Creating an autumn capsule wardrobe

Posted on by Toni Carver

The leaves are falling which in my mind means that autumn is officially here!

Having recently released my autumn/winter seasonal updates with the colours and styles that suit you this season, I was inspired to create some new looks.

During my colour and trend workshop, I illustrated a number of items I’d found on the high street for each dominant colouring type. Because you’re bound to have things you can re-wear already, I also used items from my own wardrobe too. This is something I’ve been illustrating for a while now as I know how beneficial it can be to help you create new looks from things you already have. It’s likely that you’ll have something which ticks off a new season ‘trend’ already, so it’s simply about re-wearing and restyling it!

There’s some gorgeous colours (yes, for EVERY colour type!), and some returning trends this season.

Using some of the items from my workshop, I’ve put together a collection of autumn outfits. Let’s call it an autumn capsule wardrobe!

From 22 items, I’ve created 12 outfits which I’ve featured in a video on my Youtube channel.

It includes footwear and outerwear, but not jewellery.

Whilst there’s just 12 outfits, there’s many more combinations that could be made. How many can you make?

I’ve detailed the items and combinations below, but do head on over to the video to see all the looks featured: https://youtu.be/OAleEmYO-vs

Outfit 1

  • Pink fluffy jumper – mine and old Laetitia Mae
  • Brown faux leather skirt – new from M&S
  • Wine leather knee boots – mine and old Sergio Rossi

This new M&S skirt has been heavily featured on TV and their website. There’s a matching vest top too, but in true autumn style, I wanted to add warmth and jazz it up for a different style personality. Styled with my fluffy jumper, I’d just need to add a necklace. The jumper was featured on the blogs a few years ago: six ways with one top.

My long boots were good as the skirt falls below the knee. The boots I’ve had for years and coincidentally are in a burgundy tone which is very popular this season.

The skirt is faux leather and it feels soft. It’s a great fit too and comfortable and loose. The style is more of an a-line and it’s not hemmed, but a clean cut line.

 

Outfit 2

  • Animal print sweatshirt – mine and old TU
  • Brown faux leather skirt – new from M&S
  • Animal print brogues – mine and old Clarks

Whilst the first look was definitely more out-out, I wanted to opt for a more casual look.

Dressing down the skirt with a sweatshirt, cosy jumper, or fine knit sweater achieves this look.

I’ve opted for a clash (which isn’t for everyone!) with my animal print brogues, but you could try a pair of trainers to keep the casual vibe or other flat shoes to suit you.

Outfit 3 and 4

  • Burgundy satin skirt– mine and New Look last year
  • Claret Blouse top – mine and old Hobbs
  • Wine leather boots – mine and old Sergio Rossi
  • Pink Tweed Blazer – mine and old Ness

Burgundy is a shade which is everywhere at the minute. It sits in the medium to deep range of colours, so anyone with a lighter look will find it can be too strong for them. There’s more than one shade of burgundy after all! Think winter berries, wines and you’ll have an idea of the different shades and tones of the colour which will suit you.

I already had my versions of burgundy in my wardrobe, so I’ve simply combined them together for these next two outfits.

This skirt was featured in my 2023 autumn/winter seasonal update and I couldn’t resist adding it to my wardrobe! I shared some styling tips last year: here, but this top wasn’t one of them!

 

You’ll still find  some satin skirts this time round, but if you did invest in one previously, dig it out and wear it again this season! Satin can be unforgiving showing lumps and bumps when tucking in, but this can be remedied in styling (care whilst tucking), or choosing the right finishing hemline.

Worn with my leather boots again to achieve an all over colour drench effect. You can easily style it down with trainers or ankle boots and a more casual top or jumper.

For the fourth look, I chose my pink tweed blazer to add another layer.

This would smarten up a more casual top as well. Opt for another style of jacket like a biker or denim if you have one instead.

Both these looks have no new items, just restyling exactly what I have to make it feel more up-to-date.

 

Outfit 5 & 6

  • Mole jumper dress – new M&S
  • Black belt – mine and Michael Kors (came with a dress)
  • Black leather-look leggings – mine and old M&S
  • Black Chelsea ankle boots – mine and old from Germany
  • Pink Shell lip gloss – mine but available from Colour me Beautiful
  • Burgundy Vegan Handbag – new H&M (in store)
  • Claret quilted down coat – mine and old Barbour

This jersey funnel neck jumper dress screams autumn style and isn’t too clingy. Gorgeous shade in mole and most like pewter in your colour swatches. A great staple item which can be worn with tights or leggings.

I paired it with my high waisted leather-look leggings from M&S last year, which I’ve worn on repeat! Available again this season but only in black and bitter chocolate, though I did find some navy ones in an outlet store.

Add ankle boots, a pop of lip colour and this amazing handbag in the trending colour of the season from H&M to finish the look!

For a truly warm layer, simply add a coat. My claret quilted down coat is an old favourite which I’m wearing again this season from Barbour, even though it’s a few years old.

A warm and stylish coat is a must for British weather and this coat is still going strong. Lots of quilted and padded styles currently too if you need an update and do check the charity shops too. If you want to avoid the oversized or Michelin-man look, opt for one with a belt.

I’ve switched the Chelsea boots for my long leather boots (seen in the video) with the same M&S jumper dress but lost the belt for another look.

Swap the leather-look leggings if they’re not your thing for normal leggings or thick tights.

 

Outfit 7 & 8

  • Animal print denim shirt – new Next
  • Black leather-look leggings – mine and old M&S
  • Black Chelsea ankle boots – mine and old from Germany
  • Denim jacket – mine and old M&S.

This shirt is slightly oversized for me but demonstrates a relaxed style which could be dressed up or down.

A different take on denim is to opt for colour, or pattern in this case from Next.

Whilst I’ve paired it with my leather look leggings, you could opt for jeans, trousers or a skirt!

If denim on denim scares you, or you dislike mixing your denim blues, choosing coloured denim is a great alternative and adds layers for an autumn look. Denim jacket featured is mine and old M&S.

Outfit 9 & 10

A shacket (a shirt-jacket) style is a good layering piece, although this is very oversized for me. Shackets have come and gone through various seasons, so if you’ve got one, dig it back out to wear it again.

Kept casual with cosy jeggings from M&S in burgundy, which really do feel super cosy and comfy and worn with a sweatshirt. Swap out the sweatshirt for a jumper, or leggings for jeans and it’s an easy off-duty look.

Outfit 11 & 12

  • Warped animal print mesh dress – mine and old Oliver Bonas
  • Wine leather boots – mine and old
  • Purple coat – mine and old M&S
  • Checked fringed scarf – mine and old Hobbs

Animal print doesn’t have to be traditional!

This style of animal print I find much easier to wear and is an old fave from Oliver Bonas. Paired with my long leather boots, I’ve also worn it with ankle boots and trainers and sandals.

For the final look, complete by adding outer layers, my old M&S coat and checked fringed scarf from Hobbs.

 

All these looks feature the trends I’ve highlighted in my seasonal updates which are available here: https://www.tlcstyleandcolour.co.uk/product-category/seasonal-updates/

A new season doesn’t have to mean a new wardrobe – the best place to start is what you already have!

I hope the outfits from my own wardrobe combined with something new this season has inspired you to check your own wardrobe first! Do watch the video on YouTube here: 

Understanding what suits you saves you time and money in the long run as you’ll build a wardrobe of items, capsule or otherwise. It means you can style up or down, filling any gaps you’ve identified each season.

Just see how many new outfits you can make from what you’ve already got – I bet you’ll surprise yourself!

Colour and style consultations are available to book to give you the clarity you need to build a wardrobe that works for you.