The Weekend Read✨How to Create Your Perfect Autumn/Winter Capsule Wardrobe

Hello!

Autumn/Winter is the most anticipated fashion season of the year. The fabrics get more textured, the colours get richer and your wardrobe becomes a hub of layering and styling and helps keep you warm whilst looking fabulous. There’s a certain dread in that first crisp morning of Autumn when you have to reach for your big coat, but when it's one that makes you look and feel amazing, suddenly summer feels like a distant memory.

Most of us don’t need more clothes, we just need better outfits. A capsule wardrobe that is thoughtfully built around your colours, style personality and your lifestyle makes dressing both easier and infinitely more enjoyable. Think of it as creating a curated boutique in your own home, where everything fits, flatters and makes you feel like the best version of yourself.

So in the The Weekend Read this weekend, we're going to take you through the must-have pieces for your Autumn/Winter capsule wardrobe. This isn’t about rules or restrictions, it’s about giving you freedom. With the right mix of pieces, you can step into the season confident that whatever you pull from your wardrobe will work. We’ll explore how to shop in your own wardrobe first (you’ll be surprised at what’s lurking in the back) and, if you’re missing something, what to look out for when shopping in-store or online. We'll also add in some brand suggestions, styling tips and a touch of inspiration from the London and New York Fashion weeks, where the runways have been alive with drama, texture, and colour.

Why Build a Capsule Wardrobe for Autumn/Winter?

Let’s start with the why. Building a capsule wardrobe saves you precious time each morning. Everything mixes and matches beautifully, so the stress of what on earth do I wear? never comes in to play. There’s also the joy of spending less money in the long run. When you buy fewer but better pieces, you avoid the trap of sale items that never quite fit or impulse buys that don’t play well with the rest of your wardrobe.

A capsule wardrobe is also about feeling polished and confident. Picture yourself dashing between meetings, school runs or festive drinks, knowing your outfit is working for you, not against you. Dressing becomes a pleasure rather than a puzzle.

Of course, there are a few challenges. Capsule building requires planning, discipline and a willingness to say no to the lure of random purchases. It can feel restrictive at first, until you realise that with the right edit, you actually have more choice, not less, because everything in your wardrobe now works together.

The real secret is understanding your best colours and your style personality. Once you know this, you’re only ever adding clothes that love you back. And that’s the House of Colour way.

The Winter Coat

Your coat is your seasonal statement, the piece that announces your arrival and the first impression you make as you step into a room or onto a frosty pavement. One beautifully chosen coat will do more for your style than ten just-okay ones. If you’re going to invest anywhere, start with your coat.

Think about quality and fabric. Wool, cashmere blends or recycled wool all have that luxurious feel and durability to see you through countless winters. The price tag might feel steep at first, but when you calculate the cost per wear, especially as you’ll likely wear your coat daily for five months or more, the investment suddenly feels very sensible.

Colour is your secret weapon here. Imagine a Winter in a deep burgundy coat, or an Autumn glowing in a rich brown or olive green. Summers look dreamy in soft plums and blue-greys, while Springs shine in warm red or tan. The right colour can lift your complexion instantly and add a dash of joy to even the greyest of mornings.

As for design, you need to work with the lines of your body. A tailored cut will flatter most body shapes and never goes out of style. Oversized coats are everywhere this season, but do make sure the volume works for your frame. You want the coat to wear you well, not the other way round.

On the high street, Boden’s St Albans coat has become a seasonal classic with its sharp tailoring and multiple colourways. M&S’s selection of wool blend belted coats are a winner for warmth and value, while Sézane’s Johnson Coat brings Parisian minimalism to your everyday look.

Dresses: Two Everyday and One Occasional

Dresses are a capsule wardrobe’s secret weapon. They’re effortless and they can carry you from day to night with the right accessories. For everyday, think sweater dresses, shirt dresses or wrap styles that layer easily with boots and tights. Comfort is key, but so is versatility.

Your occasional dress is the star player for parties, dinners and those magical moments that autumn and winter bring: bonfire nights, festive gatherings, or winter weddings. Look for luxe fabrics like velvet or silk, or even sequins if your personality loves a little sparkle.

