A winter capsule wardrobe is a short list of pieces, around fifteen, that all work together, so every morning is easy and every outfit looks considered. The base is a good wool coat, three knits, two pairs of trousers, one pair of jeans, a skirt, a few tops and two pairs of shoes. We built the list below around the current ME+EM collection at Coveti, starting with the Heritage Oversized Coat in Grey Melange ($1,130). Browse more on our knitwear and coats pages.
Step 1: choose a palette
Pick two neutrals and one accent. Every piece should be in one of the three, so everything goes with everything.
| Palette | Neutrals | Accent |
|---|---|---|
| Warm | Chocolate brown, cream | Burgundy red |
| Cool | Grey, navy | Jewel blue |
| Classic | Black, camel | Olive green |
Step 2: the fifteen pieces
Outerwear (1 to 2)
- A long wool coat. The Heritage Oversized Coat in Grey Melange ($1,130) is British wool herringbone woven with Abraham Moon; the Tailored Oversized Coat in Bronzed Brown ($1,180) suits a warm palette. Our wool coats for women guide explains the shapes.
- A blazer. The Sharp Contour Blazer in Black ($760) is a crease-resistant tailoring fabric that works day and night.
Knitwear (3)
- A relaxed V-neck in cashmere: the Ultimate Boyfriend Jumper in Dark Chocolate Brown ($620).
- A high crew neck: the High Neck Straight Jumper in Hazelnut Melange ($430).
- A knitted vest: the Boyfriend Knit Vest in Navy ($430). See how to wear a knitted vest.
Tops (3)
- A white shirt, for layering under knits.
- A fine base layer: the Barely There Top in Deep Camel ($280).
- A lace cami for evenings: the Lace Trim Cami Top in Light Cream ($260). Read our lace cami guide.
Bottoms (4)
- A tailored trouser in a dark neutral.
- A barrel-leg trouser in cord: the Engineered Barrel Trouser in Bronzed Brown ($470). See our barrel-leg trousers guide.
- Dark jeans: the Leg Elongator Jean in Authentic Dark Wash ($470). Our ME+EM jeans guide compares the fits.
- A long skirt: the Pleated Maxi Skirt in Charcoal ($620), a wool-blend tailoring fabric with belt loops and pockets.
One dress (1)
- A dress that works for dinners and parties: the Silk-Blend Velvet Fit + Flare Midi Dress in Double Espresso ($840).
Shoes (2)
- A pair of flats, such as loafers and Mary Janes. See our guide to Mary Jane ballet flats.
- A knee boot in your darker neutral.
Step 3: ten outfits from fifteen pieces
- White shirt, navy vest, dark jeans, loafers, grey coat.
- Chocolate V-neck, cord barrel trousers, knee boots.
- Hazelnut high crew, pleated maxi skirt, knee boots, grey coat.
- Black blazer, white shirt, tailored trouser, loafers.
- Lace cami, black blazer, dark jeans, Mary Janes.
- Camel base layer, navy vest, pleated maxi skirt, boots.
- Velvet midi dress, black blazer, Mary Janes.
- Chocolate V-neck over the lace cami, tailored trouser, loafers.
- Hazelnut high crew under the blazer, dark jeans, boots.
- Velvet dress, chocolate V-neck worn over it, knee boots, brown coat.
Step 4: what to leave out
Skip anything that only goes with one other piece, prints that clash with your accent colour, and duplicates in the same shape and shade. A capsule works because every item earns its place. For what to wear when the dress code changes, see our guides to smart casual outfits for women and cocktail attire.
How to look after a capsule
A small wardrobe gets worn hard, so care matters. Rest knits a day between wears, de-pill cashmere with a comb, brush your coat weekly, and resole your shoes before they wear through. Our guide to cashmere sweaters covers washing.
Frequently asked questions
How many pieces should a winter capsule wardrobe have?
Around fifteen, not counting underwear, sleepwear and sportswear. Some people manage with ten, others with thirty; the number matters less than how well the pieces combine.
What colours are best for a winter capsule?
Two neutrals and one accent. Brown and cream with burgundy, grey and navy with blue, and black and camel with olive are three reliable palettes.
What is the most important piece in a winter capsule?
The coat, because it is the first thing people see from November to March. Buy the best wool coat you can afford in a neutral shade.
Can a capsule wardrobe include a dress?
Yes. One dress in a dark shade and a rich fabric such as velvet covers dinners, parties and weddings when styled with a blazer, a knit and boots.
How do I start a capsule wardrobe?
Empty your wardrobe, keep what you wore last winter and still love, and note the gaps. Buy to fill those gaps, slowly, in your chosen palette.
Is a capsule wardrobe cheaper?
Over time, usually. You buy fewer pieces of better quality, wear each one more often, and spend less on things you never wear.
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