28 Fall Capsule Wardrobe Essentials That Are Perfect for Transitional Weather

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The T-Shirt

Not everyone is a “pair of jeans and T-shirt” dresser, but few can deny the appeal of a perfectly fitted T-shirt. White and grey are both classic choices, though fashion girlies will tell you it’s all about grey this season. The two below are Glamour editor and reader favorites; they have a crewneck silhouette and mid-weight fabric. (If you prefer a V-neck over a crewneck, check out our edit of the best V-neck tees.)

Hanes Essentials T-Shirt (4-Pack)

COS The Clean Cut T-Shirt

The Black Leggings

You abandoned your black leggings for shorts this summer, but now they’re back. Lululemon’s styles can stand up to near-daily wear, though there are a bunch of leggings on Amazon that reviewers love for buying in bulk—like the set linked below that has almost 33,000 five-star reviews. (Whew!)

Fengbay High Waist Yoga Pants (2-Pack)

The Button-Up

Pop the collar, roll up the sleeves, wear it loose or completely buttoned-up—a striped or white button-down shirt is an easygoing layer that adds instant polish to straight-leg jeans and slip dresses.

With Nothing Underneath Boyfriend Poplin Top

Banana Republic The Oversized Shirt

The Slip-On Shoes

The window for wearing mules and slips on is a short one, so maximize this time with a design that’s foolproof to style. Ugg’s platform slipper is treaded and raised enough that you won’t mind wearing it out of the house, but if you can’t bear to pack your Arizonas up, opt for its shearling-lined cousin and style it with fuzzy socks from Amazon.

Ugg Discoquette Genuine Shearling Slide Slipper

Birkenstock Arizona Big Buckle Genuine Shearling Lined Sandal

The Sneakers

A comfy sneaker style is one you can wear for 10,000 steps without thinking twice about it—the below two allow for that—and look cute too.

Salomon Gender Inclusive XT-6 Mindful Sneaker

The Silver Accent

Earrings are an especially effortless way to zhuzh up an outfit, and we’re really vibing silver right now for a more modern take. Éliou’s are cute and chubby and snuggle the ear just so, while Mejuri’s bestselling huggies have a similar look for under $50.

The Long-Sleeve Top

When it’s too brisk for a T-shirt but not quite sweater weather, a basic long-sleeve top is the move. Bonus: You can use it as a base layer later on if a turtleneck is too stuffy.

Skims Boyfriend Long-Sleeve T-Shirt

The Bodysuit

Even though you can get away with wearing a sleeveless (or short-sleeve) bodysuit in the warmer months, fall and winter are where this second-skin piece really shines, since it can act as both a standalone top and mid-layer underneath a knit sweater.

Skims Essential Long-Sleeve Scoop-Neck Bodysuit

Babaton Contour Crew Shortsleeve Bodysuit

The Cozy Sweatshirt

We love Lululemon’s oversized half-zip for throwing over everything without feeling sloppy, as well as J.Crew’s navy sweatshirt for sporty-chic vibes.

Lululemon Scuba Oversized Funnel-Neck Half-Zip Sweatshirt

J.Crew Heritage Fleece Embroidered Oarsman Dog Sweatshirt

The Even Cozier Sweatpants

Is it really fall without joggers so comfy they make going pantsless feel overrated? Absolutely not—and both Vuori and Wilson have great athleisure options for living in.

Vuori Performance Joggers

Nike Sportswear Phoenix Fleece Sweatpants

The Cashmere Sweater

You don’t need to fill your closet with 10 different cardigans and cashmere sweaters; just buy one or two really good knits and wear them on repeat.

Naadam The Essential Cashmere Sweater

Favorite Daughter Oversize Cable Knit Sweater

The Cardigan

Remember what we said about red and grey? A cardigan—like Alex Mill’s which had a thousand-person waitlist last year—is a stylish, but still very wearable way to embrace the color trend.

Alex Mill Rollneck Cardigan

Everlane The Alpaca V-Neck Cropped Cardigan

The Loafers

Want to put Allison Bornstein’s wrong shoe theory to the test? Try pairing a sharp loafer with a white pants or a denim skirt.

