How Combinations Work

The power of a capsule wardrobe lies in combinatorial math. Five tops times four bottoms gives you twenty base outfits. Add three layers and each base can exist in four states: layerless, or with any of the three layers.

This is not theoretical. It is how fashion editors and professional stylists actually work when packing for assignments. They select pieces that all cross-pollinate with each other, creating maximum outfit variety from minimum luggage.