How To Build An Autumn Capsule Wardrobe

The ultimate solution to the ‘I don’t know what to wear’ dilemma? A capsule wardrobe. This failsafe approach to wardrobe organisation is perfect for indecisive dressers and navigating seasonal changes. And, with autumn just around the corner, we’re gearing up to make the capsule wardrobe switch from sandals, sundresses and sunglasses to boots, cardigans and scarves. Let’s get started.

Starting From Scratch? Read Our Guide To Creating A Basic Capsule Wardrobe

What Is A Capsule Wardrobe?

‘A capsule wardrobe is a curated collection of versatile pieces, each of which can be mixed and matched together to create a wide range of outfits, without needing vast amounts of clothing,’ explains Tanya Mulesa, co-founder of circular concierge app CICON. ‘It’s a great way to organise your clothes so you get the best out of them, whilst also helping to declutter your bedroom and your headspace. The pieces in a capsule wardrobe don’t necessarily need to be minimalist either. The beauty of a capsule wardrobe is that they can be used by anyone, whether you’re into your beiges and greys or bright colours.’

How To Build An Autumn Capsule Wardrobe

Declutter

The first thing you need to do before adding to your autumn capsule wardrobe is declutter what you already have. Remember: the idea is to only keep the items you can picture yourself wearing again and again, in multiple outfits. ‘If you’re unsure whether a piece belongs in a capsule wardrobe, ask yourself whether you’d be willing to invest in a repair or cleaning of it,’ suggests Tanya. ‘If the answer is no, resell or donate it. If yes, keep it and style it accordingly.’

Layer Up

‘Key for season changeovers are items you can layer, which can see you through a few different seasons at a time with different styling,’ highlights Tanya. ‘Try a pre-loved leather jacket which can be styled up for both spring and autumn (after all, in the UK we do often get both seasons in one day).’

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Steer Clear Of Trends

While trends can be fun – and a great way of trying out new things – it’s best not to get too carried away with them. ‘Be mindful of trends that crop up at the start of a new season,’ warns Tanya. ‘Although it’s easy to get sucked into the hype, you’re far better investing in something with plenty of quality and timelessness that can see you through seasons year after year – and, if you do decide to resell, it can retain its quality and value for this purpose.’

But that’s not to say you can’t try any trends at all. Besides shopping, you can rent items that will let you give certain trends a go, without committing to ownership. ‘Rental is a great tool to make a capsule wardrobe work if you want to only own the basics, but occasionally wear something a little more trend led or bold,’ adds Tanya.

Basics & Staples

With the above in mind, fill up your autumn capsule wardrobe with items that fall into one of two categories: basics or staples. You’ll need basics to create the base of any outfit – think a crisp shirt, jeans, boots – and staples to give your wardrobe a seasonally timeless sense of style. ‘There will always be demand for classic, well made winter coats, bags and shoes,’ says Tanya. ‘So consider these items when purchasing. They’ll become the building blocks of your wardrobe.’

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Know Your Style

‘The key to mastering a capsule wardrobe is knowing your style,’ Tanya tells us. ‘Trust the pieces that you reach for on a daily basis while also keeping in mind efficient styling hacks and tips for easy daily dressing. This will be something you’ll probably learn over time, but keeping your wardrobe a clean slate will make these preferences all the more easy to find.’

What To Do With Your Items After Autumn

And what to do with your extra layers, coats and boots once autumn and winter pass and spring rolls around? Tanya recommends dividing your wardrobe up into two small wardrobes: summer and autumn. ‘Unfortunately for us, the UK pretty much has two seasons: two months of mild summer and about 10 months of cold autumn, which might make seasonal wardrobes a little easier to create,’ she says. ‘I tend to keep my summer and autumn capsules in two small wardrobes, both of which I annually review and either keep, resell, donate or rent out what I’m not getting use out of.

‘If you’re struggling for space, another great solution is to keep each of your seasonal wardrobes in under bed storage,’ she continues. ‘At the start of each season you can bring out the pieces most relevant to that time of year, and keep the capsule going.’

Featured image: Zoe, Unsplash