Colour brings these dresses to life. Winters look incredible in the jewel tones of emerald, carmine and royal purple. Summers shine in cherry, jade and your blues. Autumns glow in chestnut, kingfisher and moss. Springs sparkle in coral, turquoise and leaf green. The difference is transformative.

This season, we're loving Boden's Tilda Velvet Midi Dress for its understated glamour, Boden’s Ivy Smocked Midi Dress for day-to-night versatility, and Sezane’s Rory Dress for a more romantic, boho feel. For statement-making prints, Boden is unmatched, while Aspiga’s Purdie Organic Cotton Dobby Dress is perfect for those wanting sustainable style.

Trousers

Every good capsule needs two pairs of trousers, one tailored, one relaxed. Think of them as the backbone of your smart-casual outfits. The tailored pair carries you through meetings or dinners, while the relaxed pair partners beautifully with chunky knits and trainers for weekends.

Fabric is worth considering here. Wool blends, tweed or heavier cotton will keep their shape and feel winter-ready, while a hint of stretch gives comfort on busy days. Wide-leg trousers are everywhere this season as they look effortlessly chic, especially when balanced with a fitted knit. Cropped styles are also brilliant for showing off statement boots.

Kettlewell's Selena Trousers are a modern wardrobe essential, while Boden’s Richmond Trousers remain a firm favourite for their flattering cut. M&S has embraced the trend with Wide-Leg Crepe Trousers, and Reiss’ Gabi Slim Fit Trousers exude Parisian ease. For something a little bolder, River Island’s Faux Leather Trousers add instant drama.

Skirts

Skirts bring movement and femininity into your capsule. Two will serve you well, one for everyday and one that feels a little more special. Midi skirts remain the most common length, their swish is irresistible and they’re endlessly versatile. For those of you who need knee-length and above, swerve this style and aim for A-line or a tube fit.

For everyday wear, choose a neutral shade that will go with everything. For occasions, think satin, velvet or a statement print. Style them with chunky knits tucked in or belted for shape, and pair with boots to keep the look grounded. It’s that blend of comfort and polish that makes skirts such a joy in winter.

Boden’s Valentina taffeta Midi is a standout this year, Mint Velvet’s Satin Slip Bias-Cut Skirt has an effortless elegance and Boden’s A-line Cord skirts add that touch of fun. River Island’s Tulle Midi brings the romance, while Never Fully Dressed’s Vegan Leather Jaspre skirt gives you some edge.

Jeans

No capsule wardrobe is complete without two pairs of jeans. Denim is your anchor, the dependable friend you’ll reach for time and again. Go for one classic cut and one that nods to the season’s trends.

Straight-leg or slim jeans are timeless and flattering, while wide-leg, barrel and flared shapes are having a real moment. For the cooler months, darker washes feel more elevated and versatile and are easily dressed up with heels or down with trainers. Please invest in good denim as poorly made jeans lose their shape and rarely make you feel fabulous.

Boden’s High Rise Column Leg Jeans are endlessly wearable, Whistles’ Barrel Leg Denim adds a fashion-forward edge, and M&S continues to deliver with their Sienna Supersoft Straight-Leg Jeans, a bestseller for good reason. Reiss’s Athena Button Detail High Rise Flared Jeans nail the trend-led look, while Baukjen’s Nixi Jeans are made with sustainable organic cotton denim for those wanting to invest.

Tops

Tops are where your colour palette really sings and this is the category where you can have the most fun. Eight tops is the sweet spot: two blouses, two fine knits, two casual tops, and two elevated pieces for evenings out.

Fabrics matter here. Natural fibres like cotton, silk, or merino wool not only feel wonderful against the skin but also last longer. This is also your chance to play with prints and patterns, letting your seasonal palette take centre stage. Imagine a Winter in an emerald silk blouse, an Autumn in a rust knit, a Summer in a dusky pink cashmere and a Spring in a playful coral print.

