The Autumn Capsule Edit (Edition #017)
burgundy is a mood
The November edit is one for my Northern Hemisphere friends. A cosy, autumnal capsule with a dash of cherry cola (*coughburgundycough*).
If you’re after a Spring-focused capsule, you might like to give this one a read, check out this recent reel where I shared spring trends I’m wearing OR watch this video where I had another personal stylist style my wardrobe for spring.
What these capsules tend to remind me of every month, is that a handful of carefully selected accent colours scattered throughout your closet are really the thing that can bring those “basics” to life, especially if you’re a neutrals girly at heart.
This autumnal edit includes the following 10 items:
2x tops (one in a knitted fabrication, and one in a cotton)
3x sweaters (three different styles and colours)
1x dress (you could switch this for a skirt)
2x bottoms (a jean, and a trouser)
1x outerwear (this close to winter, it’s a coat)
1x shoes (in my case, boots)
There’s more than a month worth of outfit ideas derived from these ten pieces, though you could almost double it by swapping one of the pieces for a second shoe. Some of the key styling elements to think about;
How can I style this differently? Can I use my sweater as a scarf? Can I layer two sweaters together? What accessories would bring this to life?
Tucked vs untucked - what mood are you trying to instil in your outfits? Tucked often feels more effortful and also more elevated/refined whereas untucked has a nonchalance and casual ease attached to it
Opposites attract. Create an interesting outfit by pairing items that you normally would wear together.
the ten items
#1 | The sculptural knit: Even better if it’s an interesting texture. Key to making cosy outfits feel interesting is identifying ways to create a point of difference. Silhouette, colour or tactile qualities are all ways you can do this. Pictured: Marle
Alternatives: Fabrique (12% off with ToJamie12) | Gap | UNIQLO | Varley | Rohè
#2 | The neutral knit: I recommend opting for a style that is right in your wheelhouse. Your “ideal” silhouette as it were. For me, this looks like a relaxed crew neck, for you if might be a rollneck or v-neck knit. Pictured: LILYSILK (20% off with JL20)
Alternatives: Everlane | Sezane | UNIQLO | Naadam | Arket
#3 | The chunky knit: Something with a little bit of heft which is going to be ultra cosy to wear. Obviously I went with a roll neck knit but again, could be a crew, a mock neck or a v neck; the key detail is the gauge of the sweater. Pictured: Quince
Alternatives: Jenni Kayne | Gap | Reformation | COS | Quince
#4 | The full length dress: You could easily swap this out for a skirt if you preferred (or a completely different item entirely), but what I like about a dress is that layering over it still gives you the skirt “look”, but a bit of additional coverage on the body. Pictured: Quince
Alternatives: Madewell | Sezane | Arket | Frank & Eileen | COS
# 5 | The slim fitting top: Fine merino knits are the standout recommendation from me here, as they’re extremely versatile and function well as a base layer or a basic top in their own right. Great for when you want to trap heat against the body, layering two knits together. Pictured: COS
Alternatives: J.Crew | Gap | DISSH | Jenni Kayne | Madewell
#6 | The versatile long sleeve: I will forever champion the versatility of the humble button down shirt. One of those few items that can truly be worn year round, plus the button front design means you can wear it a multitude of ways. Pictured: Largo (10% off with MADEMOISELLE10)
Alternatives: OZMA | Madewell | Free People | Quince | Abercrombie&Fitch
#7 | A good pair of jeans: Cropped, full length, tapered, wide cut. Anything that makes you feel *good*. I don’t usually call out the brands I’m wearing like this but these ones from Hey Joanie are actually excellent - a good option for petites (I’m wearing the long version here). Pictured: Hey Joanie
Alternatives: H&M | Re/Done | Madewell | Everlane | Mango
#8 | A pair of trousers: Silhouette doesn’t matter much, however I will say that something that is a little relaxed through the leg will always be easier to layer with (think thermals underneath etc). Pictured: Facade Pattern (10% off with MADEMOISELLE10)
Alternatives: DISSH | Jenni Kayne | COS | 4th & Reckless | Sezane
#9 | A chic coat: There’s two schools of thought here. Opting for a neutral means this will tie in with anything else you’ve chosen. Whereas if you tend to predominantly wear neutral colours, this could be an opportunity to bring in something more fun as that standout piece. Pictured: Everlane
Alternatives: UNIQLO | Soeur | COS | Free People | Sezane
#10 | A comfortable pair of boots: You have a chance here to play around with the texture and the colour of your boots. Think back to your colour palette and make sure they’ll work well no matter what colour combination you come up with. I personally love something in a high shine or gloss finish as you’ll always have an opulent tactile quality no matter how you style your outfit. Pictured: Bared
Alternatives: Steve Madden | Sezane | J.Crew | Soeur | Ally Shoes
the outfits
additional accessories
I place a lot of stock in buying the right accessories for you. For winter, it’s all about the bag (and oh, what a bag), belts, scarves and hats. Pins are a great little adornment piece to add onto knitwear and outerwear pieces too.
For this edit, I included the following accessories…
A woven leather bag from Bob Ore; this ties in with the burgundy colour palette I’ve curated and adds in some interesting textures.
A handful of scarves; two in cashmere from Quince (this blanket style and also this smaller scale style) which differentiate from each other in terms of the scale and also the texture (flat vs. ribbed). Then a silky one from Arket which has a bit of a print to it and can be styled a few different ways.
A cashmere hat; I went for a baseball cap to add in a sporty element, juxtaposing the sense of refinement from the rest of the pieces I chose (mine is Quince again - honestly their accessories game is good)
A leather belt; my textured belt from Andersons is still going strong after a few years. The only recommendation I’ll share is opt for something in leather and in a buckle colour you jive with.
Lastly, a brooch. Something that feels meaningful to you or that you like the look of; these can be used as adornment, to secure a scarf around your neck, to cinch a knit/jacket etc etc.