How to Create Your First Capsule Wardrobe for Fall in 5 Steps

So I thought that since the summer is almost over and there is generally a large transition at this time of year, more so than New Year’s it would be the perfect time to talk about this again.

Embarking on your first capsule wardrobe during the fall season is a great start time.

It will give you the wardrobe base that is so important, while also providing you with pieces that you can transition through to the other seasons.

I am not a four separate seasons wardrobe person even though I live in a four separate season area. I don’t like the thought of packing away my pieces seasonally.

Seeing what I have at all times is important, just in case I can integrate something that normally would be packed away into a current season’s outfit.

You never know what you can layer.

Plus, I live in a condo, and I barely have room to put my clothes, never mind storing them away. So realistically this mindset doesn’t work with my life.

I have been putting together capsule wardrobes for a very long time, and over the last year and a bit, I have focused on the 12 pieces capsule wardrobes.

Each one showcases a different style for the current season and has 12 items of clothing plus shoes and accessories. I then provide you with enough outfit combinations that will get you through the season.

The goal is to show you how little you actually need while still retaining your style personality. I want to showcase that small wardrobes don’t mean boring.

If anything, I think you can squeeze a lot of personality from these small wardrobe collections because you want to make sure that you don’t look like you are wearing the same thing day and and day out and it forces you to get creative.

This post is an example of a “generic” 12 Piece fall capsule wardrobe. I didn’t stick to a particular style category when putting this together.

I just went with how I felt about the pieces and whether they would work together in a cohesive manner.

It is because I want to show that capsules don’t have to look like the generic and basic popular ones that you see all over the place.

What is the History of Capsule Wardrobes?

It’s been around for a long time. The term “capsule wardrobe” originated with Susie Faux, a London boutique owner, in the 1970s.

Faux owned a boutique called “Wardrobe” and aimed to help women build wardrobes that were functional, stylish, and easy to manage.

She believed in the importance of investing in high-quality, timeless pieces that could be mixed and matched, creating a cohesive wardrobe that didn’t need to follow every trend.

Then in the 1980s the concept gained more mainstream popularity, and in 1985 American designer Donna Karan introduced her “Seven Easy Pieces” collection.

This collection featured a set of interchangeable clothing items that could be combined in various ways to create different outfits.

This collection was innovative and resonated with working women who needed versatile yet stylish clothing options.

In 1990s and 2000s it began to gain traction among a broader audience. But it wasn’t until 2010 that it hit its high thanks to social media, bloggers, and influencers.

It was mainly driven by the rise of minimalism and the growing concern over fast fashion and its environmental impact.

It was a way to reduce clutter, simplify life, and make more sustainable fashion choices which is where we are today.

Although there has been a dramatic increase of fast fashion in the Gen Z crowd due to the easy accessibility of trends from companies like Shein, and how fast the trend cycle has been moving.

How to Build Your First Capsule Wardrobe in 5 Simple Steps:

You generally already know your lifestyle when it comes to your fashion needs so make sure to keep that in mind as you go through this process.

Step 1: Audit Your Current Wardrobe

I am not going to say declutter or purge because I am actually not a huge advocate for purging.

Pre being aware, I had a huge emotional purge which I refer to as the The Great Purge of 2006 (it might have been 2005 or 2007, my brain is frazzled).

This purge decimated a large collection of really classic, vintage pieces that I had and, I think about this with regret all of the time which is why I don’t advocate for straight up purging.

Especially emotional purging. Don’t do it. You will regret it.

So instead we are going to audit.

This is where you are going to take everything out of your closet and sort it into categories: keep, donate, sell, and maybe.

This will be done slowly piece by piece. Try everything on. It is best to try it on in an actual outfit so you get a realistic feel about it.

Don’t just grab it off a hanger and throw it in the donate pile. It is a long and thoughtful process.

Go with your initial feeling on the piece because if you think about it too much you will talk yourself into believing it is the best piece ever and you go back to square one.

