Huddle up, everyone. I know we’re a scrappy bunch of resourceful shoppers. You want to spend smarter, not harder, which means a fall capsule wardrobe is just what the doctor fashion editor ordered. And here’s your prescription: You’ll need a reliable sweater, a great bag, and quality denim, among a few other things.
In case you need a refresher, the idea behind capsule closets is that every piece is multipurpose; everything goes with everything. This maximizes the potential number of outfit combinations. Below, you’ll find 15 items that are essential to building a solid fall wardrobe, along with shoppable options that I’ve pre-vetted as timeless and versatile investments that will serve you this season and for many autumns to come.
The Trench Coat
Great for sneaking candy into the movie theater, pretending to be Parisian, or living out your detective fantasy, a trench coat is something everyone needs for fall. And that’s a direct order. We’re having an unusually warm season, so it will probably be quite some time before you need to break out more heavy-duty layers, anyway.
Mango Cotton Trench Coat with Belt
Prada Double-Breasted Cotton Twill Trench Coat
& Other Stories Short Trench Coat Jacket
The Frankie Shop Mavis Oversized Trench Coat
Favorite Daughter The Charles Tie Waist Double Breasted Trench Coat
The White T-Shirt
The white tee giveth, and the white tee taketh away. The wrong one can really screw up an outfit, what with bra lines, cheap fabric, or a sloppy fit. Fortunately, as a fashion editor, I have been through the T-shirt gauntlet, so you can really trust these recommendations. Without my tried-and-true tees, I think I might wither away.
FM 669 Little Organic Cotton T-Shirt
Eterne Short Sleeve Boyfriend T-Shirt
St. Agni Organic Cotton Baby Tee
The Classic Jeans
Let’s face it, jeans are integral to any and every type of capsule wardrobe. Where would we be without denim? The most important thing here is the fit. Don’t settle for jeans that don’t fit you well. Quality is also important, of course, because you want your jeans to last for many years to come. As for me, I’m obsessed with barrel jeans this season.
Khaite Danielle High-Rise Straight Leg Ankle Jean
Levi’s ’90s Straight Leg Jeans
Rolla’s Sailor Dark Stone Flare Jeans
Slvrlake Mica Rigid Low-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans
Reformation Cynthia High Rise Straight Jeans
The Suede Bag
Suede reigns supreme this fall. I don’t make the rules! Namely, I think this is your chance to invest in a bag that isn’t black. Brave, I know, but your purse collection really should have some neutral variety.
Khaite Lotus Medium Suede Tote
Staud Perry Suede Tote Bag
Reformation Vittoria Leather Tote
Bottega Veneta Andiamo Intrecciato Suede Shoulder Bag
Givenchy Voyou Suede Hobo
Proenza Schouler Silo Zip Suede & Leather Shoulder Bag
The Leather Boot
I mean, obviously. This goes without saying, right? Breaking out my favorite fall boots is how I console myself as we say goodbye to summer. (I really do hate to see it go.) There’s nothing like a boot, and nothing can take its place, which is why it deserves a spot in your capsule. There’s just no substitute. I like a flat black boot for day-to-day running around, but I also recommend a neutral- heeled boot that comes up to the knee for dressier looks.
Frankie4 Allegra Fitted Boot
The Row Zipped Combat Boots
Madewell The Dimes Kitten-Heel Boot
The Barn Jacket
At last, an outerwear trend that feels truly fresh! And it’s about damn time for barn jackets, or chore coats if you will, to have a moment in the autumnal sun. Personally, I can’t remember how I ever got through the cool-but-not-cold months before I had one of these. It’s a casual item, for sure, but an absolute necessity as far as I’m concerned.
Toteme Khaki Country Jacket
J. Crew Denim Barn Jacket
Aritzia The ’90s Chore Coat
Rag & Bone Cassidy Cotton Jacket
The Blazer
I was intimidated by blazers for a very long time, until recently, in fact. But I’ve come to realize this light layer isn’t just for the preppy set. Leather styles, in particular, offer a great hybrid. I’ve been loving an oversized black menswear blazer as my go-to outerwear for many of my looks this fall.
Frame Grandfather Pinstripe Blazer
AGOLDE Callie Cropped Blazer
ASTR the Label Ezra Blazer
The Frankie Shop Lyra Oversized Suiting Blazer
Helsa Twill S Curve Jacket
Veronica Beard Ellette Velvet Dickey Jacket
The Loafer
Ah, yes, ’tis the season to pretend I work in academia. Is that even a proper usage of “academia?” (Editor’s note: It is.) My imposter syndrome is showing, but the point remains: Fall is prime loafer time. Be it heeled or flat, paired with ankle socks or worn with bare feet, there’s really no wrong way to do it. The beauty of a loafer is that it wears well with everything from jeans to dresses and slacks to mini skirts.
