capsule wardrobe

noun

plural capsule wardrobes

: a selection of clothing items that can be styled in a variety of configurations for many occasions thereby reducing the number of items needed overall

Crafting a well-rounded fall capsule wardrobe often begins from the ground up …

—Laura Jackson

… Together, the two have created a capsule wardrobe featuring timeless garments, with a touch of modernity added through accessorizing or less classic pieces.

—Olivia Batoul

Examples of capsule wardrobe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Stylists always tell me that a crisp long-sleeve button-up top is a capsule wardrobe essential — and my mom agrees. — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 28 June 2026

No summer capsule wardrobe is complete without a crisp linen top. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026

For anyone building a capsule wardrobe, packing for travel or shopping more sustainably, reversible clothing offers one piece that does the work of several. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026

As capsule wardrobes, cost per wear and sustainable shopping all gain ground, the appeal of one garment that works two ways suddenly makes a lot of sense. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026

My vacation capsule wardrobe for Italy this August is complete. — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 24 June 2026

Button-down shirts are timeless capsule wardrobe staples that can be styled countless ways for summer. — Ariel Bielsky, InStyle, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for capsule wardrobe

• bathrobe
• earlobe
• microbe
• globe
• jobe
• lobe
• probe
• robe
• strobe
• microprobe