Sometimes it can be difficult to create a capsule wardrobe for the entire year, so why not take it slow and start by creating one for each season? With pumpkin spice lattes flooding Instagram feeds, it’s safe to say our favourite season is in full swing and we are here for fall fashion. We’ve put together this fall capsule wardrobe guide to help you make fewer decisions in the mornings and give you a basic outline to start with. We’re so excited sweater weather is here so let’s get to it!
What is a capsule wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe is a small collection of well-loved and high-quality clothing items that match one another effortlessly. The pieces should be versatile and timeless so you don’t throw them away after each season. A good rule of thumb is to ensure each item matches at least a few things in your closet so everything works together seamlessly.
What is a fall capsule wardrobe?
A fall capsule wardrobe is a collection of your favourite fall clothing items strategically curated so everything matches each other. It typically consists of transitional pieces with lots of layering options that take you from summer to fall, and from fall to early winter. The layering pieces should be consistent with the weather and depend on your climate. For colder climates, a coat is essential but if you live somewhere warm, a light jacket is more than enough. The same thing applies to your accessories like hats and scarves which are must-haves in colder and windy environments. Think about this thoroughly before investing in your fall wardrobe. It takes some thought to put together a balanced closet that you’re proud of, and we’re here to help.
Benefits of building a capsule wardrobe
Building a capsule wardrobe for the first time may seem a bit overwhelming, but it’s so much more practical! A well thought out capsule closet offers you a smaller pool of choices in the mornings and leaves you with extra time to focus on living your best life. Did you know an average person makes 35,000 decisions per day? Having to make one less decision in the morning? Count us in! Not to mention, you will end up spending less money in the long run since you’ve planned out your purchases and stuck to your budget.
How to build a fall capsule wardrobe
It all starts with a wardrobe audit. Start by decluttering the items you no longer need or you’re not reaching for anymore. Donate or sell them and make room for new timeless styles. You’ll need to figure out your personal style if you haven’t already - something that’s unique to you, your lifestyle and your body type.
Think about your day-to-day tasks and chores. Are you a stay-at-home mom running after toddlers, or busy running around the office and jumping from one meeting to the next? We all have different needs in our daily lives so it’s important to buy clothes that cater to your lifestyle. Remember, comfort is key!
Learn about your body type to know which clothes will look best on you. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t like how something looks on you, there are other options that you will love, and every body type is beautiful!
Once you figured all that out… Start strategizing what style you like and look at some outfit inspirations on Pinterest.
Next, pick your colour scheme and try to stick to a core selection of neutrals to start (white, black, navy, beige and grey). It makes matching outfits so much easier! Then, add your pops of colour but just be sure the colour choices work together. If you’re sticking to cool tones, your pop of colour should ideally be either a cool or neutral tone. If you’re picking a warm tone, stick with warm and/or neutrals.
This 2022 fall capsule wardrobe is supposed to be a basic outline to help you create the perfect wardrobe. You need to take this information and add a dash of YOU!
Can I implement trends in a capsule wardrobe?
Absolutely! You can typically try to budget around 2-3 trending items to add to your wardrobe each season. We wouldn’t recommend adding more as that defeats the purpose of having a capsule wardrobe. Try to incorporate pieces that can be easily dressed up or down like sweaters and cardigans.
2022 Fall capsule wardrobe checklist
Tops:
Outerwear/layering:
Dresses:
Bottoms:
Shoes:
Accessories:
Fall capsule essentials and staples:
Basic tees + tanks
Basic tees in neutral colours go with everything. They can be dressed up or down effortlessly and the styling options are endless. Wear them under cardigans and sweaters for a cozy vibe or under blazers and coats for a formal and sophisticated look.
Long sleeves
Long sleeves are a must for fall capsules. Wear them on their own or under cardigans and blazers to dress them up.
Turtlenecks + mock necks
Nothing screams “I’m ready for fall” like grabbing your favourite turtleneck, drinking pumpkin spice lattes and lighting your favourite scented candle!
Shirts + blouses
Shirts and blouses are the perfect item to elevate your outfit instantly. Style it with a dressy coat for parties and special events.
Sweaters + sweatshirts
Sweaters and sweatshirts are the ultimate fall must-have in any closet. Just the perfect amount of coziness and comfort, you really can’t ask for more.
Cardigans
Cardigans look amazing open or belted over any outfit for year-round styling. Plus, a longer duster doubles beautifully as a long fall jacket!
Trench coats + Light jackets
Classic Trench | Torrentshell 3L Jacket
You may not need a jacket for fall depending on your climate but if you do, these are perfect!
Blazers
A classic workwear staple - Easy to dress up or down. You can also throw a scarf over your blazer for a more casual look that goes beyond the office!
Wool coats
Wool coat | Long plaid wool coat
Coats instantly elevate any look and you can style it open or closed. A definite fall must-have.
Long sleeve + sweater dresses
Verona dress | Finian dress
Long sleeve dresses are so beautiful and fall is the perfect time to wear them. Wear leggings under and throw on a coat, and you can wear this well into early winter. We love these classic dresses for all the holiday functions that come later in the year.
Pants
A few pairs of good quality pants help elevate any look. They work perfectly year-round for the office, dinner dates or travel.
Leggings
Leggings are honestly a must-have for any season. They come in different fabrics and weights for different seasons and occasions.
Jeans
Go for light or medium wash jeans as they are easy to style and are timeless.
Shoes
A good pair of sneakers and classy boots should be a good start for your fall capsule. Try to incorporate classic styles so you can use them all year round. Make sure the shoes you’re picking are weather-friendly.
Accessories
Have a few belt options in your capsule to accentuate your waist and don’t forget your timeless pieces of jewelry.
Kick-start your capsule wardrobe with Miik.
This outline should help keep you on the right track for your fall capsule wardrobe. Take your time building your wardrobe list because you’ll be wearing these pieces for years to come. There’s absolutely NO rush!
Spend some time carefully listing YOUR ideal capsule wardrobe. You’ll not only spend less money and forego the clothing you don't need, but you'll also end up developing a distinctive personal style along the way
Spend some time carefully listing YOUR ideal capsule wardrobe. You’ll not only spend less money and forego the clothing you don't need, but you'll also end up developing a distinctive personal style along the way.
If you enjoyed reading this, check out our blog article on work capsule wardrobe where we create 30 outfits with 23 items (only 15 pieces of clothing!)
With much love,
Your Miik team 🤍
