12 Closet Essentials for Fall You Should Have In Your Closet

Do you have all these fall wardrobe staples in your closet? These are foundational to most fall outfits, and they can be mixed and matched to be a really simple fall capsule wardrobe. See if you have all ten of them.

Fall closet basics…or a fall capsule wardrobe

It’s almost fall, so let’s talk about fall closet basics.

A few weeks ago I shared some BETTER THAN BASIC tops for fall, and those are pieces that are a little more special and unique.

But BASIC pieces are even more important…they’re the super versatile pieces that are foundational to an outfit.

This roundup of twelve pieces is basically like a fall capsule wardrobe.

outfit links for the above outfit:

MERRICK X ANTHROPOLOGIE COLETTE PANTS (true to size, wearing size 26) | ANTHROPOLOGIE SWEATER | SAM EDELMAN SUEDE BOOTIES 

Do you have all these fall staples in your closet?

Check your closet to see if you have all these basics, and if you don’t, I’ve shared some shopping options below so you can fill the gaps in your closet.

12 closet staples for fall

1. Dark wash jeans

You can do either mid rinse, or dark wash, and you can do any style you want (straight leg, wide leg, skinny…) but you should absolutely have a pair of darker wash jeans.

Can you still wear light wash jeans during the fall and winter?  Yes, of course! But as the hues in your clothing become darker and richer for fall, those jeans should go a little darker too most of the time.

Here are a few of my favorite pairs:

2. Black jeans

I think a pair of black jeans is just as important as dark wash jeans. A pair of black jeans is great with sweaters and cardigans and jackets, and it’s absolutely a fall staple for me. I wear my black jeans so much during fall and winter!

Here are a few of my favorite pairs:

3. Lightweight jacket

You could choose an olive green jacket, suede jacket, denim jacket, leather jacket, trench coat…whatever works best for what’s already in your closet and your personal style.

Here are a few good lightweight jackets:

4. Long sleeve tee

I wear my long sleeve tee more than almost anything during the fall and winter. It’s a great layering piece, and is neutral all at the same time.

Here are a few good striped tees

5. Button-front cardigan

I love a cozy cardigan in the fall! They’re great with jeans, trousers, skirts, and with a dress! Get a more neutral color that goes with lots of things.

Here are a few great cardigans

6. Pullover sweater

Every fall closet needs a good pullover sweater. You can choose if it’s v-neck or scoop, turtleneck or mock neck, oversized or fitted, and all those other details.

Choose one that can be dressed up or down, and worn with a skirt or jeans.

Here are a few great options:

7. Black leggings

A pair of black leggings is great with an oversized sweater and boots, a tunic, or a hoodie and sneakers.

THESE NIKE LEGGINGS are my favorite weightless pair, but I’m also obsessed with my ZELLA LEGGINGS.

These are my favorite black leggings:

8. Tailored longer coat

It doesn’t start getting super cold here in Dallas until the winter, so a coat may not be a fall essential depending on where you live. But a tailored coat is absolutely a fall essential, and is a classic piece you’ll have in your closet for years. Choose one with good material, a tailored fit, and one that can be dressed up or down.

This AMAZON COAT was my favorite one that I bought a few years ago. The others that I bought in the last few years have sold out, but I linked some other options below:

Some good long coat options

9. Flats or Loafers 

A pair of neutral flats is a great option during the fall. You can, of course, still wear sneakers (I always do), but a flat is a little more dressy and neutral option. I categorize flats as loafers, slides, mules or ballet flats.

And the bright red is absolutely a statement, but it can also go with everything, so it’s basically a neutral!

These are some great neutral flats:

10. Neutral boots

Tall boots, ankle boots, lace up boots, black boots, brown boots, tan boots…your choice! But you should have at least one pair of great neutral boots that can be dressed up or down and can be worn with a lot of different things.

Take into consideration if you can wear them with skirts and dresses, skinny jeans and non-skinny jeans, tights, tall socks, and leggings.

Here are a few of my favorite neutral boots:

11. Better Than Basic Fall Top

Better than basic tops are those tops that are nicer than a tee but not overly fancy. The kind you can still wear with basic jeans and boots or flats, you can wear to work or at home, and you can dress up or down.

Here are a few of my favorite fall Better than Basic tops:

12. Sneakers

Sneakers are a closet staple for me! My style is very casual, so adding sneakers is a great option that makes any outfit feel more dressed down.

Here are a few of my favorite sneakers:

Do you have all 12 in your closet? If you don’t, that’s ok! Just figure out what staples you may want to add to your closet, and start with adding one and go from there!

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