Words by Brooke Merlo Valenzuela

Have you ever stood in front of your closet feeling like you have “nothing to wear”? Yes? You’re not alone. So many of us get caught in a cycle of buying pieces of clothing that don’t quite work. We feel like we have so much, but we can’t seem to put the right outfit together, leaving us feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. That’s where the capsule wardrobe comes in.

A capsule wardrobe is simply a smaller, intentional collection of clothing that mixes and matches with ease. Instead of overflowing drawers and endless decisions, you have a handful of versatile, well-chosen items that make getting dressed simple, stylish, and stress-free. Think of it as editing your closet down to the pieces you love most—the pieces that always make you feel confident. And here’s the best part: less really is more. Having fewer options actually makes it easier to look put together every day.

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Step 1: Start with Your Foundation Pieces

Begin with timeless essentials you can wear on repeat. A tailored blazer, well-fitting jeans, a cozy neutral sweater, a crisp poplin blouse, a gorgeous wool coat, and sleek trousers are my favorite pieces to form the backbone of your fall wardrobe.

When shopping for these foundational pieces, you want to ensure two things. First: that they are classic pieces that will never go out of style. And second, these pieces should fit you impeccably. Keep searching until you find the right fit for you. And if all else fails, call your tailor. Once you feel amazing about these core pieces, you can create endless outfit combinations for any occasion from casual to dressy.

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Step 2: Choose Colors That Flatter You

Fall fashion often leans into earthy shades like camel, olive, rust, and deep burgundy. While these look beautiful, the real magic happens when you choose versions of these colors that flatter your skin tone. Wearing your best colors makes your whole look feel vibrant and intentional. That’s where color analysis comes in—this is a service I offer in my Clovis studio to help clients discover the color palette that lights them up. Once you know your colors, curating a capsule becomes even easier, because every piece works together and works for you.

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Step 3: Add Pieces That Make a Statement

Here’s where your capsule wardrobe really becomes yours. Accessories and shoes are the best way to inject personality into your outfits. This is your chance to add on the pieces that really speak to your personal style and ensure your outfits never feel boring, even when you’re working with fewer items.

For fall, I recommend a beautiful structured handbag, a black leather belt, and a silk scarf to elevate your look. For shoes, suede ankle boots are the season’s hero piece, while loafers or chic sneakers are great options to keep your outfits practical for everyday. Adding pieces that feel distinctly “you” can take a simple look and turn it into something special.

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Step 4: Keep It Simple

The goal isn’t to have dozens of new pieces; it’s to have about 20-30 items you truly love and can wear in different combinations. When everything in your closet pairs well, you’ll spend less time stressing and more time feeling confident and ready for your day.

A capsule wardrobe is all about freedom rather than following strict fashion rules. Freedom from closet chaos, from wasted shopping, and from that nagging “I have nothing to wear” feeling. When you edit down to the pieces that fit your lifestyle and reflect who you truly are, getting dressed becomes a joyous form of self-care.

Brooke Valenzuela is a fashion stylist and founder of The Wardrobe Department, based in Clovis, California. She specializes in helping women rediscover their style and confidence through color analysis, closet edits, and personalized styling services. Learn more or book a color analysis session at The Wardrobe Department.

Visit her on Instagram @wardrobedept

Shop the fall wardrobe handpicked by Brooke.