the underlying color temperature of your skin tone. Your undertone is either warm, cool, or neutral.

Your undertone is the most important feature to consider when choosing your color palette. When you wear colors that are harmonious with your undertone, you will immediately look brighter and more vibrant. Colors which clash with your undertone may make you look washed out, tired, or sick in comparison.

It’s important to note that undertone is separate from skin tone. Having darker or lighter skin does not affect your undertone. Also, try not to confuse your undertone with your overtone. For example, if you have an olive skin tone, you likely have a cool undertone with a warm overtone, giving your overall complexion a warmer look. In this case, undertone is still the more important factor when determining which colors will look best on you.

RESOURCE // What is My Undertone?

Your undertone determines the overall color family that you belong to. At a basic level, cool colors contain more blue (like blue-greens and purples), and warm colors contain more yellow (like yellow-greens and oranges). Contrary to popular belief, true red is a neutral and can be worn with any skin tone. Don’t let your color family make you feel restricted - there are warm and cool versions of almost any color out there. Here are some examples of color palettes for cool and warm color undertones using different versions of the same colors.

Warm and Cool

An example of warm and cool color palettes using different versions of the same colors - gray, black, blue, white, brown, red, and pink.

02 // Value

In color theory, value is defined as the relative lightness or darkness of a color. When it comes to choosing your perfect color palette, it is important to consider not only the value of your skin tone, but also the value of your hair and eyes. If the overall coloring of your hair and eyes is medium to dark, you are likely to look best in deep colors. If your hair and eyes are medium to light, you will shine in lighter shades. Or, if your skin, hair, and eyes fall in the middle of the spectrum, you might be somewhere in between. If you have light hair and dark eyes or vice versa, you might be lucky enough to look great in both light and deep colors, although the value of your hair will probably be more dominant.

Light or Dark

Value is the relative lightness or darkness of a color. You are most likely to look best in colors with a similar value to that of your hair.

03 // Intensity

The fourth parameter to consider when analyzing your coloring is your chroma, or the intensity of your coloring. Your chroma will lie somewhere on a spectrum from muted and soft (low intensity) to bright and clear (high intensity). Simply put, you should choose to wear colors which have a similar level of saturation to your skin, hair, and eyes, whether that be bright, soft, or somewhere in between. Colors that suit the undertone and value of your coloring may still look unnatural if they fall on the opposite side of the chroma spectrum. For example, highly saturated colors may cause muted skin tones look dull by comparison, while soft colors will look serene and healthy.

Muted or CLear

Intensity is the level of saturation in your coloring, from soft to bright. In color theory, the most saturated colors are created from only primary colors. Adding gray to a color will make it more muted.

04 // Contrast

Now that you have determined the value of your skin, hair, and eyes, you can determine the relative contrast among your features. Do your hair and eye color differ strikingly from your skin tone, or do you feel your coloring is rather unified? Someone with pale skin, fair blonde hair, and light brown eyes would have low contrast. If you have very low contrast, you may actually look great in the opposite value to that of your overall coloring. For example, women with very dark skin, cool undertones, and black hair often look amazing in light, cool, icy shades.

05 // Style

At the end of the day, your style preferences are more important than which colors you “should” or “shouldn’t” wear according to color theory. However, I believe that any style can be reflected using colors from your perfect color palette. It’s just a matter of choosing the right ones. For example, you might have warm undertones and light coloring, but you hate pastels. Don’t worry, you don’t have to wear them. Choose earthy shades like soft brown, army green, rust red, and marine blue.

You have options

Don’t feel restricted by the typical seasonal color analysis recommendations. Ideally, choose colors that have a similar undertone, value, intensity, and contrast to your natural coloring, AND reflect your personal style.

Still Not Sure?

When you come across a color that looks great on you, see if you can determine if that color is more warm or cool, light or dark, bright or muted. Record which colors look good on you and seek out colors with a similar undertone, value, and chroma.

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Winter Season | Winter Color Type

20 Pieces // 33 Outfits

This winter workwear capsule is packed with jewel tones and cozy knits to keep you warm this winter. This happens to be a previous iteration of my own workwear capsule, and I plan to share the updated version in the new year. I thought I’d share this example as a point of comparison, to show how many items I’ve kept and how my workwear style has evolved.

