I’m not necessarily a minimalist with my wardrobe (just ask my husband! haha), but I do like to have some basic outfit “formulas” to resort to on the days when I just don’t have the mental capacity (or frankly, the energy) to think about putting together any kind of ensemble. I say this because “capsule” is a bit of a misnomer for this post as it’s not a full capsule, but more of a curated group of mix-and-match options that I can reach for without much consideration.
Disclaimer: these are all casual looks because I’m not attending any fancy events at this point in my life, but I still want to look put-together and [somewhat] chic in my daily life of being a stay-at-home-mom. Additionally, I’m not saying that these outfits are “just for moms” — that’s just where I’m at in my life right now so they’re good for this chapter (read: toddler chasing), but they’d also be good for anyone! *Note: I also prefer a neutral palette for effortless mixing and matching, but I fully support (and encourage!) the incorporation of color to your outfits!
OUTFIT ELEMENTS —
TOPS:
Polo Sweater — Simple, but the collar and v-neck add interest to an otherwise “boring” top.
Slouchy Zip Pullover — Slightly sporty, but still very classic. I love the tall / wide collar to add some visual interest and for warmth, if needed!
Tuckable Tee — This has easily become my favorite base layer — I like to wear the short sleeve version in early autumn and then make the swap to the long sleeved one as the temperatures drop.
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PANTS:
Ankle Straight Leg Denim — I’m still having a hard time giving up my skinny jeans, but I’ve been able to ease myself into a slightly wider straight leg fit. I personally prefer a slim straight cut because I think they fit my body best, but sometimes you need a slightly looser pant and I am enjoying a straight leg jean. *Note: There’s no right or wrong here — whatever style you like best [that isn’t a skinny jean] will work.
Tailored Pants — These wider leg trousers have had a resurgence in popularity recently and I can see the appeal. They’re an excellent combination of professional and casual that can be worn in various situations; we love a versatile wardrobe piece.
Ponte Pants — I will forever be a fan of ponte fabric and a pair of ponte pants is truly the unsung hero of every wardrobe. Just like the wide leg tailored pants, they’re a bit elevated, but can also be worn in more casual settings. I prefer a slim straight leg in these since the fabric is stretchy (but on the thicker side and wrinkle resistant!) and a slight crop at the ankle is perfect!
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OUTER LAYER:
Trench Coat — A trench coat is hardly a revolutionary closet item in the transitional seasons, but there’s a reason why they always surface when there’s a chill in the air paired with drizzly skies. Such a classic silhouette and the belted waist is a great visual interest!
Plaid Blazer — I’m not sure there’s a more iconic autumnal article of clothing… bonus points for a tweed herringbone option for adding both pattern and texture to your outfit!
Lady Jacket — This structured sweater jacket style has been a classic for decades, but I love that it’s coming back into popularity right now because it makes them easier to shop for!
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SHOES:
Ballet Flats / Mary Janes — I love seeing ballet flats being back on-trend! And Mary Janes have a proper buckle / bit of a heel so they lean a bit dressier if that works better for your personal style; they both achieve the same kind of effect.
Chunky Lug Sole Loafers — I appreciate a sleek loafer / loafer mule and totally see their appeal, but it’s so fun to see the lug sole variation come back. Not only do you get more stability in your stride, but the chunkiness can add balance to an outfit.
I also think that these sock recommendations are great for pairing with this style of shoe.
Adidas Sambas Sneakers — A classic shoe design that works perfectly as both a sporty style as well as a street sneaker. I love mine so much and wear them often!
I know you’re probably wondering where the boots and booties are in this section and I just want to note that I *LOVE* those types of shoes in the fall, but I need flat shoes for chasing Sophie around these days. I find that I wear my Chelsea boots for more intense winter weather (see them featured in my Winter Mom Capsule here!), but you could totally substitute them for the lug sole loafers in any of these outfits.
OUTFIT VARIATIONS:
In past seasonal capsule posts I have created “formulas” in this section and shared multiple variations of each one, but since I think that just about everything in this capsule works together (with maybe one or two exceptions?) I’m going to stick with using the outerwear as the outfit anchor and show you all of the different ways you can wear them with the rest of the capsule!
Formula 1: Herringbone Blazer
There are a couple of ways to style a blazer if it gets a bit warmer throughout the day, but you want to keep your outer layer on:
(1) You can simply drape it over your shoulders — trés chic!
OR
(2) You can get these blazer accessories to help keep your sleeves up without having to roll them
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Formula 2: Trench Coat
Three things to note on trench coats:
(1) I highly recommend buying one with a hood — you can look for a removable option, but it’s always a good idea to have the hood,
(2) Shop for water repellent, not “resistant” (yes, there is a big difference!),
and
(3) Here are a few cute trench coat belt styling ideas:
Style 1 // Style 2 // Style 3
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Formula 3: Lady Jacket
You could absolutely go with a striped or patterned option here, but a solid is always a classic (and versatile) choice!
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ADDITIONAL STYLING COMBINATIONS
I love the versatility of these outfits and their abilities to mix and match. Below are a few of my favorite “remixed” combinations, but I’ve gathered even more inspiration photos here. I even have a few ideas sprinkled in for similar outfits that include boots. 😉
*all outfit inspiration images in this post were sourced from Pinterest and are not my own
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STYLING
I’ve been really gravitating toward both the “old money” and “quiet luxury” aesthetics in this season of my life. I want quality pieces that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits and feel somewhat put together with minimal thought or effort. I have found the following brands to have pieces that correspond directly with those aesthetics and would help achieve the look:
BRANDS TO SHOP:
Abercrombie & Fitch, Alex Mill, AYR, Frank & Eileen,
J.Crew, Jenni Kayne, and Quince
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Lastly, I recommend the “always” accessories of: (1) a pair of polarized sunglasses, (2) a warm scarf (for those extra chilly days!), and (3) a hat. I’m personally a fan of the classic baseball cap, but whatever style suits your fancy will work! I like the baseball cap in particular because it mixes well with my other “mom uniform” selections.
I hope these ideas help to inspire you to create your own mini seasonal capsule with ensembles that you don’t have to put much thought into, but make you feel put-together even on the crazy days.
Sending hugs —
xx, Natalie