SPRING CAPSULE WARDROBE 2023 | 25 KEY NEUTRAL BASICS FOR A MINIMAL WARDROBE

Hello everyone, and welcome back to my channel, or if you are new here, then hello and welcome. My name is Lilly, and today I am filming my 2023 spring capsule wardrobe. I did film this video last year, so I wasn't actually planning on doing one this year as well, but I've had a few messages on Instagram recently asking if I'd do an updated one, so that's what we are filming today. Last year, I kept it really, really minimal, and I was very strict with myself with the amount of pieces I was going to include, but this year I've allowed myself to include a few more bits. It's kind of like an extended capsule wardrobe, if you will. I think, I'm not actually sure how many pieces I've got, but I've probably got around 20 to 25 altogether, including accessories. So I'm going to start off with outerwear, and the first piece, I'm sure you're all expecting, it is, of course, the classic trench coat. This one is fairly new in my wardrobe from COS. It's new season, so you will still be able to get it. I will leave it linked along with everything else, and if anything is old, then I will leave some alternatives linked, and I'll try and leave a couple of options linked for everything so I can cover every budget. But this piece, like I said, is from COS, and I just love it so much. It's the perfect tone beige. The fabric is such nice quality, and it's got quite a lot of structure to it as well, and it's got all the classic trench coat details with the flaps on the shoulder as well, and then at the back, it's got a belt, and it's also quite long and oversized as well, which is my preference when it comes to trench coats, but it doesn't have too many buttons, which I really, really like, and I feel like it gives it a really clean and minimal look. So styling-wise with a trench coat, I feel like it just goes with every single spring outfit. You can really dress it up or dress it down. You can wear it for work or obviously just worn day-to-day casually, and I just feel like it is that number one piece that everyone needs in their spring capsule wardrobe. Next up, we have the oversized blazer, and that's one of the reasons I love spring fashion so much because I feel like it is just blazer season through and through. This one is from Anina Bing. I got this last year, and honestly, I wear it so, so often. This is my go-to date night blazer. I wear it a lot in the winter with leather trousers, but I also love this piece with spring and summer looks too. I feel like this green tone pairs perfectly with blue denim, but also with creams and neutral tones as well, and I really like this one because I feel like it is a little bit of an injection of color into my wardrobe, but it's still a muted green, so it still feels like a neutral. Now, this is definitely more of an investment piece because Anina Bing is at a higher price point, but it is such a good quality blazer. It's 100% wool, but really, really lightweight, and I do feel like when it comes to your capsule wardrobe, it might be worthwhile investing a little bit more into the pieces, just so you know they are going to last in your wardrobe for years to come because, obviously, these are the pieces that you're going to be reaching for on a very regular basis, and I do feel like with the amount of times I have worn this blazer, I am definitely getting my cost per wear. So the next piece I didn't include in last year's capsule wardrobe, but it is an item I have been wearing so much already this year, and I know it's going to be an absolute staple in my spring wardrobe moving forwards. So this is a jacket from Massimo Duty, and it's in that classic boucle wool fabric, very Chanel, Celine-inspired, and it's got the gold button detailing, which I love, and these cute little pockets at the front. This is definitely a feminine-style jacket, so I'd say if your style is a little bit more casual, then you could swap this for a bomber jacket or something like that. I know Zara have some really nice ones in at the minute, but yeah, I'd say just any cropped jacket, and I really like this one because I feel like it's a nice different option to the oversized blazer because it's definitely a slimmer fit, and I feel like they give just a different vibe off overall, so I like having both as an option in my wardrobe. And then the final outerwear piece in my capsule wardrobe is a cardigan. I get so much wear out of cardigans in the spring because I feel like they are such a great layering piece. It's definitely still chilly in the spring months in the UK, so I just love chucking one of these on over the top of any casual outfit. They work really well with basic tops or bodysuits underneath, paired with jeans, or, again, with tailored trousers. You could also wear them over the top of spring dresses, maybe thrown over your shoulders during the day, and then you can pop them on when it gets a little bit chillier