It’s giving The Row: a Madewell capsule that’s contemporary & minimal

I’m always drawn to a minimalist aesthetic, but once winter begins, I go full in — a minimal, modern uniform is what I’m after. I get so inspired by the androgynous sophistication I see from brands like Toteme, Vince, Tibi, and of course, The Row.

However, these brands are quite pricey, and not in my budget at the moment.

So, I’ve been studying these brands and their offerings, then heading off to my old standby stores to find high quality items that have a similar luxe vibe.

I recently stumbled across Madewell’s new Piazza Slouch Bag and it stopped me in my tracks — hello understated luxury! It almost felt like an offering from The Row. I immediately clicked over to Madewell’s site in hopes that there would be more where that came from.

And there certainly was!

So many new arrivals had that contemporary, minimalist feel — so many in fact, I found it hard to narrow down at first. But to me, the magic of good style is all in the editing, so I whittled down to 13 of the very best pieces, including:

• 2 pairs of jeans
• 2 sweaters
• 3 shirts
• 3 pieces of jewelry
• 1 baseball cap
• 1 handbag
• 1 pair of shoes

This collection works as a stand-alone capsule too, so if you’re looking to rebuild your wardrobe (or pack for a trip), this could serve as a helpful template.

Madewell is having a super sale right now — their jeans are just $50, and everything else is 40% off with code JOLLY.

If you see something you like, you can shop it and support my blog at the same time by using the affiliate links throughout this post. This post is NOT sponsored.

Below you’ll find my thoughts on each piece, and how they work together as a complete capsule:

1 | Oversized Poplin Shirt | An absolute favorite in my wardrobe. Nothing gives me that “I work at an art gallery” vibe like an oversized button down with a fitted ribbed long sleeve underneath.

2 | Ribbed Sweetheart Top | If your life is pretty casual, like mine, consider this your dressy top for winter gatherings and holiday parties. It’s simple, but never boring. Heels and earrings elevate it even more. Also perfect to pop under the Oversized Poplin Shirt.

3 | Wavy Bracelet | What a cool find! I love the look of a sculptural bracelet peeking out from underneath a long sleeve.

4 | Carabiner Hoops | Everyday earrings that look much more luxe than their $22 price tag. (They’d make a great gift, too.)

5 | Slim V-Neck Cardigan | This one’s a sleeper. Maybe not particularly eye-catching at first glance, but I can see it being so useful and versatile. Style it with baggy jeans and heels for a holiday party, or style it with straight jeans and loafers for errand-running.

6 | Fleece Baseball Cap | Ball caps are a signature of my style — I love the way they dress down a look. This fleece ball cap is perfect for chilly days, and looks extra cool with bold earrings.

7 | The Slouch Shoulder Bag | This bag is what inspired me to write this post. I was floored by how durable and polished it feels. The slouch factor is just right. It gives The Row (but without the hefty price tag).

8 | Stripe Dolman Shirt | Wait until that stripe pattern on the sleeve catches your eye — it’s a sophisticated little detail that adds just enough interest to feel like a designer piece. Wear untucked with baggy jeans and heels.

9 | Mid Rise Straight Jean | I’ve been searching for a good mid-rise jean — I’m just more comfortable in a mid-rise (and they were hard to find there for a bit as high rise took over). These are perfect with their 9.5 inch rise, and I love the clean, unfussy wash. Pair with loafers or sneakers.

10 | Stripe Polo Sweater | Nothing so wonderful as snuggling up in a cozy sweater. The polo collar gives this classic piece a sporty spin.

11 | Watch Chain Necklace | Okay Madewell. I see you leveling up. I’m stunned by how luxe this looks.

12 | Nye Penny Loafer | I like that these loafers fall somewhere between chunky and sleek, making them feel timeless.

13 | Baggy Straight Jeans | You know I LOVE my baggy jeans these days. Nothing brings personality and a strong point of view to an outfit the way baggy jeans can. Size up for an infusion of major attitude, or keep your usual size for a slightly more classic, nipped-waist look.

Madewell is having a super sale right now — their jeans are just $50, and everything else is 40% off with code JOLLY.

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And there you have it!

Feel free to subscribe at the bottom of the page so you don’t miss my next post, and find me on LTK and Pinterest for more outfits. I’m pinning to my Fall Style board a lot these days — plenty of outfit inspiration to be found there!

I hope you’re having a nice week. Take care and thanks for being here!