You’ll probably want to think about changing your outfits for fall to keep you warmer as the weather starts to cool. But fall is also a great time to incorporate some of the newer trends into your closet by creating a fall capsule wardrobe.
Below, you will find the best pieces to add to your closet to help you create effortless, stylish outfits through fall. Think about autumnal colors, texture, leather, cozy knits and checks and mix some of the latest fall trends into the items you already have in your closet…
Tips to create your fall capsule wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe can make putting together stylish outfits every morning a doddle. But, as summer turns to fall, you’ll find what you need from your capsule wardrobe changes. You like to take a look at how to create the ultimate capsule wardrobe as well as thinking about these tips to get you started:
Incorporate some rich autumnal shades into your outfit
One of the wonderful things about fall is being able to add some beautiful autumnal hues into your closet. Think about mirroring the falling fall leaves with burnt oranges, burgundies and russets and you can’t go wrong.
Psyche (above) wears a beautiful russet coat with her burgundy booties.
Recreate her outfit with this similar shirt, pants, coat, booties, crossbody bag and sunglasses.
Mix your summer clothes with your fall pieces
The weather won’t change overnight so you can mix and match some of your summer clothing with warmer items until you find the perfect combination.
Nic (above) teams a summer skirt with a warm sweater and ankle booties.
Steal her look with this similar sweater, skirt, booties and earrings.
Embrace your style and layer up
Even though you will want to make sure you’re dressed appropriately for the weather, you don’t have to change your style with the seasons. So, if you love a romantic floral maxi dress during the summer, you can simply add layers to ensure it is fall-appropriate.
Jona (above) layers her maxi dress with a blazer, hat and booties for cooler weather.
Check out this dress from Amazon that you can wear with this similar blazer, booties and fedora.
Embrace new textures
Fall can be the perfect time to play around with different textures, such as leather, wool and reptile prints.
Sharon (above) wears her leather pants with a cozy sweater and textured snakeskin booties.
Get her look with this similar sweater, leather pants and booties.
Fall 2020 capsule closet
Now that you’re thinking about what fall dressing means for you, including what will work best for your style personality and your lifestyle, let’s take a look at a fall capsule wardrobe with all the tops, bottoms, dresses, coats, shoes and accessories you will need for Fall 2020, incorporating latest trends with timeless pieces.
Tops for fall
Some of the key trends for fall 2020 include puffed sleeves and rich, deep shades such as purple. You could think about looking for classic shapes in on-trend colors as well as ensuring you have timeless styles in your closet such as button-up shirts, t-shirts and wrap styles.
Sara (above) chooses a classic denim button-up and teams it with a leopard-print skirt which is perfect for fall.
Check out this similar shirt, skirt, sneakers and crossbody bag.
Rag & Bone stripe silk blouse – Theory cashmere sweater – VERO MODA penny button front blouse – Vince high/low silk shirt
Sweaters & cardigans
There were plenty of beautiful burgundies on the catwalks for Fall 2020, but there were also softer, less expected hues such as pastel pink. Monochrome coats and clothing also featured heavily on the runways. Also, think about draped styles which will be flattering and in style for many years to come.
Kim (above) mixes pinks and burgundies along with a retro-print skirt.
Recreate her outfit with this similar sweater, skirt, tights, sneakers and necklace.
FRAME stripe sweater – Nordstrom Signature cashmere pullover – Leith off the shoulder sweater – Bobeau waterfall knit cardigan
Jackets & coats
Every fall closet needs at least one great coat. Long, belted styles, plaid and check are in style for fall, with capes being particularly on-trend. A cape can be a great transitional item to add a little extra warmth as summer turns to fall.
Mel (above) chooses a classic gray wool wrap coat and wears with her black skinny jeans and zebra-print booties.
Get her look with this similar coat, pants, booties and head wrap.
BLANKNYC faux suede drape front jacket – Bernardo belted long coat – Chicwish turn down shawl collar grid coat – Madewell plaid cape scarf
Jeans & pants
Many of you may tend to wear more jeans and pants rather than skirts and dresses when the weather cools. After years of skinnies, you find that a skinny style of jeans is still on trends (and is really useful for layering tunic style tops over and long knitwear) but any style at all goes now – do it may be time to dig out those bootcuts from the back of your closet.
Plaid pants are a perennial style staple during fall, and it’s also a great time to introduce a different texture such as leather.
Kirsten (above) opts for skinny jeans which she tucks into her booties. She layers her knitwear and creates flattering, vertical lines with her longer cardigan.
