Sometimes, less is more, especially when it comes to fashion. Capsule wardrobes have been popular among fashion enthusiasts for a while now and for good reason. This may be your sign to work on building an autumn capsule wardrobe. An autumn capsule wardrobe provides a minimalist and classic collection of pieces to mix and match to create plenty of stylish combinations.
In this article, we’ll uncover the appeal behind an autumn capsule wardrobe, identify essential pieces, and explain how to assemble stunning ensembles with high-quality clothing.
Building Blocks of an Autumn Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is about investing in a few high-quality, sustainable pieces that will last and can be mixed and matched to create stylish outfits. Quality over quantity is key when building a capsule wardrobe.
What are the foundational pieces of a fall capsule wardrobe? This list can be tailored to suit your personal style and preferences, but in general, the following are capsule wardrobe essentials:
Plain Tees. Basic crewneck t-shirts—short-sleeved and long-sleeved—in neutral colors are excellent base layers for autumn outfits. Consider adding a few quality white, black, gray, or brown shirts to your fall capsule wardrobe.
Jackets. Another essential piece of any fall wardrobe is a jacket. Whether you prefer a denim jacket, leather jacket, blazer, or trench coat, be sure to have at least one or two options in your closet.
Sweaters. Sweaters are versatile pieces you can pair with many different outfits. Cashmere and wool blends are high-quality materials for building your autumn capsule wardrobe. The cable-knit and turtleneck styles are popular options that can easily go with various bottoms.
Dresses. Having a couple of fall dresses in your closet is crucial for an autumn wardrobe. Depending on your preferences, the dress style can range from a shirt to a velvet dress.
Cardigans. A cardigan is a great mid-layer piece to keep you warm while showcasing your personal style. Finding the right cardigan to add to your fall wardrobe makes all the difference when planning outfits.
Jeans. Quality denim is an investment well worth making, as a well-made pair of jeans can last many years. Opt for wide-leg or straight-leg varieties to keep up with fall trends. Finding a pair of jeans that fit like a glove goes a long way for fall fashion.
Trousers. A well-fitting pair of trousers is a fantastic addition to anyone’s fall capsule wardrobe. They can be worn at work and styled for weekend outfits as well. The style you choose is up to you, but a few popular styles include tapered-leg, wide-leg, and pleated trousers.
Skirts. A versatile skirt is a stunning staple for your fall wardrobe because it can be dressed up or down, depending on what you pair with it. Consider a midi, A-line, or mini skirt for your autumn capsule wardrobe.
Additionally, when choosing pieces to build your wardrobe for the upcoming season, you’ll want to consider the trending fall color palette. This year, some of the most popular shades are inspired by the environment and can be categorized by organic hues.
Lastly, fabric choices are essential to a capsule wardrobe. Be sure to choose a variety of complementary fabrics that can be layered to create visual interest. A mix of lightweight and thicker materials will add nice textures to your fall outfits—for example, a cashmere sweater pairs well with a denim jacket, leggings, and ankle boots.
Creating Versatile Outfits
Now that you understand the basic pieces to invest in for fall, it’s time to put them together to create some showstopping outfits. Focus on layers to create outfits that turn heads.
When crafting the perfect outfits using your capsule wardrobe pieces, there are a few tips to consider:
Try color-block pieces. Color blocking is a popular style year-round. It consists of wearing contrasting colors to create drama in an outfit. By color blocking, you can highlight your figure and create visual contrast.
Focus on texture. Texture and fabrics play considerable roles in creating gorgeous outfits during the fall. When choosing your outfits, consider the different textures and try to create visual interest by utilizing these textures.
Play with layers. Layering is a key trend for the fall season that shouldn’t be neglected. Have fun layering various pieces from your capsule wardrobe to create unique and stylish outfits. Layering is also great as temperatures begin to drop further into autumn. You can’t go wrong with this fall fashion trend.
Mix patterns. Patterns, in moderation, work well with capsule wardrobes. Mixing colors and patterns can create extraordinary styles that flatter any complexion.
Experiment with proportions. Proportion can be a fun aspect of fashion to experiment with to find what works well with your body type and style preferences. The key with proportions is to try different variations to see what looks best.
Accessories: The Finishing Touches
We can’t forget to talk about accessories! Accessorizing your autumn capsule wardrobe is vital to creating the most stylish outfits possible. Versatile accessories such as scarves, hats, jewelry, handbags, and belts are perfect for finishing your fall looks. The finishing touches can elevate your style tremendously and add visual interest to any outfit.
Maximize your use of accessories by purchasing a handful of versatile pieces that suit various outfits. Try to find pieces that can dress up more casual outfits and a couple of staple everyday jewelry pieces to enhance simpler outfits. Loafers, booties, and sneakers are fantastic shoe options for your fall wardrobe.
Maintaining Your Capsule Wardrobe
What’s the best way to maintain your capsule wardrobe staples? Here are a few top tips to help ensure your clothing stays fresh:
Focus on mindful and sustainable fashion. When creating your capsule wardrobe, pay close attention to the pieces you shop for. Shop sustainable fashion from brands that offer high-quality, long-lasting, and timeless options. This ensures minimal waste and promotes environmentally friendly fashion that helps protect the earth. Mindful fashion means buying durable pieces you can wear time and time again that never go out of style.
Follow washing instructions. Be sure to check the tags on all of the clothing pieces in your capsule wardrobe for care instructions. This will prolong the life of the clothes, ensure they do not fade in color, and keep them in the best shape possible.
Refresh your capsule wardrobe each season. Capsule wardrobes typically have pieces that can be used for season transitions, but it’s not a bad idea to refresh your wardrobe with a few new pieces each season. This helps you keep up with current styles while relying on timeless pieces to fill in the rest of your fashion profile.
Complete Your Capsule Wardrobe with Porterist
An autumn capsule wardrobe should be filled with classic pieces that never go out of style. This way, they can be worn season after season and stand at the foundation of your clothing collection. Investing in high-quality, timeless pieces like those offered at Porterist can save you money in the long run by avoiding fast fashion and clothes that only last one season.
We encourage you to experiment with your capsule wardrobe and build a lasting, curated, versatile, and stylish collection. Shop Porterist’s autumn collection today to find your new favorite classic style pieces!
