I Was a Nordstrom Stylist, and This Is My Classic Capsule Wardrobe

The capsule wardrobe is a curated set of beloved staples you can mix and match, and it's a smart way to simplify your closet and make getting dressed easier. While everyone's capsule wardrobe varies based on personal style, it's still intriguing to see how others create and define their capsule wardrobes for inspiration. Jennifer Sattler, a former Nordstrom stylist and the mastermind behind Closet Choreography, has shared her version of the perfect capsule wardrobe in the past and is here today to highlight the items she'd include in a classic capsule wardrobe.

Below, you'll uncover the items Sattler is pulling for her classic capsule wardrobe. These pieces are modern yet timeless. Keep scrolling for visual inspiration on how Sattler wears the items and shopping inspiration to help you mix any of the featured items into your capsule wardrobe.

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(Image credit: Jennifer Sattler)

On Sattler: Veronica Beard blazer

"A navy blazer may be the most iconic classic wardrobe staple of all time." — Sattler

Striped T-Shirt

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(Image credit: Jennifer Sattler)

On Sattler: Amour Vert tee

"Inspired by fashionable French women, a striped top is my favorite summer closest essential." — Sattler

Linen Shorts

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(Image credit: Jennifer Sattler)

On Sattler: Veronica Beard shorts

"Something linen is the calling card for almost every popular coastal-grandmother look. A pair of relaxed or tailored linen shorts serve a multitude of uses in this classic fashion capsule. Style classic linen shorts sporty or back to a blazer for work." — Sattler

Straight-Leg Jeans

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(Image credit: Jennifer Sattler)

On Sattler: Frame jeans

"High-rise tapered jeans are dominating classic denim trends. Take my jean quiz to find the best fit for your body type. Barrel-leg jeans are big right now. If you want to keep with the classics, go for a non-stretch straight-leg style like classic Levi's or celebrity-favorite Parker from Agolde." — Sattler

Bouclé/Tweed Jacket

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(Image credit: Jennifer Sattler)

On Sattler: J.Crew jacket

"A cropped silhouette and dainty details are the signatures of this versatile, lightweight layer. A preppy pop of color looks great with this classic capsule." — Sattler

Striped Dress

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(Image credit: Jennifer Sattler)

On Sattler: Veronica Beard dress

"Make the most of the solid staples you own by adding a neutral-print striped dress." — Sattler

Camp Shirt

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(Image credit: Jennifer Sattler)

On Sattler: Lucky Brand shirt

"This version of the infamous button-down will work on repeat with all the summer outfits in this capsule. A cropped or shrunken silhouette is the most modern." — Sattler

White Jeans

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(Image credit: Jennifer Sattler)

On Sattler: Fidelity jeans

"White jeans are a wardrobe staple. You'll never regret having more than one style that flatters your figure. For this capsule, I'm focused on a beachy wide-leg, cropped silhouette that vibes well with the other shapes and silhouettes on this checklist." — Sattler

Polo Shirt

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(Image credit: Jennifer Sattler)

On Sattler: Banana Republic polo

"A polo shirt paired with linen shorts or white jeans will keep you comfortable and on-trend. There are plenty of polos to pick from right now." — Sattler

Woven Accessories

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(Image credit: Jennifer Sattler)

On Sattler: Bottega Veneta sandals

"You probably snatched up a cool, colorful woven summer bag when you were shopping my resort casual capsule wardrobe. Complete this classic fashion capsule with traditional woven shoes and braided accessories in rich neutrals like brown and cognac." — Sattler

This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Bobby Schuessler
Market Director

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over seven years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retialers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises. He has also worked across a variety of other media brands and fashion retailers like Refinery29, PureWow, Men's Health, and Gilt covering commerce, trend reporting, women's and men's fashion, home, and lifestyle.