13 Fall Capsule Wardrobe Essentials, Vetted by Style Editors 2025

A fall capsule wardrobe sets the tone for all your transitional looks—and since autumn is probably the most exciting season to dress for, having the season’s on-trend essentials in hand is, well, essential. If you don’t already have these picks—including white T-shirts, a cashmere sweater (yes, there are affordable versions), and autumn boots—somewhere in your closet, it’s time to invest. And for 2025, we’re also updating the classic formula with a few contemporary picks, including minimalist ballet flats and understated barn jackets that’ll elevate basic looks.

As you scroll through this edit, take stock of the pieces you currently own and think about what’s missing, what you have too much of, and what might need replacing. The whole point of curating a a capsule wardrobe is to mitigate the cycle of clothing fatigue and overspending and instead lean into versatile, hardworking pieces that complement your lifestyle. Now go take all the inspiration you need, and spice them up with our favorite fall fashion trends along the way.

Glamour’s fall capsule wardrobe wish list

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1. The white T-shirt

Not everyone is a “jeans and a tee” person, but who can deny the appeal of a perfectly fitted T-shirt? We’ll always encourage a little color, but you need a proper white tee before anything else. These picks are bestsellers among Glamour readers; pay special attention to Uniqlo’s soft, long-lasting design (a perennial go-to among our editors).

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Everlane The Organic Cotton Box-Cut Tee

$30

Everlane

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Old Navy Crewneck Tee

$13 $9 (31% off)

Old Navy

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Amazon Essentials Classic-Fit T-Shirt (2-Pack)

$17 $14 (18% off)

Amazon

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Uniqlo Supima-Cotton T-Shirt

$25

Uniqlo

2. The suede boots

Suede is having a bigger year than usual, but the soft, textured leather never goes out of style. Each of these pairs will enjoy near-daily wear peeking out from under wide-leg jeans and fall dresses. Block and kitten heels are especially walking-friendly, so prioritize those styles in your capsule, whether you’re off to work or punching up a going-out look.

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Frye Campus 12R Boots

$498

Free People

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Dolce Vita Slim Bootie

$225

Nordstrom

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Stuart Weitzman Naomu Boot

$495

Net-A-Porter

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Dolce Vita Auggie Boots

$250 $200 (20% off)

Amazon

3. The straight-leg jeans

Denim trends come and go, but straight-leg jeans are timeless—so make sure you have a nice pair of everyday blues to turn to in a pinch. These super-versatile picks will go with everything else in this edit, making even simple outfits feel considered and editorial. Plus, they’ll work well in any season, not just autumn.

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Madewell ’90s Straight Jeans

$128

Madewell

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Abercrombie & Fitch Mid-Rise ’90s Straight Jeans

$90

Abercrombie & Fitch

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Levi’s Premium 501 ’90s Jeans

$98

Levi’s

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Reformation Val ’90s Mid-Rise Straight Jeans

$168

Reformation

4. The button-down shirt

Pop the collar, roll up the sleeves, wear it loose or completely buttoned-up—a relaxed button-down shirt is an easygoing layer that adds instant polish to jeans and full skirts. You can never go wrong with classic white or black, but you also might find yourself reaching for a striped or neutral-colored style more than you might expect.

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J.Crew Etienne Shirt

$128

J. Crew

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Everlane Must-Have Oxford Shirt

$88 $66 (25% off)

Everlane

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Cos Tailored Shirt

$109

Cos

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The Frankie Shop Lui Shirt

$175

My Theresa

5. The tote bag

Sure, a designer bag isn’t technically a necessity—but if you’re in the market for something that’ll last many seasons to come, these under-$500 picks from editor-loved brands make great investments. We suggest going with one that’ll hold all your daily necessities, whether that’s a laptop and a lunch container or a wallet and water bottle.

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Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39

$495

Coach

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Cuyana Classic Easy Tote

$268

Cuyana

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Lie Studio Norma Tote

$765

Nordstrom

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Liffner Sprout Tote

$745

Net-A-Porter

6. The Boho Dress

No matter the occasion, from fall weddings to last-minute celebrations, a floaty boho-adjacent dress is essential to have on hand so you don’t find yourself freaking out in a dimly lit changing room at the eleventh hour. Whether your style leans more feminine, classic, or sporty, these easy-to-accessorize showstoppers—which effortlessly dress up or down with pieces you already own—are here to help.

