"There’s no debating that of all the seasons, the transition to fall is always the most invigorating. Sandals are swapped out for boots in gorgeous leathers and suedes, tees are exchanged for cozy cashmere sweaters, and days are filled with a sense of newness and optimism that only this fleeting season manages to hold. There’s nothing that compares to that first sub-65 degree morning that allows you to wake up, break out your favorite sweater for the first time since March, and head out the door into a crisp autumn day.
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Be it the nostalgia that naturally comes in with the first days of September or the ability to walk outside without beginning to sweat, fall has a reputation for being the best season of the year for fashion—and that’s no accident. Airy dresses and the sea of linen bottoms that own the months of summer pale in comparison to the moody, deep shades of autumn paired with the luxe textures that cooler weather allows.
As our calendars turned to September, our minds changed channels to have fall on the brain, and our 2024 fall capsule wardrobe is here to usher in the new season in style.
What Is a Capsule Wardrobe?
The simple definition is that it’s a curated wardrobe made up of versatile pieces that you love to wear. Your capsule wardrobe should be a testament to your personal style.
A capsule wardrobe consists of a set of tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, shoes, and accessories that can be easily mixed and matched together to be dressed up, down, and anywhere in between. It consists of high-quality pieces that stand the test of time and can be worn for years to come.
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe
The first step to building a capsule wardrobe is taking a good, hard look at what you already own, then figuring out what needs to go—and what holes your closet has that need filling.
Sort each item into one of four piles:
- I love it and would wear it tomorrow: These pieces fit your body and your lifestyle, and you’re confident wearing them. Put these back first.
- Maybe: These pieces might not fit perfectly, have sentimental value, or just haven’t been worn in a while. (If you haven’t reached for a piece more than once, it belongs in this pile too). Put all of these items in a box and store them in a place that’s easily accessible. If you find yourself reaching for an item, put it back in your closet after; if you haven’t reached for it by the end of the season, keep it in the box to take to donate. This is noncommittal (for now) and allows you to change your mind later.
- Hard no: Whether it’s because it doesn’t fit or you just decided you don’t like it, pack these pieces up to donate them.
- Seasonal: There’s no need to keep a chunky sweater next to your summer tank tops. Move all of your seasonal pieces into a storage location that will be easy for you to swap out once the time is right.
One of the biggest misconceptions about capsule wardrobes is that they don’t apply to people with trendy or maximalist-leaning style. A good capsule wardrobe doesn’t need to be a pattern-free collection of neutral pieces, and my goal was to showcase that with this fall’s edition.
You don’t have to add every trend of the season to your closet in order to feel cool and well-dressed; all it takes is a few, strategically chosen pieces that can work a little styling magic. With the help of pops of cherry red, stripes, leopard print, and gorgeous fall textures, this year’s fall capsule wardrobe incorporates some of the most anticipated elements of the season—red and leopard, I’m looking at you—but takes a timeless approach to them.
TL;DR: It includes pieces that will ensure your outfits feel far from boring, but all of those pieces will still be in style next year, and the year after that.
Understanding Your Personal Style
Understanding your personal style is the key to building a capsule wardrobe that really resonates with you. Start by taking a closer look at your current wardrobe. Which pieces do you reach for time and time again? Identify the pieces that you feel the most you in.
Consider your lifestyle and style preferences, too. Ask yourself questions like: What are my favorite colors? Do I lean towards classic styles, or do I prefer trendier pieces? Do I tend to reach for bottoms that prioritize comfort? Start to find the patterns in your preferences before you add anything new to your closet.
Creating a Color Palette
You want your capsule wardrobe to be filled with pieces you actually want to wear, which means they should fall into a color palette you want to reach for on repeat. Start by thinking about your most-worn pieces: Are they bright and statement-making, or neutral and classic? Having a few neutrals in your capsule wardrobe for versatility’s sake isn’t a bad idea, but your capsule definitely doesn’t need to be only neutrals. Prioritize selecting pieces in colors you know you’ll reach for—even better, in colors that spark joy for you—and in shades that will pair well with other pieces in your closet.
Don’t shy away from adding metallics to your capsule—having a few statement-making accessories can instantly elevate your outfits, even if they’re styled with mostly basics.
The Everygirl’s
Fall 2024 Capsule Wardrobe
How to Style Your Fall Capsule Wardrobe
To work from a coffee shop
Cardigan (Plus) | Slouch Bag | Jeans (Plus) | Sunglasses | Sneakers
There are few things as easy to romanticize as a fall trip to a coffee shop. For a day you’re toting your laptop to your favorite local cafe to sit and work for the day, a cozy, oversized sweater, relaxed pair of jeans, and leopard sneakers are your ticket. The relaxed ensemble will give you that main-character-in-a-TV-show feeling—that’s, of course, set in a town that’s inexplicably always in the throes of fall—while remaining comfortable enough to click away on your computer all afternoon.
Out to dinner
Mary Janes | Two-Tone Earrings | Shoulder Bag | Tailored Vest (Plus) | Sunglasses | Jeans (Plus)
In a perfect world, every fall day would be 60 degrees and sunny, but in reality, it’s usually warmer than you’d expect through most of October. Having a few pieces that feel like fall, but aren’t going to make you sweat the second you leave the house is an underrated key of fall dressing—and that’s where a tailored vest comes in. The silhouette and tailoring is reminiscent of your favorite blazer, but its lack of sleeves means you’ll feel comfortable in it even when the temperatures are stubbornly sticking in the 70s. Paired with relaxed denim and red Mary Janes, you have an outfit worthy of your next Saturday night dinner reservation.
Out to brunch
Ballet Flats | Belt | Denim Jacket (Plus) | White Tee (Plus) | Sunglasses | Jeans (Plus) | Shoulder Bag
For a stylish brunch outfit, consider incorporating denim jackets as a key piece. When in doubt, denim on denim is always the answer. Modernize the denim jacket look by opting for a relaxed denim chore jacket and pairing it with a pair of jeans in a similar shade of blue. The key to this look is accessorizing to your heart’s desire. The “take one thing off before you leave the house” rule? Never heard of it.
To the office
Oversized Blazer (Plus) | Shoulder Bag | Midi Dress (Plus) | Sunglasses | Ballet Flats
Fall dressing comes with the classic “chilly in the morning, hot in the afternoon” conundrum that transitional weather can bring. Cover your bases with a ready-for-all-weather look that consists of layers you can add and remove as needed. A comfortable midi dress will only look better with an oversized blazer layered over top—regardless of if it’s actually worn or just draped over your shoulders—and can be turned work-ready with a pair of walkable ballet flats.
For a Saturday in the city
Trench Coat (Plus) | Shirt Dress (Additional Option) (Plus) | Sunglasses | Mary Janes
Fall can’t pass by without a few trench coat-focused outfits, and often, when it comes to styling them, the simpler, the better. A trench coat paired with a white shirt dress and red Mary Janes will emulate the uncomplicated je ne sais quoi of French dressing, and is a combination you can rely on as long as the weather allows you to show a little leg.
Madeline Galassi, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor
Madeline Galassi is the Fashion & Beauty Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the fashion and beauty categories of the site. She brainstorms, writes, and edits stories across a broad range of topics including trend reports, product reviews, celebrity style, and more. She’s always keeping a pulse on the latest trends to create timely, exciting content for our readers.
