The French Capsule

A french capsule wardrobe is less a list than a habit: buy a few good things in neutral colors and wear them constantly. The pieces have long histories. The trench coat took its name from the trenches of the First World War. The Breton stripe was French Navy uniform. And in 1956 Repetto made the ballet flats Brigitte Bardot wore in And God Created Woman.

 

The point is that every piece goes with every other piece. You can get dressed in the dark.

 

Here are the five categories I would build it from, with what I look for in each.

The trench is the first piece of any french capsule wardrobe. The Mango Trench Coat with Belt in beige is the classic color with a checked lining, and the Sézane Arnaud Trench Coat in light olive is the French version from a French brand.

 

The Arket Oversized Trench Coat in black is the modern, roomy take, and the Whistles Funnel Neck Trench Coat has a high collar instead of lapels, which looks sharp buttoned up.

 

What I check: the coat should close over a sweater and the sleeves should cover your wrists when your arms are bent. What I would skip: a trench that is too short. It should hit at least at the knee.

Every french capsule wardrobe needs a stripe and a white shirt. The Arket Striped Long Sleeved T Shirt in red stripes is the bolder Breton, and the Eileen Fisher Stripe Crewneck Long Sleeve T Shirt is the softer, easier tee.

 

For shirts, the COS Cutaway Collar Striped Cotton Blend Shirt in blue and white is crisp and slightly oversized, and the St. Agni Reverse Shirt in white is the clean one I would wear under the trench.

 

How I wear it: tucked loosely into straight jeans with the sleeves pushed up. What I would skip: stripes that are printed on instead of knitted in. They fade fast.

The bottom half of a french capsule wardrobe is a straight jean and a black trouser. The COS Facade Straight Leg Jeans in blue are a clean mid wash, and the Loulou de Saison Jude Straight Leg Jeans are a little more tailored, the kind you can wear with a blazer.

 

For the trouser, the Favorite Daughter Favorite Cigarette Pants in black are slim and cropped just above the ankle, and they go from office to dinner, and the Loulou de Saison Alera Silk Straight Leg Pants in black are the evening version, fluid silk that still looks clean with flats.

 

My fitting room test: wear them with flats. If the hem drags on the floor, have them taken up. A french jean usually shows a bit of ankle. What I would skip: very skinny or very wide legs. Straight is what keeps everything working together.

Ballet flats are the shoe of a french capsule wardrobe. The Mango Leather Ballet Flats with Bow in black are the classic, and the Vince Dany Flats in black are a sleek, square toed version.

 

The Madewell Greta Glove Flats are soft enough to fold, and the Favorite Daughter Margot Flats in black have a Mary Jane strap that stays on your foot when you walk fast.

 

What I check: press the sole. Good flats have a little padding and a real rubber heel cap. What I would skip: paper thin soles, which feel cute for a day and hurt for a week.

The last piece of a french capsule wardrobe is a bag big enough for your whole day. The Madewell Lexington Tote in black is the classic shape, and the Cuyana Small Easy Zipper Tote in stone zips shut, which matters on the metro.

 

The St. Agni Carryall Tote in black croc embossed leather is a little dressier, and the Reformation Vittoria Medium Tote Bag in burgundy leather is the one color I would add to all the neutrals.

 

What I check: the straps should sit on your shoulder over a coat. What I would skip: a tote with no inside pocket. You will lose your keys.

I would start with the trench and the straight jean, then the stripe, then the flats and the tote. Five pieces, and every one goes with the others.

 

Keep to beige, navy, black, white and one accent, like burgundy. Then stop shopping and wear them. That is the actual secret.