A 12 Piece 90s Minimalist Winter Capsule Wardrobe.

I currently share all my fall outfits I wear daily, but I also like to discuss winterising our wardrobes.

If you live in an area that doesn’t experience a large drop in temperature and snow, then the fall or early spring capsules are probably more suited to your lifestyle.

But here, the weather tends to shift quickly by the end of October just as we set the clocks back and get less daylight.

This means that I like to make sure that my wardrobe is ready because those longer days bring some drab moods and the motivation isn’t always there.

Over the past few weeks I have been watching a lot of 90s tv shows and movies so my fascination with 90s fashion has been heightened to a higher degree than usual which I didn’t think was possible.

Namely Emily Bradford Taylor from the movie A Perfect Murder. I paid more attention to her wardrobe than the storyline, and what a wardrobe it was.

So this week’s inspiration was borrowed a bit from that movie, some of Kate Moss’s 90s edginess, 90s J.Crew, and the influence of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.

It is like the perfect hybrid.

I felt if I focused too much on the wardrobe of Gwyneth Paltrow’s character Emily then it would have leaned too much into quiet luxury which I didn’t want so I had to play around a bit.

I might actually do a separate post for her recreating outfits because they are that good.

My 12 piece capsule wardrobes are built using 12 items of clothing plus shoes and accessories. The amount of shoes and accessories for each person will vary.

Some people like to alternate between 2-3 pairs of shoes and one or two handbags, while others like a small wardrobe but have a large collection of shoes and bags that they like to swap around for different looks.

The success of having a smaller wardrobe is to focus on what works for you, not what works for others.

What is 90s Minimalism?

90s Minimalism is a style movement that emerged in the 1990s, which was characterized by its simplicity, clean lines, and a focus on high-quality basics.

The pendulum always swings in fashion and trends, and this aesthetic came into being as a reaction to the more extravagant and bold fashion trends of the 1980s.

So instead of bright colours, heavy prints, and maximalist styles, it went in the direction of restraint, functionality, and understated elegance.

It featured shades like black, white, grey, and beige, but why not switch things up and modernize it a bit by also using trendy colours like navy, olive, and chocolate or tobacco?

These colours create a timeless, cohesive look that is easy to mix and match.

But also remember that animal print is a neutral and we loved that in the 90s. Wear it and pair it as a neutral and you can’t go wrong.

Clothing from this era often featured clean, unadorned silhouettes. Think straight-leg jeans, slip dresses, boxy blazers, and oversized coats.

The fit is typically relaxed, focusing on a clean, polished look without unnecessary details.

Next up is high-quality fabrics. In the 90s minimalist aesthetic, the fabric quality is crucial. People focused on luxurious materials like silk, cashmere, wool, and cotton.

The idea was that fewer pieces were needed because each one was well-made and versatile. You can find affordable options by searching secondhand or from retailers like Quince which have great quality basics like cashmere sweaters at realistic pricepoints.

Although the style was relaxed, tailoring and structure were key. Blazers, coats, and trousers were structured yet simple, allowing the clothing to have an effortless, put-together look.

The cuts were precise, enhancing the body’s natural lines without feeling restrictive, but it balanced with the oversized sweaters.

There was a focus on basics. A defining feature of 90s minimalism is the emphasis on basics but we still managed not be basic like you often see today.

Wardrobe staples like white tees, trousers, slip dresses, and turtlenecks became the foundation of many outfits.

These basics allowed for easy layering and versatile combinations, making the wardrobe feel functional but still chic.

Minimal or no accessories was a go-to. This meant that accessories were kept to a bare minimum, if worn at all.

When accessories were used, they were often simple and functional, like a leather belt, sunglasses, or a minimal scarf.

Sunglasses like sunscreen are just as important in winter. Remember that.

Monochromatic outfits were something that many 90s minimalist looks featured, especially in black, grey, or white/cream.

These outfits created a sophisticated and elongated appearance without drawing attention to bold prints or contrasting colours.

If you need inspiration search for influential designers like Calvin Klein, Helmut Lang, and Jil Sander who were pioneers of the 90s minimalist movement.

Their collections focused on wearable, well-tailored clothing that rejected unnecessary embellishments in favour of clean lines and high-quality craftsmanship.

The brand’s style was effortless and often had a slightly edgy, androgynous vibe, which became a defining look of the decade.

So the contrast between the two looks is huge, but we can achieve both even with a very small wardrobe.

By focusing on key pieces that work together, you can create wardrobe that’s both small, versatile, and incredibly functional.

We want every item to serve a purpose, in order to give you endless outfit combinations without the clutter of excess clothing.

It is the simplicity of these pieces that will guide your style all season long.

This post contains affiliate links. By using my links to shop I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks for supporting what I do 

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