You probably don’t need an entirely new wardrobe for fall.
You need a few pieces that actually work together.
The easiest way to get more outfits out of your closet is to stop shopping for individual looks and start thinking about what each new piece can be worn with. A great pair of trousers shouldn’t have one good outfit. Neither should the knit you just bought.
Here’s how to build a small fall rotation that gives you plenty to wear without making getting dressed complicated.
Start with your 7 pieces
For this wardrobe, choose:
-
A fitted neutral top
-
A lightweight knit or turtleneck
-
A button-down shirt
-
Tailored trousers
-
Straight-leg jeans
-
A skirt
-
A blazer or jacket
The exact colors are up to you, but this works best when most of the pieces can be worn together.
Black, cream, chocolate brown, grey, navy and denim are easy places to start.
You don’t have to make everything neutral, either. If burgundy is your color this fall, make one of your seven pieces burgundy and keep the rest easy to pair with it.
Build your outfits from the bottom up
If you’re someone who stares at a full closet and still has “nothing to wear,” try choosing your bottoms first.
Take your tailored trousers.
Wear them with the fitted top for work. Add the blazer when you want to look more polished. Swap the fitted top for the knit on a colder day. Wear them with the button-down and leave the first few buttons undone for something a little more relaxed.
That’s already four outfits from one pair of trousers. Now do the same thing with your jeans.
Jeans + fitted top for an easy everyday outfit.
Jeans + knit for colder days.
Jeans + button-down for coffee, lunch or casual office days.
Jeans + fitted top + blazer when you want denim to feel more dressed up.
You’re at eight outfits and we haven’t even touched the skirt.
Use layers to make the same outfit feel different
This is where fall makes things easy.
A fitted top and trousers on their own are one outfit.
Add a blazer and suddenly it feels more polished.
Wear the button-down open over the fitted top and it becomes more relaxed.
Layer the knit over the button-down and let the collar and cuffs show.
Same wardrobe. Completely different feel.
And when you find a combination you really love, repeat it. There’s no prize for never wearing the same outfit twice.
Don't forget the skirt
Your skirt gives the tops you’ve already been wearing a completely different silhouette.
Try:
Skirt + fitted top
Skirt + knit
Skirt + button-down
Skirt + fitted top + blazer
That takes you to twelve.
Then add three of your favorite layered combinations from above and you’ve got 15 outfits from seven pieces without needing fifteen completely different looks.
The easiest rule when you're shopping for fall
Before buying something, ask yourself:
Can I wear this with at least three things I already own?
If the answer is yes, you probably have a piece that will earn its place in your wardrobe.
If you can only picture one very specific outfit, think about whether you really love it enough to justify that.
A wardrobe becomes easier to wear when the pieces start doing more of the work for you.
And yes, you can still buy the ridiculously pretty dress you have absolutely no practical reason to own. Some purchases don't need a spreadsheet.
You probably don’t need an entirely new wardrobe for fall.
You need a few pieces that actually work together.
The easiest way to get more outfits out of your closet is to stop shopping for individual looks and start thinking about what each new piece can be worn with. A great pair of trousers shouldn’t have one good outfit. Neither should the knit you just bought.
Here’s how to build a small fall rotation that gives you plenty to wear without making getting dressed complicated.
Start with your 7 pieces
For this wardrobe, choose:
- A fitted neutral top
- A lightweight knit or turtleneck
- A button-down shirt
- Tailored trousers
- Straight-leg jeans
- A skirt
- A blazer or jacket
The exact colors are up to you, but this works best when most of the pieces can be worn together.
Black, cream, chocolate brown, grey, navy and denim are easy places to start.
You don’t have to make everything neutral, either. If burgundy is your color this fall, make one of your seven pieces burgundy and keep the rest easy to pair with it.
Build your outfits from the bottom up
If you’re someone who stares at a full closet and still has “nothing to wear,” try choosing your bottoms first.
Take your tailored trousers.
Wear them with the fitted top for work. Add the blazer when you want to look more polished. Swap the fitted top for the knit on a colder day. Wear them with the button-down and leave the first few buttons undone for something a little more relaxed.
That’s already four outfits from one pair of trousers. Now do the same thing with your jeans.
Jeans + fitted top for an easy everyday outfit.
Jeans + knit for colder days.
Jeans + button-down for coffee, lunch or casual office days.
Jeans + fitted top + blazer when you want denim to feel more dressed up.
You’re at eight outfits and we haven’t even touched the skirt.
Use layers to make the same outfit feel different
This is where fall makes things easy.
A fitted top and trousers on their own are one outfit.
Add a blazer and suddenly it feels more polished.
Wear the button-down open over the fitted top and it becomes more relaxed.
Layer the knit over the button-down and let the collar and cuffs show.
Same wardrobe. Completely different feel.
And when you find a combination you really love, repeat it. There’s no prize for never wearing the same outfit twice.
Don't forget the skirt
Your skirt gives the tops you’ve already been wearing a completely different silhouette.
Try:
Skirt + fitted top
Skirt + knit
Skirt + button-down
Skirt + fitted top + blazer
That takes you to twelve.
Then add three of your favorite layered combinations from above and you’ve got 15 outfits from seven pieces without needing fifteen completely different looks.
The easiest rule when you're shopping for fall
Before buying something, ask yourself:
Can I wear this with at least three things I already own?
If the answer is yes, you probably have a piece that will earn its place in your wardrobe.
If you can only picture one very specific outfit, think about whether you really love it enough to justify that.
A wardrobe becomes easier to wear when the pieces start doing more of the work for you.
And yes, you can still buy the ridiculously pretty dress you have absolutely no practical reason to own. Some purchases don't need a spreadsheet.
