15 Simple Outfits That Nail The Fall Minimalist Aesthetic
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Fall is almost here, which means the return of cozy weather, pumpkin cream cold brews, scary movies, haunted houses, Sunday Night Football, apple cider, bonfires, going to pumpkin patches and partaking in a myriad of other fun, fall festivities. But most importantly: fall fashion is back.
Year after year, fashion trends in the fall seem to remain the same for the most part. If you look at or read about fall fashion trends every year , you’ll see a lot of similarities: chunky knits, boots, layering, denim, warm autumnal colors and more. That means this upcoming fall season is a perfect time to hone the basics and try out a minimalist wardrobe.
What exactly is minimalism when it comes to fashion, you may ask? Well, creating the minimalist outfits of your dreams means finding and investing in simple, high quality and timeless pieces that work for you, your body type and enhance your personal style.
Some benefits of a minimalist wardrobe are that getting dressed everyday will be way easier than it normally is, you’ll save a lot of time and money by wearing the same quality pieces every year and becoming minimalist is also a great sustainable option for those looking to cut out excess waste, reduce their carbon footprint and live a more environmentally-conscious life.
Downsizing your closet and sticking to the same essential pieces year to year will help you create effortless, refined and put-together fall outfits that will keep you looking chic all season long.
How to Build Your Minimalist Fall Wardrobe
So you’re wanting to build a fall wardrobe full of minimalist style? Here’s some tips to help you achieve the minimalist closet of your dreams this fall.
Start with a Color Scheme
Fall style starts with a signature color palette. Subdued hues like white, tan or brown are a staple for fall clothing, as well as black. Building a minimal wardrobe means choosing staple pieces that all pair well together and can be mixed and matched for unique looks. White, tan, brown and black are classic shades that are all neutral enough to be worn over and over again without getting boring, and really fit the vibe of cozy, fall weather.
But the key to picking a color scheme and achieving the perfect minimalist fall capsule wardrobe is answering the question: What do you look (and feel) best in? Stick to a palette that you feel confident in, but also that you know you’ll wear for years to come.
Add Some Accent Colors
Accent colors are a great way to spice up a neutral capsule wardrobe this fall! Think rusty orange, mustard yellow, blush pink, deep red, emerald green. There’s so many options for pops of color that will make for a killer, Pinterest-worthy outfit.
You can also throw in one or two pieces with prints if you’re looking for a more funky accent option—but be sure to do some research because certain prints are just trendy and can go out of style far more quickly than others.
Some items that would make for the perfect accent pieces are sweaters, dresses or accessories, like handbags or jewelry. These items wouldn’t be the main pieces you’d be reaching for every single day, but they’d still be fun staples to add some flare to your fall outfits that won’t go out of style by next year.
Pick Staple Pieces
A minimalist wardrobe is made up of quality pieces that are timeless and can be reworn for years to come without going out of style. Some great examples of staple pieces are casual shirts, jackets, cardigans and sweaters that can be layered for countless fall looks.
Get the same t-shirt that you love the fit of in a few different colors to mix and match in a variety of ways. Wear it with jeans, tucked into skirts, under a dress — you can do so much with a basic, high quality tee.
Another good option? A thick, wool, ankle length coat in a neutral color is a great example of a classic fall and winter staple. Denim jackets also don’t seem to be going out of style anywhere or anytime soon, so that’s another great piece to either invest in or thrift, if you can.
Knitwear, such as chunky sweaters or longline, open-front cardigans, are also ideal options for cozy weather layering. They can be worn all season long, as well as through the winter, so you know you’ll be making good use of them.
Shoes are a perfect example of staple pieces to build your capsule wardrobe. A good pair of boots, sneakers and either mules or loafers are essential for fall fashion. Doc Martens are classic boots that have been in style for decades and a great example of an investment piece that can be worn for every season and with every look. High top or platform sneakers are a great staple that are chic, but also a little bit edgy, and can be dressed up or down for a variety of looks.
The great thing about fashion is that becoming a minimalist doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your personal style. Whatever items fit your style and you know you’ll wear over and over again—make sure those are your top picks. The options are truly endless, so get creative with it.
Shop with a Purpose
Going along with choosing staple pieces for your minimal wardrobe is shopping with a purpose. A big part of minimalism is that it not only makes your life more clutter-free, but it’s also a more sustainable option for individuals wanting to reduce their consumption, cut back on excess waste and reduce their carbon footprint. Becoming a minimalist in terms of the clothing we buy and wear is a great step for fashion-lovers who are making a conscious effort to lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
Shopping with a purpose means sticking to what styles and cuts that you know fit you and your body type, curating pieces based on the color palette you selected for the season and making sure the pieces you purchase will be timeless for years to come. Make sure an item checks all of your boxes before you buy it. If there’s any hesitation, put it back on the rack or remove it from your cart. Easier said than done, but this is a great way to make sure you’re sticking to the basics, shopping with a purpose and overall just cutting back on mindless consumption.
““Shopping with a purpose means sticking to what styles and cuts that you know fit you and your body type, curating pieces based on the color palette you selected for the season and making sure the pieces you purchase will be timeless for years to come. Make sure an item checks all of your boxes before you buy it. If there’s any hesitation, put it back on the rack or remove it from your cart. “”
When in Doubt: Pinterest It Out
Still need some ideas on what pieces would be perfect for curating the perfect fall capsule wardrobe? Social media is a great place to get tips on how to create the perfect minimalist wardrobe for each season.
Pinterest is the best place for seasonal fashion inspiration. Some great keywords to search for minimalist fashion for fall are: “fall outfit ideas” or “women’s fall clothing” or “fall outfit ideas.”
