Photo: Courtesy of The Row
All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may earn affiliate revenue on this article and commission when you buy something.
You know what they say: New season, new wardrobe essentials! With cool fall temperatures only a few mere weeks away, we’re not here to encourage you to ditch those warm-weather staples altogether. (There is still plenty of time for tropical prints, little black bikinis, and skin-baring dresses.) However, we are suggesting you start making room for those closet classics that aid in navigating this transitional period. A roster of minimalist essentials makes it especially easy.
Vogue’s Favorite Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe Essentials:
So what makes up our minimalist capsule wardrobe this pre-fall? At the top of our list is none-other than the one-and-done-outfit dress. Slip into Khaite’s deep red maxi or Proenza Schouler’s slinky tee shirt dress and expect sartorial success each and every time. Similarly sleek, there are cool tops from Nili Lotan and Helmut Lang that elevate every bit of evening attire. Styling-wise, wear yours with a pair of tailored trousers from The Row and Veronica de Piante or a subtly statement-making skirt from Ròhe or Dries Van Noten.
Lightweight outerwear offerings, like The Frankie Shop’s long duster or Toteme’s light shell, come especially in handy when the summer sun starts to fade; and same goes for breezy knitwear from Saint Laurent, La Ligne, and Jil Sander. You’ll find plenty of minimalist-approved hues, like classic black, cherry red, slate gray, and chic camel. Accessory-wise, no minimalist outfit is complete without a black ballet flat from Alaïa or Jamie Haller’s soft leather loafers. Then, there are handbags that whisper “chic” no matter where you carry them, whether you choose Mansur Gavriel’s canvas tote or Liffner’s suede shoulder bag. Other elegant extras include dainty jewels from Agmes, Lié Studio, and Sophie Buhai. Below, discover (and shop!) 12 basics that make up the ultimate minimalist pre-fall capsule wardrobe.
One-and-Done Dresses
Regardless of the season, a dress is a prized wardrobe possession. This pre-fall, we’re gravitating towards easy, throw-on-and-go styles from Toteme, Khaite, Matteau, and Massimo Dutti. Kallmeyer’s classic black dress, will look great with a sandal now or boots come fall.
Lightweight Outerwear
Nothing anchors a transitional outfit quite like a lightweight outerwear offering. Textural takes from The Frankie Shop and Zara feel especially fresh, while Loewe’s cropped jacket and a trench from The Frankie Shop are true-to-the-classics. Meanwhile, The Row is at it again with an oversized canvas coat in red. We predict all fashion girls will love it.
Easy Flats
Step into something easy yet elegant this pre-fall, like a pair of eternally-classic black ballet flats from Alaïa or Jamie Haller’s soft leather loafers. Fisherman sandals from Emme Parsons are perfectly transitional, while Le Monde Beryl’s crochet flats make a subtle sartorial splash.
Minimalist Handbags
For everyday polish and practicality, take a less-is-more approach. Look to Liffner, St. Agni, or Reformation for wallet-friendly styles that also have the ability to elevate any outfit in mind–just throw one on over your shoulder and voilà! Instant chicness guaranteed.
Cool Tops
Don’t consider yourself a dress girl? Up your evening attire’s ante with an elegant top instead. High-neck choices from Proenza Schouler and Helmut Lang feature a flattering fit, while Nili Lotan’s satin tank is a certified end-of-summer staple.
Sleek Skirts
‘Tis (still) the season of skirts! Tuck your floral midis away in favor of sleek styles from Róhe, Dries Van Noten, and Proenza Schouler. Massimo Dutti’s white midi skirt still carries a whiff of summer but can easily be transitioned with a chic barn jacket.
Versatile Knits
Cozy up in something lightweight yet luxurious once temperatures drop, like Nili Lotan’s gray cardigan or La Ligne’s chocolate V-neck.
Great Denim
No capsule wardrobe is complete without a piece of great denim. Basic blues from Frame, Khaite, and Reformation are totally timeless, while raw denim from Bottega Veneta offers-up a dressier, more polished finish. Agolde’s ’90s jeans are reimagined this pre-fall in a bright white. We’re big proponents of wearing white post Labor Day, after all.
Crisp Shirting
Worn buttoned-up with a tailored trouser or left open atop a ribbed tank, a crisp shirt knows no stylistic bounds. A striped style from J.Crew has the menswear seal-of-approval, while shirts from Alex Mill and Acne are notably neutral–in the best way.
Tailored Trousers
A tailored trouser is no longer just meant for your nine-to-five. A cornerstone of any minimalist capsule wardrobe, find polished straight-leg styles from The Row, Veronica de Piante, and Aritzia or a wide-leg version from TWP. All look equally chic with a loafer as they do with a kitten heel.
Timeless Tees & Tanks
Beloved for a reason, every closet rotation needs a strong roster of tees and tanks. Wear yours layered under other essentials or all on their own on warmer transitional days.
Jewelry
Your minimalist outfit deserves a très chic finishing touch. Find dainty jewels from Sophie Buhai, Agmes or Copenhagen-based brand Lié Studio. Wear these with a plain white tee and pair of blue jeans, and consider your look instantly styled.