Duke & Dexter Wilde Cherry Penny Loafer
Proenza Schouler 30MM Lug Sole Suede Loafers
Tory Burch Embellished Classic Lug Loafer
Prada Double Chocolate Leather Loafers
Eastland Marcella Driving Style Loafer
Now 27% Off
The Anytime Dress
I’ve affectionately titled those frocks—the ones that can be worn for just about any outing—“anytime” dresses. Your capsule simply isn’t complete without a dress that you can for work days, date nights, and beyond. It gets bonus points if it transcends seasonality. Most little black dresses fall into this category, too.
Anthropologie The Maya Ruched Cowl-Neck Dress: Textured Edition
Lioness Prophecy Maxi Dress
Alaïa Long Sleeve Cotton Poplin Tunic Mini Dress
LoveShackFancy Deyo Bandana Silk Midi Dress
SNDYS x Revolve Millie Dress
The Knit
It’s called sweater weather for a reason, folks. Transitional dressing is all about layers, and knits make for the perfect ones. Sling a cardigan over your shoulders, wear it open-faced, or button it all the way to the top to style as a shirt. There are so many ways to stay cozy while playing with your style.
J. Crew Heritage Terry Rollneck Sweatshirt
Free People Serenity Cashmere Pullover
COS Wool Crewneck Cardigan
Simkhai Hollie Collared Merino Wool Cardigan
The Row Marnie Oversized Knit Cashmere Sweater
Cuyana Alpaca Wool Cropped Cardigan Sweater
The Sneaker
As someone with back problems, I can’t be frivolous with my footwear (much to my dismay). Sneakers are a mainstay in my daily uniform, and I’m not alone in that. Even for many of the most fashionable women, practical shoes are just a part of life. While this might feel like style doom at first, you’d be surprised by the caliber of fall sneakers just waiting to be found.
Loewe Flow Runner Suede Sneakers
New Balance 1906 Unisex Sneakers
The Trouser
I’m leaving this one open to interpretation because a capsule trouser could be almost anything. Perhaps you already have a versatile carpenter pant in your wardrobe, or a trusted brand of slacks that fit you like a glove. If it’s neutral and stylistically versatile, it works for me. If you’re looking for a trending silhouette, try out a kick flare.
Banana Republic Crop Flare Everywhere Ponte Pant
Aritzia The Effortless Pant
Christopher Esber Redux Leather Trouser
Now 8% Off
Rails Getty Crop Utility Wide Leg
Theory Stretch Pant in Houndstooth Knit
Prada Embroidered Poplin Shirt
Thom Browne Striped Oxford Tab-Collar Shirt
Rohe Stripe Button-Front Shirt with Wide Cuffs
Better Fitted Poplin Bra Shirt
Now 25% Off
The Kitten Heel
Working women bow to the kitten heel. If you want to feel feminine without giving yourself a muscle spasm, a short heel is the way to go. Plus, these are so much more office-appropriate than those peep-toe stilettos collecting dust under your bed.
Diesel Pointed Toe Kitten Heel Mule
COS Block Heel Leather Mary Jane Pumps
Tory Burch Pierced Slingback Heel
Steve Madden Kari Mesh Slingback
The Shoulder Bag
It’s for day-to-day life; it’s for an evening out—what can’t a good shoulder bag do? Answer: Nothing. Feel free to trend stack by opting for a suede shoulder bag, or add some variance to your collection with leather, canvas, netting, or even nylon.
Gucci Aphrodite Medium Shoulder Bag
Marc Jacobs The Zebra Haircalf Dual Bag
DeMellier The Midi New York
Paloma Wool Queridita Bag
Loeffler Randall Billie Flap Shoulder Bag
Freja Mini Chrystie Pistachio
Meg (she/her) is the associate fashion commerce editor at ELLE.com, where she specializes in shopping stories spanning the fashion, home, and lifestyle categories. Over the past three years, she has devoted countless hours to researching brands, testing hundreds (maybe even thousands!) of products, and deep-diving into market and consumer trends. Her favorite job responsibilities consist of co-writing the monthly series Same Same But Different and curating the fashion market for ELLE Escapes. Meg graduated magna cum laude from the Missouri School of Journalism with an emphasis on magazine editing. In 2020, one of her feature stories in the service article category was recognized by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. The year prior, the Society of Professional Journalists named voxmagazine.com “Best Affiliated Magazine” in its Mark of Excellence Awards, when she was on staff. Meg’s stories have appeared on Cosmopolitan, Town & Country, Harper’s Bazaar, and Good Housekeeping, among many other outlets. Her personal passions include travel, buffalo sauce, and gardening. You can find her in New York, where she lives, or on Instagram, where she also lives. She will never stop hoping for a One Direction reunion tour.
