When I look at clothes I often think of how many ways I can wear them. I like to mix things together and come up with different combinations. My style is overall very simple and easy to copy and leans easily into a capsule wardrobe. If you’re not familiar with the concept of a capsule – it’s not to limit yourself to the items in a capsule, but rather to create a collection of items that go well with one another so you can create numerous outfits out of your collection. In the past, I’ve made my capsule wardrobes smaller than this one and you can make yours as big or as little as you like. I just wanted to show you the possibilities of adding more pieces and letting you choose what best fits your style.
Wrap Sweater \ Striped Sweater \ Chunky Turtleneck \ Cropped Sweater \ Olive Sweater \ White Button-Down \ Chocolate Blazer \ Cropped Jacket \ Olive Sweater \ White Button-Down \ Chocolate Blazer \ Cropped Jacket \ Cardigan \ Quilted Coat \ Camel Coat \ White Top \ Black Top \ Brown Top \ Black Jeans \ Dark Wash Jeans \ Light Wash Jeans \ Chelsea Boots \ Mary Jane Flats \ Ankle Boots \ Ballet Flats \ Sneakers \ Black Bag \ Tan Bag \ Tote
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Fall Capsule Wardrobe
My Sizing: I’m 4’10” and my bust, waist, and hip measurements are 32″, 24″ and 36″. My typical inseam is 24-25″. 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.
I’ve created 30+ outfits for the post and actually wore them so you could see the fit and how the items wear together. However, there are so many combination possibilities with this, for example, if you like one of the outfits with black jeans, you can just as easily wear it with dark or light wash jeans instead.
Capsule Items
I went with a color scheme that is heavy on chocolate brown and cream but also added a touch of olive and black. I tried my best to choose items that I felt would be in stock, but unfortunately creating a capsule that is fully in stock is challenging.
Wrap Sweater: This sweater from Abercrombie has a great cropped length and fits me well in XS. Per the reviews on their site, the wrap is a little hard to keep closed, so I personally wear this top with a camisole underneath. I chose this top because of the wrap detail and cropped length. It adds interest to the outfit.
Striped Sweater: You often see black and white striped sweaters used in a capsule wardrobe. I chose this tan and cream option as a little change that is also still versatile. It blends beautifully with chocolate brown as well as black and white. You can wear this sweater on its own, layer it with a jacket or throw it over your shoulders. I’m wearing it in XXS. This is a similar less expensive option from J.Crew Factory.
Chunky Turtleneck: You can go with dark brown like I did, or choose another neutral you love such as camel, black or white. This exact sweater is from Quince and is cashmere. It’s soft and lovely and has a beautiful oversized fit in XS. This one from H&M is a similar option for less.
Cropped Sweater: This sweater isn’t cropped in the sense that’s midriff-baring, but it hits right at the hip. I love the color, which is “brown” and dolman fit. I’m wearing it XXS.
Olive Sweater: This sweater adds a bit of color to the capsule, but also has a unique high-low hem. It’s perfect for layering with a white button-down and for wearing untucked. I’m wearing it in XS.
White Button-Down: I chose an oversized button-down from Quince, that I wear in XS. I failed to show the button-down enough in the outfits below but it’s a great piece to layer with (as seen in this previous capsule wardrobe post). I also love wearing this one untucked over leggings for a comfortable look you can wear for WFH or a casual work environment. If you prefer a closer fit, this top is a great option.
Chocolate Blazer: This blazer is thick and warm, and I love the color. I’m wearing it in Petite 00 and it fits me well. I think it’s a great layer for dressing up the outfit. This is a less expensive blazer from Old Navy.
Cropped Jacket: This jacket is a casual lightweight fall layer. I’m wearing it in XXS and it fits me well. I bought a jacket like this one last year and wore it a lot with casual outfits through transitional weather in the spring and fall. So when I saw this updated version from J.Crew I knew I wanted to include it in the capsule.
Cardigan: This cardigan was also part of my fall capsule wardrobe last year. It’s a great layer for keeping warm in transitional weather and is also just a nice finishing piece. It doesn’t come in petite, so it’s a little bit oversized on me, but I still like the fit. I’m wearing it in XXS.
Quilted Coat: This coat is lightweight, so great for mild fall weather, but not the best for the winter if you need something warmer. I sized up in this coat to petite 0/XS. The corduroy collar you see on the J.Crew website is removable.
Camel Coat: A camel coat is a classic fall layer. I bought this one from J.Crew last year and wore it often. To note, it’s not lined so it’s a lightweight jacket. You may also find it to be itchy if you don’t wear it with layers (long sleeves). I find it to run large in terms of J.Crew coats. I wear it in Petite 00/XXS.
Layering Tops: You can choose layering tops in any color that works well for you. I picked this white and black one from J.Crew and this brown one from Target. I’m wearing them all in XS.
Leggings: I’ll let you choose your style when it comes to leggings. If you want a pair you can dress us, maybe even wear to work – I would go with this ponte pair from LOFT in Petite XXS. If you prefer a lightweight high-rise option that’s casual I would go with this pair from Aerie in XS short.
Black Jeans: The black jeans I wore in this post are the ’90s straight jeans from Abercrombie. They’re my favorite fit of the jeans in the post to go with booties and come in other colors if you want to use them for every wash. They have a high rise and a rigid fit and are true to size. I’m wearing them in 24 Extra Short.
Dark Wash Jeans: I chose a slim straight pair of jeans from J.Crew for this capsule. These jeans have a good amount of comfortable stretch and a clean wash that’s easy to dress up. I find them to be true to size. I’m wearing them in Petite 24.
Light Wash Jeans: The light wash jeans in this post are the high-rise ankle straight jeans from Abercrombie. I’m wearing them in short in this post and they have a slight crop. If you want to wear them full-length I would go with the regular length. They’re are true to size, I’m wearing them in 24 Short. They come in several washes, I’m wearing them in the “medium” wash.
Chelsea Boots: I mostly wear chelsea boots with leggings, but you can also wear them tucked under your straight jeans. I included a pair from Madewell that I’ve loved since last year. They are true to size.
Mary Jane Flats: I love having a printed shoe for bringing together the colors in an outfit (like black and brown) but also for adding interest. This leopard pair is true to size.
Ankle Boots: I have tried on numerous pairs of boots to find a pair I felt was just right for this season. The boots needed to be a neutral color, have a slim pointed/square toe, have a slim shaft that tucks under jeans well, and didn’t have a stacked heel. There’s nothing wrong with a stacked heel I just wanted a pair that looked more dressed up and didn’t lean western. I finally my personal perfect pair in this pair from Marc Fisher. They’re true to size and perfect in every way to me. If you need a waterproof pair, these boots are pretty great as well.
Ballet Flats: I wear these ballet flats more than anything else in my closet. They’re true to size and so comfortable. They go with everything too!
Sneakers: You can choose a sneaker that best fits your style. I really struggled to pick one I felt went well with every outfit. Sometimes I like to wear my Veja Campo sneakers (especially if the jeans have a crop to them) but since most of the jeans I chose were nearly full length I chose a high-top pair I could tuck under the jeans.
You don’t need more than one bag, but if you want to copy the outfits I chose this black bag, this tan bag, and this tote.
Capsule Outfits
You may also find some ideas from my previous fall capsule and winter capsule.
-Brooke
