Plus Size Capsule Wardrobe | Your Guide to Plus Size Fall Fashion

This post is all about Plus Size Capsule Wardrobe. 

I’m not sure about you but figuring out what to wear can be so challenging! To simplify your life, try using a capsule wardrobe! In this post, I’m sharing my perfect Plus Size Capsule Wardrobe. 

What is a Capsule Wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is a set of interchangeable clothing pieces that generally compliment each other. Sometimes they are set up with a specific number of items, or they can be set up as a set of basics that you base your outfits off of. The number of items depends on the person and how much variety a person needs. 

How To Choose The Number of Items for Your Capsule Wardrobe

Choosing how many pieces are in your capsule wardrobe is a very personal decision. The capsule wardrobe highlighted in this post is a pretty standard capsule wardrobe compared to many I’ve seen online. I personally tend to be right in the middle of the minimalist vs maximalist ideas in my closet so I ended up with around 40 items.

Your capsule wardrobe could include many more items or many less, it’s all up to you!  And be sure to take advantage of Amazon’s Try Before You Buy program. Amazon has thousand of clothing options you can have shipped to your house to try-on for seven days and you don’t pay for them unless you decide to keep them. If you send everything back, you never get charged! I highly recommend you give it a try with any pieces that offer it, especially if you’re not sure what size would fit you best.

Items You Should Have in Your Plus Size Capsule Wardrobe 

As I mentioned above, a capsule wardrobe is meant to fit your life! For some of you, you’ll need lots more workwear options and others might need even less “professional” style clothing. I did not include loungewear or athletic wear but that might be something you’d like to include. Make sure to customize your capsule wardrobe to fit your life! 

Tops

• White button down
• Black Tank
• Floral Blouse (size up with this one from ON), Similar Option
• Dressier Top
• Cream Sweater, Similar
• V-Neck Sweater, Similar, Similar
• Long Sleeve Tee
• Quarter-Zip Sweater, Similar
• Sweater tank, Similar
• Cozy cardigan
• Brown Sweater

Pants

• Straight Ankle Jeans
• Tan Canvas Pants
• Black Skinny Jeans
• Patterned Work Pants
• Dark Wash Straight Jeans
• Brown Sweater Pants

Dresses

• Long Sleeve Tiered Dress
• Cowl-neck Sweater Dress
• Silk Maxi Dress

Jackets

• Jean Jacket, Similar
• Trench, Similar, Similar
• Camel Double Breasted Coat, Similar
• Quilted Jacket (this jacket is thicker than it looks – more like a winter jacket!), Similar, Thinner Option

Shoes

• Brown Boots, Similar
• Birkenstock Clogs
• White Sneakers
• Black Boots
• Black and White Flats

Accessories

• Sheertex Tights
• Belt Bag
• Leather Crossbody
• Crossbody Strap
• Gold Hoops
• Hair Claw Clip
• Sunglasses
• Socks
• Leather Headbands

Plus Size Capsule Wardrobe Checklist + Outfit Ideas 

I created a Plus Size Capsule Wardrobe Checklist and Outfit Ideas PDF to make shopping and putting together outfits easier. Sign up here to download. Be sure to print this and keep in your closet for easy outfit planning. 

Benefits of a Capsule Wardrobe

There are several benefits to a capsule wardrobe. 

Simplicity in Getting Dresses 

The first benefit is the simplicity and ease in getting dressed. With a set number of items that go together, you can easily choose pieces and know they will fit together. 

Save Money 

Another benefit is saving money. Because you have a set of great basics, you won’t find yourself buying additional items throughout the season because your capsule wardrobe is so versatile. 

More Sustainable 

Having a capsule wardrobe is also more sustainable, especially if you invest in pieces you truly love. You’ll be able to wear these pieces for years to come and still feel like you have lots of variety in your clothing. 

Never again having to buy a one-off item from stores’ meager plus size selection. 

Utilizing a capsule wardrobe means you’ve planned for any event that might come up in the future at an unexpected time. So whether you get a short-notice job interview or need to attend a funeral, you’ll be prepared and not be stuck wearing the one black dress Target has in your size. 

Choosing Quality Pieces for Your Capsule Wardrobe

It’s important to choose quality pieces for your capsule wardrobe if you can! I have a mix of items from a variety of places included in this post but if you see an item you know you’ll definitely wear a ton, its best to invest so you can wear it for years to come! 

How to Start Building Your Capsule Wardrobe 

A Note About Changing Sizes 

If you’ve changed sizes in the last year I want to remind you of the importance of buying clothes that fit you right now. It can be challenging to feel like items from last year don’t fit but I encourage you to push them to the back of your closet and think critically about the items you need most.

What to Start With

If you don’t have a pair of jeans or pants, a top you feel good in, a coat or jacket, and a pair of shoes that are comfortable, start there to make sure you are set up with at least one outfit you feel great in! You don’t have to choose expensive items either. Shop the sale sections of Old Navy, Target or Walmart to get what you need. Remember, you are absolutely worth finding items that make you feel good. 

Take Stock Of What You Have 

It’s always best to take a look at what you have before you begin your capsule wardrobe. If you already have some jeans you love, start your capsule wardrobe with those jeans. You can also look through your spring and summer items to see if theres anything you can transition into fall. A cute dress can be brought into fall with adding a sweater on top and some tights. Think creatively about what you can use in your closet to get you started. 

Make a List Of What You Need 

After you have a list of items that you already have, make another list of missing pieces. If you have lots of fun pants but not a lot of basic tops to go with them, start thinking about colors that would match the most items. Next, think about the other items you might want to pair, like jackets or shoes. Consider finding neutral options here that will match lots of outfits.

All About Accessories

As a plus size woman, this is often the most fun because there are the most options. Don’t run out and buy everything you need, keep a list on your phone of things that would go (ex. Dark green earrings or a pendant gold necklace.) Consider shopping small businesses for these pieces and collecting them over time. 

The Do’s & Don’ts of a Plus Size Capsule Wardrobe 

Do’s

• Buy things in your size right now 
• Shop your closet first 
• Thing creatively about how you can pair things 
• Take your time shopping for accessories  
• Shop the sale section when you can 
• Choose colors that you love and match the majority of your items 

Don’ts

• Squeeze into things from last year 
• Buy things that are trendy if you don’t like them 
• Buy or keep items you don’t feel comfortable in 

More inspiration…

• Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses From Amazon
• Spring Wedding Guest Dresses
• Plus Size Formal Wedding Guest Dresses

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