The Fall and Winter Capsule Wardrobe Every Californian Needs

The world is full of trends, but certain clothing items remain in vogue. Creating a capsule wardrobe is all about quality over quantity—wearing clothes that stand the test of time. This concept stops you from purchasing unnecessary things; you’ll save money and instead of hoarding clothes, you’ll rely on your minimalist wardrobe to help you get ready faster. Not only do you end up wearing your favorite clothes all the time, but you also maintain an organized closet by limiting your shopping. To successfully put together a fall and winter capsule wardrobe, it’s important to identify which clothing items you won’t be wearing and which ones you will to successfully rock this season’s fashion trends. 

Creating a Capsule Wardrobe

Not only does creating a capsule wardrobe save you time and money, but also helps you sculpt your style by wearing versatile pieces. To start purging your closet of short-lived fads, select a set number of staple wardrobe pieces that can you can mix and match with one another. Usually, you'll end up wearing these items for a minimum of three months (or until the season is over); shop for your next capsule wardrobe during the last two weeks of the season.

The ideal number of pieces to have on your minimalist closet list is 37—this excludes pajamas, accessories, fitness clothing, and anything worn for a special occasion. When designing a capsule wardrobe, the first step is to take out all of your clothes and lay them out in front of you; if you haven’t worn something in over a year, it’s time to say goodbye to it. The best thing to do with these items is to donate them to Goodwill or a nearby thrift store. Synthetic fabrics take a very long time to decompose—polyester, spandex, and nylon could take anywhere from 20 to 200 years to break down—so don’t toss them in the trash. 

Once you have your staple wardrobe pieces set, make sure each item is versatile and complementary to your style. You’ll want the ability to create multiple outfits with every item. When buying seasonal clothes, ask yourself if the piece will go with at least three other items in your extreme minimalist wardrobe. Instead of depending on fast fashion to upgrade your look, opt for shopping from ethical companies for sustainable clothing while supporting your favorite California brands. 

When designing your fall and winter capsule wardrobe, it’s also best to stick with essential pieces such as tops and bottoms in solid colors: black, gray, beige, and white. These colors are classic. Even when current trends dictate the incorporation of certain colors into your outfit, most of the time you’ll end up wearing them only a few times until you get rid of them again—this doesn’t mean that you can’t choose accent colors, though. Include several of your favorite colors in your capsule wardrobe, using a chart to help you identify which shades match best with your essentials. This will make it easier to style your outfits and build a long-lasting minimalist closet.

Staple Wardrobe Pieces

As fashion trends come and go, some pieces stay on the list of timeless classics. An LBD is something that every woman has in her closet—the staple wardrobe piece is an ever-evolving item that never goes out of style. This season, we’re finally saying goodbye to skinny jeans and embracing straight-legged high-waisted mom jeans. But the case isn’t always “out with the old and in with the new” when building a fall and winter capsule wardrobe. Trench coats, white shirts, and combat boots remain an essential part of the closet, allowing you to get creative with staple items. 

1. A classic white button-down shirt
2. A chunky plush cardigan
3. A pair of mom jeans
4. A loose cashmere knit sweater
5. White sneakers
6. A timeless black slip dress
7. An oversized plaid blazer
8. A simple beige trench coat
9. Wide-leg trousers
10. Black combat boots

Minimalist Closet List For Fall

Autumn is the perfect season for creating a capsule wardrobe. The weather calls for layers, and that only means more room for creativity. Picking multiple ensembles from your extreme minimalist wardrobe is effortless when you have many options for pairing. Whether it’s styling your cropped sweater with a thick fleece scarf or wearing a timeless trench coat with your sweater dress, the possibilities are endless. It's time you bring out the best autumn hues with your outfit thanks to your updated fall capsule wardrobe.

1. Black denim pants
2. A puff-sleeve fuzzy sweater
3. A mock neck top
4. A cropped sweater
5. A pair of white sneakers
6. A suit co-ord
7. A chunky knit scarf
8. A camel wool coat
9. A sweater dress
10. Knee-high boots

Autumn to Winter Capsule Wardrobe

Thankfully, the autumn to winter capsule wardrobe transition isn’t complicated or time-consuming. You don’t have to invest too much energy into building a whole new closet for the colder months. One thing to take into consideration when transitioning your wardrobe is whether or not you wore the clothes you saved for the season. If you find certain items that you didn’t wear at all, it’s best to give them away. Since there isn’t much difference between the seasons’ essentials, pay attention to the color trends to add rich accents to your neutrals. 

1. Loose leather trousers
2. A chic ribbed sweater
3. A boxy tweed blazer
4. A statement trench coat
5. Lace-up combat boots
6. A long pleated skirt
7. A knitted dress
8. Over-the-knee boots
9. A silk button-down shirt
10. A basic tee

Winter Capsule Wardrobe Essentials

While it may be overwhelming to get rid of clothes that don’t fit in your winter capsule wardrobe, you’ll end up keeping enduring pieces that are versatile, flattering, and cozy. Don’t be afraid to minimize your closet; simplify your choices while rocking multiple layers of stylish pieces. 

1. Straight-leg jeans
2. An oversized tote
3. A cozy turtleneck cashmere knit sweater
4. A classic coat
5. A pair of loose pants
6. An ageless leather jacket
7. A thick wool scarf
8. A long cardigan
9. A plisse skirt
10. Square-toe boots

Athleisure Capsule Wardrobe

Now that athleisure is gaining more popularity, people are embracing comfy and stretchy clothing for normal everyday wear. So, whoever said that there’s no such thing as an athleisure capsule wardrobe is clearly in the wrong. You can create a closet made entirely of activewear or incorporate a few pieces with your regular capsule wardrobe. Whatever you end up doing, we support your decision. 

1. A muscle tank top
2. A pair of moto leggings
3. A hooded sweatshirt
4. A pair of black athletic sneakers
5. A supportive strappy sports bra
6. A classic tee
7. Faux leather leggings
8. An olive utility jacket
9. A pink zip hoodie
10. Patterned sneakers