Fall Fashion: Build A Wardrobe That Stays With You

Practical no-nonsense advice for fall fashion that works for you, every day this season and beyond.

Start with what you already own

Before you look at anything new, lay out every fall piece you already have. Empty that drawer, pull coats off the rail, pile scarves on the bed. Many people skip this step. You will almost certainly find items you forgot you owned, that fit, that feel good, that can work this year.

Make three piles: things you reach for every week, things you have not worn in 12 months, things that need a small repair. For the middle pile, try each one on. If you don't smile when you look in the mirror, pass it on. Someone else will wear it. For the repair pile: a loose button, a pulled stitch, a hem that came undone takes ten minutes to fix. Most clothes get set aside not because they are worn out, but because no one fixed this small thing.

You can log all your existing pieces in the Virtual Closet to see what you have at a glance, anywhere.

Choose pieces that work more than one way

Every new piece you add should go with at least three things you already own. That is the simple rule. No exceptions. If you are looking at a sweater, imagine it with trousers, with jeans, with a skirt under a coat. If you can only think of one outfit for it, don't buy it.

This rule stops you filling your wardrobe with one-off pieces that never get worn. It also means you will never stand in front of a full wardrobe feeling you have nothing to wear. Remember this: a €60 coat worn 60 times costs €1 per wear. A €20 jumper you wear twice costs €10 per wear. That is the only sum that matters when you are choosing what to bring home.

Test combinations before you buy in the Mix & Match Studio. You can try any piece from the store with items you have saved to your Virtual Closet.

Layering for fall, done simply

Layering is not just for warmth. It lets you adjust your outfit all day, for cold mornings, warm offices, evening walks. You do not need complicated rules. Start with a thin base layer. Add a sweater or cardigan. Add your outer layer. Each one should be able to be removed and still leave you wearing something you are happy to be seen in.

Avoid very bulky pieces as the middle layer. They will make you look puffy, and you will end up taking them off and carrying them around all day. A fine knit is almost always better than a very thick chunky one for the middle layer. You can add an extra thin vest underneath if you need more warmth. Carry a thin scarf rather than wearing extra layers, you can wrap it or remove it in two seconds.

Browse Sweaters & Cardigans for middle layers that work under almost any coat.

Get the fit right first

Nothing will get worn more often than something that fits you properly. Even the nicest fabric will sit in your wardrobe forever if it pulls across the shoulders, or gapes at the back, or is too long to walk comfortably in.

Do not buy something that is almost the right size, assuming you will alter it later. Almost no one ever gets around to that. Take the time to check measurements properly. Try it sitting down, not just standing. Walk across the room. Bend over. Lift your arms. That is how you will actually wear this thing, not stood still in front of a mirror. If it feels awkward for ten seconds in the trial, it will feel awkward every single time you put it on.

Use our Size calculator to check fit before you order anything.

Care for things so they last

Every fabric will last much longer if you wash it correctly. Most clothes are ruined not by wearing them, but by being washed too often, on the wrong setting, or dried too hot.

You do not need to wash a coat after every wear. Most knits only need airing between wears. Brush lint off instead of washing. Spot clean small marks instead of putting the whole item through the machine. When you do wash, use the cool setting, turn things inside out, and dry flat where you can. Close zips before washing, they will catch and damage other fabric.

Read our full Fabric care guide for every common clothing fabric.

Plan one month at a time

You do not need an entire wardrobe for the whole fall season on the first day the weather turns cool. Start with the next four weeks. What will you actually be doing? Going to work? Walking the dog? Going out for dinner? Buy only for the life you actually have, not the life you imagine you will have this fall.

It is fine to add one new piece each month, as the weather changes. There is no prize for finishing your wardrobe in the first week of September. You will make much better choices if you wait, and notice what you are actually reaching for each day. You will also avoid buying things that feel right on a cold rainy Tuesday, and completely wrong when the sun comes out three days later.

Browse Jackets & Coats for outer layers that work right through fall and winter.

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Where to start in the store: Everyday Clothing and Women's Accessories.

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Questions people ask

How many fall pieces do I actually need?

There is no correct number. Many people will get through the whole season comfortably with 8 to 12 core pieces that work together. You do not need more than this to have a different outfit every day. The number only matters if every piece works with every other one.

Should I throw out old fall clothes?

Only throw something out if it is completely worn beyond repair. If you will not wear it, give it to someone who will. Pass it to a friend, leave it out for collection, or drop it at a local swap. There is no reason for usable clothing to be unused.

Can I still try new styles?

Of course. Just test the style first. Wear a similar piece you already own for three days, and see if you actually like wearing it. Don't buy something just for one photo or one evening out. You will only regret it later.

What if I change my mind after ordering?

You can read our full Returns policy here. Always try things on at home, in the light you normally live in, not just when you first open the parcel. Walk around the house for fifteen minutes before you decide.