Basic? Us? Never.
Let’s face it: creating a good capsule wardrobe can be a pill—and, unfortunately, not the Xanax kind.
Though capsules get a bad rap, at their heart, basics form the backbone of a wardrobe. They’re the linchpin that makes getting dressed a pleasure instead of a punishment. Because, really—who wants to reach for that perfect cashmere only to realize you don’t have the white tee to slip beneath it?
No one—that’s who.
Each season deserves its own capsule, and if you curate it well, these are the pieces that not only last for years but make the art of getting dressed seamless. And who, I ask you, doesn’t want that?
As Nothing to Wear—the Australian fashion podcast—says: you wear ten percent of your wardrobe ninety percent of the time. These are the ten-percenters—the workhorses that more than pull their weight.
Some of these pieces? Undoubtedly already in your roster.
The others? Inspiration. Use them to curate your own fall capsule.
Back to Black (Blazer)
A good black blazer? Like Dickens, she’ll exceed all great expectations—seeing you through the best of times and the worst of times.
She’s the finishing touch to a white tee and jeans, and she always brings her A-game (more than we can say for most).
Double-breasted, single-breasted, oversized, cropped—collect them like chapters in your fashion novel.
The Perfect White Tee
The darling of closets coast-to-coast, she’s the underrated understudy you’ll reach for several times a week.
WAO, Khaite, Toteme, LESET’s Margo—all great constants across styles and price points.
The Khaite Mae? Mae-be my all-time favorite. Treat her like the exalted vampire she is—only out in the light for special occasions.
And whatever you do, never put her in the dryer. Line-dry only. Keep her from becoming a shrinking violet—no one likes a shrinking violet.
The Perfect Straight-Leg Denim
Jeans—I could live in them.
With many years of denim styling (and over eighty pairs in my closet—don’t judge), I know a thing or two about finding the pair.
A dark-wash straight leg? Unlike the aforementioned Mae, she’s having her day in the sun.
Khaite Abigail? She’s that girl. Benson? That wash. The button? Chef’s kiss.Comfortable? That’s a stretch—literally. But fashion? Always worth a little pain.
The Black Flat
The perfect black flat? Magical—this from a girl who was heel-bound until 2020.
A ballerina is the perfect slip-on for slipping out the door—dancing in the streets while you channel your inner Audrey.
The Repetto Cendrillon? A master class in chic—proof the French might just be right.
A Black Pump
Some days you just turn up the volume, kick off your flats, and put on that damn heel.
A basic black pump instantly elevates a capsule.
Louboutins never let you down—pared-down perfection, with that red-soled cherry filling.
The Perfect Pant
Wide-leg, straight-leg, skinny—they come and go.
But the perfect kick flare that skims the ankle just so? Iconic.
High Sport—she’s it for a reason. Feels like a legging, walks like a rock star.
Say less.
A Wool Coat
A must for fall—on many days, she’s all they see.
Black, camel, grey: expected.
Ivory? The exception that proves the rule.
A Cashmere Sweater
Nothing says fall like a Ralph Lauren cashmere cable knit.
She’s your constant—reliable several times a week, perfect with denim, divine with kick flares.
And Ralph? Doing everything right, as usual.
A Pencil Skirt
A pencil? The perfect anchor for your skirt collection.
Like all good pencils, keep her sharp, supple and in leather for fall.
Pair her with a front-tucked cashmere sweater and a kitten heel. Meow.
The Perfect Kitten Heel
Manolo Blahnik—there’s a reason she earned a place in Carrie Bradshaw’s closet.
The Maysale looks good with nearly everything and comes in more colors than you can imagine.
Instant grace with kick flares, denim, or a pencil skirt. Manolo doesn’t play favorites—she’s equally divine with a mini or a maxi.
The only issue? Which color to add to cart.
A Leather or Suede Tote
A tote: the perfect bag for fall.
The best ones? Roomy enough for your laptop or iPad, structured enough to stand on their own.
Simple and restrained, The Row’s Park Tote comes in a variety of sizes.
Her pared-down elegance elevates every look—the almost-affordable Row bag that’s lived in my mind rent-free for over a year.
A Knee Boot
The darling of the season—and single-handedly bringing skinny jeans back in vogue.
An essential with a wide-leg jean and loyal to your skirt game; she goes the distance from the tiniest minis to the longest maxis.
The Khaite Davis? The golden rule all others bow to—as well they should.
Accessories
The right accessories move your wardrobe from good to great—the finishing touches that make a look uniquely yours.
A classic gold earring or diamond tennis necklace? Graceful. Effortless. Elevated. Even your jogger-and-sweatshirt combo gets an instant glow-up.
A cashmere baseball cap? The perfect topper for a cool fall day—and the best secret for taming that day-too-long blowout.
A soft cashmere scarf? Loop her around your collar—the statement necklace your wool coat didn’t know she needed.
Curating a capsule? Better than the best Xannie ever—sadly, slightly more addictive…
