
20 Items You Need in Your Fall Capsule Wardrobe
We asked you on Instagram which topic we should cover this week, and the vast majority of you wanted tips on creating a capsule wardrobe for fall. Without further ado, here are the 20 items you should have in your wardrobe to make getting dressed in the morning an enjoyable experience in Fall 2025.


Let’s start with a definition: what exactly is a capsule wardrobe? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a capsule wardrobe is 'a small collection of clothes that can be put together in different ways and includes everything you would normally need to wear.'
Sounds straightforward, right? But in a time when overconsumption and fast fashion dominate closets, it can be hard to identify the essentials you truly need versus the pieces that magazines, influencers, and retailers want you to buy.
Consider this your fall 2025 capsule wardrobe guide - a list that will make shopping easier on both your mind and wallet. The specific silhouettes you choose depend on what makes you feel most comfortable, but we’ve drawn inspiration from current fashion trends and timeless wardrobe staples.
Base Layer Essentials
Fall is all about layering, so let’s start with the foundation:
- 2 t-shirts
- 2 long-sleeves
- 1 pair of jeans
Of course, you could make do with fewer, but having two different silhouettes (for example, a fitted style and a boxy cut) or two different base colours (like black and white) gives you more versatility.
As for jeans, the trend has shifted from overly wide-leg to more straight-legged cuts. A well-fitted pair at the waist and hips that falls into a straight or slightly wide leg is a must-have in any fall capsule wardrobe.
Mid-Layer Staples
Next up: knitwear and transitional pieces. Stock up on:
- 1 cardigan or light knit jumper (deep V-necks are trending and layer well with tees or long sleeves).
- 1 chunky knit or warmer jumper for colder days.
While neutrals are timeless, this is the perfect category to add some colour to your wardrobe.
Supplementary Pieces
- Two-piece pant suit, ideally in form of an oversized blazer with matching wide-leg trousers
- 1 skirt (midi skirts are especially popular, often paired with knee-high boots)
- 1 dress (a versatile black dress works for both casual and evening wear).
- 1 crisp white shirt (an all-season classic that layers easily).
If a full pant suit feels too formal for your lifestyle, you can easily break it down into separates. An oversized blazer instantly elevates a jeans-and-tee outfit, while wide-leg trousers paired with a fitted knit create a chic but comfortable silhouette. Stick to neutral colours like black, grey, or brown so that you can mix and match with the rest of your wardrobe.
Skirts are highly personal, but for Fall 2025 the spotlight is on midi skirts. Try pairing a midi with knee-high boots for a polished daytime look, or swap the boots for loafers and cosy socks for a playful twist. And if you need to choose only one dress, let it be an all-rounder black dress that you can wear underneath a chunky knit or blazer for everyday activities or with heels and clutch for an evening out.
The unsung hero of every capsule wardrobe! The possibilities with a white shirt are truly endless: tucked into jeans, worn open with a t-shirt underneath or under a cardigan or jumper for added depth, paired with a pant suit for a business meeting - we could go on and on, but I think you get the general idea.
Outer Layer Staples
Generally speaking, we’d say this isn’t the category to go crazy in terms of colours. Sticking to a neutral range allows you to match your outerwear with all of your other articles. Essential pieces for this category are:
- 1 trench coat
- 1 long wool coat
- 1 gilet or puffer jacket (depending on how cold it is where you live)
In the trench coat sphere, the girlies might be leaning towards cropped versions this season, but a standard-length trench in beige or black is still the classic for a reason. It’s light enough to throw over a t-shirt and jeans when the weather’s unpredictable, but polished enough to make even the most casual outfit look intentional.
A well-made comfortable wool coat is another staple you don’t want to skip - it’s the perfect piece for days when you want to give your outfits more structure, without looking over the top.
And once the temperatures really drop, you’ll thank yourself for having a gilet or puffer jacket on hand. A gilet layers perfectly over chunky knitwear for those in-between days, while a puffer is the cosy, no-fuss option for any occasion.
Shoes, Bags & Accessories
No capsule wardrobe is complete without its finishing touches!
Shoes
There’s been no escaping the ballerina train or classic loafers, both of which can also be worn with some cute frilly socks when it gets colder.
Add some ankle boots to the mix - preferably with a square or pointy toe - in a solid black that fit with everything to round off the shoe department for fall 2025.
Bags
- 1 casual mid-sized shoulder or tote bag (preferably with a crossbody strap for practicality)
- 1 clutch bag (for fancier outings)
The colours and shapes for these are completely up to you, but if we can give one word of advice: make sure that you pay extra attention to the quality and practicality of your bags, so you get your wear out of it and no poorly made handbag ruins your outfit efforts.
Accessories
With capes, ponchos, and blanket-style scarves trending, this is the perfect 20th item to complete your capsule wardrobe with an extra layer of warmth and style.