The transition from late summer to early fall can be a tricky time to dress for. I’m ready for rich fall colors, but the weather isn’t always ready for sweaters, boots, and heavy layers just yet. For this mini capsule wardrobe, I chose 13 pieces in rich, autumn-inspired colors, but kept the fabrics, layers, and silhouettes appropriate for everything from warm late-summer days to cooler early-fall weather. i created 20 outfit ideas to get you started.
The capsule includes three bottoms, six tops and layers, two pairs of shoes, and two bags. You’ll see dark denim, ecru, chocolate brown, olive, and burgundy mixed with lightweight pieces that can be worn alone now and layered as the temperatures drop.
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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.
The 13-Piece Late Summer to Early Fall Capsule
Jeans 24 Standard | Ecru Jeans Petite 24 | Shorts 25 | Printed Top XXS | Brown Top XXS | Striped Top XXS | Similar Sweater Tank Top XS | Chambray Top XXS | Olive Jacket XXS | Similar Jacket | Sandals tts | Flats tts | Woven Bag | Tote Bag | Scarf sold out in the exact print, I think the green one would look great with these outfits
3 Bottoms
J.Crew Factory Cropped Wide-Leg Jeans: 24 Standard
I wanted a clean pair of dark-wash jeans as the foundation of this capsule because they pair so nicely with all of the rich fall colors. The J.Crew Factory Cropped Wide-Leg Jeans have a 10″ rise in both petite and standard sizing. The Petite length has a 24.5″ inseam, while the Standard has a 26″ inseam.
I’m wearing size 24 in the Standard length because I wanted them to come closer to the top of my foot. I find this length especially versatile because it works well with different shoe styles.
If you’ve shopped one of my previous mini capsules and already have a pair of dark jeans from one of those, there’s no need to buy another pair. Those jeans will work just as well with these outfits.
Madewell Perfect Vintage Cropped Jeans in Vintage Canvas: Petite 24
For the second pair of jeans, I went in the opposite direction with a soft ecru wash. I love ecru because it works year-round, but I especially love pairing it with rich colors in the fall. The Madewell Perfect Vintage Cropped Jeans in Vintage Canvas are true to size with a 10 3/8″ rise, 18″ leg opening, and 25″ inseam.
The cropped length looks great with sandals while it’s warm and transitions easily to ballet flats as it cools down. The denim isn’t see-through, holds its shape well, and is very comfortable.
They do have a raw hem, which will unravel somewhat with washing. I recommend hanging them to dry to help preserve the hem. You can also use a small amount of fabric glue along the hem if you want to keep it from unraveling as much.
Madewell Perfect Vintage Mid-Length Jean Shorts: 25
I included denim shorts mainly for outfit inspiration rather than as a shopping suggestion since we’re already at the end of the season. You can recreate these outfits with any denim shorts you already own. If you do love the pair I’m wearing, they’re the Perfect Vintage Mid-Length Jean Shorts from Madewell. I size up in these for the fit I prefer.
They’re made from soft, stretchy denim with a high rise and a 5″ inseam. The mid-length cut makes them easy to pair with the slightly richer colors in this capsule while it’s still hot outside.
6 Tops
Madewell Fall Print Blouse: XXS
I chose this blouse because I love the fit. Despite not being petite sizing, it fits me almost perfectly. Untucked, it hits around my hips without being too long. The armholes don’t gape, the neckline doesn’t dip too low, and it looks just as good worn alone as it does layered. The print also brings together several of the fall colors in this capsule, making it an easy piece to mix with all three bottoms. I’m wearing XXS, and it fits me well.
Madewell Chocolate Brown Top: XXS
This cotton-blend top from Madewell is a beautiful dark chocolate brown that immediately gives an outfit a fall feel without requiring a heavy fabric. I’m wearing XXS. It runs a little large on me, but I still love the overall fit and especially the color. The armholes gape a little, so I plan to wear a camisole underneath.
I also love this top paired with a scarf I used throughout the capsule. It’s an easy way to make a simple sleeveless top and jeans outfit look a little more finished.
Madewell Striped T-Shirt: XXS
A striped T-shirt is a classic capsule wardrobe piece, but the details on this one make it a little different. I’m wearing XXS. The fabric is thick and feels very well made, and I love the envelope neckline. It looks great worn by itself but also layers beautifully underneath the jackets in the capsule. The chocolate brown stripe also works perfectly with the fall color palette while still being neutral enough to wear throughout the year.
Abercrombie Sleeveless Sweater
A sleeveless sweater is one of my favorite pieces for transitional weather because you get the look and texture of knitwear without committing to long sleeves when it’s still warm outside. This one from Abercrombie is 100% cotton, and I’m wearing XXS. I love the fit through the arm openings and the overall length on my petite frame.
You can wear it alone with shorts or jeans on warmer days and add one of the lightweight layers as the weather cools down. This one sold out before publishing this post. Here is a similar option from Quince.
Madewell Dark Chambray Top: XXS
I love a cropped button-down because you can wear it as either a shirt or a lightweight jacket.
This dark chambray top gives you some of the look of a denim jacket but is even more versatile because it works just as well buttoned up and worn on its own. I’m wearing XXS, and I love both the cropped fit and dark wash. The shorter length also makes it easy to layer on a petite frame without adding too much bulk.
