Refined Denim Mini Capsule Wardrobe

If, like me, you rocked refined denim trousers in the 2000s, you will be thrilled to see that they are back. Refined denim is a big trend in 2025, and it extends beyond trousers to blazers, vests, dresses, skirts, and pants in a variety of cuts and silhouettes. When I saw that Talbots has a collection of refined denim this season, I had to try it and show how you can create a chic and versatile capsule wardrobe with it!

This post is sponsored by Talbots.

This is a refined denim mini capsule wardrobe, but one that could easily grow with items either already in your closet or items that transcend trends and can be wardrobe workhorses. Refined denim elevates with black silk and goes weekend with tan chino. It looks fresh and modern with white denim and cotton poplin, and unexpectedly cool with shades of blush pink, olive green, and mustard yellow.

Focusing on the Talbots Refined Denim collection, I chose the Refined Denim Slim Leg Pants in 14 petite, the Refined Denim Jacket and the Refined Denim Vest in 16 petite, and the Medallion Tie-Dye Silk Square Scarf to see how many combinations I could come up with with these four pieces. I was impressed with how many wearable real-life looks I came up with and how they could transition from weekend to work to a social occasion.

The Talbots refined denim is really luxe; the jacket and vest are lined and well constructed with little details that elevate the pieces while also improving fit. All three pieces are a perfect match, and match beautifully with the other pieces in the Talbots Refined Denim collection to make your own custom mini-capsule wardrobe.

The hero piece is the Medallion Tie-Dye Silk Square Scarf. Talbots is my go-to for quality but reasonably priced 100% silk scarves. I chose this scarf thinking it would be a lovely accent; I didn't expect it to be so versatile. At a 34″ square size, it is long enough to be a belt, large enough to become a mock blouse under a blazer, and being square, it can morph into so many scarf hacks seen on social media and YouTube.

Refined Denim Mini Capsule Wardrobe

With three garments and one scarf (and a black camisole I had in my closet) I created seven different looks from the Talbots Refined Denim collection:

Here I am in the three pieces from the Talbots Refined Denim collection: the blazer, the vest, and the slim leg pants. I usually choose 16 petite from Talbots for suiting and did so for the blazer and vest. However, I found the pants were a bit loose and went down to a 14 petite for a better fit.

Here is the vest as a top. As you can see, it is well designed to not show one's bra under the arms, no gaping at the bust even though I am pretty well endowed, and it skims the curves without being too tight. All this, and it's roomy enough to style over a button-front shirt or t-shirt.

Here, I left the bottom buttons of the vest open and wore a black camisole underneath to switch up the silhouette and the vibe. This is the same silk scarf, folded on the diagonal and tied in a square knot. I think this vest and scarf combination would look really smart with white jeans and plan to wear it with the white denim stovepipe jeans from my Talbots denim haul. I also really like the look of these white denim trousers.

For this look, I left the Refined Denim Jacket open over a simple black camisole. For the scarf, I gathered it like an accordion and tied in a square knot in front, then fluffed out the tails to create a ruffle effect that filled the neckline.

This would look excellent swapping out the Refined Denim Slim Pants for the Refined Denim Dress, the Refined Denim Midi Skirt and tall boots, or even a pair of black trousers.

Remember the 90s trend of folks taking bandanas and silk scarves, folding them on the diagonal into a triangle, and tying over the bust as a little going-out top? That is exactly what I did here, but I tied the silk scarf over a camisole not only for modesty but to keep the silk from riding up. It is tied in back and the point tucked into the pants. This gives just a hint of modesty and pattern and is a great hack for any blazer you plan to keep on!

If you're not down with scarf hacks, you can recreate this look with a scoop-neck shell like this striped tank. In fact, any Breton striped shirt would look smart with the refined denim.

Here, I took the Medallion Silk Scarf, folded it on the diagonal, and tied it in a bow. I then fluffed out the bow loops and tucked them under the collar to create a fan effect and fill the neckline.

An alternative is a blouse with a decorative neckline or placket, like this dotted ruffle blouse, this pink ruffle blouse, or this striped tie-neck blouse. And come this late fall and winter, switch out the sandals for boots and the scarf for a fitted turtleneck and have your Talbots Refined Denim mini capsule wardrobe work for you all four seasons of the year!

Shop the Capsule

Extending the Capsule Wardrobe

Some additional combinations I was thinking of when styling the Talbots Refined Denim:

• The vest over a white ribbed tank that is tucked into white jeans. Add a belt; metallic with metallic sandals, brown or tan with matching shoes, or a scarf instead!
• The vest as a top styled with a long skirt. If you too have midi- to maxi-length pleated, bias-cut, or ruffled skirts in your closet, they will feel modern with a vest top with sandals or boots.
• Last week, I wore the Refined Denim Jacket with a black sweater shell and black wide-leg suiting trousers. The structure of the blazer with the fluidity of the trousers felt modern and chic.
• A friend was going to a “Denim and Diamonds” party and it made me think of this three-piece suit. Imagine filling the lapels of the suit with sparkly crystal and gold brooches; I own a few from previous Talbots seasons that would have been perfect. Add sparkly earrings and you have a festive and luxe look!
• This blazer is perfect over floaty silk and linen dresses. The fabric tempers the volume of the dress, is a great balance to dressy fabrics, and provides shape and structure and warmth for overly strong A/C units.
• These ankle pants are a classic. I wore them last month with a Talbots “Audrey” sweater and a pair of loafers (with my no-show sock hack) and it was an ensemble perfect for many occasions. While navy and shades of blue are a given, refined denim looks great with most any color. And once it's cold, switch out flats and loafers for ankle boots that slip under the pant hem.
• If these pants aren't your favorite silhouette, Talbots also has Refined Denim slim wide ankle pants (link to plus), full-length wide leg pants, and straight leg pants.

For more content featuring the Talbots Refined Denim collection including a video showing how to recreate the scarf hacks, be sure to follow me on Instagram and LTK!