Tired of assembling outfits every morning with a closet full of options? Want a simple yet stylish wardrobe that requires minimal thought? Building a capsule wardrobe might be the answer you are looking for.
Okay but first of all –
What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
In simple terms, “A capsule wardrobe is a collection of clothes that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. It is a great way to simplify your wardrobe and save money on clothes.”
With that said building a minimalist capsule wardrobe around leggings:
Leggings are a closet chameleon. With their simplicity and stretchy comfort, they pair brilliantly with practically any top from casual tees to blouses and more. And due to their form-flattering silhouette, they make you feel instantly pulled together and stylish.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to curate a capsule wardrobe built around leggings yet diverse enough for any occasion.
Choose the Right Leggings for Your Capsule Wardrobe
Leggings you select will make or break your new capsule collection. To act as the foundation for your wardrobe, your leggings need to be high-quality, versatile basics.
Focus on these three criteria when buying leggings:
- Material: Seek out leggings made with cotton, modal, and spandex blends for the best durability, breathability, and stretch factor. Avoid thin, sheer, or 100% polyester options.
- Colour: Black and navy leggings will provide the most mixing and matching potential. Consider adding one neutral color like gray, khaki or brown for variation.
- Length: Ankle-length leggings pair well with boots and allow for layered looks. However, 7/8 and full-length options offer more versatility, working with flats, heels, and sneakers.
Only buy leggings that check all these boxes. Ill-fitting or cheaply made leggings will lose their shape quickly and ruin your capsule’s cohesion.
Don’t forget fit! Your leggings should:
- Sit at your natural waist comfortably
- Hug your legs without digging in or sagging
- Provide enough stretch for full range of motion
But first, make sure you’ve chosen the optimal legging styles to act as the workhorse bottoms of your new wardrobe. High-quality, versatile basics are crucial to an effective capsule collection built around leggings! And on here can get those versatile high-quality leggings.
Once you’ve selected your 1-3 perfect-fitting leggings in versatile colours, you’ll be ready to layer on everything from tunics and oversized tees to tailored blazers and coats.
Transform Your Leggings With The Right Layers
Layering is key to maximising the potential of your capsule legging-based wardrobe. With the right tops, dresses, jackets and coats, you’ll be amazed at how many looks you can create from just a few pairs of versatile leggings.
Start with basics like:
- Tunics & long shirts: Pair loose-fitting tunics or shirts that hit below the hip with leggings. Crewnecks or sweatshirt and easy button-ups all work well.
- Sweater dresses: A sweater dress over leggings is comfortable yet pulled together. Wear with ankle boots or knee-high boots in colder months.
- Cardigans: A long or midi cardigan instantly dresses up leggings. Opt for solid colours to let your leggings take center stage.
- Light jackets: Denim, moto and leather jackets look effortlessly cool paired with leggings. Aim for waist-hugging silhouettes.
Then layer on:
- Blazers: A structured blazer makes leggings feel work-appropriate. Choose a fitted jacket that hits at hip or thigh level.
- Coats: Trench coats, duster coats, pea coats – any longer coat transforms leggings into true outerwear.
Perfect your leggings + layers combo by:
- Cuffing sleeves for a cropped, coordinated look
- Rolling tops, dresses and sweaters at the waist for a flattering, on-trend fit
- Mixing prints but keeping one piece solid for balance
With these layering strategies in your back pocket, a few simple tops and dresses can give your capsule wardrobe endless variety. Remember: a little polish goes a long way when it comes to elevating leggings into fashionable outfits!
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Victory Dynamite Green JacketOriginal price was: £109.95.£71.99Current price is: £71.99.
Outfit Templates for Every Occasion
Once you’ve curated the perfect leggings and layered essentials, putting together outfits should be simple and stress-free. Here are some templates to get you started:
Casual Daily Looks:
- Leggings + long shirt or tunic + ankle boots
- Leggings + oversized sweater + sneakers
- Leggings + cropped cardigan + sandals
Dressing Up Leggings for Work:
- Leggings + blouse tucked in + moto jacket + loafers
- Leggings + fitted blazer + heeled booties
- Leggings + turtleneck + duster coat + flats
Going Out Outfits:
Check out our designers guide on leggings style for night out
- Leggings + off-the-shoulder top + leather moto jacket + heeled booties
- Leggings + cowl neck sweater dress + tights +block heels
- Leggings + puffer coat + high-top sneakers
Try experimenting with:
- Switching between knee-high and ankle boots
- Rolling legging hems for a cropped look
- Belting tops and dresses
- Layering on a scarf or statement necklace
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to mix and match! Pair a long cardigan initially intended for casual wear with dressier heels one day. Drag your moto jacket into the weekend while wearing sneakers.
The beauty of a capsule wardrobe is that everything goes together. Use these outfit templates as a starting point, then have fun combining and Remixing pieces in your own style.
Before long, you’ll be wowing others with how many fantastic outfits you built from…just leggings!
Maintaining Your Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is meant to evolve and adapt with you over the long run. Here are key steps for keeping your sleek leggings-based collection fresh and functional:
- Ongoing Care: Legging fabrics tend to degrade with wear and washing. Use a laundry bag and gentle cycle, line dry when possible, and avoid heat in the dryer. Rotate your leggings regularly to evenly distribute wear. Read our in-detailed guide on how to care for leggings
- Replace Worn Items: Make a habit of evaluating your wardrobe a few times per year and replacing any worn out items. Choose replacements that match the design, fit and colour of the original to easily slot back into your existing outfits.
- Refresh with a Pop of Colour: When you do replace pieces or add new ones, opt for colours that contrast but coordinate with your existing palette. A shocking pop of bold color – like a statement fuzzy cardigan or cropped sweater – can infuse new life into your collection without disruption.
- Keep Your Options Open: While leggings remain your core bottom, consider branching out with other options that complement your existing tops, like midi skirts, cropped pants and bootcut jeans. But only add new items that you genuinely love and will consistently reach for.
- Keep what Clicks: Periodically assess each piece in your wardrobe to determine if it actually works with your lifestyle and still sparks joy. Donate, sell or discard anything that no longer serves you. This helps maintain a streamlined collection of items you truly love wearing.
With proper care and occasional refreshing, your minimalist capsule wardrobe can stay fresh and functional, tailored to perfectly match your evolving style. The trick is keeping what works while letting go of what doesn’t, season after season.
Build Your Perfect Capsule Wardrobe
By now you know the basics of creating a versatile yet complete wardrobe built around leggings:
- Choose the best leggings in classic colours and the perfect fit.
- Layer tunics, sweaters, dresses, jackets and coats to transform your leggings for any occasion.
- Accessorise with belts, scarves, hats and boots to refine each look.
Starting small and building gradually is the key to a lasting capsule wardrobe. Begin with just 2-3 pairs of foundational leggings and a few versatile layering pieces. Then add to your collection slowly as you discover what works best for your lifestyle.
Remember that leggings are nothing without the right layers and accessories to elevate them. Focus your energy and budget on tops, outerwear, shoes and extras that complement your leggings perfectly.
Above all, experiment! Find out what legging lengths, materials and colours work best for you. Mix, match and tirelessly tweak your formula until you’ve achieved a wardrobe that makes you feel put together and comfortable day after day.
With patience and a willingness to play, any closet can be transformed into a blueprint for endless simple yet stylish outfits. So go forth, mix some leggings into your next outfit, and let the journey to your perfect capsule wardrobe begin!