The color palette for this capsule is great for a winter color type - cool, deep, and saturated. In the past, my work wardrobe has consisted of mostly black trousers and silk button-down shirts. To create more variety in shape, texture, and color, I added a pair of navy trousers and two colorful cashmere sweaters to this capsule. Now, I can create monochromatic looks in both navy and black, and I have more contrasting looks when I mix in the colorful sweaters. I made sure to choose sweaters in two different silhouettes, a cardigan and a crew neck sweater. I also chose magenta and dark turquoise, both cool colors which give my wardrobe a refreshing jewel tone color palette.

9 Tops

short sleeve silk shirt (similar) // magenta cashmere cardigan (similar) // equipment slim signature silk shirt // teal cashmere sweater (similar) // white button-down // gray cropped sweater (similar) // black wrap top (similar) // green silk shirt (old) // navy pajama style shirt (similar)

3 Bottoms

black tie-front pant // navy tie-front pant // black straight-leg trousers (similar)

2 Outerwear

double-breasted blazer (similar) // gray wrap coat (similar)

6 Accessories

double ring belt (similar) // large leather tote (similar) // tortoise shell glasses (old) // black heeled boots // black pointed-toe heels (similar) // black ankle boots

33 Outfits

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The first step to creating a color palette for your capsule wardrobe is to discover your natural skin undertone. Your undertone may be very obvious to you, or it may be very subtle. Try these methods to help you determine your undertone! Be sure to perform each test in natural daylight without any makeup, skin tints, or tanners.

01 // The Green Test

In my opinion, The Green Test is the best way to determine your undertone that no one ever talks about. Green is a special color in that it is very easy to tell which shades of green are more blue (cool) and which are more yellow (warm). Find two pieces of clothing, one that is a cool green, like teal, and one that is a warm green, like army or khaki green. For this test, it is best to find garments that are similar in saturation and lightness or darkness to keep the focus on the undertone of the fabric. Either wear the garment or drape it across the front of your chest and neck so that it covers any other clothing that you may be wearing near your face. Which shade of green looks better on you? Which one makes you feel more vibrant and awake? If it’s the warm green, you probably have a warm undertone. If it’s the cool shade, you are likely to have a cool undertone. If you can’t quite tell, try the next test.

02 // THE VEIN TEST

Stand in indirect natural light, such as near a window during the daytime. Observe the veins on the underside of your wrist. Do they appear blue or green? If they appear blue, you have a cool undertone. If they appear green, you may have a warm, neutral, or olive undertone - continue with the following tests to further clarify your undertone.

03 // THE METAL TEST

Grab a mirror or a camera and the largest pieces of silver and gold jewelry that you can find. Find some indirect natural light and hold each metal up to your skin. Avoid making a comparison with your face, especially if you are wearing makeup or if you have a tan. I suggest using your décolletage for comparison because your skin tone is less likely to be affected by the sun in that area. If you do have a tan, try comparing with the skin behind your ears, or the underside of your arm.

Which metal best complements your skin tone? Does silver look sleek and elegant against your skin? Does gold make you look glamorous and bright? If silver is your metal, you have a cool undertone. If gold is your metal, you have a warm undertone. If you can’t tell which metal suits you best, you may have a neutral undertone.

04 // The WHITE PAPER TEST

Stand in indirect natural light and hold a white sheet of paper up to your décolletage. By comparison, does your skin appear slightly pink, or slightly yellow? If your skin appears pink or red, you have a cool undertone. If your skin appears somewhat yellowish in comparison to the paper, you have a warm undertone. Otherwise, you may be neutral.

If you are flushed, or if you have rosacea, you may want to perform this test on another area or at a time when your skin is more calm. Flushing or rosacea will affect your skin’s overtone, and may temporarily mask your true undertone.

05 // THE SUN TEST

Do you tan nicely, or do you burn quickly in the sun? If you tend to burn, you probably have a cool undertone. If you tan relatively easily, you probably might have a warm undertone. If you’re in the middle, you might be neutral or olive toned.

06 // The HAIR AND EYE COLOR TEST

If you’re still not sure what your undertone is, or if you think you might be neutral, take a look at your hair and eye color for clues. Most often, the natural undertone of your hair and eyes will be similar to your skin undertone. Do your eyes and hair look more ashy or more golden? If you have black hair, does it have a slightly blue tint to it? If you have ashy features or blue-black hair, you likely have overall cool undertones. If you have golden, red, or honey hues in your hair or eyes, you likely have overall warm undertones.

