How to Build a Fall Capsule Wardrobe?

As the seasons change, refreshing your wardrobe can be both challenging and fun. As a working woman, I’m a big fan of the capsule wardrobe concept—creating a versatile wardrobe with a small number of essential pieces. It helps me save time picking out outfits in the morning because everything pairs so easily. So, how did I create a satisfying fall capsule wardrobe?

1. Start by Organizing My Closet

First, I took a good look at what I already have in my closet and set aside some summer pieces that can transition nicely into fall, like those foundational items that are perfect for layering.

Since I spend at least 20 days a month at work, my fall capsule wardrobe needs to have at least two-thirds of the clothing dedicated to work attire, with the remaining third reserved for social events and weekend casuals.

Next, I categorized the remaining clothes into three groups:

Never Wear Again: These are outdated or ill-fitting clothes that I know I won't wear anymore.
Wear Tomorrow: These are the clothes that flatter my body and are timeless in style.
Rarely Wear: I love these pieces, but I hardly find the right occasion to wear them.

I donated the "Never Wear Again" clothes through Helpsy and boxed up the "Rarely Wear" pieces, leaving only the frequently worn clothes to form my capsule wardrobe.

2. Choose Versatile Color Combinations

I checked out this year's fall color trends, including cream, olive green, and camel. But honestly, I didn't find many cream and olive pieces among my clothes. So, I decided to stick with a neutral base of black, white, and gray, using the trending colors as accents to add a touch of fall.

3. Categorize Your Essentials

Again, I divided these pieces into two categories:

Core Basics: These are the must-have fall pieces, like comfortable base layers, a tailored blazer, and versatile casual trousers. These core items are the backbone of my fall wardrobe, providing a foundation for various outfits.

Layering Pieces: I selected accessories like bags, belts, and scarves. These items add some highlights to my overall look, keeping my minimalist style from feeling too plain.

4. Mix and Match

As I mentioned, two-thirds of my capsule wardrobe is workwear, so I’ll start by showing off my office outfit combinations.

This look centers around neutral tones (you’ll see I use a lot of neutrals in my outfits), and you’ll notice I avoid too many prints and patterns. The advantage here is that I can easily mix and match these pieces with different tops and bottoms. For example, these trousers will also look great with a simple black base layer. If I’m outside, I’ll throw on an oversized black blazer for warmth.

For after-work dates, I go for something more relaxed. This type of shirt has just the right amount of laid-back style, and when paired with a silky midi skirt, it effortlessly creates an elegant vibe.

5. Focus on Quality and Fit

Building a fall capsule wardrobe isn’t my only goal; I want to keep my wardrobes for all seasons as minimal as possible. This means I won’t shop impulsively like I used to. I’ve set three criteria for buying new clothes: First, is the piece high quality? Will it be comfortable to wear for long periods? Second, do I really need it? Is it my size, my style, and is it versatile? Third, do I already have something similar?

Only when a piece meets all my standards will I consider buying it. When you see your savings growing over time, any initial hesitation about not shopping as much just fades away.

6. The Result

Besides saving me money, my fall capsule wardrobe has also given me another valuable asset: time. I no longer spend much time deciding what to wear. I can just grab a top and bottom from my closet, add a few accessories, and be out the door. The time I save goes towards doing more meaningful things to improve myself, like skincare, reading, or just catching up on sleep. I hope after reading this, you’ll enjoy every day of fall just as much as I do!