Hello, hello and welcome! It feels like I was just thinking about my fall 2023 capsule wardrobe, and now, fall clothes will be everywhere in just a few weeks. We recently had a heatwave, so I’ve never been more ready for fall fashion. While I would love to jump into the part of my closet with my cozy sweaters and favorite suede boots, fall tends to first include days where you can wear closet staples like jeans, a t-shirt, and sandals – without sweating. Or, you’re still wearing a dress but you can layer it with a leather jacket at night.
Here Are Eight Pieces You Can Wear Now And Include In Your Capsule Wardrobe For Fall
So, I think it’s best to start easing into fall fashion with the pieces you can wear throughout the entire season! Of course, a capsule collection of clothes can really be different for everyone depending on what you do all day! But, these pieces are great foundational pieces for any wardrobe – and a lot of them are items you can wear during other seasons too.
A Few Thoughts On How To Build A Capsule Wardrobe On A Budget
Shop during big sales like the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, Shopbop’s Prime Day Sales, or individual store sales. If you’re wondering why I’m thinking about a fall capsule collection right now, there are a lot of sales happening that include wardrobe essentials that you can wear in the fall. It’s a good time of the year to consider a few pieces you can wear now and when it starts to cool down. Staple pieces are good items to invest in during sales since you can wear them a lot, mix and match with other pieces in your closet, and build entire outfits around these pieces. Basically, they’re the pieces you always pull to wear!
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Choose pieces you can wear frequently and invest in quality where you can.
A capsule collection with quality pieces can help you maximize your closet without needing to purchase new items each season or every year. Plus, you should be able to mix and match these pieces to get multiple outfits from them. So, avoid investing in bright statement blouses or denim with a unique look that are limited in how you can style them. When I was in the office every day, I often wore the same pair of dark navy pants three times a week before dry cleaning them. That’s not to say you shouldn’t buy those more fun pieces, but they probably shouldn’t be a priority in building a capsule wardrobe.
Look out for discount codes from newsletter sign ups or for first time buyers. This might sound obvious, but whenever I shop at an online store for the first time, I always check to see if they offer a discount for a newsletter sign up or for first time shoppers. You’d be surprised how many shops offer these types of discounts. Sometimes you have to scroll down to the bottom of the website to find it, and sometimes it’s a pop up right as you land on the website. There are also some stores that offer recurring online codes – Tuckernuck always has 20% off with code YOUROCK. Okay, here are the eight items I recommend for getting a capsule wardrobe started.
Basic T-Shirts Or Tops To Layer
I could live in an elevated t-shirt or layering top as they go along with just about any type of pants, skirt, or jeans. They’re easy to throw on under a blazer, leather jacket, or cardigan. I definitely reach for my plain linen t-shirts all the time, as well as the striped one I’m wearing at the top of this blog post. I’m wearing a small in both, and they run true to size. If you’re looking for something with longer sleeves, I just purchased this navy blue ribbed top from the Nordstrom Sale, and it’s fully stocked! I also wear this top all the time in the fall, winter, and spring. You can see how I style these tops under a blazer here.
Jeans
Jeans are one of my favorite things to wear in the fall, and they make a great outfit base since they go with so much. If you’re looking for one pair that you can wear on the weekend and to work, I recommend a more tailored pair. So, skip anything with a raw hem, rips, or a feature that is more limited in how you style it. If you opt for either of the pair of Mother jeans I linked below, be sure to use code YOUROCK at checkout for 20% off. Shop my exact jeans here. I’m wearing the color called 7 Yrs Pctr Ths Bleu.
I own these in two different colors, and I love them so much. I wear my typical size 28, and I think they run true to size. If you aren’t sure which size to go with because you’re between sizes, I would size up.
Neutral Pants
While I absolutely love jeans, I know they aren’t for everyone. So, if jeans aren’t your thing, then a pair of neutral pants are the perfect alternative to serve as a base for fall outfits. I bought these Reformation pants in a ShopBop sale because I knew I would wear this color a lot. These pants also come in more traditional options like black, gray, tan, and beige. They are available in a range of sizes, including petite and sizes 14-24 according to their website. Plus, alterations are free.
Button Up Shirt
A button up shirt has to be one of the most useful tops you can buy! You can wear it any time of the year, and a button up works for the weekend or the office. I love a linen blend button up for summer, fall, and spring. Layer a button up over a summer dress, or pair it with shorts or pants. A white cotton button up top like I’m wearing two photos below goes with literally any pair of shoes – from sandals to ballet flats to combat boots – depending on when you wear it. The two I’m wearing below are actually the same shirt in slightly different fabric options. The striped one is a linen-cotton blend, and the all white one is 100% cotton.
Slingback Shoes
I own several pairs of slingback shoes and really love each of them. Every summer, fall, and spring, I’m somehow surprised at how much I wear them. When I was working in an office all day, I wore them frequently with work pants, dresses, and skirts. They’re comfortable, chic, and work appropriate. I personally own or have tried each pair of slingbacks I’m linking below. If you opt for the Vince pair, I recommend sizing down half a size. Click here to see them on me. They’re on sale at the time this post went up!
I recently picked up these woven slingbacks in the photo below, and I’m so impressed with the quality and comfort. Not only were they comfortable to walk in right out of the box, they’re extremely breathable! I tried on the gold option too, but I went with these because I knew I would wear them with more.
Neutral Dress
A neutral color palette is my favorite for classic pieces that you can build outfits around – like a neutral dress. I’ve shared this linen dress before but it comes in the perfect colors and fit to wear in the summer, spring, and fall. You can see how versatile it is with a few photos in this blog post – I styled it above with a striped button up top. I also love it with a leather jacket like below for cooler weather. Click here to see how I styled it for lots of different occasions, and click here to read a blog post on how to stye this dress for summer. If you’re shopping for a dress that you can rely on more once the weather gets crisp, sweater dresses are a classic for fall fashion!
The second dress I linked is so cute for summer as it is, but you could also layer it with a cardigan, crewneck sweater, or leather jacket for fall and spring. I would also style it more casually with sneakers or loafers. If you want to wear it to work while it’s still warm, you can wear a black, lightweight cardigan like this one.
Lightweight Jacket Or Blazer
Depending on where you live, this one might seem unnecessary to you. While it is super hot here in DC, whenever I’m in New England with family, I need a lightweight jacket, blazer, or sweater in the evening hours and sometimes in the mornings. If you want to make sure you can rewear this piece to work, I’d go for a blazer. Once the weather cools down, you could also consider a trench coat. I own and love this one. A leather jacket is also a perfect outerwear option for a capsule wardrobe if it matches your personal style.
White Sneakers Or Neutral Sneakers
Neutral sneakers are perfect to wear into the fall. Not only are they great for travel, but they’re also a nice option to wear with a dress, jeans, or trousers. I also like to pair sneakers with exercise pants and a long t-shirt in the fall. You can add a lightweight jacket or a blazer too. I keep eyeing these brown sneakers, and I’m also considering this pair since they’re a friendlier price point.
I hope you found some ideas to get your fall wardrobe started!
