2024 Fall Capsule Wardrobe

I’ve made many capsule wardrobes over the years, but my fall capsules are always my favorite. Fall is the perfect season for layering, which makes it easy to create many outfits from just a few pieces. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of a capsule wardrobe, a capsule wardrobe can be your entire wardrobe for a season or just a great base to build upon. I like to use a capsule wardrobe as a wardrobe base. Capsule wardrobes are made of staple items that mix and match well to make numerous outfits. I went with brown, olive, and neutral tones in this fall capsule. There are 16 pieces (not including shoes and bags), and I’ve created 27 casual outfit ideas with them – but the possibilities don’t end there. Stay tuned for the workwear capsule wardrobe next week!

Affiliate links are included in this post.

My Sizing: I’m 4’10”, and my bust, waist, and hip measurements are 32″, 24″, and 36″. My inseam is 25″ (the measurement from the inside of my leg to my ankle bone). The clothes shown are unaltered and show how they fit me right from the store. I list my sizing beside each item to help you compare when shopping online. When referencing my true size, that is often the smallest option available at a brand or petite xxs/00/24. I wear a size 5 shoe.

*Some item photos in the collage are not the exact item. Exact items are shown in the outfit examples below.

I decided to present my capsule wardrobe differently this season than I have in the past. There will still be one blog post with all of the outfits and capsule pieces in one place, but I’ve also broken the capsule into four posts (and associated Reels) focused on different ways to remix the jeans/leggings I chose. My hope is that this strategy would make it easier for you to see each outfit in the capsule.

Like my other capsules, I will share alternate items at lower prices. However, as a disclaimer, I haven’t tested the fit of the items I’m sharing as alternates; I chose them based on past experiences and petite options with the brands.

16 Items

Ivory Fisherman Sweater: XS

This thick and warm sweater is great on its own but also layers well under all of the top layers I’ve chosen for the capsule. I chose this Quince sweater because I love that it’s made out of organic cotton and is well made. I’ve had good luck with the quality and longevity of Quince sweaters, but I recommend laying this one flat to dry so it doesn’t shrink in the dryer. I’m a sucker for white, so I chose this sweater in ivory, but any neutral will do. This sweater isn’t petite, so I have to cuff the sleeves, and it has a slightly roomy fit, but I recommend choosing your true size. Similar, less expensive option here.

Leopard Sweater: XXS

The leopard sweater I chose is a lightweight option with a slim fit. I love including one printed top in my capsule wardrobes to add variety. The neutral leopard print mixes well with the top layers and jeans chosen for this post. Similar less expensive option here.

Olive Sweater: XS

When choosing an accent color for my capsule, I almost chose red. If you had caught the preview I put in my IG story earlier this month, you may have seen the red sweater instead. I love that sweater, and red is on trend, so you could use that sweater in this capsule. I changed my mind simply because I realized that red isn’t my color. Instead, I chose an olive version of the Quince Boyfriend Sweater I included in my fall capsule last year. The boyfriend sweater has a high-low hem and a just right slightly oversized fit. This is another one I have to cuff the sleeves on, but I still love the overall fit and would recommend your true size. This sweater is also made of organic cotton, so I recommend laying it flat to dry if you don’t want it to shrink. Less expensive option here.

Brown Sweater: XXS

The brown sweater is the same as the leopard print. It’s thin and close-fitting, so it layers nicely. I chose this exact sweater because I love its unique color. It’s slightly different from dark brown or camel, but it still pairs nicely with all of the colors in the capsule. I wear this sweater in XXS and find it to fit true to size.

Boyfriend Cardigan: XS

This is another piece I replaced from my initial capsule wardrobe preview. Initially, I was going to choose the cropped version of this sweater, but ultimately, I felt the longer version would be more versatile. I chose This option from Quince for the overall quality of the piece. It’s thick organic cotton and well made. I chose ivory, but it comes in other colors as well. It is oversized on me – it’s up to personal preference if you want to size down; I love a cozy fit, so it’s true to size for me. Similar, less expensive option.

Olive Jacket: XXS

The olive jacket I chose for the capsule has an oversized fit. I wanted an option that was long enough to wear with leggings, and I like that this exact jacket is lined and warm. Since it’s oversized, I have to cuff the sleeves on it, and you can tell from the photos that it’s generally a little bit big on me. If you prefer a closer fit, you could size down, or this option comes in petite. There is a similar, less expensive option here.

