Fall Wardrobe Essentials for An Everyday Style

Fall wardrobe essentials may look different depending on where you live. In Eastern PA we go from very warm at the end of September to cold and sometimes snowy by the end of November so I need clothes for all those temperatures. Not to mention the rain! In this blog post I’m going to outline the items you need to build a fall wardrobe. The specific items I’m linking are for an everyday, casual style, but feel free to adapt it to suit your personal style and life. If you need more business casual items, then definitely adjust the items to fit that.

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Fall Wardrobe Essentials For Transitional Weather

fall wardrobe essentials for an everyday style

Fall, like Spring, is a transitional season. The days are getting shorter, the temperature is dropping but it’s not yet cold enough for our winter coats and hats. So, where does that leave us? Layers! Layering is essential to get the perfect fall look and feel. If it’s cold in the morning but warm by the afternoon, pair a short-sleeved top under a light jacket so you can remove the jacket later in the day.

T-shirts for layering are essential for a fall wardrobe

T-shirts are a staple in my closet all year. My favorite ones are from Gap Factory. They’re soft, the v-neck isn’t too low, they wash well, and they’re not expensive. I have it in 4 colors and I wear size S. It also comes in prints and long-sleeves.

Examples with shopping links: Gap Factory t-shirt || Old Navy luxe v-neck t-shirt (another favorite that I have in multiple colors) || Old Navy luxe crew neck t-shirt || Old Navy graphic tees || Amazon Essentials || Amazon flowy t-shirt || Caslon v-neck t-shirt || Madewell whisper cotton t-shirt

Lightweight jackets and vests

This category is very similar to my spring wardrobe essentials, which makes sense since they are both transitional seasons. A lightweight jacket or vest is the perfect layer when the weather can change in just a few hours. I love having a few different types – utility, denim, moto-style, puffer, etc. Sweater vests are making a comeback this year but I don’t think I’ll be trying that trend.

Examples with shopping links:

Denim jackets: Old Navy denim jacket || Wrangler denim jacket on Amazon || Kut from the Kloth denim jacket
Moto jackets: Amazon faux-leather jacket || BlankNYC suede moto jacket
Utility jackets: Utility jacket on Amazon || Old Navy water-resistant utility jacket || Lucky Brand utility jacket || Kohl’s utility jacket (this is the newer version of the one I have)
Rain jackets: Waterproof breathable jacket
Vests: Utility vest || Puffy vest || Sweater vest

Sweatshirts

I absolutely love sweatshirts for the chilly mornings and evenings of fall. They layer well over a t-shirt or under a jacket if you need extra warmth. You can find really cute and comfy sweatshirts at any price point. I like to have at least 1 solid color sweatshirt and 1 with graphics or words.

Examples with shopping links: Old Navy crewneck sweatshirt || Old Navy solid color sweatshirt || Amazon Daily Ritual sweater || Hanes zip-up sweatshirt || Zella sweatshirt || Fleece pullover || Amazon brand sweatshirt || 90 Degree high-low sweatshirt (I’ve been living in this sweatshirt recently)

Jeans

This fall would be a great time to try out the bootcut jean trend. Bootcut jeans go perfectly with – you guessed it – boots! If you’re unsure of how to style this trend, pick a pair in a dark wash and pair them with a heeled boot, specifically one with a pointed or almond toe shape. This will help to extend your leg line rather than make you look short and choppy. Don’t wear them how I used to: with clunky sneakers. 😂

You can for sure wear any cut of jeans that you prefer and in any color, but I really like dark wash and black jeans in the fall. You can also try out some other fall colors for your bottom half – burgundy, olive green, taupe, burnt orange, etc.

Examples with shopping links: Old Navy jeans || Old Navy bootcut ||Amazon Goodthreads jeans || Levi’s straight-leg jeans on Amazon || Wit & Wisdom bootcut jeans || Wit & Wisdom black jeans || Kut from the Kloth dark wash jeans

Joggers

I wore joggers a lot last fall and winter and I don’t see any need to change that this year. They’re warm, comfortable, and pair easily with sneakers if I need to leave the house.

Examples with shopping links: Old Navy joggers || Another pair of Old Navy joggers || Amazon Essentials joggers || Zella joggers

Fall shoe wardrobe essentials – Boots and comfortable sneakers

Boots are great for so many occasions. You can wear a pair of cute waterproof boots for those rainy, fall days or a dressier pair to dress up a casual outfit.

Examples with shopping links:

Boots: Raddix Chelsea boots || Dolce Vita ankle boots || Marc Fisher 3″ heel ankle boots || Amazon Essentials ankle boots || Target ankle boots || Dr. Scholl’s ankle boots || Vince Camuto mid-calf boots || LifeStride knee-high riding boots || Franco Sarto riding boot (I think the cognac color is prefect for fall)
Sneakers: Dr. Scholl’s slip-on shoes || Dr. Scholl’s wedge sneakers || Adidas Cloudfoam sneakers || Skechers slip-on sneakers || Waterproof Blondo sneakers || Skechers sneakers || Target sneakers

Scarves

A scarf can not only keep you warm but it will also add some visual interest to your outfit. I like to have a couple of lighter-weight scarves and a few heavy ones. I don’t feel the need to spend a lot of money on something like a scarf so I’ve linked some budget-friendly ones below.

Examples with shopping links: Blanket scarf || Plaid scarf || Solid color scarf

Fall Wardrobe Essentials To Build A Foundational Closet

I think it’s important to have a core of closet basics that you can build upon. In fact, I wrote a whole post on why closet basics are so important! These fall wardrobe essentials are the perfect foundation for your closet. Feel free to build a whole wardrobe with these items or use them as a starting point and then add pieces as you find them.