Fall Workwear Capsule

For my fall workwear capsule wardrobe, I curated a collection of foundational items that can be mixed and matched to create numerous work-appropriate outfits. Maybe you already have similar items and are looking for ways to remix them – or perhaps you’re starting a new job and want some guidance on where to start. I hope you can pick and choose from the pieces I chose to create a wardrobe you love and, most importantly – one that fits!

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.

Dress Code Variation

Dress codes and professions vary widely, and I get many requests in my inbox, so I tried to create a workwear capsule that would allow for variations in the outfits and could be used for different dress codes. I broke up this capsule into a series of five posts:

Outfits for Work with Jeans
Outfits for Work with Flats
Outfits for Work with Boots
Neutral Outfits for Work
Four Ways to Wear a Plaid Blazer

All of the outfits are included here, but browse these upcoming posts to see up-close photos of each outfit.

Budget Variation

When I choose pieces for a capsule wardrobe, the petite-friendly fit is essential, but so is the item’s overall quality. I try my best to accommodate different budgets and will suggest less expensive options where I can. However, I’m intentional about the pieces I choose for the capsule, with the goal of recommending high-quality pieces that will last season after season rather than needing to be replaced each year. The styles I choose for capsules are often timeless choices you can wear for many years. The most expensive items in this capsule are from J.Crew. I have been buying pieces from J.Crew for years and can count on their quality. They are a more expensive brand, but they run sales, I always look out for those when picking up J.Crew pieces.

Clothing Care

To increase the longevity of your capsule items:

Skip washing sweaters when you can. I tend to wear sweaters layered with a T-shirt so they don’t get sweaty or dirty. I hang them back up when I’m done wearing them, never tossing them to the floor, and give them a tumble in the dryer on low heat on my next wear. When it’s time to wash, you can machine wash cotton sweaters but lay them flat to dry. The cashmere sweaters in the capsule should be hand-washed and laid flat to dry.
For dark wash jeans, I skip drying them, laying them flat to dry instead, and giving them a quick tumble to soften before I wear them. Skipping the wash will also increase the longevity of the dark wash.
For dry-clean only pants, you can use at home dry-cleaning in the dryer to save time (something like Dryel).

15 Capsule Pieces

Cashmere Sweater in burgundy, olive, and camel: XS

I chose the $50 Cashmere Sweater from Quince in camel (teak), burgundy, and olive (moss) for the capsule. A crewneck sweater is an easy way to elevate any outfit and gives it a professional edge. If you’ve tried Quince’s cashmere sweater in past seasons, give it another try; they redesigned it this year, and it’s thicker. I’m wearing them in XS and find the fit to be true to size overall. You can find a less expensive crewneck sweaters at J.Crew Factory and Kohl’s.

Black Slash Neck Top: XXS

I chose a black slash-neck top from Banana Republic Factory. This top is beautiful worn on its own; I love the unique neckline, but it also layers well. Banana Republic Factory has great petite options that are on the more affordable end. They’re still a great fit and great quality overall. This top is soft and stretchy. I’m wearing it in XXS.

White T-Shirt: XS/XXS

I used the same white T-shirt I included in my casual capsule wardrobe for the workwear capsule. I noted two sizes for this top because I have both, and both fit well. The top is compressive and double-lined in the front, so a size up is comfortable and still fits well. The top also comes in petite, but I prefer regular sizing; the petite is short on me.

White Button-Down: Petite XXS

A white button-down top is a classic and can be found in so many different places. I found one at J.Crew that I love the fit of, but if you don’t already have one in your closet, there are definitely less expensive options out there. Try this one from Banana Republic Factory or J.Crew Factory.

Camel Blazer: Petite 00

The Helena Blazer from J.Crew has a true-to-size fit. It is high-quality and long-lasting, and you can’t beat the petite-friendly fit of a J.Crew blazer. I have J.Crew blazers in my closet from ten years ago, and they’re still beautiful. So, while they’re pricey, it’s a worthy investment if you’ll wear a blazer. The Helena Blazer has a modern, slightly boxy fit, but I think it’s not overly trendy and will be a classic style you can wear for years to come. For less expensive options, check out this blazer from J.Crew Factory, and Banana Republic Factory. If you want the Schoolboy Blazer to fit more like the Helena blazer, try it in regular sizing rather than petite.

Plaid Blazer: Petite 00

This plaid blazer from Banana Republic Factory has a great petite fit. The sleeves are not too long and it fits well through the shoulders and body. I’m wearing it in my true size here. This blazer is thick and warm, and I love how the neutral print adds a little interest to the capsule outfits. Since this blazer is on the thick side, it’s not one I would wear with the sleeves pushed back.

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. Unfortunately, XXS is sold out in the color I’m wearing, but J.Crew tends to restock this sweater so keep an eye on it! There is a similar, less expensive option from Amazon, but this sweater runs even larger than the J.Crew sweater. So this one may be an option if you can size down.

Cashmere Cardigan: XS in moss

This cardigan sucked me in because it’s a perfect match to the moss cashmere crewneck sweater. I love the matchy-matchy moment there, but it’s also a beautiful neutral that layers well with all of the other colors I chose for the capsule. The sweater is long on me and comes to my knees. I love it, but some petites may find it a little too long. It’s soft and overall true to size overall.

Cream Pants: Petite 00

I’ve recommended these pants many times over the years. They’re true to size and fully lined, and I love the overall fit. I know lighter colors aren’t a top pick for everyone for fall, but I love these pants paired with dark fall colors. They’re cream, not stark white, so they blend beautifully. They are also machine washable.

Wide-Leg Pants: Petite 00

I chose the Essential Wide-Leg Pants from J.Crew for their overall fit. They are true-to-size, lightweight, and machine washable. If you need boots come winter, I think full-length styles like this one pair the best with them. The pair I have is crepe, so it’s lightweight, but the Essential Wide-Leg also comes in other fabrics. You can opt for a wide-leg choice like I did or go for something like a flare or bootcut. For less expensive options, check out this pair from Banana Republic Factory (these are snug through the hips on me) or this pair from LOFT (this pair works well with flats in petite).

Bootcut Jeans: Petite 24

I chose two pairs of jeans for the capsule mainly for variety. You can choose which style you prefer or add a little variety to your own capsule with two different denim styles. The jeans are true to size and stretchy with a high-rise. They loosen some with wear, but they don’t bag out.

Black Slim Pants: Petite 0

The New Cameron Pants from J.Crew have a slim leg, but they’re a little bit longer and looser than the original Cameron Pants. It’s an updated fit that is still a classic style. I sized up in these pants for the best fit overall. This pair is dry-clean only, but this pair is machine washable if you prefer that. This pair from Old Navy is less expensive.

Slim Jeans: Petite 24

I also chose a clean dark wash pair of jeans from J.Crew. This style is slim and straight and pairs well with sneakers, flats, and heels. You can also wear this pair with boots. They’re true to size and stretchy. They loosen some with wear, but they don’t bag out. This pair from Kohl’s is a less expensive option.