Men’s Capsule Wardrobe: 12 Pieces, 30+ Looks
A lighter closet; an easier life. Each piece plays multiple roles, and every new addition expands the range instead of the clutter.
The 12 pieces
Tops: - White OCBD or poplin shirt - Light blue shirt - Navy tee - Heather gray tee
Layers: - Navy lightweight jacket or overshirt - Charcoal merino crewneck
Bottoms: - Dark-wash denim - Slim charcoal chinos
Footwear: - White low-top sneakers - Brown leather loafers or derbies
Accessories: - Brown leather belt - Minimal watch (silver or black)
Outfit formulas
- Smart-casual: light blue shirt + charcoal chinos + brown loafers + belt
- Off-duty: navy tee + dark denim + white sneakers
- Transitional: white shirt + merino crewneck + chinos + loafers
Color map
Neutrals: navy, charcoal, gray, white, dark indigo. Accents: tan belt, brown leather, subtle watch strap color.
Extend with AI suggestions
Show us your current 12 (or partial set). The AI fills gaps with compatible layers (e.g., navy overshirt) or footwear (e.g., suede loafers) to unlock combos you don't yet have.
Care and maintenance
- Keep denim dark by washing cold and inside-out
- Use cedar shoe trees
- Steam shirts to extend time between washes
Related reads
- Smart casual rules: smart-casual-for-work
- Layering guide: layering-like-a-stylist
- Accessory basics: accessorizing-101-belts-watches-jewelry
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