in the evening. This one is H&M. I showed it in my last haul, but I've been wearing it nonstop. I love that it's a slightly cropped length because I feel like that makes it really versatile. You can also wear it buttoned up with nothing underneath, or, like I said, you can wear it as a layering piece, too. Moving on to tops, and the first piece is the classic white T-shirt. I actually have two here. One is a true white, and one is like an off-white creamy tone. Both are from COS, and they are both the same style. I love COS T-shirts. They are definitely my favorite at the minute. They're like a really nice, smooth, heavyweight cotton, and they're also not too long, so they're really easy to tuck in to jeans and trousers. I would say that these come up a little bit smaller, so I size up in mine to a medium. I do also have one in a small as well, and that fits fine, too. But yeah, I just love these T-shirts so, so much. They wash really well, and because they are such nice quality, I feel like they can be easily dressed up, so work for the office as well. And yeah, I just feel like it goes without saying that a classic white T-shirt is an essential in any wardrobe. Another absolute classic is a white shirt. I personally opt for cotton shirts most of the time in spring, and then as we get to late spring and into summer, I switch out for a white linen shirt. But I just think for early spring, the cotton is a little bit thicker, and I feel like it's a little bit easier to dress up as well. So this one is from Arquette. You will have seen this on my channel before if you've watched my videos before, but it's a very classic style, and then it has these slightly wider sleeves, which I love, and I feel like it gives it a little bit more of a modern feel. Now this, obviously, you can wear with your tailored trousers, or I also love a shirt like this worn open over the top of a racerback vest with your jeans. I feel like that gives a slightly more elevated look to a very basic outfit. Obviously, you can't wear this to work. Such a workwear staple. And yeah, I just feel like it's a really handy one to have again. I'm sure everyone already has one of these in their wardrobe, but if not, I love this one from Arquette. And then next up, we have a lightweight knit. I love this striped one from Arquette because I feel like it adds a little bit of pattern into my very minimal and neutral color palette. This is a cream and navy stripe, and it's 100% cotton, so really lightweight. And I feel like it is the perfect amount of oversized so that you can tuck it in or wear it untucked if you'd prefer. I love this button detail on the sleeves, just that little extra design detail. And I always say, but I love navy so much. This is the only navy piece I have on the rail because I feel like with a capsule wardrobe, it's best to keep it super neutral. But if I was going to add a few more pieces, then I probably would dot in a few navy pieces here and there, like maybe some navy trousers. I do have a really good pair from H&M, so I will leave those linked too. But yeah, I think this works really well with the beige tones on the rail. And in a similar way to the cardigan, I also love a knit like this worn over the shoulders. I feel like it just adds a really chic element to the look and also makes a great layering piece. And then the next category is basic tops. And I have a few styles that I am loving at the minute to show you. I think it's worthwhile having a few different colors of these. So I have a black racerback top from Abercrombie, a t-shirt bodysuit, again, from Abercrombie. This is such a soft fabric. I've spoken about it before, but it is double layered and just so, so comfortable. And then I also love skims for basics as well. So this is just like a sleeveless bodysuit. I really like the color of this one as well, because it's kind of like a grazy, slightly greenish brownish color. Hard to explain, but I feel like it works really well with other pieces in my wardrobe. And again, I just find skims bodysuits to be really comfortable. But again, I think a basic bodysuit or like top like these just works so well as the base layer to your outfit. They are so easy to style and they're perfect underneath like blazers or like a crop jacket. And if you can get a few different styles in a few different colors, then you should be good to go for lots of different spring looks. And then the final category of tops are like the nice tops. These are what I reach for in the evening for like nights out or date night, or even just like for a slightly dressier lunch. So this one is from H&M. It's the exact same style as the one I'm wearing today. I reach for these so often. I just absolutely love the sweetheart style and the little cap sleeves. They have brought out a really, really similar version of the black one this year. So I will leave that one linked below. But I think any kind of like knitted top, maybe with a sweetheart