In the images above, the woman on the left has a cool undertone with dark brown hair and cool blue eyes. You can also see that her skin appears to have more of a red or blue tint. The woman in the middle has a warmer undertone. Yellow flecks can be seen in her gray eyes and her skin appears warmer in contrast to the other two women. Her hair is also more of a warm, reddish brown than an ashy brown. And finally, the women on the right has a neutral undertone, with medium brown eyes and hair that are neither warm nor ashy.

6 Ways to Determine Your Skin Undertone

01 // The Green Test

02 // The Vein Test

03 // The Metal Test

04 // The White Paper Test

05 // The Sun Test

06 // The Hair and Eye Color Test

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Fall Winter Season | Autumn Color Type | Budget Capsule

20 Pieces // 40 Outfits

If you’re looking to create a capsule wardrobe on a budget, the best way to save money is to choose long lasting, high quality pieces that you can wear for years to come. Better yet, quality doesn’t always have to be expensive! Check out the video below to learn how to create this affordable fall winter capsule wardrobe including what items to look for, how to get started, and some simple steps to make a budget capsule that looks expensive.

The color palette is earthy and warm with contrasting sky blue and bright orange. This capsule is best suited for someone with a warm undertone and includes angular elements such as straight leg jeans, tailored jackets, and geometric cuts.

6 Tops

black camisole // blue oxford shirt // dusty yellow silk shirt // camel cashmere sweater // orange t-shirt // cream turtleneck

3 Bottoms

straight leg jeans (similar) // black leather pants // cream wide leg trousers

1 Dress

brown knitted dress

6 Accessories

yellow trench coat // cream double-breasted blazer // brown cashmere beanie // cropped teddy coat // black leather jacket (similar) // brown tailored coat

4 Shoes

cream ankle boots // black vans old skool // chunky black boots // orange strappy sandals

33 Outfits

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Winter Season | Summer Color Type | Creative Style

24 Pieces // 78 Outfits

This creative winter capsule has a light and airy appearance while being full of warm and cozy outfits. This capsule includes formal outfits, casual outfits, and everything in between to ensure you’ll have something to wear for any winter occasion.

The color palette for this capsule is great for a summer color type with its muted pinks, icy blues, and cool neutrals. The light and snowy colors are unexpected for winter, but winter white is so underrated! These outfits will brighten your days and stand out in the crowd this holiday season.

9 Tops

cashmere v-neck // graphic tee (similar) // longline v-neck sweater (similar) // cotton button-up // cream turtleneck // bell sleeve silk shirt // pink t-shirt // cashmere crew // white peplum top (similar)

5 Bottoms

belted navy trousers (similar) // white flared denim (similar) // straight leg jeans (similar) // white wrap skirt (similar) // gingham check trousers

1 Dress

white slip dress (similar)

2 Jackets

pink blazer // leather biker jacket

2 Coats

wrap coat // puffer jacket (similar)

5 Accessories

pink beanie (similar) // blue jimmy choo purse // white ankle boots (similar) // navy pointed pumps // pink sneakers

33 Outfits

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Winter Season | Winter Color Type

18 Pieces // 33 Outfits

Bored of all the neutral capsule wardrobes out there? Color can be just as versatile as neutrals when done right! This colorful autumn winter capsule wardrobe is very versatile and includes casual outfits, work outfits, & outfits for holiday events. The best way to achieve versatility with a small capsule wardrobe is to ensure that no two items share the same color and cut. Even better, choose items that don’t share the same color OR cut! I hope you enjoy this winter capsule wardrobe example and get some ideas for your own winter wardrobe!

Although this color palette is quite colorful, believe it or not, it is neutral! Each shade has neither an overpowering cool undertone nor a strong warm undertone, so this palette would suit almost every color type! However, these colors are relatively saturated, so this palette will suit those with bright complexion, hair color, and eye color more than those with muted or ashy coloring. If you have a more muted skin tone or hair color, check out my Muted Autumn 2021 Capsule Wardrobe for some color palette ideas!

6 Tops

one-shoulder top (similar) // white button-down shirt // crew-neck cashmere sweater // red off-shoulder top // charcoal anine bing tee (similar) // teal silk shirt

3 Bottoms

black trousers (similar) // dark blue culottes // black straight leg jeans (similar)

1 Dress

sir the label white knit maxi dress

4 Accessories

the curated camel coat // red double-breasted coat // iro ashville leather jacket // rag&bone enfield bag

4 Shoes

stella mccartney elyse platform shoes // aeyde kate boots // aeyde ivy boots // veja recife sneakers

33 Outfits

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01 // Keep Practicality at the Core

Creating a capsule wardrobe is all about curating a selection of outfits that perfectly meets your needs for your lifestyle. But having too many items that linger in the back of our closet can make us feel like we have nothing to wear. Keep it practical by perfectly customizing your wardrobe to fit your needs and goals.

