Create More Outfits with 3 Outerwear Essentials

Even with a closet full of clothes, I often find myself “without anything to wear.” I have a hard time putting together outfits, mixing and matching what I already have, which ends up in me buying more clothes that have limited wear in my closet. This is why capsule wardrobes always appealed to me, though I was intimidated to actually start one.

A capsule wardrobe is a curated closet that can be mixed and matched to create many looks with a minimal amount of actual clothing items. I didn’t want to start my wardrobe from scratch, but I knew I needed something to bridge the gaps and maximize what I already owned. This is where outerwear came into play.

The shirt I’m wearing throughout this post is one that I used to only grab between May and Labor Day. The bright color, floral pattern— and the fact that it’s a tank top— meant it was only for late spring and summer, right? Wrong. Let me show you how how a blazer, a leather jacket, and a denim jacket make this top totally wearable year round, and instantly tripled the outfit options in closet.

Once reserved for office professionals and 80s themed parties, the blazer is back as a must-have outerwear essential for spring and early fall. Not only does it instantly dress up whatever top you pair it with (even a plain white tee!), but it’s perfect for brisk days in lieu of a jacket. It truly becomes part of the outfit and not just a piece to keep you warm.

These outerwear staples are must-haves for any woman’s closet, and when you throw some accessories into the mix, they can help expand your outfit options all year round. They’ve helped me apply the idea of a capsule wardrobe to my current closet, and I now feel like the possibilities are endless!