neckline or a square neckline works in the same way. And I feel like you'll find a top like this will be something you'll reach for time and time again. And then I also have a silk shirt. This one is from Totem. It's a new piece in my wardrobe. If you watch my last haul, you will have seen it. But I love this. I love the tone of beige. I feel like it works with everything else in my wardrobe. You can easily dress this down with a pair of jeans, or you can dress it up with some tailored trousers and heels. Again, I'd wear this open over the top of a basic top. You don't have to go for a silk piece. I will leave some satin options linked too, or somewhere like LilySilk. They do really nice silk pieces at a slightly more affordable price point. But I really like the color on this one. It's kind of like a more pajama style shirt. And I like wearing shirts like this, like unbuttoned slightly with a nice bralette underneath, like maybe one of my Skims bralettes. I feel like that is a really nice, like slightly more relaxed, casual date night look. And then I would also personally include a midi or like a mid-axy dress like this one in my capsule wardrobe. This is from Pretty Lavish. And it's a new in style and it's so pretty. And I think it comes in a couple of different colors, but of course I opted for this really nice, like nude-y beige tone. I love the ribbed detailing on this one. They do also have a higher neck, like racerback version, which is gorgeous as well. And I have that one in the green, but I really like the V-neck too. This is one of those dresses that is quite form-fitting and then it flows out at the bottom. And I just find that to be such a flattering style, especially if you're petite, because it doesn't like cut you off in like any weird place. It's really like elongating and looks really nice just worn simply with a pair of strappy heels. You could pop the blazer over the top. I feel like these two tones work so nicely together. Or if you want to go for a really dressy look, then the Massimo Duty jacket or like any kind of cropped boucle jacket would work really nicely too. And then moving on to bottoms. And the first piece is a pair of classic blue denim jeans. And I have loads of blue denim in my wardrobe, but I reach for these ones from Zara a lot. They are a mom jean style and they're kind of like a light to mid wash. So perfect for this time of year. And I've had these a good few years, but they bring this style back every single season. So I will leave this year's version linked below, but obviously a pair of jeans just goes so far in your wardrobe. And I feel like they are just the easiest thing to style. They work with every single top and every single jacket on the rail. I went for an ankle length pair because I feel like they work with a lot of different styles of footwear too. So I'll wear these with like ballet flats and loafers. I also wear them dressed up with heels or with like a heeled mule or something like that. And they definitely work with like a trainer or like a flat like pump as well. And then I also wanted to include a pair of cream jeans in this year's capsule wardrobe. These ones are Abercrombie. These are probably my all time favorite style of jeans. I was going to include my blue pair as well, but I thought I'd go for the Zara mom jeans just for a bit of variety. But they are the 90s straight ultra high rise from Abercrombie. These ones are obviously a straight leg and they're a little bit longer in length. So for me, they cut off at that perfect point on my foot so that they work with trainers for like a really relaxed kind of slouchy feel. Or I also wear them with heels and with like flat sandals. And I feel like a pair of cream jeans is another great essential for your wardrobe. They look so nice with like all neutral looks or paired with tan accessories. Again, they work so nicely. And I feel like it's nice to have a lighter option for trousers in your spring wardrobe. And personally, I feel like at this time of year, cream jeans are slightly more practical than like cream trousers would be. And then if you know my style, you'll know I absolutely love a tailoring look. And there are two styles of trousers, which I would say are integral to my wardrobe. The first is like a relaxed, slightly wider leg pair of trousers. These ones are from Arquette. I have them in three colors now. They recently brought them out in a lighter beige for spring. So I added them to my basket straight away. These work really well with casual looks and also dressed up too. So I love them with a chunkier trainer for day-to-day and then with a strappy heeled sandal for the evening. I pair them with like a white t-shirt or with a shirt, any of the tops really. And then for the evening, I'd go for a bodysuit or something like that. And then the second style of trouser is an ankle length trouser. These again are like a really relaxed slouchy feel. They're from H&M. I feel