Why a tonal capsule wardrobe?
We are surrounded by color all day. Decades ago bright and interesting colors used to be exciting. Now they are often just tiring. This has led to the tonal wardrobe, especially here in Europe. Based on neutrals, usually earth tones, the tonal capsule wardrobe is the simplest way to look put together and intentional in our outfits.
Here’s my try-on of a mini tonal capsule. So simple to put together. Most of the items you’ll already have at hand.
Pants and trousers
Most tonal capsule wardrobes start with cream as a base. Then add shades from pure white through to beige and even brown depending on the season and clothes you already own.
This Spring I bought a pair of M&S tapered carrot-top cropped pants in dark beige. I recognized them as being on trend this year so I wanted to try them on. Frankly, I didn’t think I’d like them. In fact, I loved them! Elasticated waist, generous on the upper leg but no flappy fabric around my ankles, thickish cotton and heaven-be-praised they come in very short. After the very first wearing I went straight back to the store and bought the same style in cream.
Those purchases form the start of my mini Spring tonal capsule wardrobe this year.
Then I looked through the white, off-white, ivory and beige pants in my closet to find some wide pants that would make a slightly different silhouette from the rounded look of the new trousers. I chose some pure white straight pants that came to my shoes.
Then I turned my attention to toning tops.
Tops and layers
I’d purchased a cute little buttoned top, also M&S, in cream. I’d wanted something pretty and feminine for a birthday party on a sunny day. It has sweet buttons in the form of flower petals down the front.
My other main purchase this season was a collared cardigan in ecru (off-white) from Sezane. This French-based store makes beautifully crafted clothes that suit all ages. If you haven’t noticed them yet follow the link below and take a look.
I have two white linen tops (originally from Boden) I wear on repeat every summer: one is sleeveless and ideal for tucking in as an underlayer without causing too much thickness – I have enough of that already! The other is slightly longer and has short sleeves so I often wear it as the only top layer when the weather heats up a bit. Ideal as layers to give a good contrast against my neck and face for this tonal capsule wardrobe
A few years ago I bought an unstructured very relaxed linen jacket in ivory. It’s been washed – and annoyingly ironed! – several times but still looks fine for a very informal outfit. So it has become my top layer that can go over any of the other tops when I need pockets.
The finishing touches
A tonal capsule wardrobe all comes together when we add accessories and footwear.
The weather has been erratic so far this Spring – from cold and stormy to sunny and warm. So I needed three pairs of shoes that would tone with the outfits. I bought some inexpensive ivory penny loafers from my local supermarket here in France, looked out my cream sandals from a couple of years back and added in my brown suede loafers from last Fall.
I have a chocolate brown tote that matches my Fall loafers and is large enough to be very useful when I’m in town. And I have a stone-colored cross-shoulder little bag that I can remove the strap from and use as a clutch bag too.
Finally I bought a very inexpensive animal print medium width belt when I was gifted some animal print sneakers this Xmas…not sure how often I’ll wear those sneakers but they needed a belt to look ‘intentional’. Now I’ve worn the belt with my tonal wardrobe I love it…so I guess I’ll be doing an animal print outfit try-on sometime soon too!
US links to pants and cardigans
UK links to pants and cardigans
If you enjoy looking at capsule wardrobes here are some recent ones I’ve done. But if you tap the search icon and type ‘capsule’ you can see them all – I’ve been doing seasonal capsules for around 5 years now and I try to vary the outfits without purchasing a whole new set of clothes every season.
I’m mid-seventies, short and square and my wardrobes reflect the casual classic style my simple life requires.
You are so right !! Just looked in my own closet and found several cream/white combos and I bought a pair or cropped barrel pants in dark khaki..love them ! Your sweater is beautiful!!
OMG your roses ! And up against that wonderful building frames them beautifully.
We are still having frost in my Northern Wisconsin area but I’m anxious to to start gardening and wear my Spring Summer clothes .
Thank you Joni..I look forward to your blog 🌷
Hi Peggy. The US is so very big compared to France or England. It’s more like Europe with very different climates. In April, Sydney, one of my readers, said it was 86 degrees already! So pleased you’ve found a new treasure trove of potential outfits by going down the minimalist tonal route. Joni
Excellent outfits!
Your home is lovely and your roses are exceptional!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Su. Thanks for your feedback re sharing my personal photo (roses, home). I’m never sure if people find this too intrusive or like me to share as a friend!
Nicely done Joni! As I prepare for the seasonal clothing switch, I’ll work at mixing and matching my neutrals for simple looks. You always look elegant.
Thanks Barb. All neutrals and base colours work for a tonal look. Navy through pale blue, black through pale grey, chocolate through beige (I must stop thinking about chocolate!) I like white through beige because I find I have lots of items that can be popped on top of eachother to make a tonal outfit and the result says summer (even if it isn’t quite here yet!)
First up, you absolutely ROCK the tonal look! I loved every outfit you modelled. So chic and calming. Unfortunately, I look like death warmed over in all those neutral colours. I can wear white, but nothing beige near my face. I also can’t wear brown anymore (i was a brunette before i wrnt grey). But I realized that i DO have a tonal outfit that I’ve worn, only it was tonal shades of coral! I’m often too fussy about all colours matching exactly, but i realized that i really liked the tonal look. I didn’t have coral shoes, so wore skin tone sandals with an off white purse. As always, thanks for your inspiration!
Hi Jan. Yes tones of any basic colour can give us a put-together look in minutes. And you’re right, with a tonal style you can forget about the hassle of getting exact colours to match eachother. Beige is a very difficult colour to wear if you are pale skinned. I always add something bright white next to my face to make a contrast then layer on the beige. Thanks for sharing your style tips. Joni