Fall Capsule Wardrobe
RITUAL: Capsule Wardrobe | SOLAR TERM: Han Lu | SEASON: Fall
October 8 - 22
The seventeenth solar term of the Chinese calendar is called Han Lu. Han Lu is the fifth solar term of Fall and when translated means Cold Dew. It’s known in China as the time when the air may still be dry, but the temperatures between night and day vary greatly. This contrast can result in more cold dew in the chilly early mornings.
During the second half of Fall, it’s common for traditional Chinese medicine doctors to advice people to stay warm as the weather gets colder to help reduce illness. They recommend adding some layers that you can easily remove as the day gets warmer and put back on in the evenings. In the Fall, the lungs are especially vulnerable to the crisp air, so it’s wise to wear turtlenecks and scarves, sweater vests and light weight but warm jackets, socks and closed toe shoes or boots.
In Western countries, we call this “sweater weather”. Heavy winter coats and woolen mittens may not be necessary yet. But, people who live in temperate climates with four seasons may begin to add a warm scarf or knitted beanie to their outfit of the day.
Even if you don’t live in a place that gets colder this time of year, you can still create a Fall capsule wardrobe with the warm autumnal colors, textures and patterns of the season. A fun way to create a capsule wardrobe for Autumn is to select a favorite theme. It could be a simple as a pumpkin spice color palette and filling your closet with thrifted sweaters, plaid skirts and flannel shirts that are burnt orange and chestnut, rust and copper toned. Or, you could select a favorite literary genre like dark academia, a beloved fictional character from a novel like Anne Shirley, a time period or “era” like the late ‘90’s, or an aesthetic like the English countryside.
A capsule wardrobe is a small collection of various garments that can be tastefully put together in multiple different outfits. The essential pieces usually include clothing with classic lines that never go out of style, basics that are complementary in color and staples that can be effortlessly supplemented with a few seasonal additions. The purpose is to have an outfit suitable for any occasion without owning an excessive amount of clothing.
Capsule wardrobes can range from 30-50 articles of clothing. The pieces you might need to include depend very much on your lifestyle and what you do for a living. The staple items in your collection can be worn all year regardless of the changing seasons or fashion trends. For women, these staples might include casual and dress pants, skirts and dresses of various lengths, shirts and blouses, knitwear and outerwear, shoes and handbags. Undergarments and accessories, sleepwear and athletic apparel are not usually included in the final tally.
A seasonal capsule wardrobe of 22-35 pieces includes everything you may need for a particular season. For Fall, a woman might include a cashmere sweater, wool cardigan, knit dress, tartan plaid skirt, flannel shirt, corduroy vest, long sleeved linen blouse, leather boots, opaque tights and a pashmina shawl. Outerwear might include a belted trench coat or double breasted pea coat, felt hat and an autumnal checked scarf.
Although capsule wardrobes were introduced to the public in magazines during the late 1940’s, the idea wasn’t revived in the fashion world until the 1970’s or popularized until the mid 1980’s. Since then, modern minimalists have brought the capsule wardrobe back into fashion. And influencers have made the seasonal capsule wardrobe trendy.
You can create your own Fall capsule wardrobe by selecting an autumnal color palette or festive theme. The television series, Gilmore Girls inspires a lot of Fall fashion this time of year. The American farmhouse or ranch style with denim, flannel and plaid are also popular for Fall. Keep your favorite vintage aesthetic and just add Fall colors and textures to it. Try some witchy vibes or the always classy, French chic.
By far, the most popular aesthetic for Fall is some iteration of academia. With the start of a new school season, Fall fashion features the ideal life of a student immersed in their studies, focused on their intellectual pursuits. This aesthetic highlights their love for knowledge, art and literature by celebrating the classical lines of university architecture, the natural beauty and vibrancy of college campuses on the East coast in autumn, and the romanticism of reading by a cosy fire in a library full of books.
Dark Academia
This theme might include clothes that are inspired by school uniforms like trousers or dress pants, plaid or pleated midi skirts, white button down shirts, sweater vests and blazers and knee high socks with penny loafers, Oxfords or Mary Janes. Accessories might include a necktie or ribbon tie, leather belt and satchel bag, trench coat and newsboy cap, watch and glasses.
Light Academia
This theme is similar to dark academia but without the mysterious or gothic vibes. It tends to feature more neutral colors and natural materials for a more comfortable, yet sophisticated and refined collegiate style. It might include linen shirts and wool cardigans, cable knit sweaters and corduroy jackets, tailored suits and button up dress shirts, cigarette pants and waistcoats. Accessories might include headbands, suspenders, broaches or a pocket watch.
Romantic Academia
This theme might include a lot of feminine features like blouses with ruffles and collars, long sleeved linen shirts trimmed with delicate lace, midi full skirts or maxi apron dresses, cashmere sweaters with small pearl buttons, corsets with laces or wide belts with bows. Accessories might include a locket necklace, dainty jewelry or a string of pearls, velvet or silk hair ribbons, socks with crocheted lace or scalloped edges and lace up boots.
Gilmore Girls
This theme features the fashion from the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. Lorelei’s style might include dark wash jeans and graphic tees, pencil skirts and fitted tops, midi wrap dresses with sweaters, corduroy, sherpa and denim jackets and heeled boots. For Rory’s style, recreate her school uniform or wear blue jeans with oversized sweaters, flared skirts or A-line dresses with cardigans or tailored jackets, and tights with flats.
Pagan Witchcore
This theme is subgenre of the cottagecore aesthetic that’s popular in the Fall. While it features long dark dresses and hooded capes, it doesn’t have to look like a medieval, fantasy or Halloween costume with a pointed black hat and occult symbols. It can include small lace details on camisoles and slip dresses under modest velvet or vintage Gothic dresses with voluminous sleeves, cinched simply at the waist with a braided cord, worn with laced boots made for walking through the forest. Accessories might include amulets, crystal jewelry, multiple rings, henna tattoos and floral crowns made with fragrant herbs.
French Chic
This theme might include a Breton top, turtleneck top, crisp white shirt, silk blouse, slim black pants, a pencil skirt, a little black dress, trench coat, kitten or slingback heels and ballet flats. Accessories might include a beret and neck scarf, a black leather handbag and gold jewelry.
Share in the comments below a favorite theme that inspires your Fall capsule wardrobe.
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Dara Eden is the author of HER Rituals for the Divine Feminine, a periodical guide created in December of 2021. The 8 Elements, her life’s work, provides guidance about how to honor the essential needs and highest values of your personal feng shui element. Inspired by an Internet challenge designed for men, she created 365WISE, a daily self-care practice that supports women in honoring their needs and listening to their inner wisdom.
In HER Rituals, she offers insights, ideas and intuitive guidance about ways to honor your needs, values and unique expression of the divine feminine.
HER Rituals is a Womb Wisdom KeepHER’s guide to cyclical rituals for sovereign women. It provides insightful information, inspirational ideas and intuitive guidance on daily and seasonal rituals you can practice as a form of self-care. Read about ancient wisdom and philosophical principles, holistic approaches and traditional skills, slow work and intentional living, embodiment practices and immersive experiences.