like you'll be sick of me banging on about these now, but I've had them since last year and they recently brought them out again for this year. So I will leave these links. These are the black linen blend ones. So whilst I wouldn't say like black is necessarily a spring color because they are lightweight and that linen fabric, I feel like they work really well. They are such a timeless pair of trousers. Again, so, so easy to style. A really, really great fit and really affordable as well. And then the final piece of clothing I would include in my spring capsule wardrobe is a midi or a maxi skirt. Last year, I went for a satin midi, but this time I'm gonna go for this knitted cream skirt that I recently picked up from Massimo Duty. And I absolutely love the texture of this one. And because I'm someone that wears a lot of neutral tones, if you couldn't already tell, I like to inject a little bit of texture into my wardrobe just to give a little bit of interest. This kind of almost feels like a towel or like a toweling dressing gown or something like that, but it looks really, really chic. It's very classic. Just a midi with, I think it's got, yeah, it's got a slit up one leg. It flows out really nicely. And I just felt like it fits me really, really well. Massimo Duty is always a great place for basics and capsule wardrobe pieces because they are such good quality. Now this, I would style with a racerback vest or with a bodysuit. I'd wear it with a T-shirt and either with some flat sandals or some keeled mules. You could also potentially dress it up with some strappier sandals for the evening. And it's a really great one to take you into a summer as well, with it being that really lightweight kind of like crochet look knit, even though it's not. And I just feel like it is such a nice design. And yeah, I really, really like this one. So I feel like a midi skirt is another really great versatile piece to have in your spring wardrobe. Okay, so moving on to some shoes and accessories. I'm one of those people that really likes to match their shoes and their bag. So I thought I would show you the bag and then the matching pair of shoes alongside it. So this bag is from D'Amelio London. I've spoken about this so much on my channel, but I love this style. I feel like it's really unique with the like winged bits at the side. I love that like gold clasp in the middle. It's just such a chic bag. I wear it a lot and it just fits everything I could possibly need for every day. Yeah, I love it. So would definitely recommend and it is such gorgeous quality leather as well. And then for a black pair of shoes, I love either a loafer or a ballet pump in the spring. Ballet pumps are massive this season, but if you don't like them, then I definitely say a loafer works in exactly the same way and I'll leave the ones I have linked below. These are my ballet pumps from Prada. I got these at Vista Village recently. They're very classic. They've just got the minimal branding here. And then I really like the patent toe and the little bow detail. But these are just so easy to wear with jeans and trousers. I didn't even really need to break these in. They were just really comfortable from the get-go. And again, I thought these would be a really good work option. Next up, we have my tan accessories. You guys know how much I love tan in spring and summer. I just love the warmth that it brings to an outfit. And I feel like paired with black or with beige or with green, any of the neutral colors really, I just feel like tan accessories worked so perfectly. So this bag is Arquette. It is a new piece in my wardrobe and I've already been wearing it a lot. Again, it's a perfect everyday size. It'd be a really good one to take from day to night as well. And I really love the minimal design and it does also come with a crossbody strap too, which is really handy. And then the shoes are these ones. These are new in my wardrobe from Zara, but I've had the flat version of these for many, many years now. They bring this design back every single year, but I believe this is the first time they've done a heeled version. For me, this is just the perfect heel height for like day to day. I'd wear this to like a lunch. Again, it'd be great to take you from day to night. They are leather. So yeah, I really, really like these. And I feel like a mule and especially with a block heel just works really well with loads of different spring looks. And then next up, we have my evening shoe and bag combination. This bag is from The Curated. And again, this is a new piece in my wardrobe. And honestly, I feel like this was the piece that was missing from my evening wardrobe. I love it so much. And I feel like this is the perfect tone of cream and I love the gold accents. And it also sits perfectly under your arm. And again, it's a really great size to go from day to night. And the leather is gorgeous, gorgeous quality. And then I also think a pair of strappy