Creating a Capsule Wardrobe That’s Not Boring

The idea of a capsule wardrobe has been around for more than 80 years, and probably originated in the United States in the 1940s — a “simpler” time. Back then, women wore frocks and skirts and men wore slacks.

In the 2020s, the capsule wardrobe’s essence is still about simplicity, but it’s also about individuality. You want to simplify your wardrobe without overhauling your closet. You don’t have to sacrifice your personal style, either. 

But don’t worry. We’re not going to tell you to stock up with turtlenecks and pleated pants.

What is a Capsule Wardrobe? 

Today, a capsule wardrobe is still about minimalism, but it’s also about establishing a baseline for your wardrobe — a color palette plus a few core, timeless pieces that you can build around.

As an RSO brand consumer, you are about building a stable wardrobe that matches your style. So, let's use the capsule wardrobe definition to set your essentials, and then we can build on your look with contrasts of color and fire style.  

A capsule wardrobe saves time, money and space in your closet. In fact, when you search for capsule wardrobe tips, you’ll see a lot of “minimalist” content pop up alongside it. 

So, how do you create a wardrobe capsule for Men? Let’s unpack that with these essential tips for designing a capsule wardrobe for summer/spring and winter/fall. 

Capsule Wardrobe Essentials for Men

First, choose your core color palette.

The first rule of a capsule wardrobe is to choose clothing with neutral colors. For Men, this means blacks, blues, beige/tans and whites. These are your core colors that mix and match easily and they complement the contrasts of color that you’ll add later on. 

Vibrant colors come and go in the world of fashion, but neutrals tend to have longer lasting shelf lives. 

Next, get your core wardrobe pieces.

For Men, we recommend these clothing staples:

• 3 to 4 button-down long sleeve shirts — each in a different neutral color
• 2 pairs of Men’s jeans (1 pair for dress and 1 pair for casual)
• 1 pair of dress casual pants
• 2 jackets (1 denim jacket for casual wear, 1 dinner-style jacket)
• 3 to 4 high quality T-shirts and Henley's, each in a variety of neutral colors
• 1 pair of high-quality sneakers for casual wear
• 1 pair of high-quality dress shoes (black or brown)

Keep layering in mind when you build your capsule wardrobe. 

Now, you’re ready to add stand-out color to your capsule outfits.

With the 15 basic pieces of your capsule wardrobe, you’re ready to mix and match your outfits with the dopest style that's all about you. 

Spring & Summer Capsule Wardrobe Tips for Guys

For summer, you’ll want to replace your bottoms for Men’s shorts, especially one or two in denim. Again, we cannot hype up the versatility of denim enough! This is also a good time to add basic tees and a pair of lighter slip-on loafers.

Build on your summer capsule wardrobe by adding a graphic tee. A RSO T-shirt with a dope jacket and designer jeans will keep you on trend every time.

Capsule Wardrobe Tips for Fall and Winter

For fall and winter, add a nice leather jacket (think biker, bomber or racer style) and/or nylon puffer vest to your capsule wardrobe. Consider adding a designer black hoodie to your wardrobe staples.

In the fall, layering is key now more than ever. Refresh your capsule wardrobe by accessorizing with an urban street style hoodie, for example, or with a graphic RSO T-shirt. 

Tying It All Together: Modern Man's Wardrobe

The rules for building a modern capsule wardrobe are the same as they've been for decades. Start by narrowing down your wardrobe from 25 to 50 pieces that work for you. Stick with neutral colors and timeless styles for your essential wardrobe. 

Need some essential outfit inspiration? We got your back. Check out our Men’s Essentials collection, which we constantly update with must-cop pieces that will take your capsule wardrobe to the next level. Get it quickly, because once a style sells out, it's gone for good. The good news is, Rockstar Original adds new styles every day.