Summer overstayed her welcome, so when the first cold, rainy morning finally arrived, I was actually excited to start thinking about my fall must have clothes. At the very beginning of the season, it still felt too out of place to even consider fall fashion while we were stuck in 80–90 degree weather.
If you’re curating your wardrobe for the new season, I’ve rounded up a few fall must-haves that are worth keeping for years to come.
My style leans simple and classic because I like pieces that can carry me through multiple seasons. As much as I’d love to have an endlessly rotating closet, I don’t have the budget to cycle through new items constantly. Over time, I’ve realized that sticking to a timeless wardrobe is both cost-efficient and sustainable. I’ve owned one of my favorite peacoats for five years. It’s still in great condition, and I don’t think it will ever go out of style. I wear it every year, and it’s definitely earned its place in my closet.
1. Oversized Coat // 2. Dress // 3. Bomber Jacket // 4. Boots // 5. Penny Loafers // 6. Layering Tops // 7. Purse // 8. Dark Denim // 9. Heels // 10. Denim Parka // 11. Everyday Jewelry // 12. Trench Coat // 13. Cardigan
Fall Essentials Clothing
Outerwear
Layering is key in the fall when temperatures can shift throughout the day. You want outerwear that keeps you warm, but with layers you can easily take off if it gets too hot. The beauty of fall is that it’s not too cold and not too hot — it’s that in-between season where you get a glimpse of winter, but can still get away with lighter jackets and versatile layers. Have 3-4 jackets you can rotate throughout the season. You might include, an oversized coat, bomber jacket, denim parka, and cardigan.
Essential Tops
Keeping it classic and simple with neutral tops will give you flexibility to wear with many outfits. You probably already have a black and white top in your closet because it’s a classic that goes through all seasons. You should aim to have black and white short sleeves, tank tops, and long sleeves. It might seem repetitive, but trust me — you’ll get good wear out of them. Once you have that foundation, each season you can play around with a few fun tops.
Dark Denim
Dark denim for fall is so chic. I don’t think I need to explain further, but find your perfect pair of dark denim jeans. You really only need one pair for the season.
Shoes
Boots: Everyone should have a pair of black boots in their wardrobe. You could wear it in fall and winter, and it’s a color that will never go out of style.
Penny Loafers: Definitely a fall wardrobe essential. Nothing screams fall more than a cozy pair of slip-ons.
Heels: The fun thing about fall is that you still get days where you can get away with wearing open-toe heels. These are nice to wear with jeans or dresses.
Accessories
Jewelry: I have a few signature jewelry pieces that I wear every day (or almost every day), and then I keep a handful of fun pieces to play around with. Once you’ve locked down your signature pieces, it’s so easy to experiment with statement styles. One of my favorites is this adorable pair from Sandy Liang – I’m obsessed. I get compliments every time I wear them, and I’ll never say no to a mixed-metal moment.
Purses: Invest in an everyday purse — your go-to piece that pairs effortlessly with anything. Once you have that staple, you can start playing around with more playful styles. Since we’re leaning toward a timeless wardrobe, this approach also helps you save money. It’s always smarter to splurge on a quality everyday bag than on a trendy piece you’ll only wear a handful of times.
I definitely learned my lesson after spending $200 on a mini BY FAR purse back in 2020 that I only wore twice. Meanwhile, the $40 black purse I picked up from H&M last year has become my daily go-to.
Wardrobe Basics Checklist
- Oversized Coat
- Dress
- Bomber Jacket
- Boots
- Penny Loafers
- Layering Tops
- Purse
- Dark Denim
- Heels
- Denim Parka
- Everyday Jewelry
- Trench Coat
- Cardigan
Shop the post here:
Fall Fashion Outfits
If you’re curating your autumn wardrobe for the new season, reference this post filled with fall must-haves for inspo 🤎
