A plus size capsule wardrobe is easy to build. These are pieces that you can put together as a business professional, for business casual and just plain ol' casual (but still look smokin' hot). By mixing and matching the pieces in this plus size capsule wardrobe, you'll be ready for anything — Sunday brunch, Saturday night out, mid-week business meeting or coffee with friends.
Of course, my plus size capsule wardrobe has a nerd twist, because we are, after all, plus size nerds. (You could also just buy these pieces without nerdy stuff on them.)
Keep scrolling for details and links or watch this video with examples from my own plus size capsule wardrobe.
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Plus Size Capsule Wardrobe
Button-Up Shirt – A button up shirt is a go-to piece for a professional look. Adding black pants makes it look business-y. You can also wear a button-up shirt to make jeans look a little dressier. Torrid has a great selection of button-up shirts with a subtle nerd flair.
Little Black Dress – The little black dress (or LBD) has been a staple in women's closets since forever. It's perfect for just about any occasion that requires a dress. Because it's black, it looks a tiny bit formal and a lot slimming. Torrid has some truly stunning black dresses to choose from. Some of them are Disney or Harry Potter themed. You can also find a big selection of little black dresses on DressLily. Just be sure to read the reviews because quality varies widely.
Pumps – Pumps are fabulous when you want to dress up. They lengthen your legs with their height, but they don't tip you forward like really high heels do. Look for pumps that have a solid heel, like the one in the picture, to make sure you're not wobbly all day. Amazon has an enormous selection of pumps to choose from. Black, brown or navy blue are good colors if you want your shoes to match a lot of outfits.
Denim Jacket – A denim jacket can do wonders for an outfit. Add it to your work outfit for a touch of fun. Or wear it with a t-shirt and jeans for a casual, yet stylish look. There are as many kinds of denim jackets as there are multi-verses, so it's best to try it on. I like thinner denim that doesn't feel heavy on my neck, but you might like something else. Try to avoid too many pockets and zippers to keep your look sleek and clean. (But feel free to add plenty of fun pins!) The beautiful Haunted Mansion denim jacket in this picture is from Lola Denim on Etsy. You can also look at lots of other painted denim jackets to find your fandom.
Related: Plus Size Disney Theme Park Dresses
Flats – Just like pumps, flats are a must-have in your plus size capsule wardrobe. They go with pretty much anything. Wear them to dress up jeans or to be comfortable in your work dress. Look for wide, rounded toes so your feet don't get pinched and sore. Again, good ol' Amazon has a ton of flats for women.
Dark Wash Jeans – Dark wash jeans can handle more situations than Black Widow. Well, maybe not, but you get the idea. You can wear them with business casual outfits or just wear them as casual. They make any top look fabulous, especially when it's a lighter color for contrast. Personally, I love the jeans at Torrid. You can find dark wash jeans in just about every size and cut, and they won't break your budget.
Crisp White T-shirt – The humble t-shirt can be a stylish choice when it's crisp and white and paired with other stylish pieces. It's like a powerful sidekick, letting the rest of the superhero outfit shine. Now, I'm not talking about a thin Hanes t-shirt. I'm talking about a quality t-shirt that has some heft to it and will last for years. As for styles, I prefer a slim fit, short sleeve (the cute sleeve, not the man sleeve), crew or v-neck. You can find just about every style of white t-shirt, with and without nerd flair, that's flattering for a plus size at Torrid.
Knit Sweater – A light sweater is perfect for cool or chilly days. The beauty of a sweater is that it can look dressy and stylish all on its own. Pair it with black pants for work or jeans for a casual day. Torrid has very flattering sweaters for your plus size capsule wardrobe. (They know how to design for us curvy girls.) You can also get them with nerd flair, like the Outlander sweater pictured or a Disney or Harry Potter sweater.
Outlander Ivory Lace Pullover – I almost chose a Captain America navy blue sweater for this essential (you know how I love Cap'.) But Torrid also had this lovely, feminine ivory sweater that's inspired by Outlander. The only way you would know that is by the tiny dragonfly detail. The lace is inset, for an extra womanly touch.
Ankle Boots – I love, love, love ankle boots. They're so versatile and cute! (And I don't have to worry about them fitting my calf.) Add a little heel and you gain some height and “longer legs.” Keep 'em flat for a tougher look. They come in all shapes, textures and colors. The most important thing about ankle boots (like any shoe) is that they're comfortable, so don't scrimp on that. Amazon has a lot of ankle boots to choose from.
Black Pants – Why black? They go with everything. Plus, black is super slimming and gives you a truly stylish look. (There's a reason New Yorkers are always in black.) Try to buy truly good quality pants, not just thin cotton ones. The better the fabric and the cut, the better they will keep their shape and last for years. I know I sound like a broken record, but Torrid has the most flattering styles of black pants I've found.
Knee-Length Skirt – As a plus size woman, I've shied away from skirts because I'm short and I just didn't think they were attractive. Turns out, I wasn't trying on enough of them! Pencil skirts work well on my figure. You might find that an A-line or skater skirt looks best on you. Just be sure to try a variety of styles. The beauty of skirts is that they're fun and you can show off your nerdy tops. If you're looking for a simple skirt, head to Torrid. If you want something nerdy, check out CowCow. You can shop hundreds of designs and several different styles of skirts. I'm particular to a galaxy print A-line skater skirt, myself (pictured). Her Universe has Disney, Star Wars, Harry Potter and other fandom skirts.
Wrap Dress – I have several wrap dresses because they're crazy flattering to my figure. The diagonal line of a wrap dress accentuates your curves and draws the eye up and down. A wrap dress is a flirty alternative to your little black dress. I love one-piece wrap dresses (that don't require tying) because you can just throw them on and look super dressy immediately, all while staying comfortable! RoseGal has a huge selection of wrap dresses in a variety of prints. I prefer solid colors or simple patterns like the ones at Torrid. My Outlander wrap dress is just pretty as can be.
Download the Plus Size Capsule Wardrobe Checklist
Just fill out this form and I'll send you a pretty checklist with all the pieces from this plus size capsule wardrobe. Plus, there's an additional page with suggestions on how to mix and match your outfits.
That disney villains thorn boarder print dress is absolutely stunning!
I think so too!
Oh my gosh. That Disney Villians dress from Torid is speaking to me (and my goth aesthetic). Lovely selection and choices!
I know! I love it too. That black and deep purple are a great combo.