A Guide to Building a Capsule Wardrobe: Fall Edition
Jean Ahn
I know many of us (myself included) have been eagerly awaiting fall, the cooler temps and of course the fall fashion! Even though I love summer, theres something about the coziness of fall that makes me excited for autumn!
At the beginning of each new season I like to do a closet inventory and go through the pieces I have and curate a list of items I actually wear year after year. Over the years I have learned that quality is 100% more important than quantity. Recently I have been making it a point to only purchase high quality, classic pieces that I know will be a part of my capsule wardrobe. If you’re not familiar with the concept, a capsule wardrobe is a curated collection of clothing pieces that allows you to create versatile looks with a small number of clothing pieces therefore maximizing the number of outfits and ultimately being able to mix and match for various occasions.
Here’s some of my pieces for a fall capsule wardrobe:
Suede tall boots (I personally prefer pointed toe boots)
Suede and leather mid to high ankle booties
Felt rancher hat
Bold color Blazer
Faux leather jacket
Belted pea coat
Tunic sweater
Dark wash skinny jeans
Fall floral dress (midi and knee length)
Faux leather leggings
Satin midi dress and sweater dresses
Chelsea boots
For suede boots I love Sam Edelman, Marc Fisher and Vince Camuto’s boots. I have several pairs from these brands, they are all high quality and last years if you take care of them. I have two pairs of knee high suede Sam Edelman Boots I purchased over 2 years ago and they are still in great shape. I love these suede boots at the moment!
For felt hats, I swear by Lack of Color. I have two Lack of Color hats and the quality is unmatched compared to other lower priced options. The threading on the brim and the stiffness is what I always check for in hats and Lack of Color’s hats are all excellent quality. I have this rancher hat and love it because its versatile for all seasons!
Oversized blazers are such a classic and theres so many ways to style looks with a blazer. I recently got this bright blue blazer to style with an all black look. Blazers are so versatile and you can dress it up or down. I also love this one too!
Faux leather jacket is another fall staple and over the years I have accumulated several different styles of leather jackets. My go to jacket brand is Blank NYC but recently loving this All Saints genuine leather jacket its a classic piece that will last for years.
I love belted pea coats, especially ones with pretty buttons as accents. The belt really adds more shape and accentuates the figure. I have 2 of the same color in this style (one in black and one in burgandy) and still wear it season after season. I also love this bright blue coat and this belted coat in burgandy.
Tunic sweaters are a great every day option for fall. I love pairing them over leggings and boots and they are so cozy. I love this tunic sweater and this Amazon option.
Despite what current ‘trends’ say regarding skinny jeans, I personally still wear them and believe that they are a classic option. They style perfectly with boots and are so versatile for various occasions.
I recently ordered some knee length, long sleeve floral dresses and can’t wait to style it with booties and knee high boots! It would also look chic paired with a leather jacket too! I love this and this.
Faux leather leggings are another closet staple for fall. I went back and forth between Spanx and Commando but ultimately went with the Commando leggings because the 7/8 length hit the perfect spot at my ankle and did not bunch when I wore it with boots while Spanx bunched on me.
Satin midi and sweater dresses are also a great option for fall. I love pairing a solid colored satin midi with a leather jacket for a more casual look or an oversized blazer for a more formal option. I own so many sweater dresses, they are another versatile option and pair well with a pea coat and booties! Love this sweater dress and this option too!
While I typically gravitate towards sleek pointed toed boots, I do love a good pair of chelsea boots. They are comfy even with the block heel and its a great casual option that pairs well with leggings and jeans! I have and love this pair and this Target pair is a great option as well!
What are some of essentials for your capsule wardrobe? Happy Fall!