heels are really essential to have in your spring summer wardrobe. And these ones admittedly aren't the best quality ever. They were really affordable from Zara last year. But yeah, I do get quite a lot of wear out of them to be fair, because I just feel like the cream goes with everything. And I really like the square toe. And I have just recently got a new pair of heels, which I am saving to show you in next week's haul. But I think they will end up replacing these ones as my go-to evening heel. So those were all the bags I would include in my spring capsule wardrobe. But I do just have a couple more pairs of footwear to show you. First up, of course, is the classic trainer. These are the New Balance 530s. I recently picked some up in this neutral colorway. And I really like that it's got beige tones and also gray tones on there, because then I can wear them with like cooler toned outfits and also with warmer tones as well. And I find these to be really, really comfortable. And I personally prefer a chunkier trainer, especially with like wide leg trousers, like the Arquette ones. They also work really well with the Abercrombie jeans. And yeah, they're just like a no brainer really. Great for every day. And I get so much wear out of them. And then an optional extra is a pair of flat sandals. And I feel like these are more of a summer capsule wardrobe staple, but I do wear them in spring as well because I just love a flat sandal. So whenever it is warm enough to get my toes out, they will be out. These ones are my Chloe sandals. These aren't the comfiest things in the world, if I am honest. I do think I might try and get a new pair of like cream leather sandals to replace these. But I do find that they go with a lot in my wardrobe. So I do reach for them quite often in spring and summer. And I've had them a few years now and they're still in really, really great condition. So I'd say they are quite durable. And again, they just go with a lot of different things. So I'd wear them with jeans, with like the ankle length trousers, especially because they've got that like black accent on them, they work really well. But I also think with a midi dress or with the midi skirt, these would work. And they work with a few of my different bag options as well. And then of course, I couldn't do a capsule wardrobe without mentioning my beloved Saleen belts. And I have the tan one and also the black one, which I am wearing today. The tan one is in the small size, which I love because I feel like it works really well over the top of blazers and like midi dresses to cinch them in. And I mostly reach for this one in summer. So I'm glad I went for the smaller size in the tan. And then this one is the classic like medium size, which I think works perfectly with trousers and jeans. Now I wear a belt pretty much every single day. I just feel like they finish off an outfit so well. And if you're wearing like a really monotone look and you want to break it up, then I feel like adding a belt is perfect for that as well. Also, if you're wearing baby black shoes, but you don't have any other like black in your look, then adding the belt just gives that really nice like balance to your outfit and yeah, just finishes it off perfectly. I will also leave some more affordable options to the Saleen belts. I know Ralph Lauren do really nice, affordable, good quality leather belts. So yeah, I'll leave a couple of options linked below. And then the final piece in my spring capsule wardrobe is a pair of sunglasses. These ones are from Saint Laurent and they are a perfect cat eye shape. They've just got the YSL logo on the side, but I just felt like these are a pair of sunglasses that suit absolutely everyone. I love them with your hair down, but also they look really nice when your hair's like scraped back in a bun. And they just go with so many outfits and I feel like they are the perfect year round pair of sunglasses. And I do feel like a pair of sunglasses really finishes off my look, especially when I'm shooting content. I am never without a pair of sunglasses. So yeah, I just wanted to give those a mention as well. And that concludes my 2023 spring capsule wardrobe. Good timing because you might be able to see the sun is starting to creep in behind me. So yeah, a good time to finish. And I've really enjoyed filming this on a nice bright and sunny day. I'm getting very excited for the warmer weather now. And yeah, hopefully that has given you some inspiration for the season ahead. If you did watch last year's version, then I hope it wasn't too repetitive, but obviously my wardrobe staples do pretty much stay the same year on year. But yeah, I thought I would show you some updated pieces in my wardrobe for this year. So hopefully you did enjoy. But yeah, thank you so, so much for watching. Please do subscribe to my channel and give this video a thumbs up if you did enjoy it. And hopefully I will see you for my next video. Bye.