Fall Wardrobe Essentials: Part 2

Building Your Core

The post-Fashion Week buzz is that quiet luxury is tired. Maximalism is in. But honestly, I’m exhausted by things being labeled as "in" or "out." Why can’t extreme minimalists and extreme maximalists both coexist, with everyone else falling somewhere in between? Isn’t that what makes fashion interesting—the juxtaposition of Calvin Klein to Alexander McQueen. Both equally cool in their own way.

What people are really tired of, I think, is the constant churn of trend cycles—where suddenly, everyone’s wearing the same thing. Trends, by nature, are copied and replicated until they feel played out. The fashion industry relies on these cycles to keep products moving, leaving our wardrobes feeling uninspired before long.

Don’t get me wrong—jumping on a trend here and there can be fun! But it’s far more satisfying to know your personal style first. That’s where a core wardrobe—or capsule wardrobe—comes in.

Image via Pinterest

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A Personal Approach to the Capsule Wardrobe

What I love about the capsule wardrobe idea is that it simplifies decision-making and makes getting dressed easier. It resonated with so many people because it works. But the downside is that it can feel prescriptive, as if everyone must wear a blazer and loafers—and that can alienate people whose style doesn’t align with those pieces.

Instead of a one-size-fits-all formula, I prefer to think of it as building your own core wardrobe: a personal collection of wardrobe staples you love and wear most. Everyone’s list will be different, reflecting their lifestyle, personality, and taste.

Christina from Habiter’s Substack does an amazing job exploring this through interviews with stylish people about their “wardrobe workhorses”—the items they wear on repeat. Each person’s core wardrobe is unique, which makes it far more interesting.

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My Most Worn Pieces This Fall

Here’s a peek at the pieces I’m wearing on repeat this season:

• Vintage Armani silk trousers

  Quickly becoming my most worn pants. They’re easy to dress up or down, and are so comfortable I don’t feel the need to change into sweatpants when I get home.

• Denim

  I’ll always be a jeans-and-tee kind of person. I’ve collected many vintage Levi’s, but right now, my most-worn pair is from Nili Lotan.

Images via Pinterst & Nili Lotan

• Button ups

  My go-to for any occasion and any season. I wear them in a million ways: cotton for more casual, silk to dress it up, unbuttoned for a night out, buttoned to the top for a polished look, tucked in, untucked, throw a tie on it…Most of mine are vintage (Jil Sander, Prada, Charvet), but I also love my Skall Studio one. Check your local vintage or Gap, Studio Nicholson, J.Crew, Alex Mill, Comme Si and Bourrienne (just got served an ad for them and I’m intrigued).

• Intimissimi sheer turtleneck

  The best base layer. I wear them under everything to stay warm, and they’re slightly sexy on their own with a bralette for a night out. I also have a heavier navy version from The Row (bought secondhand). Here’s another alt my very chic friend (check out her substack) told me she swears by.

  

  Image via @refine_mood

• Tee’s and tanks

  Perfect for layering under sweaters and button-ups to keep things fresh. My favorites right now are from Flore Flore, Baserange, Old Navy, and Cou Cou.

• J.Crew Cashmere crew neck sweater

  I reach for this every day. I prefer the relaxed fit, sizing down to XS for a slightly oversized but still polished look. People also love Uniqlo, Jenni Kayne, Vince, Frame, Extreme Cashmere, COS.

• Chunky wool sweater

  For when it’s really cold. I have a few—from Saks Potts, vintage, and two from one of my favorite shops in Rome. If I were buying new, I’d look at Aran.com, Baaba (heard you can find these on depop), Skall Studio, Baserange, or vintage (make sure there is no smell!)

• Cozy lounge outfit

  This department needs a little upgrade. In my dreams I lounge in exclusively Lauren Manoogian and these pants, but realistically I’ll check out out Leset, James Perse (I’ve rediscovered James Perse and am obsessed), Bleusalt, Aritzia, Gap, Baserange, Skims, or J.Crew.

  

  Baserange, Extreme Cashmere & Lauren Manoogian Brown Long Shawl Cardigan

• A great coat

  My guilty pleasure—and one of my favorite things to thrift or buy vintage. (should I do a whole post dedicated to great vintage coats?) I tend to keep my outfit simple and let a great coat do the work. Although I own many, I don’t have the perfect black wool coat. I want one that isn’t too structured/severe or too floppy and ideally made without synthetic materials. So far there’s not much under ~$8-900, which seems crazy, and the ones I have tried are very thin. My friend Maria just recommended this one to me, so I may give it a try. TRR has many, but I find it tough to tell what the coats really look like from photos. If I weren’t avoiding synthetics, The Frankie Shop, Aritzia, and House of Dagmar would be top contenders.

Images via Pinterest, @phoebephilo, and me in vintage Armani

• Black flat leather shoes

  Despite having a million shoes, if I could only wear one it would be these. I own a few versions like these, and these, but the Bode house slipper are still my go-to.

• Accessories

  My favorite part, which I will dig into in part 3 of this series - making it your own.

Images via Norlha & Pinterest

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Identifying Your Core Essentials

Everyone’s basics will look different—some might live in tailored trousers and cashmere sweaters, while others prefer skirts and tights. Your lifestyle, climate, and personal preferences all play a role. The goal is to find staples that seamlessly fit into your daily life and make you feel like yourself.

Questions to Guide You:

• What do I reach for on a typical day?

• Which pieces make me feel most comfortable and confident?

• What items do I consistently repurchase or replace?

Your core wardrobe doesn’t need to match mine—or anyone else’s. Maybe your essentials include a faux fur bomber, Converse, or a pink sweater. There’s no right or wrong, just what feels authentically you.

If you’re unsure where to begin, start simple:

• A versatile shoe

• An easy bottom

• A base layer

• A warm sweater

• A statement coat

Once you identify your key pieces, everything else falls into place. Trends may come and go, but with a wardrobe built around what you love, you’ll always feel good in your clothes.

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That wraps up part two! Stay tuned for the final post, Making It Your Own, where I’ll dive into the fun part: how to inject your wardrobe with personal touches that make it feel distinctively you.

What are your wardrobe staples? Share in the comments if there are specific items you need help finding. And if you enjoyed reading this, please hit the like button so it reaches more people. :)

Until next time,
x Kelly