Every fall I tell myself I’m going to shop less and wear more, and every fall I end up buying 12 versions of the same striped tee anyway. This year I did the math on what I reach for in the cooler-weather season, and it’s anything but basics. I have the classic pieces down so I decided to build a capsule out of the 10 trends that do all the work.

None of this requires clearing out your closet or starting from zero. A sculpted blazer over a striped tee, a trench thrown over the jeans you already own. That’s how you use this guide best. Below, the 10 pieces I’m buying this season, with a few price points in each category so you can build the capsule at whatever budget makes sense.

Sculpted Blazers

fall trendy capsule wardrobe

Is there a faster way to look pulled together than a hourglass shape? A sculpted blazer swaps out the once-popular slouchy and oversize fit for something with real structure. I saw it everywhere during fashion week, and I want in.

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Lace-Trim Skirts

fall trendy capsule wardrobe

Lace trim has been a fun way to keep a plain skirt from reading too basic. I like mine under a nice sweater or a leather jacket so it doesn’t look overly dainty.

Trench Coats

fall trendy capsule wardrobe

A trench coat is the one piece on this list I’d tell you to buy even if you owned nothing else. Mine goes over everything. I like to go a size up to make room for my favorite sweaters.

Elevated Flannels

fall trendy capsule wardrobe

Flannels currently have the fashion industry in a choke hold. I wear mine buttoned all the way up under a blazer for work, then loose over a tank on weekends. Same shirt, two completely different outfits.

Military Jackets

fall trendy capsule wardrobe

The moment this jacket trend walked the runway at Khaite changed us forever. Now that everyone is putting their little spin on it, I’m buying in. It gives an outfit some edge without requiring you to commit to an entire tough-girl look.