Capsule wardrobe outfit formulas
Twelve repeatable templates for casual, work and evening, and why tops × bottoms is the number to watch.
Key points
- Outfits ≈ tops × bottoms when everything mixes.
- Pick three formulas for your week and repeat them.
- Shop for formulas, not for pieces.
An outfit formula is a template, like "knit + trousers + loafers", that you fill from your capsule. A few reliable formulas are what make getting dressed fast.
The maths
If every top works with every bottom, outfits = tops × bottoms. Ten tops and five bottoms make 50 combinations before you add dresses, layers or shoes. That is why palette matters: each piece that doesn't mix removes a whole row of outfits. The builder counts this for you.
Casual
- Tee + jeans + overshirt or light jacket + trainers
- Striped top + chinos or skirt + loafers
- Knit + jeans + boots
- Day dress + denim jacket + trainers
Work
- Shirt + tailored trousers + blazer + loafers
- Fine knit over a collar + trousers + smart flats
- Blouse + skirt + cardigan + ankle boots
- Plain dress + blazer + loafers
Evening and weekends
- Dressier top + dark jeans + the dressier shoe
- Dress + statement accessory + one smart layer
- Sweatshirt + relaxed trousers + trainers
- Linen shirt + shorts or light trousers + sandals (warm months)
Using formulas
- Pick three formulas that suit your week and repeat them; vary the pieces, not the template.
- Write them inside your wardrobe door or in your phone notes.
- When shopping, ask which formula a new piece fills. If none, skip it.
