Fall, for me, has always been about paring down and starting fresh. For whatever reason, I tend to treat the transition from summer to fall the way some people treat the New Year and so far I’ve already gutted half my closet and begun planning my fall outfits. But why stop there? I’m keeping up the momentum by creating a streamlined capsule wardrobe so I can put together chic and easy outfits and be certain that I’m making the most out of every piece.
If getting organized wasn’t reason enough to curate a fall capsule, it’s rather affordable, too. Thanks to the versatile pieces in our namesake Who What Wear line, none of the ten pieces you’re about to discover top $50. In it, you’ll find staples like a checkered blazer and basic dress that mix and match well with a few trends like leather separates and puff sleeves. While the capsule focuses on clothing, I did craft nine outfit ideas with shoes to match so you can visualize how each look comes together. Simply scroll down to see it in action.
Leather Top + Leather Trousers + Mules
Double down on expensive-looking leather separates by wearing them together, per our senior fashion editor Kristen.
Plaid Blazer + Midi Skirt + Boots
I love the idea of wearing this blazer as a top and tucking it into the skirt. It’s chic and also a little unexpected, which makes it interesting.
Leather Dress + Loafers + Ankle Socks
A leather dress like this is a statement piece all on its own—all you need are a cool pair of shoes to complete the look. I’m particularly keen on styling it with chunky loafers and ankle socks.
Plaid Blazer + Plaid Trousers + Chunky Boots
It doesn’t get any easier than a suit, does it? We went ahead and designed our own with stylish details like split-hem pants and a cinched waist blazer. Wear them together with of-the-moment Chelsea boots for a forward spin.
Plaid Blazer + Black Asymmetric Dress + Boots
Sometimes classic basics really do make for great outfits, case in point here. Throw on our checked blazer with our simple black T-shirt dress for a look that’s polished but easy. For fall, I’d finish it off with knee-high boots, although any black pair would work here.
Wide-Leg Pants + Puff-Sleeve Top + Mules
Tuck a pretty puff-sleeve top into wide-leg pants—a staple piece I’m all about right now—and voilà, a look that’s Zoom-ready and most importantly, comfortable.
Puff Sleeve Midi Dress + Knee Boots
While this puff-sleeve number might be the kinda that feels more suitable for warm weather, the addition of tall boots makes it more of a transitional dress. I’d even layer a thin turtleneck top underneath in the winter.
Leather Top + Plaid Trousers + Loafers
In case it’s not obvious, I love a good pants outfit and this leather and plaid combination is giving me lots of fall feels. It’s smart and sophisticated but the leather texture of the top ensures it’s on-trend, too.
Puff-Sleeve Top + Leather Pants
Leather pants are one of my top closet staples for fall and winter, so I plan on re-creating this simple, everyday look over and over again throughout the season. It’s like a more elevated version of wearing jeans and a tee.
Next up, 3 Outdated Trends I Just Removed From My Closet (and What Replaced Them).