These Capsule Wardrobe Pieces Are Stylist-Approved for 2026

An overflowing closet is a clear indicator that it’s time to break out the donation bags, but the real challenge is determining what you should keep versus give away. To make the process easier, we spoke with three fashion stylists to learn what clothes will never go out of style, and which ’fits you can safely say goodbye to.

Celebrity stylist Anna Lavo and personal stylist Chelsea Volpe both stress the importance of quality materials and building a capsule wardrobe (and all of their picks can be found in Amazon’s fashion department). “These are the pieces that will have longevity, not just hype, so you can actually style them through multiple seasons,” Lavo tells PEOPLE. Volpe adds that her “stylist rule of thumb” is to donate anything that adds “closet noise,” adding, “If an item requires constant justification …it’s weighing your style down.”

Keep reading for more of their tips as you peruse capsule wardrobe staples that’ll last you beyond 2026.

Stylist-Recommended Capsule Wardrobe Clothes for 2026

• Wear Everywhere Piece: Gap Crewneck Cardigan, $23
• Timeless Occasion Dress: Btfbm Satin Maxi Dress, $45
• 2026’s ‘New Basic’: Lands’ End Cotton Rib Knit T-Shirt, $28 (orig. $35)
• Reliable Favorite: Levi’s Ribcage Straight-Leg Jeans, $70 (orig. $80)
• Trend That’ll Outlast 2026: Dokotoo Quarter Zip Cable Knit Sweater, $37 (orig. $40)
• Sweatsuit Alternative: Walifrey Joggers, $10
• Wrinkle-Free Fabric: Siliteelon Button-Down Shirt, $19 (orig. $24)
• Instantly Polishes an Outfit: Orolay Double-Breasted Trench Coat, $70 (orig. $115)
• Smart Investment Piece: Michael Kors Winston Tote Bag, $99 (orig. $228)
• Julia Roberts-Worn Trend: Clarks Juliet Palm Loafers, $33 (orig. $85)

Gap Crewneck Cardigan

“Thin, slouchy, or stretched knits instantly age a look,” warns Lavo. She recommends donating these and investing in “structured” knitwear, like this Gap style we found. It comes with a button-up design that you can wear alone or layered over a classic white T-shirt. It’s also easy to wear with a pair of jeans or maxi skirt, giving you a quick layer that won’t dress down your outfits.

Btfbm Satin Maxi Dress

Lavo and Volpe both say it’s time to donate your untouched occasionwear. “These clutter the wardrobe and rarely get worn again,” Lavo explains. You should swap these for modern “one-and-done” pieces, which Volpe says “work for weddings, parties, dinners, and travel.”

Lands’ End Cotton Rib Knit T-Shirt

We’re used to smooth cotton T-shirts, but Lavos says ribbed knit tops will be the “new basic” among the “layering essentials of 2026.” Volpe agrees, labeling the top one of the “backbone” pieces of a wardrobe. The material adds a more textured look to your outfit and can be worn under blazers, cardigans, and overshirts, or as a standalone layer. 

Dokotoo Quarter Zip Cable Knit Sweater

“The quarter-zip sweater movement will also reign supreme in 2026,” says celebrity stylist Mickey Freeman — and it’s a favorite of Volpe’s, too. This sweater has a cable-knit design that amplifies its coziness and has a zipper closure that’ll let you instantly go from a turtleneck to V-neck.

Walifrey Joggers

“We all overbought leggings and soft sets,” says Volpe, who adds that “most people keep far too many and rarely wear them.” Her quick fix is to invest in quiet luxury knitwear, which includes joggers. That way “you’ll still be comfortable, but polished.”

Levi’s Ribcage Straight-Leg Jeans

All three stylists agree that denim is an absolute essential for this year, but to avoid anything “too stretchy, overly distressed, or dated silhouettes that no longer flatter,” advises Volpe. Her and Lavo suggest dark, tailored denim that’s a straight-leg style. “A great pair of jeans is one of the highest ROI items in any wardrobe,” Volpe adds. 

Siliteelon Button-Down Shirt

A well cut poplin will always “age well and instantly [upgrade] even simple outfits,” Volpe notes. You can trade “outdated” fast-fashion pieces, which Lavo says includes “anything that loses shape, pills, or looks worn out.” This design has become shopper-loved for its wrinkle-free material that’ll save you from having to iron it in the morning. 

Orolay Double-Breasted Trench Coat

“A stylist-approved wardrobe always includes at least one luxury coat,” says Volpe. You can’t go wrong with a trench coat either. As Freeman puts it, the coat style tends to “have a certain sense of versatility; for example, they can be worn on a warmer day in winter as well as during the typically cooler early spring months.”

Michael Kors Winston Tote Bag

You should stop investing in cheap bags with “loud” logos, Volpe recommends. “High-quality bags instantly [improve] an outfit and last over a decade with proper care,” she says. Lavos echoes the advice, adding that you should invest in oversized totes for 2026. Neutral black and tan bags are timeless wardrobe staples that look put-together while keeping your phone, wallet, and laptop organized.

Clarks Juliet Palm Loafers

Those cute shoes that hurt your feet? Get rid of them. “A bad shoe ruins the entire outfit and your posture,” Lavo says. You’re more apt to wear a pair that feels good and lets you stand in them for hours at a time. In terms of trends that always work, Lavo and Volpe recommend loafers — which are a celeb-worn shoe — as well as knee-high boots. 

Ewedoos Wide-Leg Pants

In addition to structured blazers, statement belts, and leather maxi coats, Lavo says a pair of trousers with a “snatched waist” have “longevity,” noting, “these are the items that will define the next two years of fashion.” As brands begin to catch on, she adds that the price will spike as interest climbs, which is why she suggests investing in a trusty pair now.

Automet Pleated Blouse

“Soft, voluminous blouses and feminine silhouettes are back in a big way,” Volpe explains. These tops add a “romantic feel” to even your most casual outfits, but they can also be paired with a skirt to craft an outfit worthy of special events. 

Refresh your closet for the new year and stock up on these stylist-approved capsule wardrobe pieces while they’re still in stock at Amazon.