It’s That Season! A Guide on Curating a Fall/Winter Wardrobe

‘Tis the season to elevate your style! While some boast cohesive closets, many need guidance in piecing outfits together. Fortunately, we’re here to help you curate the perfect fall and winter wardrobe!

The fall and winter seasons are ideal for creative minds looking to make bold fashion statements. After all, style reflects self-expression and requires thoughtful introspection. So, ask yourself: What’s your aesthetic? What’s the right color palette? Consider what flatters your body type for a seamless and polished look.

These revelations don’t come all at once. But fret not — we’ll explore the key components to creating a closet fit for a fashionista.

What’s in my wardrobe?

It’s time to grab everything out of the closet and assess. First, donate fallow pieces. Next, keep year-round staples and determine which categories are experiencing a shortage. Then, consider your budget and stylistic taste. Finally, start adding new pieces based on personal and seasonal needs.

Tops: Baby, it’s cold outside! To stay cozy, seek thermal tops from your favorite brands during the chilly seasons. For efficiency, use custom filters to narrow options to your desired look. For example, try searching:

• Long-sleeve shirts: Spice it up with “off-the-shoulder”, “one-shoulder”, or “turtleneck”.
• Turtleneck tops: Anything turtleneck is necessary. Try something short-sleeved or sleeveless.
• Bodysuits: These tops are great for highlighting the physique and keeping body warmth intact.

Bottoms: Skip the old-fashioned skinny jeans and opt for à la mode. For example, consider:

• Skirts: Whether mini, maxi, flare or fitted, skirts are here to stay.
• Straight-leg jeans: A medium or dark wash is a must! Their simplicity makes them versatile.
• Trousers. These in a wool, corduroy or tweed fabric offer warmth and an air of elevated casualness.
• Pants. Every fashion-forward person needs cargo, flared and leather pants during this season.
• Leggings. Fleece-lined or thick Ponte leggings are a must-have. At least one skin-tone fleece-lined legging is necessary!
• Sweatpants. The coziest bottoms to exist! Keep a variety of solid, neutral or textured sweatpants.

Footwear: These choices depend on personal preference and lifestyle, so select items vis-à-vis what you already own. However, don’t shy away from experimenting with bolder options. For inspiration, consider searching for:

• Sneakers: Honor your price point, but invest in quality and comfortable shoes.
• Boots: Everybody needs a variety of ankle, platform, heeled, snow and rain boots. Pull out the thigh-highs or knee-highs for a sexy look. Play around with different fabrics like denim, leopard or snakeskin for a statement shoe. Additionally, black and white never go out of style.
• Loafers: These add panache to any outfit and they’re comfortable enough to wear outside all day.
• Heels: Pairing these with thick, ruffle socks oozes fashion-forward. Also, you avoid sacrificing style no matter the weather.

One-Piece Garments: Dresses and jumpsuits should be in rotation for the fall and winter. For instance, consider searching:

• “Long sleeve dress”, “sweater dress” or “off-the-shoulder dress”. Continue wearing the mini dresses with leggings to keep warm. Summer pieces like spaghetti-strapped or strapless dresses with a mesh long-sleeve shirt are guaranteed to elevate your look.
• “Long sleeve jumpsuit”, “fitted jumpsuit” or “strapless jumpsuit”. Get creative with the fit, color, and pattern of these one-piece outfits perfect for the season.

Outerwear: Invest in quality outwear that lasts years and keeps you cozy during the colder months. Moreover, try patterns and textures that balance out a statement look. Consider purchasing:

• Cardigans
• Sweaters
• Jackets (Denim, Puffer, Leather)
• Coats (Trench, Teddy, Down Coats, Parkas)
• Vests (Puffer, Waistcoats, Sweater)
• Blazers

While the closet is complete, the look is undoubtedly incomplete without accessories. Here’s a list you can tailor to your desires:

• Bracelets
• Watches
• Rings
• Earrings
• Necklaces
• Belts
• Eyeglasses
• Pantyhose 
• Scarves
• Gloves
• Hats

Use these tips to establish a solid shopping chart. Next, let’s shift the focus to colors.

Fall and Winter Color Palette

NYFW COLOR PALETTE / Pantone

NYFW COLOR PALETTE / Pantone

Color is crucial as it can make or break an outfit, so be intentional. A simple guide is to follow a seasonal color palette. The Pantone Color Institute is a great resource, highlighting the core and standout shades yearly. Cool shades of brown, blue, gray and cream are quintessential every fall. Meanwhile, warm tones of red, yellow, green and orange perfectly mirror the shifting scenery. Jewel tones and pastel shades of purple, pink and blue bring cozy or icy vibes to your outfits. Next, let’s get into color schemes.

Color Theory Wheel / HS Art

Building a color scheme can be simple using the color theory wheel. Thanks to Sir Isaac Newton, colors were mapped by wavelength to visualize their relationships. There are four common ways to build a color scheme: analogous, monochromatic, triadic, and complementary. Let’s break it down:

Analogous: The word itself means ‘near,’ so use neighboring colors on the color wheel. For example, you could pair red with red-orange or red-purple for a cohesive look. Additionally, by matching the intensity of side-by-side colors, you can create a vibrant outfit. If you’re feeling bold, you can even use up to five colors in either direction for an exciting challenge!

Monochromatic: This approach involves using a single color and its tints to create a striking scheme. For instance, if red serves as the base color, you could incorporate one lighter and one darker shade to tie the look together seamlessly. Additionally, shades like blood red, cherry, and chestnut combine beautifully for a bold and sophisticated ensemble.

Triadic: As the prefix ‘tri’ teases, this scheme uses three colors. For example, consider a triad combination like blue, purple, and blue-purple. To identify these blends easily, look for the ‘triangle’ formed by evenly spaced colors on the color wheel.

Complementary: Opposites attract, especially with complementary colors. This scheme involves pairing two colors opposite each other on the color wheel to create a bold, high-contrast look. For instance, Christmastime exemplifies this harmony, as red and green sit across from each other yet work beautifully together.

Comprehending color theory allows for the use of color psychology, making it easier to influence moods and reactions through your style. You can consciously pair core fall colors with a splash of summer tones to create eye-catching ensembles that turn heads. After all, the streets are your catwalk, and the public is your captivated audience.