Style advice · 7 min read
How to build an autumn capsule wardrobe
Twelve pieces that work together from September to November, and how to choose them so that everything goes with everything else.
A capsule wardrobe is a small set of clothes that all work together, so you can get dressed quickly and buy less. It does not need a strict number or a rule about colours. It needs pieces you actually wear, in a palette that mixes easily.
Choose a palette first
Pick two or three neutrals as the base, such as camel, navy and ecru, and one or two colours you love as accents, such as damson, sage or rust. Every piece you add should go with at least three others. If it only works with one outfit, leave it out.
The twelve pieces
| Piece | Why it earns its place |
|---|---|
| A wool wrap coat | Goes over everything from jeans to a dress, and looks smart without trying. |
| A trench coat | For the changeable days of early autumn, over a knit or a shirt. |
| Pleated wide-leg trousers | Smart enough for work, easy enough for a weekend. |
| Straight-leg jeans | The casual counterpart, with shirts, knits and boots. |
| A merino roll-neck | The thinnest warm layer; fits under coats, dresses and blazers. |
| A cashmere jumper | The soft, warm layer for colder days. |
| A poplin shirt | Tucked, untucked, or under a knit with the collar out. |
| A silk blouse | Turns trousers into a dinner outfit. |
| A knitted midi dress | One piece, dressed up or down with a change of shoes. |
| Leather Chelsea boots | Walkable and good with every hem length. |
| Suede loafers | For drier days and smarter outfits. |
| A leather tote | Holds a laptop, a scarf and the shopping. |
How to make it work
Lay the pieces out and make outfits before you shop for anything else. Twelve pieces that mix well give you far more than twelve outfits: the trousers alone can go with the shirt, the blouse, both knits and either coat.
What to leave out
- Anything that needs a particular bra, belt or shoe you do not already own.
- Trend colours you have never worn before. Try them as a scarf first.
- Pieces that only work in one kind of weather.
