Oh fall… How I love the crisp autumn air, the crunchy leaves, the colorful trees, and the pumpkin spice lattes galore… When it comes to this season, I turn about as basic as basic can get. My love of fall is now an Instagram cliché… I’m not ashamed in the slightest! It truly is a magnificent season; it’s not too hot, yet not too cold. Most of my shorts are put away for the season, but I’m also not pulling out the winter coats! In my not so humble opinion, fall truly has the best fashion. I get giddy for Fall/Winter Fashion Week. What new trends will arrive? How many cute booties can I add to my wishlist before it would be considered “a problem”? Do I need to purchase another five turtlenecks? Uhh, YES! Obviously, I had to write this Fall Capsule Wardrobe for 2020 post!
A season as wonderful as autumn deserves some iconic fashion classics. Here is a list, in no particular order, of what you NEED to have in your closet! They’re staples, and they’ll help you slay this season, pandemic or not! Flex at the grocery store, the pharmacy, while walking your dog… The possibilities are endless! Not only that, but these are all perfect for a capsule wardrobe; you’ll be able to wear these year after year, and they are all cohesive. We love a classic queen.
Trench Coat
The trenchcoat. A classic. I love this piece because it’s timeless and it looks GREAT on everyone. The neutral colors go with everything while the optional belt gives you a beautiful waist and helps give the illusion of an hourglass figure! Plus, it is SUCH a fashion statement when draped over the shoulders. Burberry is iconic for their trench coats, however Express and Mango do stunning ones as well!
The Fall Capsule Wardrobe Essential: Combat Boots
As soon as I sense the first leaf fall, I rush to take my combat boots out! Right now, chunky is IN. While I believe it’s a look that can always be stylish, it has to be balanced. Having a chunky boot means the rest of your outfit needs to be fitted. Key words: volume proportions! You can always opt for a more streamlined pair such as the new FW20 Chanel boots. For a chunky boot, I’m sure you’ve all seen the Prada Pocket boots. I give them credit for this trend being back in! Jimmy Choo did a beautiful collaboration with Timberland as well. Nasty Gal has some great options, too! No matter the brand, no fall capsule wardrobe is complete with out a pair or two.
Heeled Booties
Be still my beating heart! These are such a great choice if you want to look longer, leaner, and add effortless chic style to your look. Plus, booties are typically more comfortable than a regular heel. They go with jeans, skirts, dresses, shorts… You name it; it works! I would recommend going for a traditional black as a staple, but you can always branch out after and play with colors and prints. My tried and true pair of booties that I LOVE is my Christian Louboutin. You read that right. Louboutin made my favorite pair of booties and they are comfortable! Crazy, I know. Aldo is also one of my favorite go-to stores for booties.
Another Fall Capsule Wardrobe Essential: The Leather Jacket
Such a statement piece. A good leather jacket can add so much attitude to an outfit. Style it over a flowly dress for an unexpected twist, or pair it over a black V-neck top, black skinnies, and black booties for a sleek monochrome look. She didn’t come to play any games! This is the perfect item for a fall capsule wardrobe that you can bring out time and time again. My favorite leather jacket came from a local boutique up in the Niagara region of Canada, so I highly recommend checking out anything local! Versace and Balmain make some beautiful leather jackets for a more high end look.
Sweater Dress/Tweed Skirt
These two looks are paired together because they are essentially going for the same look; effortless, but well put together. My sweater dresses tend to be chunky and then I’ll opt for a pair of tights (such as the Gucci ones or a simple sheer pair) and a heeled bootie. I like to switch it up with combat boots for a sort of masculine twist to a classic feminine look when I’m feeling edgy. A tweed skirt (or any other similar fabric) also looks great with everything mentioned above!
Straight/Skinny Leg Jeans
Honestly, this is a staple for any time of the year, not just for a fall capsule wardrobe. We should all own a few good pairs of jeans. Make sure to pay attention to how both your “front” and booty look! We don’t want a saggy bum or a diaper front! Play around with the washes and see what works for you! As a good rule of thumb, dark wash jeans have a slimming effect whereas lighter washes tend to make you look a little bigger. I am a skinny jean lover, but not everyone feels the same way. Straight leg jeans tend to be a beautiful cut on everyone.
Chunky Knit Sweater
Can you imagine a more perfect fall day than cozying up with a hot chocolate (or your preferred warm beverage of choice), fuzzy socks, and your favorite chunky knit all while watching your favorite Netflix show? Chunky knits have a way to make us feel cozy, and if paired correctly, stylish, too! This is sooo essential for your fall capsule wardrobe. I swear every store and their cousin sells these types of sweaters, so it’s all about personal preference! Express has some killer sweaters I loved back in the States.
My Favorite Fall Capsule Wardrobr Piece: The Classic Turtleneck Sweater
Another favorite of mine. There is just something so sexy and sleek about a turtleneck. They can be dressed up or down and look great on everyone. Black is a classic, but don’t be afraid to play around with other colors! My latest purchase is a cashmere piece from Lilysilk in a crimson red and it is EVERYTHING! Express also makes good turtlenecks; I usually go for them for a more fitted look. Zara is phenomenal, too.
Cashmere Scarf
I truly didn’t think this was essential until I cracked and bought a classic Burberry scarf. No joke, my life was forever changed. They’re soft, fashionable, comfortable, light-weight, and keep you warm! I love the vibe when casually draped over your shoulders or wrapped around your neck. I. Love. Them. 10/10 would recommend. Cashmere scarves elevate ANY outfit (case and point above on the left where I’m dressed super casual, but the outfit is elevated with the scarf!) and is a must for your fall capsule wardrobe.
My Latest Fall Capsule Wardrobe Crush: White Fashion Sneakers
Fashion sneakers. Something I was on the fence about for a long time I didn’t think I needed a pair of fashion sneakers! I assumed they were overpriced and overrated. They probably weren’t even comfortable! Well… A pair of Versace Ilus sneaker later and I’m a believer. They’re effortlessly cool. I pair them with blazers in order to dress down an outfit or with some jeans for that “cool girl vibe”. Truly a fall essential. I also included a pair of Converse because I truly believe they are a beautiful alternative! I’m not ALWAYS in the mood for a Versace flex… Just most of the time!
I hope you enjoyed my Fall Capsule Wardrobe for 2020. Just because this year is a mess doesn’t mean we can’t be a fashionable mess! 😉 What are some of your favorite items? Is there something that you HAVE to have? What about something you’d like to add to the list? Let me know! I personally have a Burberry Trench at the top of my list. I keep seeing 30% and 40% off coupons that apply to Burberry on LuisaViaRoma, so needless to say, girl, I am TEMPTED.
Make sure to check out my review on the Jimmy Choo x Timberland Collaboration that I mentioned under the combat boots!
XO, Tess
Subscribe
**Some of the above links are affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you buy something using my link. You don’t have to use them if you’d prefer not to. You do NOT get charged extra for using the above links.