How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe With 2024's Biggest Trends
As regular readers of Who What Wear UK will know by now, we pride ourselves on our ability to search through the runways and street style to bring you the most relevant trends for the season ahead, but none more so than when it comes to helping you build a hardworking wardrobe with pieces that will stand the test of time. Whilst buzzy new trends come and go, we will always advocate for the kind of clever shopping that allows you to buy less and wear more, and looking to our sources for tips on what to wear in 2024 and beyond, we were not disappointed with the results.
Last year was a great year for building timeless looks, and so chances are you already own some of the year's heavy hitters, like the boxy blazer, the perfect white tee and the crossbody bag. But if you're looking to build on those this year, you've come to the right place. We've put together a list of versatile basics that we spotted on the runways that manage to build a capsule all of their own, and if you add these to what we've already picked up over the past 12 months, you're onto a winner.
Keep scrolling to see the eight pieces that are already being spotted everywhere for 2024, and beyond. Who knew it would be so easy to re-create 2024's biggest trends with less than 8 items?
2024 Capsule Wardrobe Pieces:
1. Mid-Heel Sandals
Style Notes: One of the more subtle shoe trends of 2024, the mid-heel shoe continues to strike the perfect balance between dressy and comfortable. Everything from low-heeled ankle boots to summery sandals are on our wish lists this year, and what better shoes to invest in than ones you can wear time and again without the need for blister plasters?
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Decisions, decisions… these also come in brown, beige, suede and green.
2. Fifty Shades of Brown
Style Notes: You'd have to be living under a rock to not notice that beige has been a huge colour trend over the last few years and while it's not going anywhere anytime soon, it has had a grown-up glow up for 2024 in the form of a whole host of new shades. Elegant, classic and timeless, cocoa browns and earthy tans are the perfect way to add luxurious edge to an otherwise monochrome capsule.
Shop Brown:
The quality of the fabric and cut of this dress make it a wise investment.
3. Loose-Leg Jeans
Style Notes: If 2021 saw the return of the skinny, and 2022 was all about the straight-leg, this year continues 2023's baggy jean adoration. Although the runways tried to convince us that we'd all be wearing low-slung jeans, we prefer something a little more wearable, and the looser wide-leg style is right up our street. This roomier, more casual fit is perfect to pair with a tank top or tee in summer and cashmere knits in autumn.
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This pair is flying.
The white wash really takes these up a notch.
4. Oxford Shirt
Style Notes: Thanks to pared-back brands like The Row, Khaite and Jil Sander, we're still turning to Oxford shirts over jersey for an easy layering piece that always looks polished. Take tips from fellow stylish stars like Katie Holmes, Jennifer Lawrence and of course, the Olsen twins by wearing an oversized shirt with with jeans and simple strappy sandals.
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This colour is so delicious, and would pair perfectly with so many pieces.
You can't beat Marks and Spencer quality at a bargain price.
5. Midaxi Skirt
Style Notes: Sorry, miniskirts; we've made up our minds and there's much more longevity in the midi and maxi than the micro hem. Which other skirt dresses up and down as easily as a longer, elegant slip or A-line? All you need is a change of shoes for two entirely different outfits in one, and that makes the long skirt well worth its cost per wear.
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6. Minimalist Tote
Style Notes: If there's one bag that is guaranteed to do it all, it's a roomy tote, and we keep spotting minimalist styles on the arms of Instagram's best dressed. Logomania had its moment and bold, statement bags are great for bringing a look to life, but if you're looking for an investment bag to spend a little more on for a lot more wear, an understated tote will only go up in value (and I can get behind any bag that fits a laptop inside).
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Leather makes everything look so luxurious.
Our editors are convinced that DeMellier makes some of the best bags around.
7. Wide-Leg Trousers
Style Notes: Back for another year (as if they ever left), the tailored, wide-leg trouser continues to be team Who What Wear UK's favourite silhouette to flatter every shape and size. Celebs and influencers are still wearing "puddle pants" (a trouser long enough to gather around the ankle) but if that feels like too much fabric, a kick-flare cut or linen fabrication will give the same effect without overwhelming your frame.
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8. Simple Midi Dress
Style Notes: Just like the midaxi skirt, there's only one dress trend worth committing to this season. The versatile midi dress came into its own with knee-high boots for autumn, but its equally as chic with flat sandals for summer weekends. Pure, polished perfection.
Shop Midi Dresses:
This piece was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Remy Farrell is a London-based shopping editor with nearly 10 years of editorial experience covering fashion, beauty and lifestyle. After graduating with a journalism degree and working on the editorial and fashion teams for titles such as Grazia, Elle, Cosmopolitan and British Vogue, she moved into the luxury e-commerce sector, working as fashion assistant at TheOutnet.com styling for the social media channels and helping to develop the collections for the in-house brand Iris & Ink. After expanding an assisting and styling portfolio that includes shooting talent such as Gigi Hadid, Victoria Beckham and Miquita Oliver, she also branched out into beauty, creating tried-and-tested reviews and diverse beauty content.In her role as shopping editor at Who What Wear, Remy is interested in discovering new and exciting brands to share with the Who What Wear readership and particularly loves uncovering hidden gems at affordable prices to make shopping accessible to everyone.Born and raised in Sheffield, Yorkshire, Remy moved to London in 2014 and lives in the Docklands with her partner and pug Billie.