Is The Capsule Wardrobe Dead? 9 Fashion Insiders Weigh In On The Beige Debate
By Sarah Macken
In 2026, does the idea of a capsule wardrobe still appeal? We asked the experts …
It’s a funny time for fashion. After years of quiet luxury dominating the aesthetic landscape the tide is (finally) turning. Call it a drive towards personality-driven dressing, or a long-overdue reaction to the homogeneity of our social media feeds, but the look is changing. A recent British Vogue feature sounded the death knell of the capsule wardrobe, saying we’ve reached a state of fatigue with “beige separates, cashmere layers and black trousers” that bear no relation to how we actually want to dress now.
Stylist and pre-loved fashion pioneer Bay Garnett echoed a similar sentiment recently when she discussed how quiet luxury has now become a derogatory term. “It’s a bit like, oh my god, you’re wearing a cashmere sweater and a pair of slacks: what do you want, a medal?” she says.
READ MORE: Stylist Bay Garnett On Pioneering Pre-Loved, Dressing Chloë Sevigny And Movies As Inspiration
View this post on Instagram
Aside from missing the fact that fashion needn’t always be about sanitised luxury – hello, great vintage buys and personality pieces that are wholly ‘you’ – perhaps it’s the prescriptiveness of a capsule wardrobe that lacks any real nuance. What about style as self-expression? The boons of actively seeking out something that is a little ‘off’ as the unique thing that actually ties your look together? As editrix Diana Vreeland famously said: “A little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika. We all need a splash of bad taste – it’s hearty, it’s healthy, it’s physical. I think we could use more of it. No taste is what I’m against.”
In their personal lives, many designers have notably leaned into the idea of a uniform for its ease and practicality. In theory, if a capsule is an extended version of that – assuming it is filled with the right pieces – then, in our time-pressed lives, could it help, more than hinder? Equally, are we so preoccupied with ease that we’re actually foregoing an independent sense of style? On balance, we asked some glossy fashion insiders to share their thoughts.
READ MORE: How To Cope With What-To-Wear-Itis, According To Rebecca Willis
View this post on Instagram
“Capsule wardrobes are a thing for me. I have a substantial wardrobe and – whether it is a deep understanding of myself or sheer laziness I don’t know – but I have a set amount of pieces that are in constant rotation. I love a skirt, slim-fit jeans (my favourite pair has been patched four times now), a denim shirt (they never crease), a navy V-neck knit which was a menswear one that I shrunk and now it fits perfectly and, ideally, a pair of flip-flops, if weather permits. My bags rotate between the labels Venczel and Kalda. I pair all of this with no make-up, as I am hopeless at it, and frazzled hair!” says Isabella Davey, a writer and the former COO of Copenhagen Fashion Week.
“I’m not sure I believe in a capsule wardrobe. More so, I believe in a solid base, adding in pieces along the way that either feel special from travelling or remind me of a significant moment in life,” says Sydney Roark, head of design at By Malene Birger. “One of my favourite pieces that I always come back to are my wedding earrings by Sophie Buhai which give a nice statement to even the simplest of outfits.”
READ MORE: Identikit Fashion? No, Thank You!
View this post on Instagram
“I don’t have a capsule wardrobe. I have an eclectic mix of pieces that feel special to me. I don’t like to restrict or organise things, I like to feel free in my choices. That being said, I think a capsule is a clever way to buy less pieces and to have good quality clothing,” says fashion stylist Rachel Bakewell.
“I don’t really think about capsule wardrobes, not consciously. I tend to dress simply, though. My wardrobe generally consists of vintage Levi’s, plain T-shirts, loafers and lots of coats,” says Nicola Orme, creative director of Queens of Archive.
“A capsule wardrobe doesn’t have to mean basics,” says Bethany Rowntree, the founder of Studio B, a Substack that acts as a contemporary style directory, sharing sourcing secrets, advice and the best small brands to know. Rowntree, who is a self-confessed flamboyant dresser, believes the term ‘capsule’ is truly subjective. “A good capsule wardrobe is about knowing the amazing pieces that work for you, that you can dress up or down, day or night. For me, that’s an oversized pink sparkly dress that I can wear on repeat. I can add big boots and layer it with a long sleeved top for day, or for night I’ll add sparkly heels,” she says.
READ MORE: Do You Dress For Yourself Or Other Women?
View this post on Instagram
“I believe in capsule wardrobes. Especially those practical, hard-wearing pieces that come out year after year,” says Ruth Anna Coss, owner of The Little Wooden Peg. “For the incoming chilly season, my capsule consists of a pair of Blundstone boots, a Babaà oversized knit, and a speckled knit by Poudre Organic. As for jeans, Levi’s are having a moment for me and I always love my Citizens of Humanity styles. The wash and wear on both of these brands is amazing. Lastly, another favourite piece is my much-loved Cawley Studio sheepskin jacket.”
It’s a firm yes for wardrobe capsuling from Linda Juhola and Alexa Dagmar, founders of Almada Label. “A capsule wardrobe makes dressing so much easier, especially when life is busy. Ours revolves around timeless knits, a perfectly tailored coat, great denim, an oversized shirt and a pair of beautifully-made leather boots. When every piece works together, you can dress instinctively – that is real luxury,” they say.
“A capsule should be tailored to match your lifestyle, complement your body shape and be full of colours that make you feel happy and confident,” fashion stylist Jess Colivet believes. It can’t be static, either: our style is always going to evolve, and the pieces you wear all the time need to develop, too. “I think sometimes we are too swayed by influencer trends, or places like Pinterest, where quantity often gets prioritised over quality, and what’s popular takes precedence over something that’s a timeless statement,” she says.
READ MORE: 5 Ways To Wear A Blazer Now That Feel Cool And Current
