The capsule wardrobe: twenty pieces, every week of the year

A capsule is not minimalism. It is just buying the things that go with the other things first. Here is a twenty-piece list for a working adult in an Indian city — one for her, one for him — in the order to buy them.

Her

1. Cotton straight kurta ×2 (one white, one colour)
2. Denim jeans, dark
3. Formal trousers, black
4. Formal shirt, white
5. Blazer, navy or black
6. Kurti-palazzo set for the festive weeks
7. One Banarasi or silk saree for the wedding
8. Cotton summer dress
9. Knit cardigan for the office AC and December
10. Ballerina flats, block heels, sneakers
11. A tote bag and a clutch
12. Minimal hoops, a dainty chain, one statement pair for the saree
13. Everyday cotton bras, a seamless one for the shirt

Him

1. Formal shirt ×3 (white, blue, one pattern)
2. Formal trousers ×2
3. Slim jeans, dark
4. Printed casual shirt and a graphic tee
5. Blazer that works over jeans
6. Kurta pyjama set and a Nehru jacket — every festival, every wedding
7. Hooded sweatshirt for winter mornings
8. Oxfords, loafers, sneakers
9. Leather formal belt, leather wallet
10. Aviators
11. Cotton trunks and vests, in packs

The order matters

Buy the top of each list first. The bottom is what you add when the top is worn out — and the top wears out, which is the sign it was the right list.