I have been getting into a lot of conversations lately about what we want out of our wardrobes and the words that I most often hear are easy, simple, and effortless. You want to be able to reach into your closet, grab anything and have it work for most occasions.
This makes sense. I am tired, you’re tired, we’re all tired.
Tired of always trying to stay on top of everything, of trying to make certain we are presentable, comfortable, and chic.
It never ends.
We don’t want to have think a lot about what we are wearing, we want to reach a point in our wardrobe where everything just works.
It is simplicity without the minimalism.
But it is simplicity with our style personalities still present, so we don’t have to default back to basics to make it one less thing we have to think about.
This week I want to piggyback off of the last post which was about those women who always seem so innately chic.
It is like they can just wake up that way and no matter how hard we try we can never seem to bring that same level.
So this week I want to focus on being us first, and we all aren’t naturally chic and that is okay.
We are individuals with different style needs and preferences and I really wanted to showcase a wardrobe that is easy to wear, and simple, yet trendy without trends being the focus.
It will take you from errands to early morning drop-offs, lunch or dinner with friends, and it will even take you on vacation.
A small fall wardrobe that brings some personality and style without overthinking it.
Grab and go is my motto and I want to show you how that works for me.
A 12 Piece Effortless Fall Capsule Wardrobe
Animal Print Blouse | Blue Denim | Riding Boots | Brown Handbag | Aviator Jacket | Brown Boots | Turtleneck | Grey Sweater | Ballet Flats | Black Handbag | Skirt | Earrings | Button Up | Necklace | Off White Sweater | Olive Sweater | Black Boots | Black Jeans | Rugby Shirt | Sneakers | Sunglasses | Belt | Bowler Style Bag | Trousers
Why is Personal Style Important?
Both for practical and psychological reasons, personal style is important. It is a form of self-expression and visually expressing who you are. It communicates your tastes, beliefs, and personality without words.
It is one of the first things that people notice about you so you need to determine what image you want to present. This will affect your personal style.
Fashion allows you to be creative, mixing and matching pieces in ways that feel authentic to you. For some, this is their creative outlet.
When you dress in a way that aligns with your personal style, you’re more likely to feel comfortable and confident.
And confidence is one of the most important things about finding the right things for your wardrobe.
I always instruct clients that they need to fill their wardrobes with things that make them feel good when they wear them.
If you have a closet full of mediocre items that you feel just okay in, those pieces are not serving you.
It is better to have five pieces that you feel great in, than 30 that are okay-ish.
More isn’t better when it comes to clothes. You will just get overwhelmed, wear the same things, and the great pieces may get lost amongst the mediocre.
We can do better.
And once we are comfortable with personal style, then we can introduce trends.
One should never base their entire wardrobe on keeping up with trends because staying “trendy” becomes the focus, not what makes you truly feel and look your best.
In previous posts, I have talked about skipping certain trends or amending them to you and that being okay.
After several seasons, this summer I gave up trying to find the perfect vest for me, none ever made me feel really good therefore it was time for me to move on from that.
This time around I am not getting on board with animal print pants. Animal print as a whole I love and wear year after year.
But in particular, the pants we have been seeing around for few seasons are back with a vengeance now that the season is changing and I am not going to bother.
I had a pair in 1999/early 2000s that I referred to as my Scary Spice pants and I loved them. They made me feel great every single time I pulled them on.
So RIP to Le Chateau of the 90s, you were the best before you shifted to business casual and lost the core of who you and your customers were. There are lessons from that mess.
I decided that unless I can replicate the feeling I had when I wore them then there is no point. My 45-year-old self is not less deserving of feeling fantastic in her clothes than my 20-year-old self.
If anything, I think we deserve more because we’ve done the work and earned it.
So with this fall capsule wardrobe, I want to sprinkle in trends that are easy yet practical. Some pieces hit multiple trends at once which is also a bonus.
I talked about animal print pants, but instead of pants which are harder to wear, I went with a semi-sheer blouse that will pair with every bottom, or mix with tops to layer.
It has that 90s model off-duty feel which is classic. Here are some examples of the 90s minimalist and model off-duty outfits that you can make with this wardrobe.
Next on to the leather everything trend. And not just leather but coloured leather in particular. We are seeing more in colours like burgundy, navy, grey, chocolate brown, and green.
Leather dresses, skirts, and pants (real or faux) are everywhere, not just for jackets but in head-to-toe looks.
