Pieces Worth Adding To Your Capsule Wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe sounds like a great idea — you pack your closet with carefully-chosen pieces you can mix, match, and love every step of the way.

But let’s be honest, it’s a LOT harder to put into practice. How can you decide (or predict) what you’ll love, or what pieces will fit in with your ever-evolving style? Living in that liminal space is….confusing. But I’m here to share all my favourite pieces — the hoodies I’ve worn to death, the leggings I can’t live without, sneakers that don’t give me blisters, and beyond!

So let’s break it down! For every product, I’ll share the pros and cons (of real testing!), along with a price point. No gatekeeping here— I’ll tell ya the truth, so you can find what’s best for YOU.

$ - Under $50

$$ - Under $100

$$$ - Under $200

Buck Mason Sweaters

I tried three styles: the Soft-Spun Cotton Crew and Cotton Polo, and the Coastal Linen Rib Cardi. My takeaway? Incredible. Soft. Plush. Infinitely wearable (and re-wearable).

Pros: The brand prides itself on its ethos of laidback simplicity, paired with high-quality fabrics and classic silhouettes. Every piece is made of natural fibres, and designed to dress up or down. You won’t find any synthetic “stretchables” in here — no elastane, nylon, or Spandex. Don’t be surprised if your sweaters loosen up a smidge after a few wears!

Cons: If you’re the kind of person to relentlessly push their sleeves up or tuck at their neckline, I recommend doing so with caution. The material will tighten up after a spin through the wash (on cool water only, pls!), though.

$$$

Free People Crewneck Sweatshirt

If you’re looking for a varsity-style, borrowed-from-the-boys vintage sweatshirt instead, I highly recommend one of these — it’s perfectly slouchy, long enough to wear with leggings, and made of a soft cotton French terry (I prefer French terry over fleece, mostly because of its drape and softness that doesn’t leave me sweltering hot after five minutes).

Pros: A true comfort piece. I reach for it when I’m having a bad day, or whenever I want to chill out to the max. I love that it doesn’t cling anywhere, making it perfect for long travel days, too.

Cons: Majorly oversized, so size down if you’re looking for a more classic fit.

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ON The Roger Advantage Sneakers

The first pair of shoes that didn’t require any breaking in. Blisters? None. Sore feet? See ya later. I love their flat bottoms and wider silhouette, which keeps my feet feeling comfy after a long day of running around.

Pros: The soles are incredibly flexible, so my feet don’t have to work as hard to keep my bod in motion. I wear the laces looser, so I can slip these badboys on and off with ease.

Cons: The insoles are flatter than traditional running shoes, so I’d look elsewhere if you’re craving a smidge more arch support. Their backings are on the softer side, so make sure you get yourself a shoe horn or you might end up with squished backs.

$$$

Alex Crane Linen

This is The Shop for anything linen. Both their shorts (which they make in both women’s and men’s sizes) and shirts are worth the investment — they’re fab for summer, and the shirts work as a beachside cover-up, too.

Pros: Incredible thermoregulating powers. Like all linen, it gets softer with every wear ‘n’ wash, and feels breathable even during the hottest days of summer.

Cons: It can feel a bit stiff at first, so give yourself time to work it in. Linen is also notorious for its wrinkles and creases, so don’t expect it to look perfectly pressed for long.

$$$

Aritzia Cashmere Beanie

Cashmere’s splurgey, but Aritzia does a great job of making it accessible (seriously — it’s usually at least 50% cheaper than other brands’ cashmere accessories). Aside from its warmth and softness, the rolled hem style is v, v flattering and it has plenty of room to fit your hair beneath, too.

Pros: Just as soft as luxury brands, it’s obviously fantastic at keeping my noodle warm when the temps dip. Consider this a worthwhile investment in your cold weather wardrobe — it’ll last a lot longer than a cotton toque!

Cons: It pills, so treat yourself to a fabric de-fuzzer (which’ll also help you keep your cozy sweaters in tip-top shape).

$$/$

Jenny Bird Sunglasses

If you’re not already familiar with this jewellery brand, I recommend taking a pause and popping by their site. You’ve likely seen their stuff on the likes of Kylie Jenner, Ashley Graham, and Hailey Bieber — so when they expanded into eyewear, I knew it was gonna be a hit (spoiler: I was right). The frames are surprisingly lightweight, and the neutral colours are designed to match with just about anything in your closet.

Pros: Universally flattering silhouettes, with all the fancy details you’d expect from a cult-fave brand (like gold arms and expertly tinted lenses). They even come with their own puffy sleeve for storage.

Cons: Pricey (but still budget-friendly when compared to designer frames).

$$$

lululemon Belt Bag

A belt bag (or bum bag, fanny pack, sling bag, etc.) is a must-have, IMO. We love a fab handbag, but sometimes slinging a pouch across your bod is just the ticket — as long as it’s got all the features you need! I love the lululemon version because it’s capacious, with plenty of inner pockets to keep my stuff organized. The wide strap is adjustable, so you can switch up how you wear it (around your waist? Across the body? Dealer’s choice!). Thanks to the big buckle, you can unclip yourself quickly when you’re doing a wardrobe change — or just struggling to free yourself from under your winter layers.

Pros: Big enough to fit a phone, wallet, hand sanitizer, and about 3-4 lip balms (plus a whole slew of other itty-bitty essentials).

Cons: None!

$

Skims Soft Lounge Long Slip Dress

Yes, okay, it’s technically “loungewear” but I wore this on NYE this year and didn’t feel underdressed for a second. It looks chic and elegant, but feels ah-amazing on the skin (even if you’re slightly sunburnt, like I was).

Pros: Very, very flattering and always fits perfectly, thanks to its adjustable straps. Since it’s pretty damn fitted, I like that I can hike it up if I’m wearing low-heeled shoes.

Cons: The hardest part is choosing the colour you want! It’s also quite long, so if you’re on the petite side (for reference, I’m 5’3”) you may need to get it hemmed (or pair it with your highest heels, you stunner you).

$$$

437 Swimwear

If you’re in the market for bathing suits that flatter your figure without pinching, pulling, tugging, or squishing, this brand is IT. The fabric is buttery and smooth, and has incredible give so you can move freely without discomfort (and get your tan on in style, bb).

Pros: Sure, they’ve got funkier colours and patterns, but the true heroes here are the pieces from their core collection. I like that the styles are smaller and more risqué than other brands, which means I can get more vitamin D on my skin (and feel pretty dang foxy doing it).

Cons: The tops are unlined, so if you’re shy about your nippies, I’d opt for the darker shades. I’d also not do anything too intense — like beach volleyball or surfing — while rocking these sweet suits, as coverage is minimal.

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