Take some time to record all of the events and activities that you attend in a typical month whether it be work, date night, happy hour, working out, etc. Then, consider the season ahead and be sure to note any upcoming special occasions or travel. 

Now, count how many outfits you might need for each occasion. For example, if you work full time then you probably work about 60 days in a season. If you don’t mind wearing some outfits twice, then you may only need 45 work-appropriate outfits in your capsule. On the flip side, if you like to have more fun with your date night and happy hour outfits, and you go out about 20 nights in a season, you might want 30 going-out outfits in your capsule.

Likewise, if you rarely attend formal events, then you probably don’t need to add many, if any, gowns or formal cocktail dresses to your wardrobe. Formal events or unexpected events are a great opportunity to test out luxury rental services like Rent the Runway.

Whether your wardrobe is big or small, what matters is that you have the right number of outfits that are practical and appropriate for each occasion in your lifestyle.

02 // Curate Unique Pieces, Not Just Basics

Ever type capsule wardrobe into Google and find hundreds of images of wardrobes consisting of a white t-shirt, a white button-down, a pair of jeans, a black blazer, and a pair of black pumps? Don’t get me wrong, these are great basics that you might want to include in your capsule. But if you want a truly tailored, expressive wardrobe that perfectly encapsulates your personal style and makes you stand out from the crowd, don’t get too hung up on the basics. 

INSPIRATION // Muted Autumn Capsule Wardrobe

Seek out a few unique pieces that you love, that really capture the mood that you want to express for the season. Then, work backwards and determine which key basics would allow you to maximize their versatility. Need some inspiration? Check out this capsule wardrobe example which contains 7 stand-out pieces and only 8 basics.

03 // Master the Returns Policy

If you want to have a wardrobe full of beautiful pieces that you love, you have to learn to be absolutely brutal when deciding whether or not a new item truly deserves a place in your collection. Don’t be afraid to return something if it isn’t absolutely perfect for you. My personal rule is that if I try something on and I even hesitate to decide that I like it, I should probably return it. 

For this reason, it is crucial to inspect a shop’s return policy before purchasing an item, especially online. Ideally, stick to shops with free shipping and free returns. At the very least, ensure that returns are affordable and prepaid shipping labels are provided by the retailer. Unless you know and love the brand, avoid retailers with vague returns policies or inconvenient requirements. Especially if the brand is headquartered in a different region or country, avoid returns policies that require the customer to arrange for return shipping. Also, be sure to check for caveats like final sale or exchange-only items.

If you happen to find an item that you love on a site with a poor returns policy, try searching elsewhere for the same item. I love Aeyde boots, but they don’t provide return shipping labels for U.S. customers, and shipping a large box to Europe on my own could cost over $100. Luckily, Net-A-Porter stockes Ayede shoes and they offer free shipping and returns in the U.S., score!

04 // Take Advantage of Your Color Season

Is your capsule wardrobe full of black, gray, white, navy, and neutrals? While neutral colors certainly are chic and versatile, give your wardrobe some new life with a refreshed color palette that compliments your natural coloring. 

There are about a million different ways to determine your color type, and I’m not quite sure that I believe there truly are exact color types that can be applied to entire groups of people. Plus, our personal preferences should take precedence over any particular style rules that might be thrown at us. However, knowing which colors are most likely to suit you is a great starting point.

As you try new things, take note of which colors make you feel bright, happy, and healthy. Then look for colors with similar undertones, saturation, lightness, or darkness. Slowly build a color palette that includes a few colors that match well together. Then combine these with your neutrals to really amp up the versatility in your wardrobe.

05 // Choose Long-Wearing Fabrics

Quality is king. Building a great wardrobe full of stand-out investment pieces without breaking the bank means that each item must be a wardrobe workhorse for years to come. That means carefully choosing materials with a high percentage of strong, natural fibers. Prioritize silk, wool, cotton, linen, and hemp. Of these, silk, linen, thick cotton, and merino wool are the most durable and long-lasting.