You can search specific color palettes, find and shop the best staple pieces and more. Create moodboards based on the vibe you’re going for each season by searching and saving photos that capture what you envision your perfect fall minimalist wardrobe to be. This will help you curate what pieces you’d like to see in your closet and give you ideas on how to style them or where to buy them.
A lot of ethical, sustainable brands can have pretty hefty price tags, but building your closet doesn’t have to break the bank. Choose a few pieces to invest in, but try and thrift or buy the rest secondhand! You can find so many high quality gems at consignment shops, so you don’t have to worry about sacrificing your entire paycheck on your wardrobe.
A simple wardrobe can help you look more put together because you’ll always know what clothes you have and what looks good on you — so getting ready will be fuss-free, take half the time and overall, simply your daily grind.
If you’re looking to build your own minimalist wardrobe, try out the tips mentioned to gather some inspiration and get started creating a tailored fall capsule wardrobe that’ll keep you looking chic for years to come.
Minimalist Fall Wardrobe Inspiration
While everyone’s minimalistic wardrobe might not look the same, these outfit ideas below combine many of the clothing items listed above—cozy cardigans, jackets, and fall-inspired colors—to give you inspiration, both in your closet and beyond. Many of these looks also mix and match the same items, so you can not only get inspired for more fall outfit ideas, but also save money at the same time!
Shop: Velvet Tank | Light Wash Skinny Jeans | Knee High Boots | Long Cardigan
The cozy combination of a long cardigan and riding boots is an essential fall outfit. Incorporating a velvet tank, in a fall favorite jewel tone, completes the look without feeling too trendy.
Shop: Velvet Tank | Tan Cardigan | Dark Wash Skinny Jeans | Leopard Bootie
Another outfit idea to incorporate the jewel tone velvet tank, this look combines a thick, long cardigan, dark wash skinny jeans and a pair of patterned booties with an on-trend leopard print that is just simple enough to be an everyday neutral. This color combo can transition right into a perfect winter outfit.
Shop: Green Cardigan | Jeans | Oversized Sunglasses | Gold Bracelets | Over the Knee Boots
Cozy cardigan, check. Over-the-knee boots, when paired with skinny jeans, can be an easy way to add dimension to a fall outfit idea. Complete the look with simple gold jewelry and sunglasses.
Shop: Grey Cardigan | Black Fedora | Dark Wash Skinny Jeans | Black Boots | Sunglasses
Black and grey are year round colors, but they make easy to style fall and winter outfits. A simple pair of tall black boots, skinny denim, and a classic button front cardigan and you are ready to go!
Shop: Grey Sweater | Sunglasses | Light Wash Skinny Jeans | Pom Beanie | Chelsea Boot
Fall outfits are all about being warm and comfortable. Black Chelsea boots, a fitted grey sweater and a neutral beanie can be worn in an almost unlimited variety of outfits into the fall season and beyond.
Shop: Sweater Coat | Jeans | White Shirt | Claw Clips
There's something so cozy about a long sweater, so why not make it a coat, too? Keep the outfit simple by pairing it with a classic button down shirt and a claw clip to put your hair up into that effortlessly messy updo.
Shop: Black Moto Jacket | Tiered Dress | Sunglasses | Black Quilted Bag (Similar Option Here) | Black Bootie
Even a minimalist wardrobe can have a few pops of color and unique prints. This orange leopard print dress fits the description exactly as the warm tone embodies fall. Paired with a black moto jacket, black booties, and a black quilted bag, these pieces can all be paired together or separately.
Shop: Ruffle Hem Tee | Blanket Scarf | Black Quilted Bag (Similar Option Here) | Skinny Jeans | Sunglasses
You can never go wrong with a plain tee, but the ruffle hem detailing on this top gives the look a bit of interest. Pair it with a cozy blanket scarf for a fall or winter outfit and your favorite cardigan or jacket.
Shop: Tan Cardigan | T-Shirt Dress | Layered Necklace | Snakeskin Bag | Tan Bootie
A monotone color palette instantly upgrades any look. Cream, tan and gold are all beautiful neutrals for any time of year, but, when combined, this t-shirt dress and cardigan make an expensive looking fall outfit that can be dressed up or down.
Shop: Turtleneck Sweatshirt | Plaid Scarf | Skinny Jeans | Chelsea Boot
For a more casual weekend look, this turtleneck sweatshirt can be worn directly from the gym or paired with jeans and black boots for a straight to lunch or coffee shop date outfit idea.
Shop: Hooded Sweater | Boyfriend Jeans | Hoop Earrings | Pom Beanie | Leopard Bootie
A comfortable hoodie is a must-have in any minimalist wardrobe. Paired with jeans, gold jewelry and patterned tan booties, this look is another fall outfit idea that is so simple!
Shop: Turtleneck Sweater | Plaid Scarf | Skinny Jeans | Pom Beanie | Knee High Boots
A cable knit turtleneck and riding boots is an outfit idea that is about as fall as it gets. Add a plaid scarf and beanie to the outfit and we can smell the pumpkin spice already!
Shop: White Shirt | Gold Necklace | Skinny Jeans | Slippers
This might just be the perfect work from home video call outfit. Professional on the top with a white shirt and comfort on the bottom with super soft slippers.
Shop: White Cardigan | Destroyed Jeans | Plaid Scarf | Trench Coat | Tan Booties
Another classic, yet neutral look, this super soft cardigan, skinny jeans, and tan booties (another capsule wardrobe staple) are ideal when paired with a tan trench coat and matching scarf.