So pair your leather with leather and walk out in confidence.
In this wardrobe, I chose a leather midi skirt in an A-line that is very easy to wear (I own it), some leather boots, and a vintage leather aviator/bomber jacket.
An oversized bomber jacket has been prevalent for a few seasons and while yes we can buy new, there are so many well worn jackets on the secondhand market.
The best part of a leather jacket is when you break it in, this bypasses that step.
I chose a men’s jacket to get that oversized look in a classic brown.
And it is not just leather but also suede we are wearing as well, so if you still have a suede blazer or jacket kicking around it is time to bring it out again.
Suede footwear and handbags are also a great way to showcase this fall trend. I opted for a chocolate brown leather Coach bag, because did you know that Coach is having a resurgence?
They have some great new bags, but people are seeking out their vintage styles like their suede hobos and smaller shoulder bags from the 90s and early 00s.
For footwear we are leaning towards sleeker more elongated toes, so while we are still seeing riding boots with rounded toes, we want at least one pair of boots with a square or pointed toe.
A sharp pointed toe poking out from under wide-leg trousers looks so much more easy and effortless than a round toe that shortens the leg and causes the pants to break weirdly over the shoe.
Heeled or not heeled, the preference is yours.
I know a lot of us have foot issues, so I also wanted to showcase the brand Vivaia which are known for its comfort even in heeled versions.
Even people with Plantar Fasciitis have been able to wear them. I really like this model that comes in many colours even though the dark brown is on trend.
The heel shape is so interesting, plus they are water repellent, and the reviews are great.
A square-toed ballet flat is unique in comparison to the traditional round toe, also it is gold which makes a statement and can dress up even the most basic outfit.
If trends scare you then focus on the smaller ones like colours.
This season we are seeing chocolate brown, olive green (and other greens), and burgundy as the main. But there are also purples and eggplants sneaking their way in.
There is a version of any colour for everyone.
Burgundy is reflected in the rugby shirt which is also a trend, I chose a knit version because it has a more elevated feel than a traditional rugby shirt.
To make this much more effortless I went with a more subdued colour palette, because oftentimes too many colour options can add extra work to dressing.
That doesn’t mean you have to avoid colour entirely.
You can still incorporate trendy shades or pops of colour through accessories or a standout piece, but keeping the majority of your wardrobe neutral-ish will simplify your choices which is the goal here.
Pay attention to details and shapes.
This is key. For example, the button-up I included looks like a regular button-up, but it actually has the option to turn into a funnel neck which gives this piece a very unique shape and stands out.
This shirt paired with jeans and sleek boots will look more elevated than a traditional button-up in the same outfit combination because of the funnel neck.
Small details make big differences.
So much so, that I want to head to COS tomorrow to see if they have it in my local store. I picture the funnel neck popping out of the neckline of an oversized sweater worn over it.
That is very much a yes look for me.
Building an effortless wardrobe is all about balance.
Keep your focus on not so basic, basics (or elevated basics), incorporating trends mindfully, and investing in pieces that make you feel good. With these things you can create a stylish yet simple wardrobe that makes your life easier.
Effortless Fall Outfit Ideas for Women
Animal Print Blouse | Blue Denim | Riding Boots | Brown Handbag | Aviator Jacket | Brown Boots | Turtleneck | Grey Sweater | Ballet Flats | Black Handbag | Skirt | Earrings | Button Up | Necklace | Off White Sweater | Olive Sweater | Black Boots | Black Jeans | Rugby Shirt | Sneakers | Sunglasses | Belt | Bowler Style Bag | Trousers
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I will be living in leggings and my brand spanking new Kamala Harris sweatshirt for the next few days, as I’ve just had my gallbladder removed, but this is pretty inspiring for when I can wear real clothes again. The pre-op diet has me at the smallest I’ve ever been as an adult and since I know there’s stuff I won’t be able to eat much of I don’t expect to gain much back, so there will be a lot of wardrobe purging and replacing coming up. And in my favorite season for dressing too!
Oof. Sorry about the gallbladder but yay for a great sweatshirt! A good reason to purge and rebuild your wardrobe though. It’s a much better excuse than most 😂 it’s my favourite season as well and really hard to stay out of stores, but I just have to keep telling myself that I have enough. I don’t buy much in summer so I convince myself I can go overboard in fall when I really can’t. There’s so much good stuff now though, and it just started coming out.
I hope you heal quickly!