In addition to choosing quality fabrics, be sure to inspect the stitching. Great quality items have straight, sturdy stitching free from gaps or loose threads. You could also look for a button fly rather than a zipper on your next new pair of jeans. Check out my Quality Clothing and Material Guide for more tips on choosing long-lasting pieces for your capsule.

06 // Embrace Your Shape

Every single one of us has features we would consider assets. It’s time to embrace those assets with clothing that flatters our own unique shapes. 

If you have a rounded, curvy, muscular, hourglass, pear, or apple shaped body type, prioritize softer, flowy fabrics like silk and soft cotton which will elegantly skim your curves. If you have a more angular, rectangle, or inverted triangle body type, dare to wear structured silhouettes like a strong blazer or a-line skirt. 

Accentuate the smallest points on your body by simply ruching up your sleeves to expose your wrists, wearing a delicate choker necklace, choosing a midi skirt that hits just above the smallest point on your calf, or adding a belt to cinch in your waist.

Through embracing your shape and customizing your look to fit your unique proportions, you will show the world that you know what’s great about you. There is nothing more attractive and powerful than a woman who knows her strengths and is not afraid to use them.

07 // Choose a Variety of Shapes and Colors

One of the best ways to ensure maximum versatility in your wardrobe is to make sure that each item differs from every other item in either color or shape. In other words, no two items should have both the same or similar color and shape. Oftentimes we find a piece of clothing that we love and we buy it in every color. That’s certainly okay, especially if it is a basic that we wear almost every day. But if you are interested in minimizing your wardrobe while also getting maximum variety in your outfit options, this rule is key. If you can choose pieces that differ in both color and shape, even better. 

INSPIRATION // Sophisticated Spring Summer Capsule Wardrobe

Check out this capsule wardrobe example which contains only a few items of the same color and none that are the same shape. This method allows for a small, 15 item capsule to create 28 completely different outfits from semi-formal to backyard casual.

08 // Create a Seasonal Rotating Capsule

If you’ve already achieved a great year-round capsule wardrobe that you love, great job! Now it’s time to take your capsule to the next level. As the upcoming season approaches, think about refreshing your wardrobe by adding a seasonal color to your color palette, or maybe a couple new weather-appropriate silhouettes. These new items can become part of your rotating seasonal capsule wardrobe. 

For example, you could add a camel turtleneck sweater to your next autumn wardrobe, or a white eyelet dress to your next spring wardrobe. At the end of the season, pack away your seasonal items until next year. Even if you only change out one or two items, this will keep your wardrobe feeling fresh and extend the life of your clothes.

09 // Visualize Your Outfit Combinations

The best way to get the most out of your capsule wardrobe is to create a visual outfit guide. You can do this by collecting photos of each item of clothing in your wardrobe, and using a simple keynote or Word document to mix and match the items, creating each outfit. I like to search for each item online and download a photo with a solid background. If I can’t find the exact item, I look for a similar one. If you like, you can also take photos of your items at home with a smartphone, just hang each item on a blank wall with plenty of natural light and snap a quick photo.

INSPIRATION // Business Casual Fall Workwear Capsule

Any time you purchase a new item, remember to download a photo and add it to your collection. Take a look at any of these shoppable capsule wardrobe examples for visual guide inspiration.

10 // Remember Your Roots

Try new things, but always remember who you are and who you want to be. Your wardrobe is yours. No one can tell you exactly what you want or need or should have in your closet. If you ever feel lost, take some time to reconnect with who you are. Grab a notebook and write down five words that describe who you are, according to you. Then write down five goals that you are working to achieve. Not fashion goals, life goals. Let your roots ground you and your goals guide you.

10 Capsule Wardrobe Tips

01 // Keep Practicality at the Core

02 // Curate Unique Pieces, Not Just Basics

03 // Master the Returns Policy

04 // Take Advantage of Your Color Season

05 // Choose Long Wearing Fabrics

06 // Embrace Your Shape

07 // Choose a Variety of Shapes and Colors

08 // Create a Seasonal Rotating Capsule

09 // Visualize Your Outfit Combinations

10 // Remember Your Roots

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Autumn Season | Winter Color Type

20 Pieces // 45 Outfits

Welcome to my 2021 fall capsule wardrobe! This year I challenged myself to create an autumn capsule wardrobe that includes work outfits, everyday outfits, and outfits appropriate for going out with 20 only items. I think it worked out! With a little creativity, this capsule wardrobe can create 45+ outfits that will cover all of your favorite autumn activities.

