What Do You Absolutely Need for the Perfect Fall and Winter Wardrobe?
What do you absolutely need for the perfect fall and winter wardrobe? Herein is a checklist for what you need to create outfits for every occasion during the cool seasons. Age doesn’t matter because all of these items are classic and basic pieces. They will go with everything else you own to make a complete seasonal wardrobe that works.
(For a Spring and Summer checklist, see my post on how to make more outfits out of what you have HERE.)
Maybe you already have all or most of these essentials. If not, use this list to fill in gaps in your cool-weather wardrobe or upgrade things that are wearing out (or wearing out their welcome).
I’m not one for paring my clothes down into a capsule wardrobe because I love to have options for creating something a little different every day. But I do believe in having all the basics you’ll need to provide the main structure for a wide array of outfit possibilities.
If you have all the necessities, you won’t ever have to feel like you don’t have anything to wear!
Basic Color Guidelines
Basic clothes in neutral colors form the framework for adding variety and embellishment. Bonus points if you have chosen one neutral as a base for your wardrobe. Extra bonus points if it’s a neutral that looks best on you!
Choose your most flattering neutral or basic colors for the clothes worn closest to your face such as your coat, suit, blazer and dress. Any neutral color that will go with these are fine for bottoms, shoes and bags. For Fall and Winter, darker neutrals are the norm.
Cool-Season Fabrics to Keep You Warm
You can layer with your Spring and Summer clothing and jersey pieces for more variety. And modern materials are often made of cotton/polyester/spandex blends, so that will work for all seasons.
But as you check out what you need for your Fall and Winter wardrobe, you’ll want to make sure you have cool-season fabrics to keep you warm.
Here is a general list of what fabrics to change over to in your closet for Fall and Winter —
Substitute:
- thick, heavy materials for light and airy gauze
- tweed and gabardine for cotton twill or linen
- wool sweaters for cotton sweaters and t-shirt jersey
- wool jersey for silky fabrics and thin rayon or cotton jersey
- winter-weight blouses for thin cotton or blends of cotton and rayon, etc.
Basic Fall/Winter Wardrobe Checklist:
This is the bare bones list of what you absolutely must have to cover all occasions. Once you have these items, you can build from there, adding whatever you love and updating your style.
This is like a packing list, only you’re packing your closet for the trip of your day-to-day life!
Feel free to personalize this list so that it works with your lifestyle needs and taste.
_____ A Jacket or Blazer, a Skirt and Pants as a suit or in contrasting neutrals: in a good-quality, nice suiting fabric. You might even like to choose velvet, which can transition from day to evening. These pieces will take you anywhere, put together as a suit for business/day events or separately with your other clothes.
______ Black Pants: in an all-season fabric or wool, this will go with just about anything. If you prefer, they can be navy instead.
_____ A Black Dress: in a simple style without a lot of trim or detail, versatile enough for daytime or evening. Wool blends, jerseys, cotton jerseys and ultrasuede are good choices for Fall/Winter and cool climates.
_____ 2 Blouses: One crisp, white blouse and a casual blouse in a print, plaid or solid accent color. The casual blouse can turn your jacket and pants or skirt into a suit that could go to a sports event while still being appropriate for work and other casual events.
_____ Dressy Blouse: in a shimmering or sheer fabric and in a neutral color. This turns your skirt or pants into a dressy outfit. To further stretch your wardrobe, you could wear this blouse with your cocktail pants or skirt.
_____ Sweater: in a long-sleeve warm knit and a basic color. Try a turtleneck or cowl-neck sweater. (For outfit ideas using a turtleneck, see my post on how to get your money’s worth out of a turtleneck HERE.) It goes with your suit (skirt or pants) and as a separate with your basic skirt or pants, jeans and casual clothes.
_____ Cocktail Pants, Skirt, or Dress: in a basic color and a dressy, versatile fabric, such as a silky jersey to go with your dressy blouse. A dress is not as versatile as pants or skirts.
_____ Casual Pants or Skirt: of any casual material from wool to denim. Get something comfortable that suits your lifestyle. A knit coordinated outfit of matching top and bottom fits into this category, or a lounge set that often comes in velour with a matching zip-front jacket.
_____ Casual Shirt: a t-shirt, plaid shirt, cotton blouse, jersey, turtleneck or whatever you’re comfortable in to go with your casual skirt or pants. Most people need to extend this to more than one of each in the casual category. (Click HERE for over 50 ways to wear a plaid shirt.)
_____ Lounging Clothes: comfortable jeans, corduroys, more t-shirts — whatever suits your fancy. But be sure they help you look your best on a daily basis.
_____ A Basic Coat: in a solid-color wool with matching buttons in a classic, simple style for day to evening. Since this coat is one of your major purchases, get it in a good quality and a style that will now be quickly dated.
_____ A Casual Coat (optional): can be a colorful wool or even a faux leather coat. This coat should be fun, something to wear every day.
_____ A Jacket: Most of us also need some type of jacket, especially to wear with pants. This could be wool or a parka. If your money is tight, you can skip this jacket.
_____ An Evening Cover: Your basic wool coat will do, but a velvet jacket or a faux fur would be your ultimate acquisition for a complete wardrobe. A fur is most flattering if it’s color harmonizes with your hair.
_____ Special Clothing Needs: Make your own list of your special clothing needs to add that you may need for sports, hobbies, etc.
Accessories
_______ Belts: 1-2 inches wide in neutral colors to go with your day and evening footwear. They do not need to be the same color, but a similar color or a metallic one to go with your evening shoes will work well.
_______ Scarves: These can be the most versatile and useful things you own. Choose you favorite colors and prints. One or more: 24″ square in silk crepe de chine cotton; 30-36″ square in silk, cotton, thinnest wool; muffler; 54″ square (and up) such as a shawl, pashmina, blanket scarf.
Hattie Stretch Boot from Simply Be for cold weather
Shoes:
_____ For Day – City: closed pumps, trouser shoes or ankle boots with a heel, cold-weather boots
_____ For Day – Country: flat moccasins (for skirts/pants dressing), ankle boots (for jeans/trousers)
_____ For Evening – City: black satin pumps
_____ For Evening – Country: metallic evening sandals, flat and/or with a heel
_____ Sneakers: for sports and exercise
Handbags:
_____ For Day – City: a shoulder bag/tote in a tone of brown or caramel/tan leather or tan canvas with brown-leather piping; an envelope bag in soft leather o carry inside the shoulder tote or separately in a tone of brown, caramel, etc.
_____ For Day – Country: a dark caramel leather or canvas and leather shoulder tote; a small or medium bag in dark caramel leather or tan canvas and leather
_____ For Evening – City: a black satin or silk small envelope bag; a gold or bronze envelope bag to go with metallic evening shoes. Envelope bag can be with or without a strap.
_____ For Evening Country: a soft suede or soft leather envelope bag in a brown tone; a gold envelope bag or to match the metallic of evening shoes. Envelope bag can be with or without the strap.
Let’s Connect!
Is this list helpful to you in checking to make sure that you have the basics needed for Fall and Winter? Let us know by leaving a reply below!
Like this post? You might also want to read:
- “How to Transition Your Outfits in the Fall”
- “How to Look Great in the Cold? Layer Up!”
- “How to Wear the 9 Most Popular Accessories of All Time“
- “How to Dress Up Your Little Black Dress“
- “How to Wear Belts in Interesting New Ways“
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Angie
Love those Simply B boots and great recommendations for an autumn wardrobe.
Thanks so much, Hilda!
Excellent recommendations especially for those who are out and about!
Thanks! I hope this is helpful.