We want things that we love and wear. Focus on the current fit, not a future “when I lose 10 lbs” fit. We want good condition pieces or things that can easily be repaired.

Be honest with yourself though, we don’t want pieces sitting in a repair or alter pile for the next year.

Most of all, focus on the pieces that you feel confident wearing.

Everything else can be set aside or packed away. You don’t need to figure out what you are going to do with them right away.

Step 2: Choose a Colour Palette

Most capsule wardrobe guides focus on or start with neutrals. But you can do any colours or colour combinations that you choose.

I like a variety of colours, and instead of using the traditional neutrals, I also like to have the ish neutrals. Those are the colours that you add ish to the end like green-ish, or purple-ish.

These are the versions of those colours that have a more muddy grey or brown undertone instead of a deep saturation. They work really well as a neutral and are more impactful than traditional neutrals.

Feel free to add colours or patterns as you think they will fit into the look you are trying to achieve.

Remember that animal print is a neutral. Keeping that in mind will dramatically change the way you wear it.

Step 4: Plan Your Outfits

Once you get your pieces nailed down we want to start trying them on in outfits. This is where you will get the real feeling of how well it is going to work.

Mix and match: Ensure that each piece can be paired with multiple items in your wardrobe. The goal is versatility.

Try different portions, like baggy on top, fitted below or reversed. This will give you some new silhouettes to play around with.

The rule of thirds while technically a “rule” is just an easy guideline when getting dressed.

It is a styling principle borrowed from art and photography, used to create visually appealing and balanced outfits. It involves dividing your body (or your outfit) into three equal parts to achieve a harmonious look.

The rule suggests that an outfit looks more balanced and aesthetically pleasing when the body is visually divided into three parts rather than halves.

For example: 2/3 Top, 1/3 Bottom: Wearing a longer top or dress with shorter bottoms (like a high-waisted skirt or pants) creates a 2/3 top and 1/3 bottom proportion.

1/3 Top, 2/3 Bottom: A shorter or tucked in top paired with a longer skirt or pants divides the body into 1/3 top and 2/3 bottom.

Use accessories and layers to build your looks. When you have a smaller wardrobe, building an interesting look with layers is important. As is finishing it with shoes and accessories.

These final tweaks and additions can really take a look to the next level.

Most importantly, don’t integrate pieces that can’t be used and worn in multiple ways. These are your weaker pieces and we don’t want to waste a capsule wardrobe slot with a one hit wonder.

Also, don’t have any pieces that make you feel meh. We want confidence, not indifference.

At this point you can tell if something won’t work and if you should swap it out. This will also help you to become aware of any wardrobe gaps that need to be filled, which is the last step.

Step 5: Fill in the Gaps

During the audit process and the outfit trying on step, you might have thought about something that would really work well, but you didn’t have. Like, “this outfit would look really great with a pair of wide leg faux leather trousers in brown.”

That seems very specific but often these thoughts are quite specific because we may think about a similar outfit that we saw and admired that used a piece that you don’t have.

That would be considered a wardrobe gap.

So is trying to go out in the rain and realizing that you neither have a rain jacket nor rain boots. Gaps.

This is where we make a list.

This isn’t even a list that needs immediate filling, this is a running list that I suggest keeping a note of on your phone.

That way when you are out shopping and you can’t remember what you need, or you need some searching inspiration you have something to refer to.

Do not impulse by this.

Shop mindfully because we are trying to break bad habits. Purchase items that you truly need and that fit well with the rest of your capsule.

By following these steps, you’ll not only streamline your wardrobe but also gain a better understanding of your personal style and needs, making future shopping more intentional and satisfying

And that my friends is how it is possible to retain your style authenticity and still downsize your wardrobe.

I am now offering digital styling guides, and personal styling services. If you are looking for some styling help that is inexpensive and easy, check out my digital styling guides. If you want some one-on-one help shopping, building and editing your wardrobe, or packing for a trip, I can also assist. Check out all the styling services that I offer here.

This post contains affiliate links. By using my links to shop I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks for supporting what I do 

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