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Hello, fashion enthusiasts! While I may not claim to be a fashion expert, I have certainly learned how to curate a wardrobe that reflects my personal style and boosts my confidence. Today, I’m excited to take you on a journey of self-discovery and share my process of creating a fabulous fall capsule wardrobe that you’ll absolutely adore.
When possible (if still available), I will list what I am wearing below each photo (or try to find an alternative).
How to find your personal style
In all honesty, this is a journey in itself. And, it may change multiple times through the years as you enter different chapters of your life.
With that said, we tend to have some stapes that remain favorites of ours year after year.
Take a moment to reflect on your own style. Here are a few exercises you can do to help with this step:
- REVISIT PHOTOS OF YOURSELF: Take a stroll down memory lane and browse through your photos. Write down the outfits that you think are most flattering on you. Note what colors, styles, and cuts make you feel best.
- UNVEIL YOUR TREASURES: Open your closet and pull out your go-to pieces, the ones you reach for repeatedly. Ask yourself why are they your favorites. Is it the fabric, the color, or the confidence they evoke in you?
- GET INSPIRATION: Look through Pinterest or fashion magazines. Take note of what looks or styles draw your attention. Are these outfits and styles you would actually wear? Reflect on the aspects that attract you to those outfits.
- IDENTIFY FLATTERING STYLES: Take a moment to look at photos of people with similar body shapes and sizes as you. Analyze the elements that make those outfits most appealing on them.
The striped shirt is from H&M. It doesn’t seem available anymore but I found this alternative. Madewell jeans and Amazon black flats.
Dark-grey/Black jeggings from White House Black Market. I can’t find any that look similar but I like these, which also add a leather’ish vibe, The white T-shirt, and black blazer are from Mango, and the Converse are from Amazon.
Ditch the trends
Every season, new fashion trends come up, but it’s normal not to like all of them. You may find some trends appealing, and that’s perfectly fine.
You don’t need to follow every fashion trend. It’s important to honor your personal style and wear what makes you feel confident and comfortable.
Furthermore, it’s good to keep in mind that fashion trends tend to be fleeting. It might not be the best idea to follow every trend if you have a limited clothing budget.
Pro tip: I use a clothes rental service called Rent the Runway. This allows me to adopt some seasonal trends and get fresh “new to me” clothes each month without spending tons of money updating my wardrobe each season with styles that won’t last,
The burnt orange sweater is from a consignment store near me. The brand is Team Rose. Here is a great alternative. The faux-leather leggings are from Express from many years ago. These from Amazon look great. These are not the exact booties I have but would give a similar vibe.
I purchased this dress after renting it from Rent the Runway, The brand is Sanctuary. I found this super cute sweater dress that would be a great purchase this fall.
Fall capsule wardrobe essentials
I have a list of basic and essential clothing items for each season.
My first step is always to review this list. I assess if my basics are in good shape and whether or not I need to update any of them this year.
During this step, I also make sure that each item still looks good on me and makes me feel confident.
A helpful tip that I find useful is to create a note on my phone where I list the items I plan to purchase for the next season. This helps me stay focused when I’m out and about and allows me to keep an eye out for sales without getting tempted to buy unnecessary items.
The black trousers in the photos above are from H&M. I love their trousers, great prices for the quality you get. Unfortunately, they seem to be transitioning to low waist this fall. I’m not quite ready for this. The sage satin top is also from H&M while the trench coat is from Mango.
Here is my list of essentials for my fall capsule wardrobe:
Bottoms
- 1 or 2 pair of jeans preferably dark wash
- 1 pair of black jeans
- 1 back trousers
- 1-2 “fallish” color trousers
- 1 black legging
- 1 faux leather leggings
Tops
- 1 of each: a basic white and black T-shirt
- 1 of each: a basic long sleeves white and black T-shirt
- 1-2 “fallish” color knit sweater
- 1 striped sweater
- Classic white button-up
- Satin button-up
- Crew neck sweatshirt
- Turtle neck
- Half-zip sweatshirt
- Cardigan
- Plaid shirt
Outerwear
- Black blazer
- Trench coat
- Wool coat
- Denim jacket
Skirts and dresses
- Sweater dress
- Satin midi skirt
Footwear
- Ankle boots
- Tall leather boots
- Flats
- Loafers
- Sneakers
Accessories
- Fall color accent purse
- Loungewear set
Here are the items from the photos above that were not previously listed. The cream/tan lounge outfit in the second photo is a recent purchase from Amazon. I love it!! The tan blazer and trousers are from H&M. They are not the exact same shade of tan in case you were wanting to get them as a suit, it would not work. The long sleeves striped T-shirt is from H&M. As for the denim pumps, they are old and I truly don’t remember and I haven’t been able to find a good alternative yet.
One of the great things about this list is that there are many classic and necessary items, but you still have the flexibility to make them your own and tailor them to your personal style and preferences.
As an example, one of my favorite clothing items is an oversized denim jacket with a boxy cut. Similarly, I also enjoy pairing a longer, oversized plaid shirt with a pair of stylish leggings. It is perfectly fine if you prefer a fitted denim jacket. Respect your own style.
Here’s a helpful tip: if you want to personalize your wardrobe without spending too much money, try shopping at consignment stores. These stores offer gently used items at a fraction of their original prices. If you do have a consignment store near you, consider using online platforms like Poshmark or Thredup.
Final tips to create your dream closet within a budget
- At the beginning of each season, sell or donate items you no longer wear or that no longer fit
- Resist the urge to keep too many “just in case” pieces of clothing. If you have the space, it’s okay to have a bin of clothes that you hope will get back in style but I wouldn’t go overboard.
- If you won’t wear them this season, put them away. A smaller, but perfectly tailored closet makes it much easier to get dressed in the morning.
- Focus on mix-and-match items. Resist the temptation to buy many items that only go with one other item in your wardrobe.
- Have a running list of items you wish to add to your closet and stick to this list.
- Resist the temptation to go crazy with end-of-season sales. Unless there is something for the previous season that was on your list and that you never found, don’t buy it just because it’s on a good sale.
- Use consignment stores. It’s good for the planet and for your wallet.
- Get inspiration from others but honor your own unique style.
In conclusion…
Feeling confident and comfortable in your clothes is important. I can help you convey confidence and give you a greater sense of happiness. This article was about creating the perfect fall capsule wardrobe for you. I hope you learned new helpful tips to help you achieve this goal.
Thank you for reading.
Cat xx