When building a capsule wardrobe, I recommend three tops, the bottoms, three layering pieces, and one little black dress or suit. A great place to start or focus is on what bottoms you want.
Yes, the right three bottoms can make or break your outfits.
Whether you choose jeans, trousers, a midi skirt, ponte pants, or a combination of all these, selecting versatile, well-fitting bottoms that align with your lifestyle and body shape is key to creating mix-and-match outfits that make you feel confident and put-together.
Why Bottoms Matter in a Capsule Wardrobe
The bottoms you choose can be the anchor of your outfits. No matter your style, the pieces you choose will either help or hinder you when it comes to pairing your tops, elevated basics, and everything in between. Here is why: when your pants, skirts, jeans, or shorts don’t fit quite right, it shows, and it ultimately impacts how you show up.
A great capsule wardrobe starts with pieces that serve you, not stress you.
So, how do you pick the right three?
Step 1: Choose the Right Type of Bottoms
Start by picking the three silhouettes that best reflect your life and lifestyle. These will look different for everyone:
- Tailored trousers, flare, cropped, or wide-leg dress pants
- Pencil skirt, midi skirt, or slip skirt
- Ponte pants
- High-rise jeans (in dark or medium wash)
- Casual straight-leg pants or Polished shorts for warm climates
There’s no right or wrong answer; it’s about what works for you and your lifestyle.
💡 Tip: Choose at least one to two pieces that feel a little elevated for meetings, networking, or events, and one that works for casual or work-from-home days.
Step 2: Prioritize Fit, Fabric, and Function
This is where a lot of people go wrong. It’s easy to want to be on trend or pick pieces that you think may work, maybe because they are on sale, but those trendy, aspirational pieces may make it more challenging for you to mix and match and wear if they don’t serve you in real life.
Here’s what to look for:
Fit:
- If it’s too tight, you may appear unprofessional and feel uncomfortable, which can make it challenging to present yourself confidently.
- If your clothes are too loose or baggy, it can make you look disheveled, not effortlessly relaxed.
Fabric:
- Choose based on how you actually live. If you love wash-and-wear, opt for quality cottons, knits, or ponte.
- If you don’t mind dry cleaning, tailored wools or crepe can elevate your look.
Quality:
- Look for bottoms that give a clean and polished look and are comfortable. If your bottoms are pilled, stained, or stretched out, you’re not showing up as your best self.
Color:
- You can choose neutral colors that are easy to mix and match, and I encourage you to reach beyond navy, black, and grey. Think about camel, espresso brown, teal, olive, and/or burgundy. All are neutrals that you can still mix and match, but you will also stand out amongst your peers.
Step 3: Build Around the Power of Three
Once you’ve identified your three essential bottoms, you can build a powerful capsule with:
- 3 Tops
- 3 Layers
- 1 Special Piece
This 3+3+3+1 formula makes it easier to create 20, 30, or 40+ outfits that work for every version of your week, from meetings and coffee with friends to weekend plans.
Style Tip of the Week
👖 Don’t shop for the body you used to have, the size you used to be, or the one you’re waiting or working for. Shop for the one you’re living in now.
Taking time to find well-fitting bottoms that fit and flatter your shape, support your confidence, and make your whole wardrobe easier to style is game-changing.
Taking time to find well-fitting bottoms that fit and flatter your shape, support your confidence, and make your whole wardrobe easier to style is game-changing.
Ready to Make Getting Dressed Effortless?
If you’re tired of staring at a closet full of clothes but feeling like you have nothing to wear, I can help.
✨ I’m hosting a free Capsule Wardrobe Webinar where I’ll show you how to build a mix-and-match wardrobe with just 10 pieces, starting with 3 bottoms that actually fit and flatter.
🔗 [Sign up here] and take the guesswork out of your mornings.