Denim Shirt: Petite XXS

Similar to the chambray shirts we all had in the past, denim shirts are having a moment this season. I chose this one from J.Crew for its dark wash and longer fit. It’s not oversized on me—fitting well through the arms and shoulders—but long enough to wear with leggings. You can tuck this top in, wear it untucked, or wear it as a top layer. Similar, less expensive option.

Long Cardigan: XXS

The Juliette sweater from J.Crew is a beautiful wardrobe staple. This sweater doesn’t come in petite, so it runs a little large on me. If you have the option, a size down would be the best fit for this sweater. Similar less expensive option (this will have an oversized fit).

Layering T-Shirt in Black and White: XXS

I found a great layering top from Gap. This top is double-lined, so it’s not see-through in white. The top comes in petite, but I found the regular fit to be better for me. In the petite, the sleeves were short. The top has a slim, slightly compressive fit, so you may want to size up if you prefer more room.

Quilted Coat: Petite XXS

This coat has a perfect petite fit. It has great sleeve and overall length, and the body isn’t overly large and puffy. It’s a medium-weight coat, so it’s perfect for fall and mild winters. I find this coat to be true to size overall. Similar, less expensive option (not available in cream).

Green Topcoat: Petite 00

The Daphne Topcoat is unlined, so it’s lightweight, but the tightly knit boiled wool keeps you warm. This coat fits true to size overall and has a perfect fit through the sleeves and shoulders. But it’s still roomy enough to layer sweaters underneath. For reference, I’m wearing the coat in the photos in a size up for me (petite 0); it’s a better fit in your true size. Similar, less expensive option.

Leggings: XS 24″ inseam

I was originally going to recommend the OG leggings from Aerie for the capsule and I used that pair in my photos. But after seeing the leggings in the photos and video, I think a better pair overall is this pair from Quince. The Aerie pair is an old favorite of mine and one I often wear with oversized sweaters, but if you want to elevate a pair of leggings like I did with the outfits in the capsule, the ponte pair from Quince (or LOFT) is a more polished pick.

Black Jeans: 24 Extra Short

I had difficulty choosing a pair of black jeans for this capsule post. I was set to use the 90s Straight Jeans from Gap for the post but when I went to style them with the capsule pieces, they just felt a little too long for the flats in the capsule (that pair bunches a little bit on me at the ankle in flats). So I opted for an old favorite in the 90s Ultra High Rise Jeans from Abercrombie. I’m wearing the jeans here in extra short and unfortunately extra short is low in stock. However, I do have options – slim black jeans, less expensive straight black jeans, and another straight option.

Straight/Cropped Flare Jeans: 24, 26″ inseam

I typically choose a light wash and dark wash pair of jeans for my capsule, but this season I opted for two dark wash option in different styles. I chose a cropped flare style, that can easily be swapped for straight jeans if that is more your style, and a pair of bootcut jeans. The cropped flare jeans I chose are from Quince. I picked this pair because they work well with flats, but also pair easily with boots since the 26″ inseam touches the top of my foot. The jeans have a high rise and stretch denim that doesn’t loosen with wear. They’re true to size overall. Slim straight option – tts, and less expensive option – tts, in short petite.

Bootcut Jeans: Petite 24

Bootcut jeans solve the issue of what shoes are we wearing that we’re all currently having with straight jeans and wide-leg jeans. Bootcut jeans keep it simple and can be worn with almost every shoe (if you can get the length just right). I was going to include a pair of bootcut jeans I found from Wit & Wisdom recently in the capsule. The 29″ inseam, which is typically too long for me with a pair of flats, bunched in the most subtle way with flats, making them perfect with a low heel and a pair of flats. Until I washed and dried them, and they shrunk. They’re still perfect for flats but are now too short for a low-heeled pair of boots and wouldn’t work in the photos of this post. If you bought that pair and don’t want to lose the length, don’t dry them! Since I shrunk the pair I wanted to use for the capsule, I opted for another pair of bootcut jeans from J.Crew. These jeans are a bit too long for flats but are perfect for a comfortable, low-heeled pair of boots. I also plan to use these jeans in my workwear capsule. While the length isn’t as versatile as the Wit & Wisdom pair, the wash is better for dressing up and down.

Shoes & Accessories

My goal with the shoes I chose for the capsule was to show variety that may fit different styles. I wouldn’t use the shoe picks as a guide for what you need in your wardrobe, but more of a place to pick what may fit your style the best. I intended to include sneakers – and failed, but for what it’s worth, I intended to include high-top Converse sneakers because they would work well with the bottoms I chose. I’m also still working on finding other options for boots (budget-friendly, knee-high, and waterproof options) so stay tuned if you’re looking for something different.