Check out this similar sweater, cardigan, jeans and booties.
Joe’s high waist skinny jeans – Halogen crop faux leather pants – Halogen flare leg pants – Halogen tie waist houndstooth pants
Dresses & skirts in your fall capsule wardrobe
You can easily wear your favorite summer dresses into fall by adding tights or leggings and layering a cardigan or jacket over the top. Plus, you could treat yourself to one of fall’s new key trends, such as metallics or dresses and skirts in a deep shade of plum.
Lou (above) wears a maxi dress that could easily be styled for summer with sandals before you switch to booties for fall.
Get her look with this similar dress and booties.
Halogen midi shirtdress – Vince gathered dress – Halogen leather skirt – Topshop pleated metallic faux leather midi skirt
Shoes and boots for fall
You’ll find that a great pair of ankle booties and a pair of knee-length boots will go with pretty much every outfit in your fall capsule. You could also incorporate some on-trend elements into your outfits with your shoes, such as reptile textures, bows and chain details.
Melinda (above) wears a russet orange blazer and teams with tan ankle booties.
Check out this similar printed top, blazer, jeans, booties and tote.
Louis et Cie slingback pump – Karl Lagerfeld slip-on sneaker – Marc Fisher LTD bootie – Ariat waterproof knee high boot
Accessories for your fall capsule wardrobe
Every capsule closet needs accessories so you can create different looks from the same outfits. Add some scarves to your looks as well as statement jewelry. You can add trends to your overall outfits with your handbags by looking for fringing and chain details.
Stephanie (above) adds a cozy gray scarf and crossbody bag to her outfit.
Check out this similar sweater, jeans, coat, sandals, crossbody bag and scarf.
Kirt Geiger London tweed shoulder bag – STAUD pleated top handle bucket bag – Rebecca Minkoff plaid square scarf – Tory Burch logo geo silk neckerchief – Canvas Jewelry multi chain layered necklace – ALLSAINTS mixed link collar necklace – Jenny Bird drop earrings
Continue reading:
- Fall Fashion For Women Over 40: The Most Flattering Trends For Fall 2020
- The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Capsule Wardrobe That Works For You
- The Best Winter Coats For Women This Season And How To Choose A Coat
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Feature image by Stephanie
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Hello Sylvia! I have recently become very focused on honing in my personal style so that when Covid lifts I am ready to re-emerge fully developed! Your questionnaires and specific style profiles have been the most helpful to me. Of all of the online resources, I love yours the most. Well done! I want to add one comment about a trend that is not going away therefore it is not really a trend…the crossbody bag. I love them, I own several, I think they are very convenient because they allow you to operate hands free. I came to this opinion when I analyzed photos of myself in fashion mistakes or as the old “Glamout Don’t” There I was on a memorable trip with my son in Nashville and in every picture I look tacky with this very stylish and comfortable, Lululemon crossbody bag across my chest, splitting my breasts, ruining my top, making me look frumpy. I feel like it absolutely RUINED every outfit and picture I took. When I see a photo like the very first one of this article and later in 2 others I cringe. Here is a lovely lady dressed well but at the last minute let’s toss this Crossbody bag on her so she looks like a kid on their way to school. May as well put a pink backpack on her. There is nothing stylish about a mature woman who can’t keep track of a decent handbag but rather sling on a crossbody everytime. For the sake of ease we have trended to these crossbody, outfit ruining, accessories and sacrificed a large bit of style. I admit that this bag has it’s place. I actually like how your model, Psyche, is carrying hers above. This my opinion. I feel like this needs your professional, fine tuning in future pictures and advice. Thanks!
I still stand by the cross body bag. Although I understand your point of view, I feel that the cross body bag is sporty and practical. I will continue to wear it. It’s not always necessary to have the ‘perfect’ silhouette. A regular big makes the outfit more formal. A cross body bag is practical and casual. Both have their purposes. And if you feel that it ruins any pictures, you can simply just sling it over one shoulder for those. As always you can always make your own decisions around this. It’s all good!
Hi Sylvia,
I am a new 70-year-old and love your hints and ideas. Also, planning a trip to Europe next fall. Do you have any suggestions for a three week vacation?
Hello Sylvia
I really enjoy your posts
Is it possible to repost your spring into summer ideas
I live in Brisbane Australia and we are due to reverse your seasons
Cheers Pam
Didnt like the fourth outfit looked like a complete mismatch of colours and bag choice.
Sometimes it’s the contrast or the ‘mismatch’ that makes an outfit interesting…