Fall 2024 Capsule Wardrobe

I was reading through my Fall capsule wardrobe post from 2023 and, not surprisingly, still enjoy wearing nearly everything on that list! For this year’s Fall capsule, I made just a few updates to reflect things I’ve been leaning into lately:

• Deeper fall colors. Instead of last year’s mostly beige tones, I added some richer hues that mix & match very well together, like chocolate brown, burgundy, and a dark olive-brown blazer.
• Suede textures. Suede is having a big moment and is a great way to add some dimension to outfits. I incorporated touches via the sneakers, flats & booties instead of regular leather shoes.
• Slip dress instead of skirt. The skirt still works well here, but the dress version brings a little extra versatility for a nice dinner or holiday event.
• Looser silhouettes. The outer layers in this year’s capsule have a more oversized, relaxed fit. For those who aren’t a fan of this, I still listed more slim-fit, petite-friendly options below.

You can also see this capsule in a video here, and Part 2 will demonstrate a variety of outfit ideas using the pieces! Here’s a preview of different capsule outfit combos with the gray jeans.

1. Outer Layers

• Cardigan Jacket
  • Pictured above: Quince Merino wool duster cardigan in XS. This is an oversized, relaxed fit on me, with a soft and warm medium weight. I love everything from the length and how well it drapes … might be one of my favorite Quince purchases to date!
    • For a shorter, lighter weight and more petite-friendly cardigan, I also have the Quince Cashmere Cardigan xs from years ago (shown in video).
  • J.Crew sweater blazer xxs – for a cotton texture instead of a wool or cashmere knit, this is a classic shorter cardigan that has lasted the test of time in terms of style and durability. It was my initial pick for this year’s capsule, but I wanted a medium to darker gray color and longer length.
• Trench Coat
  • Shown in video: Oak + Fort trench xxs for an oversized style in a weighty drape fabric. While I wear mine a ton, I wouldn’t call this petite-friendly. The length is past midi on me and the sleeves are long, but the wrist cinch strap helps. Use code JEANTRENCH for 20% off.
  • For options available in petite sizing:
    • Banana Republic Factory Timeless Trench: I haven’t tried this myself, but based on many user reviews this seems like an excellent, budget-friendly option in water-resistant fabric.
    • J.Crew Icon Trench is a shorter, more slim fit version that hits above the knees. This is water repellant with a removable hood.
• Short Black Jacket
  • Mine is an old Zara jacket, but Mango xxs is similar and pictured in the collage. In prior years I’ve been all about the tweed lady jackets (like this Theory find!), and while those are still very much up my alley, I’ve been liking the simple look of a cleaner cut jacket.
  • Similar: Aritzia little crop jacket 00 is well-made in crepe and fits small throughout, but is a little long in the sleeves for me.
• Blazer
  • Shown in video: Old Navy blazer xs petite. Relaxed fit on me and the sleeves are a little wide. I like this as a “boyfriend” style jacket. The “Reishi” color is a nice dark olive with brown tones, and easier for me to style than a regular olive green.
  • Similar starting in a smaller size xxs petite:
    • Abercrombie blazer available in petite
    • Banana Republic Factory blazer in black, navy, camel

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2. Tops & sweaters

• Crewneck Sweater
  • Shown in video: Everlane honeycomb xxs, old. This is my most-worn Everlane sweater ever, so much that I have a crewneck and a turtleneck version (that they brought back this year!). The weight is warm without being too thick to layer, and the honeycomb style adds texture and interest that’s valuable in a simplified capsule wardrobe.
    • They brought back the crewneck honeycomb sweater only in this cream cotton version, which is on my wishlist!
  • For a similar taupe colored sweater, the Everlane plush cotton cocoon sweater is on sale and fully stocked!
• Accent Sweater
  • Shown in video: Quince shrunken cashmere sweatshirt xs. Burgundy just sold out, but is still stocked in their similar $50 cashmere sweater.
• Neutral Layering Tees
  • Shown in video: Gap rib mockneck long sleeve tees xs petite
  • COS off white tee xs in a thick and soft premium cotton. I’ve found that this off-white color is softer than some of the other colors, including white. I sized up.

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3. Bottoms

• Trousers
  • Shown in video: Aritzia Effortless pants 00 Short. These are beautiful quality and look more elevated than my other trousers. These run long, and the “Shorter” length is more ideal for my 5′ height with a mid heel.
  • Lower priced options in short inseams:
    • Abercrombie trousers – I usually wear 24 short
    • Amazon $40 trousers – I have “khaki thin” and “black thin” in XS Short, but they will be too cold for wintertime unless you layer.
• Leggings / Slim Black Ankle Pants
  • Shown in video: Zella 7/8 leggings xxs. If you work in an office setting, then I’d opt for slim pants instead of leggings.
  • Ann Taylor Audrey pants – a work-appropriate, sleek leggings alternative. These run small though and even 0P is fitted on me, so I would go 1, possibly even 2 sizes up. I fold the length under a little.
• Blue Jeans
  • For one style that I wear often with both flats and low heels, my personal pick might be the Levi’s Ribcage “in the middle” wash size 24 x 27 length. These are slightly less wide than Madewell with an ultra higher rise. A few other favorites depending on what cut you wear the most:
    • Wide: J.Crew slim wide is a very wearable wide style – petites can get petite sizing for a cropped length, or regular sizing for floor length.
    • Slim ankle: Abercrombie high rise ankle jeans – I do 24 Short
    • Full length trouser: Gap stride jeans 24 petite
• Gray Jeans
  • Shown in video: Madewell 90s crop jean sz 24, hems cut. A few other options in a good darker charcoal gray wash, depending on what cut you like:
    • Slim ankle: Levi’s Wedgie Straight in “well worn – black” wash
    • Straight: Levi’s Ribcage “well worn – black” wash
• Black Skort
  • Shown in video: Abercrombie xxs

• Slip Dress
  • Shown in video: Quince 100% silk slip dress xs. See pairing ideas here!
    • If you prefer the skirt version: Quince silk skirt

Shoes

• Sneakers
  • Shown in video: Adidas Spezials (more in stock colors at Adidas, and some may be able to do kids sizing). These are cushioned, comfortable, and run TTS to a half size big so I’d size down if between sizes. I have womens 5 and hunted this amazing neutral suede color down on Stockx – worth it!
  • White leather Sambas are fully restocked. I wear a mens 4 / womens 5
• Flats
  • Shown in video: Sézane ballet flats 5 c/o – I wear these with small heel lift inserts
  • If you prefer a loafer, these trusty Sam Edelman ones come in tons of colors. I took 5.5 with no breaking in needed.
• Kitten Heels
  • Shown in video: Gucci slingbacks 35
• Ankle Boots
  • Shown in video: Madewell black suede booties 5; pretty comfy for heels
  • Shown in video: Amazon faux suede booties 5
• Tall Boots
  • Shown in video: Schutz Maryana sculpt boots 5.5- these run small and narrow with a high heel. They look amazing on, but for a capsule wardrobe it would be MUCH more ideal to have a lower block heel or even flat boot for practicality.
    • Unfortunately I haven’t found many petite-friendly options, but just ordered a pair from this slim calf boot store to try!

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Accessories

• Large Tote
  • Shown in video: Madewell Essential Bucket tote (on sale right now!). Truly one of my most favorite closet addition this year! I did cut the tail end of the strap shorter just using a pair of sharp scissors, and it doesn’t look very obvious.
• Convertible smaller bag
  • Shown in video: Polene Beri paired with my own strap from another handbag. I like small bags that can go from casual looks with a strap, to dressier looks when carried on the hand.