Build Your Compact Capsule Wardrobe: Workwear Edition
As we all know, creating our own small workwear capsule closet is often more difficult for us short girls than it is for the average consumer. Whether it’s a complete lack of petite workwear options or confusion about what workwear styles are appropriate for petite frames, petite women seem to face too many obstacles when trying to build their own capsule work closet.
This reality is somewhat sad considering the usefulness of building a capsule work closet.
To provide some background information, “capsule work closet” is a recently coined term that describes a curated collection of clothing designed specifically for a professional or office environment. It consists of versatile, classic and well-coordinated pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of work-appropriate outfits. The goal of a capsule work closet is to simplify the process of dressing for work, reduce decision-making fatigue and ensure that people always have the right clothing for their profession.
The purpose of creating a capsule work closet is to simplify one’s morning routine, reduce clutter in the closet, and ensure that one always looks classy and professional while at work. It’s a strategic approach to workwear that saves time, money, and energy while allowing one to maintain an elegant and put-together appearance in a professional environment.
In this post, we’re going to explore 5 things every petite woman needs to know about creating her own capsule work closet (and watch out for our own petite-friendly styling reviews and tips in the process).
1: Choose a Neutral Color Palette for Your Wardrobe
Neutral tones are often recommended for capsule work closets for several compelling reasons:
Versatility: colors like black, grey, navy, beige, and white can be easily mixed and matched, or paired with bolder accent colors. This versatility allows you to maximize the potential of your closet by creating a variety of outfits from a limited selection of garments.
Timeless: Neutrals are classic and timeless. They will never go out of style, which means the garments in your capsule work closet will remain relevant and stylish for multiple seasons, reducing the need for frequent closet updates.
Professionalism – Neutral colors convey professionalism and sophistication. They are perfect for most workplace environments and dress codes, ensuring that you always look elegant and office appropriate.
Complement of accessories – Neutral clothing provides the perfect canvas to incorporate colorful or personalized accessories such as scarves, belts, shoes and jewelry. These accessories can add a pop of color and personality to your outfit.
In addition to the above benefits of neutral colored work wear, the fact is that petite women can benefit from a number of advantages when adopting neutral colored clothing:
Height illusion – Neutral colors have a visually elongating effect. When worn as a monochromatic garment or as part of an ensemble, they create seamless, unbroken lines from head to toe, giving the illusion of added height.
Clean, streamlined look – Neutral colors provide a clean, streamlined look that can make the overall silhouette appear more elongated. This can help petite people look more proportioned.
Less distracting – Bold or bright colors draw attention to specific parts of the body, which is undesirable for petite people. On the other hand, neutral colors put the focus on the person rather than the clothes.
2: Choose a Versatile Capsule Petite Dress
Versatile dresses are a great addition to a petite capsule closet.
When choosing versatile work dresses, it’s important to once again opt for neutral colors and classic cuts. In addition, petite women in particular need to be careful about choosing clothing designs that can really flatter their figure. Some things to consider include:
A-line silhouettes: A-line petite dresses are perfect for petite us. This is because they create a balanced and proportional look.
Mid-length and mini dresses: mid-length and mini dresses create the illusion of longer legs. This helps balance the body proportions and makes the legs look longer in relation to the torso.
Neckline Considerations – The neckline of a small dress deserves attention. Spoon, square or boat necklines can visually broaden your shoulders and balance your proportions.
Our first petite workwear collection includes the 3/4 sleeve petite mid-length dress. We think it’s the perfect addition to a petite woman’s closet.
3: Invest in a quality, well-fitting petite blazer
Well-fitting petite blazers are a versatile, timeless and confidence-boosting addition to a small capsule work closet. Not only do they enhance your appearance, but they also help you meet professional expectations and make a lasting impression in the workplace.
Additionally, petite women should keep the following points in mind when choosing a blazer for their capsule work closet:
Blazer Length: The length of the blazer is crucial. Petite ladies should consider choosing a blazer that is shorter in length, preferably at or slightly above the hip bone. A longer blazer can overwhelm a shorter frame and make you appear shorter.
Shoulder Fit: Shoulder fit is critical to a well-fitting blazer. Shoulder seams should align with the natural curve of your shoulders. Avoid blazers with wide shoulder pads and oversized designs as they will make you appear wider and shorter.
Single vs. double-breasted: Single-breasted blazers with a single row of buttons are usually better suited for petite women because they create a more stylish and less bulky look than double-breasted blazers, which add extra fabric and weight.
Fabric Weight: Bulky or heavy blazers can add unwanted volume to a silhouette, which can have the effect of swamping or overwhelming a petite figure. Try opting for a medium weight blazer.
Lapels: V-neck or front-lapel blazers can visually elongate the lapels, which can make the upper body appear longer.