Autumn Capsule Wardrobe: 10 Pieces That Work Together

An autumn capsule wardrobe is a small set of pieces that all go together, so any two things you pick up in the morning work as an outfit. Ten is the number I keep coming back to. Two outer layers, three knits, two pairs of trousers, one shirt, one pair of boots and one bag. That is the whole thing, and it will carry you from a school run in September through to a cold Saturday in November.

I have pulled ten pieces from the shop that do exactly this. All of them are in stock in Penarth and online.

• What an autumn capsule wardrobe actually is
• Two outer layers to build on
• The knitwear that does the heavy lifting
• Trousers in two weights
• One shirt, worn three ways
• Boots and a bag to finish
• Putting it together across a week

What an autumn capsule wardrobe actually is

People hear the word capsule and think it means owning ten things full stop. It does not. It means having ten things that talk to each other, sitting at the front of your wardrobe, ready to go.

The rule I use when I am buying is simple. Every piece has to work with at least three others. If a jacket only goes with one pair of trousers, it is a lovely jacket but it is not a capsule piece.

Autumn is the season this works hardest, because the weather changes twice a day. You want layers you can take off at eleven and put back on at four.

Two outer layers to build on

Start here, because the outer layer is what people see.

The Bariloche Colom Jacket is the one I would pick if I could only have one. Bariloche cut a jacket beautifully, and this one sits well over a roll neck without bulking up through the shoulder. It is a proper investment piece and it will still be in your wardrobe in five years.

Alongside it, something lighter for the days that cannot decide. The Eleanor Military Style Coat has a bit of shape to it and throws over jeans and boots in about four seconds. Two layers at two weights covers almost every autumn day we get in South Wales.

Browse the rest of the jackets if neither of those is your shape.

The knitwear that does the heavy lifting

Three knits, and each one does a different job.

The Cream Dela Roll Neck Knit is the base. A good roll neck goes under the jacket, under the coat, under the waistcoat, and on its own with trousers. Cream do these in a soft handle that does not itch at the neck, which is the thing most people are worried about with a roll neck and rightly so.

The Saint Tropez Milla R-Neck Pullover is the lighter one, for indoors and for the weeks when it has not properly turned yet. It is a round neck so it layers over a shirt collar nicely.

Then the Saint Tropez Theresa Vest, which is the piece customers pick up and turn over and then buy. A knitted vest over a shirt is the easiest autumn outfit there is, and it gives you a third look out of pieces you already own.

More in jumpers and waistcoats.

Trousers in two weights

Two pairs, one plain and one with a bit of personality.

The Cream Visti Straight Leg Pant is the plain one, and plain is doing a lot of work here. Straight leg sits over an ankle boot without riding up, which is exactly what you want from October onwards.

The Cream Visti Coloured Denim Pant is the same cut in colour. Buying the same shape twice is a trick worth knowing, because you already know it fits.

If you prefer a wider leg, I wrote about five ways to style wide leg trousers a couple of weeks ago, and everything in that post layers into this capsule too. The full range is in trousers and jeans.

One shirt, worn three ways

You need one shirt and you do not need more than one. The Saint Tropez Marlee Shirt goes under the vest with the collar and cuffs showing, over the roll neck left open like a light jacket, or on its own with the coloured denim.

Three outfits from one shirt, which is why a shirt earns its place when a second jumper might not. Shirts and blouses has the rest.

Boots and a bag to finish

The Lunar Andrea Brown Ankle Boot is brown rather than black on purpose. Brown warms up everything around it in autumn, and it sits happily with cream, denim and the tones in the Colom jacket.

The PCHA B2005 Cube Bag finishes it. It is small enough to wear across the body on a walk and structured enough to carry into town. One bag, every outfit.

See more in boots and bags and handbags.

Putting it together across a week

Here is how those ten pieces actually run across a week.

Monday is the roll neck, straight leg trousers and the boots, with the military coat over the top. Wednesday swaps the roll neck for the shirt with the vest on top. Friday is the coloured denim with the Milla pullover, and the Colom jacket if you are going out afterwards.

Three very different outfits, all from the same ten pieces.

If you want a hand working out which pieces suit your shape, come into the shop in Penarth. We will get things on you and you can see how they sit, which is worth more than any photograph.

Shop casual clothing

Frequently asked questions

How many pieces should an autumn capsule wardrobe have?

Ten works well for autumn. Two outer layers, three knits, two pairs of trousers, one shirt, one pair of boots and one bag. The number matters less than the rule, which is that every piece has to work with at least three others.

What colours work best in an autumn capsule wardrobe?

Pick two neutrals that sit well together, such as cream and brown, then add one colour you actually like wearing. Brown rather than black warms everything up through autumn, and it works with denim as well as knitwear.

Does a capsule wardrobe work for every size?

Yes. We carry a broad size range at The Queen B Boutique and the principle is the same whatever size you are. What changes is the cut, so it is worth trying a straight leg against a wide leg and seeing which one you reach for.

Do I have to buy all ten pieces at once?

Not at all. Start with the outer layer and one pair of trousers, because those two decide the colours everything else has to sit with. Build the rest across the season.

Can I try these pieces on in store?

Yes, everything in this post is in our Penarth shop as well as online. Come in and we will pull sizes for you and show you how the layers sit together.