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Chelsea28 Ruffle Minidress

$129

Nordstrom

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Madewell Ruched High-Low Slip Dress

$268

Madewell

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Ulla Johnson Shiva Dress

$590

Net-A-Porter

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Zara Ramie Dress

$149

Zara

7. The perfect sweater

You don’t need to fill your closet with a dozen different cardigans; just buy one or two well-made knits and wear them on repeat, year after year. Start with approachable neutrals—gray, taupe, cream—and branch out from there (a pop of red never hurts). And while we’ll always advocate for premium materials like cashmere, you don’t need to splurge to get the look you want. Just make sure you’re caring for your knits properly to keep them going as long as possible.

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Alex Mill Taylor Cardigan

$178

Alex Mill

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Everlane The Classic Cardigan in Cashmere

$178 $98 (45% off)

Everlane

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Jenni Kayne Cooper Cardigan

$525 $420 (20% off)

Jenni Kayne

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Lillusory Striped Cardigan

$37

Amazon

8. The sporty sneakers

The best shoe style is one you can wear for 10,000 steps without thinking twice—and have you looking cute too. Slim, sporty sneakers offer a retro look that complements any outfit; all you need to do is pick the design and colorway that speaks most to you.

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Puma Speedcat Sneakers

$100

Free People

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Adidas Tokyo Low Top Suede Sneaker

$90

Nordstrom

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Onitsuka Tiger Unisex Corsair Shoes

$199

Amazon

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Toteme Leather Trim Sneakers

$450

Net-A-Porter

9. The barn jacket

A carryover from 2024, the humble chore coat is still timeless—so why wouldn’t you want it on hand when it’s chilly out? Featuring contrast collars, durable materials, and easily accessible pockets, these workwear jackets more than pull their weight in a wardrobe—and they look great with romantic dresses and boxy trousers alike.

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The Great Barn Jacket

$550

Nordstrom

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Reformation Harrison Denim Jacket

$248

Reformation

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Aritzia Barnett Lightweight Chore Jacket

$178

Aritzia

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Doen Pascual Jacket

$398

Doen

10. The silver earrings

Earrings are an especially effortless way to zhuzh up an outfit, and we’re vibing with silver for the grayer, moodier days ahead. Waterdrop earrings have officially transitioned from trendy to classic in 2025, and you can never go wrong with slick hoops. Each of these pairs is just extra enough to make a statement, but they won’t overwhelm more casual ’fits.

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Apsvo Waterdrop Earrings

$13

Amazon

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Mejuri Dôme Huggies

$48

Mejuri

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Ana Luisa Abby Earrings

$68

Ana Luisa

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Jenny Bird Florence Hoop Earrings

$138

Nordstrom

11. The slim loafers

Want to put the wrong-shoe theory to the test? Try pairing these sharp loafers with white jeans or a denim skirt. We’re expecting Mary Janes to be especially trendy this fall, but we suggest investing in these classic styles first if you’re looking for a place to start.

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G.H. Bass Whitney Loafers

$175

Nordstrom

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Tory Burch Classic Loafers

$358

Nordstrom

$298 $209 (30% off)

Tory Burch

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Everlane Modern Loafers

$268

Everlane

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Gucci Jordaan Loafers

$1,050

Gucci

$990

Net-a-Porter

12. The trench coat

The perfect weight for transitional weather, trench coats offer weatherproof protection on breezy, drizzly days. It doesn’t hurt that these classic picks are practically designed to pair with everything you’re already planning to wear this season (including sweatpants and white sneakers when you can’t bring yourself to wear anything else).

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The Drop Noa Trench Coat

$50

Amazon

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Abercrombie Classic Trench Coat

$160

Abercrombie

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J.Crew New Icon Trench

$348

J.Crew

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Favorite Daughter Charles Trench Coat

$398

Nordstrom

13. The Slip Skirt

Silky slip skirts don’t need to go away when autumn hits; in fact, they’re at the height of their powers right about now. These slinky options will allow you to give your jeans a well-deserved break—and they’ll kiss the tops of your favorite knee-high boots perfectly. Add a chunky knit or an oversized blazer to the mix to look like a style editor.

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