Gucci Leather Lug Sole Loafers

G.H. Bass Whitney Weejuns Penny Loafers

The Ballerina Flats

For the classic dressers among us, there’s no going wrong with a simple ballet flat.

J.Crew Anya Mary Jane Flats

Schutz Arissa Ballet Flats

The Bag

If a new designer bag is on your wish list, consider Gucci’s mini shoulder bag for day-to-night, or DeMellier’s suede tote, which we saw in elbow crooks of editors and influencers everywhere this past New York Fashion Week.

Gucci Ophidia Mini Shoulder Bag

DeMellier New York Midi Suede Tote Bag

The Fall Coat

The best winter coats have arrived! Loulou Studio’s wool-and-cashmere iteration is slouchy but still elevated and worthwhile if you have the budget. If you want to snag a long style under $300, be sure to check out the options at Mango—we can already see Katie Holmes stepping out in the oversized coat, below.

Loulou Studio Mill Longline Wool & Cashmere Coat

The Puffer Jacket

Puffers, too tend to sell out really fast once the weather turns, so now’s your best bet at grabbing outerwear you really want.

Save The Duck Valerian Hooded Quilted Coat

The North Face High Pile Fleece Nuptse Jacket

The Fall Wedding Guest Dress

Something for when the occasion calls, so you don’t find yourself freaking out in a dimly lit changing room at the eleventh hour.

Staud Quant Mock Neck Shift Dress

Reformation Nelle Body-Con Dress

The Jeans

Jeans—including petite styles—are seemingly wider and baggier than ever, but to offset the roominess of it all, brands are introducing exaggerated cuffs that also fulfill another purpose: Preventing the hems from dragging in puddles of rain. Win-win. (The styles below don’t show it necessarily but just imagine them folded.)

Levi’s Ribcage Straight-Leg Ankle Jeans

Madewell The Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jeans

The Cargo Pants

Cargo pants are wide-leg jeans’ cooler sibling, and you can find them at a range of prices and in different materials and colors. We love the ones from AG—designed in collaboration with Emily Ratajkowski—and Agolde, which are admittedly on the pricier side but wear in beautifully.

Agolde Magda Low-Rise Carpenter Jeans

The Weatherproof Boots

Let this be the year your shoes don’t get unexpectedly soaked in the rain. You’ll love Moncler’s leg-warmer-inspired version for its warmth and versatility, while Hunter $150 style is one of the most popular Chelsea boots in the game.

Moncler Waterproof Rain Boot

Hunter Original Waterproof Chelsea Rain Boots

The Black Boot

Equal parts practical and chic, black leather lace-up and knee-high boots (or booties) with a low enough heel you can actually walk in are ideal for punching up a work or going-out look.

Staud Nancy Leather Knee Boots

Aeyde Max Leather Lace-Up Ankle Boots

The Sweaterdress

Unless they’re dark and stormy prints, too-colorful dresses just don’t hit the same way this time of year. A long-sleeve knit one, on the other hand, is a versatile piece that delivers the same ease as your favorite summer midis, just in a cozier material.

Loulou Studio Badu Long Sleeve Wool & Yak Hair Blend Rib Sweater Dress

Éterne Crewneck Cotton-Blend Maxi Dress

The Fleece Jacket

Is it really leaf-peeping season without a great fleece involved? Don’t answer that. FP Movement’s snap-button jacket has been a celeb staple for years and comes in a bunch of colors and styles, including a quarter zip pullover with contrasting piping. Equally great is, yes, The Great’s printed pullover which looks like long hikes in woods and s’mores by the fire and in a sweater.

FP Movement Hit The Slopes Fleece Jacket

The Great The Countryside Pullover

The Vest

When styled with relaxed pieces for contrast, vests prove their worth by making you look both put together and completely relaxed.

Attersee The Sculpted Vest

Alex Mill Sloane Vest in Corduroy

The Hair Accessory

Swap your big statement headband for a thin headband this fall season—quiet luxury’s take on hair—or revisit your favorite velvet bow in the form of a giant claw clip, courtesy of Jennifer Behr.

Willbond Toothcomb Headbands (6-Pack)

Jennifer Behr Matilda Jaw Clip