The color palette is cool and subdued, including primarily black, gray, white and navy with muted green and burgundy accents. Do you know what colors suit you best? Comment your color type and describe your style below - I would love to create a capsule wardrobe example for you!

8 Tops

white band tee // one-shoulder top (similar) // white racerback tank // gingham shirt (similar) // charcoal sweater (similar) // high-neck blouse // green silk shirt (alternate) // gray band tee

4 Bottoms

crop flare jeans // balloon leg jeans (similar) // black trousers (similar) // blue straight leg jeans

8 Accessories

navy bomber jacket (similar) // iro ashville leather jacket // aeyde kate boots // golden goose sneakers // white high tops // elyse platform shoes // rag&bone enfield bag // sunglasses (similar)

45 Outfits

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Fall Season | Autumn Color Type

18 Pieces // 33 Outfits

This fall workwear capsule is packed with cozy knits to keep you warm in the office this autumn. This capsule includes a number of monochromatic, neutral, and contrasting looks that can be worn for any occasion in the office, from the first interview to casual Friday. It includes some of my personal favorite work wardrobe staples, like the Tie-Front Pant by Aritzia and Everlane’s Relaxed Silk Shirt.

I’ve included three pairs of shoes in this capsule, all in different styles and colors. I recommend including at least two pairs of shoes in any workwear capsule, so that you can give each pair at least a day to rest between wears. This will help prolong the life of your shoes, minimizing moisture buildup and allowing the fabric to regain its shape.

The color palette for this capsule is great for an autumn color type. I built the color palette around this amazing plaid coat by Vince. French blue is an unexpected addition that really brightens up the earth tones in the capsule, plus it’s a universally flattering color.

9 Tops

wrap top // silk shirt // cashmere v-neck // printed shirt (similar) // cashmere turtleneck (similar) // ribbed polo (similar) // 70s style shirt // black cardigan // striped shirt (similar)

3 Bottoms

black trousers // military trousers (similar) // tie-front pant

6 Accessories

check blazer (similar) // plaid coat // shoulder bag // cream oxfords (similar) // ankle boots (similar) // kitten heels

33 Outfits

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Autumn Season | Winter Color Type

25 Pieces // 77 Outfits

I’m so excited to share this autumn capsule wardrobe example with you! It could use some work, but building the perfect wardrobe is a process. If we invest in long-lasting, classic, quality pieces, we can slowly build our wardrobes year after year without worrying about our old favorites wearing out.

One thing I noticed when putting together this wardrobe is that I’m lacking variation in the color and silhouette of my bottoms. I tend to gravitate toward darker colors and I usually choose pants over skirts or dresses. That’s okay, because I know I’ll use, love, and appreciate these pieces for a long time. But next year, I might try adding some dark brown bottoms or a skirt to shake things up a bit.

If you live in a cooler climate, be sure to swap out the shorts and tanks for more weather appropriate options, and add a heavy coat if you like.

I’m a winter color type, so the color palette is primarily made up of darker, cooler colors. For the army jacket, I chose an olive green on the cooler side, although if you are a true winter you may prefer a blue or beige cropped military jacket instead.

9 Tops

wrap top // v-neck tank // high-neck tank // linen shirt // graphic tee (similar) // off-shoulder top // v-neck bodysuit // white t-shirt // sweater (similar)

7 Bottoms

crop flare jeans // 90s denim // embroidered jeans (similar) // black trousers // stovepipe jeans (similar) // cutoff shorts // waxed denim

9 Accessories

denim jacket // army jacket (similar) // two-strap sandals // vans old skool // black boots // sock boots // sunglasses // chain purse // double-ring belt

77 Outfits

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Spring Summer Season | Spring Color Type

15 Pieces // 28 Outfits

This spring/summer capsule wardrobe is perfect for the spring color type. The detailed skirts, open and halter necklines, defined waistlines, and straight-fit jeans compliment inverted triangle, hourglass, and rectangle body types exceptionally well. Honestly, you could easily adjust this capsule for any body type, just swap out the stiff 100% cotton denim for something with a little stretch to accentuate your curves if a straight fit doesn’t flatter you.

6 Tops

halter tank // sweater // linen shirt // t-shirt // button camisole // gold camisole

4 Bottoms

90s denim // printed skirt // ruffle skirt // cutoff shorts

5 Accessories

denim jacket // sunglasses // heeled sandals // bamboo bag // sneakers

28 Outfits

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