Whether you are anticipating a return to normalcy or you’re ready to face 2022 in much the same way that you conquered 2021, fashion is veering towards the practical, the viable, and, most of all, the comfortable.
But comfort doesn’t mean sacrificing style or luxury.
In fact, it is quite the opposite.
For those of us facing a changed career where we work more at home, or for those of us that just want to simplify things in our fashion decision making, a luxury capsule collection is the way to go to ensure that you remain on the cutting edge of style with minimal effort or planning on your part.
We’ve narrowed 2022’s trends down into ten essential pieces that we think you will want to have as part of your 2022 luxury capsule wardrobe collection, ranging from a bag that can handle everything the day might throw at it to the perfect accessories and outfit for a night out on the town.
Here are our top 10 essentials:
The Jumbo Tote
Who says that you can’t have it all?
With a jumbo tote, you can do just that.
Of course, the iconic Birken bag is the first model that comes to many minds but that’s obviously not the only option out there on the market.
We love jumbo totes because they not only scream luxury and decadence but also they’re hugely practical. For a working woman, you can’t ask for a better bag. This is capable of holding your smartphone, tablet, laptop, and wallet, among other things. While 2020 saw many people working from home for the first time, 2021 might see more of a hybrid approach to work and life meaning a jumbo tote is a perfect tool to help the modern woman jump from one facet of life to the other.
The Blazer
Has the iconic blazer really ever gone out of style? If you answered “no,” then you know what we’re talking about. Women’s blazers are a fashion staple for 2021 simply because they allow you to transition from a professional atmosphere to a casual atmosphere - all without changing your outfit. Another thing we love about blazers is that they are also coming in a variety of styles that can be mixed and matched for a variety of powerful combinations that can set your fashion tone for the season.
From traditional styles to more avant-garde executions, blazers are incorporating a variety of individualistic flares that make them absolutely ideal items in your capsule wardrobe collection. This isn’t your father’s prep school piece and it’s definitely not just for the professionally inclined. Popular color combinations will be blue and gold as well as the traditional black and gold.
Cashmere
Probably one of the oldest luxury fabric types out there, cashmere is coming back in a huge way in 2022.
This is mainly due to the new luxury is comfort trend that we saw emerge during the pandemic of 2020. Although cashmere is often considered luxurious, it is also extremely comfortable hence why it is the material of choice for people looking to have a bit of luxury in class but also maintains some comfort at home or at work.
Another awesome thing about cashmere is that it all comes in at a variety of price points. While before cashmere used to be very expensive to own, today it is much easier to acquire. One issue some people might run into with cashmere that we do have to warn about is maintenance: Unlike some other fabrics out there, cashmere requires some love and attention - especially in the area of storage. If that’s not your kind of thing, you might want to opt for another fabric as uncared for cashmere is not only noticeable, it is often tragic.
Luxurious Athletic Wear
Athletic wear as a segment of the clothing industry enjoyed a boom year in 2020 (following years of prosperity on top of that). As we have discussed in this article, a lot of this has to do with the expansion of what would be called athleisure wear or leisurewear that is cast in the mold of exercise gear. In other words, these are pants more suited for binging Netflix than they are for working out.
Yet they have the potential to be used for that but, more importantly, luxurious athletic wear conveys movement and athleticism without the wearer actually having to do either of those things. When we see someone in athletic wear, we think they are an athlete or, at the very least, someone on-the-go that cares about their health.
The Clutch
Not everyone needs a tote bag, for the rest of us out there, there is the clutch - and that is something we all need. Let’s face it, for the modern working woman, a clutch is often unrealistic. After all, who only needs a few things with them while on the clock? If you’re like most of us, there’s often too little space in even the biggest bags, let alone a clutch. But that’s the magic of a capsule wardrobe collection.
It can adapt to your changing needs as they arise. And when it comes to adding a touch of elegance, as well as taking an outfit from professional to evening formal, a clutch is the preferred way to make this transition.
Plus, unlike the larger bags, clutches have the added benefit of being more accessible in terms of price. You know what that means: You can splurge a little bit and go for something really high-end if you like because, after all, this is your capsule collection and a clutch is a timeless addition to it.
High-Rise and Straight-Legged Jeans
Gone are the days of overly restrictive skinny jeans and other form-fitting nonsense. They just don’t fit in with the new approach to life which demands that we all know how to be flexible and pivot from one scene to another. High-rise and straight-legged jeans used to get a bad rap, but now they’re all the rage and comfort is just one reason why.
A huge motivation behind the sudden sales in these styles of jeans is that women are looking for clothes that not only feel good but are capable of mixing and matching with a variety of clothing styles or genres. If you’re going for a casual look, these styles have you covered but if you’re going for something with a little bit more edge and streetwear flare, they’ve also got you on that point, too. Plus, and best of all for some of us, these styles help play into the trend of the exaggerated proportion that has emerged over the past several years. You know what we’re talking about: The oversized jackets, the abundance of fabric, and an exaggerated silhouette. We have to admit that we never thought we’d be saying this but a style once labeled mom jeans is now anything but that.
Penny Loafers
When it comes to shoes, styles change almost as quickly as the seasons and every woman seems to have her own preferences. While we all know someone a bit shoe crazy, you don’t have to be a shoe maven to appreciate a classic and that’s what we’re going to suggest for your luxury capsule collection. By no means a new addition to the fashion scene, penny loafers, a staple of men’s wardrobes, is also essential for women.
Not only does it help deliver some of that much-needed yin and yang energy that comprises a dynamic outfit but also they are durable as well as complementary to almost any work ensemble. To summarize, we like these shoes because of their mix-and-match styling capabilities as well as their professional and after-work vibe. Current iterations on this staple include bold, golden hardware and mirror polishes in red-brown as well as browns and blacks.
Strappy, Minimalist Sandals
As we admitted above, we understand that shoes are about as idiosyncratic as the wearer so identifying trends that work broadly (read: for everyone) are sometimes harder to pinpoint. But, in addition to penny loafers, we think strappy, minimalist sandals are going to be absolutely huge in 2022. Like many items on this list, they can be comfortable without being overbearing and they can convey casual elegance as well as purpose.
Minimalist strappy sandals aren’t for everyone, however, and they might not provide enough support for your foot depending on how they wear. But if you want to make a statement while also looking like you just stepped off of the runway, these will do the job.
A Silk Slip Dress
A silk slip might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of something you need in your capsule wardrobe but it is not only perfect for the current zeitgeist but also necessary. What would have almost drifted into the category considered lingerie in the past is now an eveningwear staple and we’re all here for it.
Pair this piece with your clutch and minimalist sandals and you have a completed look that evokes classic elegance and old-world sophistication at the same time.
Gold Accessories
Gold never really goes out of style. That said, it is essential for this capsule collection because it adds that necessary bit of pop to your outfit.
From bold gold hoops to serpent linked bracelets, gold is back and in a big way. We advise you to look at your gold jewelry as a way to make a statement. But you don’t have to break the bank to do this. There are many awesome gold accessories out there that are authentic and won’t break the bank but will make you look like you own it.
Leave a comment