Off The Cuff
See All Categories

5 TIPS FOR BUILDING A CAPSULE WARDROBE

Style / 
January 2021

Three images of Levi's® employees Adeline Hocine and Paul Bellas. The left image is of Paul in a green camo jacket. The middle image is of Adeline in an orange blouse and camel trench coat with her arm resting on Paul sitting against a wall. The right image is of Adeline sunkissed while sitting in a pair of blue jeans and surrounded by monstera plants.Three images of Levi's® employees Adeline Hocine and Paul Bellas. The left image is of Paul in a green camo jacket. The middle image is of Adeline in an orange blouse and camel trench coat with her arm resting on Paul sitting against a wall. The right image is of Adeline sunkissed while sitting in a pair of blue jeans and surrounded by monstera plants.

You’ve heard “less is more,” right? Well, a capsule wardrobe is how you apply that to your closets and drawers. The idea? Limit yourself to a mini wardrobe of staple pieces that work well together and that you are genuinely excited to put on your body on any given day. (We won’t give you a set number of items — but, again, “less is more” and all that.)


The “more” part of this approach looks like: more curated, thoughtful, handpicked clothes. A more defined and refined sense of personal style. And because you’re purchasing fewer items less frequently, more money for higher-quality stuff that looks great and lasts longer. You’re also doing more for the environment by reducing consumption and waste as you curb impulse-buying in favor of shopping smarter and more sustainably. (And before you toss anything, visit Levi’s® Tailor Shop to see if it’s just a customization, repair or re-design away from retaining its capsule status.)


No more closet clutter or overstuffed drawers that won’t shut all the way. No more overdrafting on fast-fashion splurges you’ll wear once. No more standing in a towel swearing you have nothing to wear. Everything you own will be loved, able to be worn with something else you own and look really freaking good on you.


Sounds great, but also overwhelming. It’s not, trust us. Think of it like building a foundation of essentials. When you’re looking at a particular item, do words like, “iconic,” “seasonless” and “versatile” come to mind? Are you already coming up with a dozen ways to style it? If so, chances are it’d make a good capsule piece. We love rigid jeans, Trucker Jackets or something in a great plaid pattern, because each of these will stand the test of time and allow you to put your personal stamp on it through repeated wearing or customization.


And while outerwear isn’t necessarily “seasonless,” it’s still a healthy part of a well-balanced capsule wardrobe. Plan to rotate in a few new weather-appropriate items every season that will still play nice with what you already have—like finding a new puzzle piece, not starting a new head-to-toe puzzle altogether.


Ready to build? Here are five tips to get your capsule wardrobe started, so you can buy less and wear what you truly love more—as seen on real-life Levi’s® employees Adeline Hocine and Paul Bellas.

Two images of Adeline Hocine in an orange blouse, white tank top and blue jeans that are cuffed at the bottom. The left image is a closer shot of the back of the jeans. The right image is of Adeline blocking the sun from her eyes.Two images of Adeline Hocine in an orange blouse, white tank top and blue jeans that are cuffed at the bottom. The left image is a closer shot of the back of the jeans. The right image is of Adeline blocking the sun from her eyes.

INVEST IN RIDE-OR-DIE DENIM

Find jeans that are well-made and durable with a figure-flattering fit that won’t quit. Ladies, maybe try our high-rise Ribcage. And for fellas, there’s a reason 501® s have been worn for 147 years and counting…
Image of Paul Bellas kneeling next to a row of plants while wearing cargo pants and a Levi's® Made & Crafted plaid brown shirt.Image of Paul Bellas kneeling next to a row of plants while wearing cargo pants and a Levi's® Made & Crafted plaid brown shirt.

STAY ON YOUR BEST PATTERNED BEHAVIOR

We’re telling you to be choosy, not boring. Put the “fun” in fundamental dressing with a few personality-packed prints (’90s-inspired plaid does it for us) and can’t-stop-touching textures (corduroy, velvet, DENIM).

Two images of Paul Bellas. The left image is a close-up shot of the Levi's® Cargo Pants he's wearing. The right side is a further out shot of Paul standing in front of a vintage green car while wearing a white hoodie, cargo pants, and carrying a light blue denim tote.Two images of Paul Bellas. The left image is a close-up shot of the Levi's® Cargo Pants he's wearing. The right side is a further out shot of Paul standing in front of a vintage green car while wearing a white hoodie, cargo pants, and carrying a light blue denim tote.

STICK TO STREET-LEGAL LOUNGEWEAR

We’re all living in hoodies and sweatpants these days. Only opt for styles you’d rock in and outside the house, so you don’t end up with more sweatshirts than actual days in a year to wear…sweatshirts.

Adeline Hocine laying on a white couch while wearing a yellow belt bag and cream colored trucker jacket.Adeline Hocine laying on a white couch while wearing a yellow belt bag and cream colored trucker jacket.

VENTURE INTO NEUTRAL TERRITORY

Neutrals (black, white, grey, navy, tan, you get it) go with anything and everything for mixing-and-matching made easy. Plus, they’ll enhance—not distract from—colorful accessories and those patterned standouts we were just talking about.
Image of Adeline Hocine and Paul Bellas standing against a brown wall. Adeline is wearing a tan colored trenchcoat, orange blouse, white tank top and blue denim jeans while Paul is wearing a tan colored bucket hat, green camo jacket, white button down shirt and tan colored cargo pants.Image of Adeline Hocine and Paul Bellas standing against a brown wall. Adeline is wearing a tan colored trenchcoat, orange blouse, white tank top and blue denim jeans while Paul is wearing a tan colored bucket hat, green camo jacket, white button down shirt and tan colored cargo pants.

LAYER, LAYER, LAYER

As previously stated, the best capsule pieces are ones made to wear with all your other capsule pieces — statement-making outerwear, easy button-ups and the comfiest tanks and tees for underneath it all.