Olivia Bonas’ Printed Blouses are playful and personality-filled, Boden’s Cashmere Crew Neck comes in a rainbow of seasonal shades and Whistles’ Silk Shirts are perfect for work or evening. John Lewis does a brilliant line in fine knit layering tops, while Mint Velvet’s Sequin tops add subtle sparkle for evenings.

Accessories

And now, the fun part – accessories! These are the finishing touches that make your outfit come together. They’re also the quickest way to transform an outfit from ordinary to extraordinary.

Bags deserve careful thought, one everyday option that fits your lifestyle (laptops, notebooks, snacks) and one smaller, evening-ready piece that feels glamorous. Belts are endlessly useful for adding shape to dresses or cinching in oversized knits. Jewellery is where your seasonal palette comes alive; gold is best on warm palettes while silver and platinum flatter cooler tones.

Shoes anchor your outfits, so consider ankle boots, loafers and a statement pair for evenings. Scarves are our favourite seasonal trick, choose them in your very best colours and they’ll brighten your complexion instantly. Sunglasses and hats belong in your winter capsule too, they are chic, practical and confidence-boosting.

Mint Velvet’s Woven Suede bags are practical and beautiful, Olivia Bonas’ Statement Earrings inject instant fun and John Lewis’ Chelsea Boots are reliable, stylish staples. River Island’s Belts add drama to dresses and coats, while Kettlewell’s Polka Dot Print Wool scarf is an investment piece you’ll wear forever.

Fashion Week Inspiration

The runways at London and New York Fashion Weeks were alive with drama this season. Texture reigned supreme; leather, faux fur, velvet and quilting all made appearances, often layered together for a tactile look. Colour was bold with deep reds, browns and yellows leading the way.

Tailoring had a starring role, with sharply cut blazers, wide-leg trousers and longline coats dominating the shows. Designers played with proportion; oversized shoulders balanced with cinched waists, trousers with sweeping hems grazing chunky boots. On the high street, Whistles’ Boyfriend blazer is a great translation of this look.

Knitwear was anything but boring. We saw sculptural roll-necks, asymmetric hems, and layering that blurred the line between cosy and couture. Think cable-knit dresses styled with leather belts, or cardigans worn as statement outerwear. Boden’s Fair Isle jumpers tap into this trend, while Mint Velvet’s chunky knit dresses show how it can be elevated.

Accessories were bold and playful. Statement belts defined waists, oversized scarves doubled as wraps and knee-high boots strode confidently down the catwalks. Jewellery was maximalist; big cuffs, layered chains and bold earrings that framed the face. River Island’s chain link necklaces and Olivia Bonas’ maximalist earrings are great ways to nod to the look without going overboard.

While the runways can feel fantastical, the key is to filter these ideas through your seasonal palette and style personality. Maybe it’s not head-to-toe velvet, but a velvet skirt in your best shade. Maybe not the exaggerated oversized puffer, but a gently cocoon-shaped wool coat. It’s about taking inspiration and translating it into your everyday life in a way that feels authentic to you.

We'll be releasing the dates for our Seasonal Style Guide zooms and shopping trips very soon so watch out for these.

Final Thoughts: Being Capsule Ready

Building your Autumn/Winter capsule wardrobe isn’t about deprivation, it’s about liberation. With the right coat, dresses, trousers, skirts, jeans, tops and accessories in your colours and styles, you unlock a season of easy, joyful dressing. Every morning becomes simpler, every outfit feels like you.

So, pop the kettle on, pull your wardrobe doors open and start editing. Which pieces do you already own that you love? Which gaps need filling? And most importantly, which pieces make you feel utterly fabulous? Those are the keepers and those are the foundations of your capsule.

Here’s to stepping into the season with warmth, style, and confidence.

Enjoy your weekend! In next week's The Weekend Read, we'll be talking about children and teens colour and why knowing them sets them up for life!

Best wishes,

Jenny & Judi xx

Click Here For Your Autumn/Winter Capsule Collection

Jenny Goldsmith

Celebrator of Individuality

Curator of Confidence

Tel: 07986 062460

e: jenny.goldsmith@houseofcolour.co.uk

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