All the best things come in capsules. Medicine. Space food. Time. And, naturally, clothes. Not in a download-your-outfit-from-the-internet way, the minimalist wardrobe is far simpler than that. It’s the answer to every instance when you looked at your wardrobe and wondered, “What shall I wear today?”

Ostensibly invented by boutique owner Susie Faux in the 1970s, it’s really an idea as old as getting dressed – a small, curated collection of clothes that all work together, in almost any combination, that covers every conceivable base. It’s timeless, trans-seasonal, immune to the vagaries of trends and fashions, but also a great base to which you can odd the side-stripe jogger or embellished jacket, should you so wish.

It is, in short, style made simple. Here’s what you’ll need.

The Hallmarks Of A Minimalist Wardrobe

Before gathering pieces for a men’s minimalist wardrobe, you’ll want to consider these fundamentals.

Versatility

A men’s capsule wardrobe is concise. There is no fat. Which means everything has to do (at least) double-duty. A blazer that looks as good with jeans as it does with chinos is better than one that only dresses up. Unless a new purchase works in at least three outfits, move on.

Neutrality

There is a time and a place for neon, and in a minimalist wardrobe, it is not. Pick a palette and stick to it. Unless you’re an advanced colour theorist, that means relying on a backbone of neutrals – navys, greys, browns, drabs, blacks – that all go together.

Appropriateness

Clothes are only as valuable as how much you wear them. You could have a wardrobe crafted entirely on Savile Row, but if you work as a personal trainer, those suits won’t get much airing. Think instead in pieces that transition from week to weekend and that work for downtime as well as nights out.

Quality

The beauty of a minimal wardrobe is how little it contains. But that means the clothes you do buy need to be built to last. Partly, that’s practicality – you’ll be wearing the same things a lot and replacing them frequently is boring. But also, simple clothes have no bedazzling to mask how they’re made. If they’re crappy, you’ll look it.