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The most challenging part about dressing for autumn is the temperature fluctuation. A well-planned fall capsule wardrobe needs to span the whole range: from the hot and sweaty afternoons of early September to the brisk, chilly (and sometimes even snowy) evenings of November.

And that's why my recommendation is to do two mini seasonal capsules with lots of layers:

• One with more breathable garments for September to mid-October

• And another one with heavier garments for mid-October to November

Unlike planning for a summer capsule wardrobe or a travel capsule wardrobe where you’re working with clear constraints, fall is a season that offers a lot of flexibility. Depending on where you live, you might incorporate anything from cropped tank tops to thick puffer jackets.

So, this guide will provide you with a general autumn capsule wardrobe checklist, tips to create a customized capsule closet that works for you, and some outfit inspiration to stay on-trend this season (if you choose to follow trends).

Fall Capsule Wardrobe Checklist

For maximum coverage and flexibility, I recommend that you create two mini capsule wardrobes for early and late fall.

Early Fall Capsule Wardrobe Checklist

• Basic tee

• Dressy top

• Sleeveless crop tank

• Long sleeve shirt

• Cardigan

• Wide leg jeans

• Trousers

• Maxi skirt

• Midi dress

• Light outer layer

• Sneakers

• Dressy Boots

• Accessories

Late Fall Capsule Wardrobe Checklist

• Basic tee

• Dressy top

• Long sleeve shirt

• Knit top

• Textured light layer

• Wide leg jeans

• Textured pants

• Maxi skirt

• Maxi dress

• Heavy jacket

• Sneakers

• Boots

• Accessories

However, if you want to keep things simple, here is quick checklist that covers the entire season.

General Fall Capsule Wardrobe Checklist

• Basic tee

• Dressy top

• Knit top

• Long sleeve shirt

• Button-down shirt

• Cardigan or light layer

• Heavy sweater

• Wide leg pants

• Textured pants

• Long skirt

• Midi dress

• Light jacket

• Heavy jacket

• Sneakers

• Boots

• Accessories (scarves, hats, gloves, socks)

For more examples and moodboards of what I'd include in early autumn and late autumn capsule wardrobes, scroll to the end!

How To Build An Autumn Capsule Wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe is traditionally a collection of 20-40 garments and accessories that mix and match cohesively to create a versatile range of outfits. It's usually created on a seasonal basis but this concept can be applied other lifestyle events and categories as well (work capsule, for example).

For fall, the first thing you want to consider when choosing your garments is the weather where you live. Pick a large range of garments that layer well and functionally protect you from the elements. If you live in a temperate climate, you’ll probably just want to include different variations of shirts and the occasional medium-weight jacket. If you live somewhere with more extreme weather, you’ll probably want to include a weather-proof jacket and several fleeces or sweaters.

Try to keep the key garments in your capsule closet practical. Then add style and flair with interesting accessories and statement pieces in fun colors or textures.

What To Include In Your Fall Capsule

Tops

Because fall weather fluctuates so much, you ideally want at least one top of each length. I'd include doubles of basic tees and long sleeve shirts in varying textures/colors so you have more options to rotate through.

1. Basic tee

2. Dressy top

3. Long sleeve shirt

4. Textured light layer

Bottoms

At the minimum, you should have two pairs of pants and one maxi skirt. Feel free to double up on the garments in accordance to your personal dressing habits. This is also an opportunity to add fun colors, textures, and prints to your wardrobe!

5. Wide leg pants

6. Textured or tailored pants

7. Maxi skirt

Statement Pieces

8. Midi or maxi dress

9. Light jacket

10. Heavy jacket

Accessories + Shoes

11. Sneakers

12. Boots

13. Jewelry, Bags, Hats, Gloves + More

Accessories really make or break your capsule wardrobe. Feel free to include your entire accessories collection with a heavy emphasis on hats and scarves as they're both stylish and practical!

Early Fall Capsule Wardrobe Examples

Capsule wardrobes of early autumn can include thinner garments but begin to incorporate some of those familiar cozy autumn feelings with richer colors and fabrics. Crimson and suede are especially huge for Fall 2024 so if you’re trying to stay on-trend, then try to add those elements into your rotational pieces! Remember, this collection should feature lots of breathable garments with a handful of thicker layers for warmth.

Late Fall Capsule Wardrobe

On the other hand, late autumn asks for more substantial garments, including your favorite sweaters, overcoats, and boots. You can choose to swap out only a few key pieces (trading thinner garments for thicker ones) or change out your capsule entirely. If you decide to only do a partial swap, I recommend keeping the color scheme to make the process easier.

A capsule wardrobe is a practical tool for minimizing your closet and simplifying the process of getting dressed. There are a lot of misconceptions about how it should be utilized, but remember, it’s your closet so you can always make adjustments as you go!

What are some tips and tricks that you have for planning the perfect seasonal capsule wardrobe? Share with us in the comments below!

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