Building out your fall capsule wardrobe can be a time-consuming and pricey endeavor, but it doesn’t have to be this season. We chatted with a fashion stylist who shared expert advice on how to find timeless pieces that you’ll actually wear, starting at $20. And as you refine your seasonal wardrobe down, it’ll even help you make the most of your closet space.
“Fall is the season I can get the most creative!” Shana Draugelis, stylist, founder, and CEO of The Mom Edit tells Real Simple. “In the other seasons, there are usually some pretty big weather challenges to style around (summer is hot, winter is cold and snowy, spring is rainy), but fall, once we really get into it, is glorious.” Draugelis first started styling as a hobby and helping clients by first cleaning out their closets. She’d put outfits together with the remaining existing pieces and offer recommendations on new pieces to buy to fill the gaps.
With that in mind, this season, Draugelis is looking to pile on layers, add in cozy textures, and incorporate deep, rich colors like burgundy and chocolate brown to her wardrobe. And all her picks are shoppable at Amazon—all under $70.
Stylist-Approved Fall Fashion Finds Under $70 at Amazon
Lillusory Striped Cardigan
Cozy sweaters, like this adorable striped one from Lillusory, are one of the first items on Draueglis’ list for fall capsule wardrobe essentials. “Striped tops will forever make an outfit more interesting, and for this fall, I really love a little striped cardigan,” Draugelis shared, adding, “Layer this piece over a tee, under a trench, or [it] wear buttoned-up as a shirt.” An added bonus? The cardigan is 67 percent off right now, and comes in 19 colors, including cream caramel, and apricot black.
Modatope Knee-High Boots
This season Draugelis is looking at pointed-toe styles with a fun heel and high shaft. “No ankles showing! If you only get one boot for fall, I recommend a pair of tall boots like this one,” she said. The knee-high boots are made with a gorgeous faux leather exterior and feature a sleek design that instantly elevates an outfit. Draugelis recommends pairing them with dresses, trousers, and trendy wide-leg denim styles like barrel jeans.
Tronjori High-Waisted Wide-Leg Palazzo Pants
We love a pair of stylish and comfortable pants here at Real Simple, and so does Draugelis.
“A pair of wide-leg trousers, hemmed to be worn with those retro sneakers, is one of my go-to tricks for a cute fall outfit,” Draugelis shared. She loves these popular palazzo pants, and often wears them with a T-shirt and trench coat on the weekends. She also suggests styling the pants with a cute blouse “for an office look with a little personality.”
Makkrom Trench Coat
When in doubt, Draugelis recommends going with a trench coat, like this one that’s on sale for $56 on Amazon. She says that you can wear a trench coat with any outfit for some added polish, whether that’s throwing it over jeans and sneakers, dresses, or a skirt. “Trench coats really do look good with everything,” Draugelis said. The coat is perfect for more formal occasions too, which she saw demonstrated firsthand in season one of Emily in Paris.
Amazon Essentials Belice Ballet Flats
“As soon as summer is over, I get excited for real shoes,” Draugelis said. She recommends these number one best-selling ballet flats from Amazon Essentials, which are comfortable, versatile, and oh-so-chic. They’ll look especially cute with jeans, but they can also be worn with a dress, sweater and skirt, or blouse-and-trouser combo.
Side Feel Barrel Jeans
While jeans are a classic capsule wardrobe piece, Draugelis likes to keep her look fresh by incorporating new denim styles, like these wide-leg barrel jeans. Not only does she love that the jeans go with various styles of shoes, but Draueglis also thinks the clever design makes it an especially versatile capsule wardrobe piece. “Whether they hit full-length on petites or at a cropped length on taller frames, they still look good with both heels and flat shoes,” she said.
Cawgot Shoulder Bag
As for accessories, Draugelis looks to shoulder bags as her seasonal pick, like this mini faux leather crossbody. “One key upgrade for this fall, specifically, is to swap out the usual crossbody bag for a sleek shoulder bag.” While she won’t be using this style every day, the shoulder bag is a go-to for when she’s looking for a more chic look—and we agree. We’re obsessed with the stunning color selection the bag comes in, including caramel brown, deep red, and black crocodile.
Anrabess Sweater Midi Dress
Last but certainly not least, Draugelis recommends adding a stunning sweater dress—but without the high-end price tag. “I don’t think ribbed, midi dresses get nearly enough love,” Draugelis admits. She believes that a piece like this “adds an effortless polish” to your overall look. Plus, it can be worn for a variety of occasions, including work, date night, travel, and everything in between. “Best of all, there are many styles to choose from, so it’s pretty easy to find one that works for you,” she shared.