Building Your Fall Capsule Wardrobe

Would you like to make getting dressed easier and less time-consuming? Turn outfit planning into a quick and easy task with a fall capsule wardrobe. As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp and cool, your wardrobe shifts from light summer fabrics to the more substantial, layered look of fall. Creating a capsule wardrobe ensures your closet has everything you need to mix and match essential pieces you love to create stylish outfits.

By applying the same principles and techniques you used to create your base capsule wardrobe, you can effortlessly create an autumn capsule wardrobe. Read on to discover what fall wardrobe essentials you should include in your capsule. Then, use our helpful capsule wardrobe checklist, so you and your closet will be ready for a fashionable fall!

Fall Capsule Wardrobe Essentials

Building your fall capsule wardrobe involves starting with your base capsule and incorporating seasonal items that are essential for fall. Because your base capsule contains articles of clothing that are ideal for mixing and matching, by layering in fall essentials you revamp your capsule with very little effort.

Consider your color palette and whether a soft autumn capsule wardrobe is a better fit than a true autumn wardrobe. Go with colors you feel most confident and comfortable in that are also flattering.

If you’ve already created a summer capsule wardrobe, you may find that some pieces like t-shirts and denim carry over into your fall capsule. This is the beneficial nature of a capsule wardrobe. Once you create your base capsule, creating a capsule for each season is simple.

When selecting pieces for your fall wardrobe, choose items with intention. Look for items you love and that work for the climate where you live. In some parts of the country, fall feels very much like summer, while in other parts, the cool air borders on cold. The weather where you live should dictate your clothing choices.

As you build your capsule wardrobe for fall, here are some suggestions for what to include:

Tops

• Short sleeve white t-shirt
• Dark neutral wrap shirt
• Neutral long sleeve shirt
• Striped shirt
• White button-up
• Dark-colored sweaters

Bottoms

• Light denim
• Dark denim
• Wide-leg trousers

Skirts and dresses

• Midi shirt dress
• Maxi dress
• Midi skirt
• Sweater dress

Jackets

• Wool blazer
• Denim jacket
• Trench coat
• Utility jacket
• Wool coat
• Leather jacket

Shoes and accessories

• White sneakers
• Black Chelsea boots
• Ankle booties
• Loafers
• Scarf
• Beanie
• Leather tote
• Black crossbody 

Keep in mind that these are just suggestions. Creating a capsule wardrobe is all about making it work for you. Choose pieces that you know you’ll want to wear over and over again.

Beyond these essentials, there are other items you should include in your capsule, and we’ll go over those next.

5 Timeless Trends for Fall

While the foundational pieces of your fall capsule wardrobe include essentials that can be worn year after year, there is still room in your wardrobe for trends that stand the test of time. Including fall trends in your capsule wardrobe keeps it stylish and interesting. Here are 5 timeless trends that are perfect for your fall weekend capsule wardrobe as well as your fall work capsule wardrobe.

Fall Colors

Although you have your base capsule wardrobe color palette, during the fall you’ll want to incorporate season-specific colors that evoke a feeling. Instead of adding colors that are likely to fall out of trend, choose to include certain fall colors that are always on-trend, including:  

• Rust
• Burgundy
• Browns
• Beige

Plaid

Choose a type of plaid for your cool-weather capsule wardrobe and notice how well this pattern plays with both your color palette as well as your cool-weather essentials. Select the type that best suits you to bring character and depth to your outfits, like:

• Houndstooth
• Windowpane
• Tartan
• Glen
• Check or checkered Madras
• Tattersall
• Buffalo check

Leather Jacket

Another everlasting fall trend to include in your cool-weather wardrobe is a leather jacket. Whether you’re more moto or bomber, a leather jacket goes with almost everything and is always trend-worthy. Style it with denim, dresses, and skirts, a leather jacket is highly versatile and the perfect piece to complete any outfit.   

Knitwear

From cashmere to cable knit, knitwear encompasses multiple looks, and all are timeless additions to any autumn capsule wardrobe. Pair soft, feminine knits like cashmere with skirts or dark denim, and try matching chunky or cable knits with light denim. From mock turtlenecks to oversized knit sweaters, knitwear will long remain a staple in your fall capsule wardrobe.

Booties

Booties are easy to style with almost any fall outfit from denim to skirts and dresses. Wear them with tights, cute socks, or bare-legged (weather permitting). Their versatility makes them as ideal for a fall work capsule wardrobe as they are for a fall weekend capsule wardrobe.

Depending on how many items you decide to have in your capsule, you may want to include more than one style. If your look is more casual, include low-heeled booties, and if you tend to dress up more often, wedge or heeled booties might work for you.

Fall Capsule Wardrobe Outfit Ideas

Once you’ve selected your capsule wardrobe essentials and layered in fall-specific pieces, it’s time to create a variety of outfits by mixing and matching different pieces from the capsule. Since your capsule is comprised of clothes and accessories you love and feel great in, pairing pieces together is enjoyable and stress-free! To inspire your creativity, here are a few initial outfit ideas.

Everyday Casual

For an everyday casual look, pair light or medium wash denim jeans with a short sleeve white t-shirt and classic white sneakers. Layer a utility jacket and accessorize with a beanie and leather tote.

At the Office

When you head into the office on a brisk fall morning, look sharp in a midi skirt with a dark-colored, oversized ponchoand ankle booties, with or without tights depending on the weather and your preference. Opt for a trench coat for outerwear and accessorize with delicate jewelry and a black crossbody.

Going Out

Outfit yourself for a fall night out with a maxi dress, Chelsea boots, and a leather jacket. Choose your favorite necklace, and don’t forget your crossbody handbag.

Make Fall Outfitting Easy with Dressbarn

Build your fall capsule wardrobe and spend less time choosing your outfits and more time admiring the changing leaves and sipping spiced, warm beverages with friends and family. Dressbarn carries a wide selection of fashionable fall apparel that’s perfect for your autumn capsule wardrobe. Find stylish clothing, accessories, and more. Now that you know how to create your fall capsule, keep reading to learn how to build your winter capsule wardrobe!