The 5 items you need for an autumn capsule wardrobe and where to find them vintage

The perfect autumn layering pieces, all sustainably sourced

The concept of a capsule wardrobe is always one I’ve struggled with, especially moving from season to season. Having a select few items that can work in both summer and winter feels foreign to a maximalist like me, but throughout the Covid restrictions, where I’ve worn the same five items over and over, I’m beginning to see the benefits.

A capsule wardrobe shouldn’t be the be-all and end-all of your day-to-day outfits. It should be a foundation, a base upon which to build a personal style, having fun and changing it up depending on the season and occasion.

For AW20, I’ve had my eye on a number of key pieces, to layer under and over the outfits I’ve loved year on year. But as so much of my style is inspired by the outfits of yesteryear, there’s no point in adding to the fast fashion mountain. I can find so many of this year’s key pieces by buying vintage, and investing in pieces that have already shown they can stand the test of time.

These five pieces will provide the backbone to your autumn wardrobe; they go with everything, they’re timeless and they can be found as easily in the charity shop as they can on the high street.

A classic trench

Vintage Burberry classic trench coat, size 16, €130 from BabydollVintageStore on Etsy

Pearl gray trench coat, size 6-8, €50 from Imparfaite

Vinyl trench coat, size 10-12, €55 from Imparfaite

A statement knit

Vintage blue Austrian handmade trachten wool knit cardigan, size M, €95 from BucoliqueVintage on Etsy

Austrian cardigan, size 14, €69 from Imparfaite

Floral Nordic jumper, size M, €28 from Beyond Retro

A great blazer

Escada beige tartan jacket, size S, £64 from Rokit Vintage

Checked blazer, size M, €37 from Beyond Retro

Prince of Wales blazer, size 12, €59 from Imparfaite

A frilly white blouse

1980s long-sleeved blouse, size S, €18 from Beyond Retro

1970s cotton long-sleeved blouse, size M, £25 from Rokit Vintage

Vintage hand-embroidered ivory silk blouse, size L, £40 from Rokit Vintage

90s high-waist jeans

1990s Calvin Klein straight-fit jeans, W29, €37 from Beyond Retro

Levi’s 501 jeans, W29, €60 from Imparfaite

1990s Wrangler jeans, W27, €37 from Beyond Retro

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