It dipped below 90 degrees here which seemed to validate the word Autumn here in GA. It doesn’t get cool enough for jackets here till about November, so I may not be wearing my favorite staples until then, but I have a feeling many of you will be needing warmer pieces in under a month! Below are some quick steps for building a fall capsule wardrobe if you are interested in creating one, as well as some good base staples to get you started.

3 quick steps for building a fall capsule wardrobe:

1. Decide the overall style of what you want your capsule to be. Bold and functional? Neutral and comfortable? Minimal and chic? When you narrow that down it will make the process of deciding on pieces much easier.
2. Start pinning your favorites to a pinterest board and see how they will mix and match before purchasing. Another great option is Cladwell app which allows you to see all of your pieces you are working with and even suggest outfits for you based on what you have.
3. Divide your categories based on your occupation or state of life. If you work in an office 5 days out of 7, you will want dressier separates. If you are a stay at home mother, you will want durable and comfortable staples. No matter your situation, throw out your perceptions of colors for seasons, and build a wardrobe based off what actually makes you look forward to getting dressed.

Starting layers:

Boots + Shoes (scroll right)

Jackets:

Denim / Pants / Skirts:

Tops / Sweaters:

These are just basics you can start with, and layer with fun prints and bold colors if you choose! It’s easy to get stuck in style ruts where we dress according to how we perceive ourselves, how others perceive us, or what we render appropriate for our age. It can make a significant impact on our day to day lives when we can confidently choose pieces that make us feel ready to put your best foot forward without these factors getting in the way. I feel like this took me years! I dressed for trends in high school, dressed with a negative body image in college, and dressed according to who I thought I should be in the early phases of my career and motherhood. I will probably always change according to what phase of life I am in, but at least now I know the difference of what a good bold color dress can do for your mental game, or how putting clothes that actually fit my body type will prevent all the fidgeting, tugging, pulling, and self-doubt.

What would you say is your biggest struggle when defining your own sense of style??

When in doubt, just ask yourself, What would Iris Apfel do? 😉