Madewell Olive Jacket: XXS Similar Option
I bought this jacket last spring and have loved wearing it ever since. It’s a modern twist on the classic olive utility jacket, with a chore-style shape and slightly oversized fit. I’m wearing XXS, and I love the length on me. I often cuff the sleeves when I wear it to add a little balance to the oversized silhouette.
Olive is one of those colors I treat almost like a neutral, so this jacket works with both washes of jeans, denim shorts, chocolate brown, stripes, and the fall print in this capsule. This one is low in stock. I found a similar option but I haven’t tested the fit of the similar jacket.
2 Shoes
Dolce Vita Sandals
For warmer late-summer days, I included the same Dolce Vita sandals you’ve seen in some of my other mini capsules.
They’re true to size overall, although they’re a little snug across my toes. A simple neutral sandal keeps all of the warmer-weather outfits light and gives you something to wear with the capsule before you’re ready to put sandals away for the season.
Madewell Chocolate Brown Ballet Flats
For the cooler-weather shoe, I chose a gorgeous pair of chocolate brown/burgundy ballet flats from Madewell.
I don’t typically reach for dark shoes because I often prefer the leg-lengthening effect of a lighter shoe, but I love the color and comfort of these so much that I couldn’t resist. They have an elongated, modern toe and a V-shaped vamp, which helps give them a leg-lengthening effect despite the dark color. They’re true to size and start at a size 5.
The rich brown/burgundy shade also works beautifully with the deeper colors throughout this capsule.
2 Bags
Quince Handwoven Crossbody Bag
The Quince handwoven bag has appeared in some of my previous capsules, and there’s a reason I keep bringing it back. It’s incredibly versatile and can be worn as either a crossbody or shoulder bag.
If you already have this bag, it works with all of the outfits in this capsule. You definitely don’t need to add another one. I did include the sling version of this bag in one or two outfits.
Madewell Burgundy Brown Tote
For a larger option, I included a beautiful burgundy-brown tote from Madewell.
The rich, dark color is perfect with this capsule, and although it’s a larger bag, I still find it well balanced on my petite frame. The strap is thick and on the shorter side, which is another plus for petites since the bag doesn’t hang too low.
20 Outfits
Ecru Jeans Petite 24 | Striped Top XXS | Flats tts | Tote Bag
Ecru Jeans Petite 24 | Striped Top XXS | Olive Jacket XXS | Similar Jacket I haven’t tested the fit | Flats tts | Tote Bag
Ecru Jeans Petite 24 | Chambray Top XXS | Flats tts | Tote Bag | Scarf
Jeans 24 Standard | Printed Top XXS | Flats tts | Tote Bag
Jeans 24 Standard | Striped Top XXS | Flats tts | Tote Bag
Jeans 24 Standard | Similar Sweater Tank Top XS | Olive Jacket XXS | Similar Jacket | Flats tts | Tote Bag | Scarf
Jeans 24 Standard | Similar Sweater Tank Top XS | Flats tts | Tote Bag
Jeans 24 Standard | Brown Top XXS | Olive Jacket XXS | Similar Jacket | Woven Bag | Flats tts
Jeans 24 Standard | Brown Top XXS | Flats tts | Tote Bag | Scarf
Jeans 24 Standard | Chambray Top XXS | Flats tts | Tote Bag | Scarf
Shorts 25 | Chambray Top XXS | Sandals tts | Woven Bag
Shorts 25 | Similar Sweater Tank Top XS | Sandals tts | Tote Bag | Scarf
Shorts 25 | Striped Top XXS | Chambray Top XXS | Sandals tts | Woven Bag
Shorts 25 | Printed Top XXS | Sandals tts | Woven Bag
Shorts 25 | Brown Top XXS | Sandals tts | Woven Bag
Ecru Jeans Petite 24 | Brown Top XXS | Flats tts | Tote Bag | Scarf
Ecru Jeans Petite 24 | Printed Top XXS | Flats tts | Tote Bag
Ecru Jeans Petite 24 | Printed Top XXS | Olive Jacket XXS | Similar Jacket | Flats tts | Tote Bag | Scarf
Ecru Jeans Petite 24 | Striped Top XXS | Chambray Top XXS | Flats tts | Sling Bag
Transitioning Your Capsule from Late Summer to Early Fall
The idea behind this capsule isn’t to switch your wardrobe over to fall all at once. Instead, you can start with the rich colors while keeping the actual pieces appropriate for the weather.
On the hottest days, pair the sleeveless tops or striped T-shirt with denim shorts and sandals. As it starts to cool down, swap the shorts for ecru or dark-wash jeans and the sandals for ballet flats. From there, add the chambray shirt or olive jacket as an extra layer.
The same colors and core pieces carry you through the entire transition—you just change how you combine and layer them as the weather changes.
And, as always with my mini capsules, use what you already have first. If you own similar dark-wash jeans, denim shorts, a striped T-shirt, olive jacket, or neutral bag, those pieces can easily take the place of the exact items I’m wearing. The goal isn’t necessarily to own these exact 13 pieces, but to use the outfit formulas and color palette to get more out of your wardrobe through the transition from summer to fall.
