Have you ever heard of a capsule wardrobe? If you haven’t, you will want to read this post. Capsule wardrobes help you get by with a smaller and more intentional way of buying and grouping clothes. So, instead of stuffing your closet with a lot of trendy items that will only last you a season, this approach focuses more on how to pick high-quality classic items to keep and build upon.
If you prefer a more modest approach to fashion, building a capsule wardrobe will look a little bit different. Don’t worry, though! The same ideas still apply, and we can walk you through how to build a modest capsule wardrobe that will last for years to come. It’s really about curating classic pieces that will last and make you feel beautiful and modest. So, let’s dive right in and talk more about it!
What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
So, what even is a capsule wardrobe? A capsule wardrobe is a way of having a stylish yet more minimalist wardrobe. It’s when you buy and keep clothing items that can be easily mixed and matched. This might mean finding pieces in neutral or similar colors, pieces that fit well, pieces that can be easily dressed up or down, etc. Capsule wardrobes are about finding your style and then finding ways to reuse pieces over and over with other pieces.
What about a modest capsule wardrobe? Well, you can create a modest wardrobe by simply thinking through your standards. Do you want to cover your shoulders, or wear knee-length items? Once you’ve been able to think through what your standard of modesty is, you can then build out a capsule wardrobe that works for your unique needs. So, how to build a capsule wardrobe? Let’s talk about a few key modest pieces that you need.
Modest Capsule Wardrobe Idea 1: Layering Tees

You can never have too many layering tees in a modest wardrobe. Layering tees are the perfect base piece for a wardrobe that can be mixed and matched. They come in many colors and sleeve lengths. So, you can get these combinations:
- Short sleeve, full-length tee shirt
- Short sleeve, half-length tee shirt
- Full length, camisole-sleeved shirt
We’d suggest starting with 2-3 short sleeve shirts (in half or full length depending on your preference) and 1-2 camisole shirts. Get them in neutral colors such as black, white and natural. The reason you’ll want to start with quite a few is that you can put them under dresses, other shirts, sweaters and even cardigans. The neutral colors will go with most outfits, too. So, if you need to add sleeves, length or coverage to an outfit, you can subtly add a layering tee.
Modest Capsule Wardrobe Idea 2: Neutral Colored Skirts

You can never go wrong when adding a few neutral colored modest skirts in classic styles to your wardrobe. Skirts can be dressed up or down. So, you can wear them to church, work and even out for a fun evening. You can change how they look by wearing a more casual or dressy top as well as accessories, and even by simply changing your shoes.
We’d suggest adding 2-4 skirts that are different styles in neutral shades to your wardrobe like the Morgan Skirt in black and Kaylie Skirt. Both of these skirts can be dressed up or down and will add a bit of flexibility to your closet.
Modest Capsule Wardrobe Idea 3: Cardigans

Who doesn’t love a good cardigan sweater? Cardigans are a great addition to a capsule wardrobe because they can be used to layer. Want to dress up a layering tee? Put a cardigan over the top. Have a dress that doesn’t have quite enough sleeves for your comfort level? Add a cardigan. What about a dress or shirt that maybe has a little too low of a back? A cardigan can really help with that.
While having cardigan sweaters in neutral colors is always a great idea, trying a few patterned cardigans can add some spice to your wardrobe, as well. Pick out 2-3 in solid colors and then 1-2 patterned ones to start. They are such classic pieces that never go out of style, and they can help make less modest outfits more modest, as well. So, having a few on hand can make a big difference in building a modest capsule wardrobe.
Modest Capsule Wardrobe Idea 4: Modest Shorts and Jeans

While shorts and jeans can be less easy to wear to more dressy events, it’s really important to have casual and comfortable bottoms. Modest shorts can be really difficult to find, but we have several styles and washes to help you be ready for summer. So, try having 1-2 pairs of modest shorts on hand to mix and match with blouses and layering tees.
When it comes to jeans, they’re one of the more traditional and casual choices in women’s wardrobes. Try looking for jeans in different washes and styles to see what you like best. Darker washes are generally used in the fall and winter while lighter washes are used more in spring and summer. Unless they have a lot of holes in them, jeans are usually fairly modest. So, having 1-3 pairs in your capsule wardrobe can be really helpful since they pair well with everything from layering tees to sweaters.
So, when it comes to building a modest capsule wardrobe, it’s important to keep in mind what modesty means to you. Once you know that, you can start sorting through your closet and buying items that will better mix and match to give you a modest yet stylish look.
It might seem hard to find stylish yet modest pieces of clothing for your capsule wardrobe, but it doesn't have to be! Be sure to check out our selection of modest clothing here at Sweet Salt. We have everything you need to start building and cultivating your ideal capsule wardrobe.