7 Dated Fall Basics I Just Found Hiding in My Closet and Immediately Removed

If you're thinking that saying something is dated and should be removed from one's closet immediately is a bit dramatic, I don't disagree with you. I think that people should wear whatever they want and that the rapid pace of the fashion cycle can be kind of annoying. But I also think that sometimes people want to be informed about what's in and out as opposed to taking the time to research the runways and what celebrities and fashion people are wearing. That's my job, so I'm here to make it easy for you. The category? Basics.

The good thing about basics is that they tend to cycle through at a slower pace than trendier items, and some are immune to the whole "in" and "out" classification, such as white crewneck T-shirts, black miniskirts, and trench coats. As I do at the start of every fall, I recently took stock of my basics to see what I'm in need of, and while doing so, I came across a handful that simply don't feel as cool as they once did. That said, I'm sure all of these basics will make a comeback and could currently be styled in ways that feel fresh. Do with this information what you will. Keep scrolling to see the dated basics I removed from my closet and the ones I kept in action and shop them for your own fall wardrobe.

Removing: Cargo Joggers

Keeping: Wide-Leg Pull-On Pants

Perhaps I'm a bit biased because I've never been particularly fond of cargo pants, even if I have worn them from time to time over the years. The style you definitely won't catch me wearing anytime soon is cargo joggers. In my opinion, they're best kept separate. On the flip side, the pants that have a permanent place in my closet are wide-leg pull-on styles. They can easily be dressed up or down, and there are plenty of material options—from poplin to satin to linen.

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Removing: Distressed Jeans

Keeping: Dark-Wash Denim

I don't necessarily think distressed jeans are out, but elegant denim looks a lot more 2025, and dark-wash jeans are leading the charge. Any outfit that includes inky jeans looks 10 times more elevated than it would with ultra-casual ripped jeans.

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Removing: Shrunken Leather Moto Jackets

Keeping: Leather Bomber Jackets

Year after year, there's one particular leather-jacket style that everyone wants. Luckily (given that it's an investment), the buzzy style stays around for a few years. In the past, shrunken moto jackets were all anyone wore, but in this day and age, it's oversize bomber jackets. It just doesn't get cooler than that.

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Removing: Round-Toe Block-Heel Ankle Boots

Keeping: Pointed-Toe Kitten-Heel Boots

A quick way to make a good outfit look dated is to wear dated shoes. I found a couple of pairs of round-toe block-heel ankle boots that I haven't worn in years lurking in my closet recently, and I swiftly removed them to make room for another pair of pointed-toe kitten-heel boots. They're far more polished, and they make all the pants and jeans I own look chic.

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Removing: Off-the-Shoulder Sweaters

Keeping: Baby V-Neck Sweaters

There are certain off-the-shoulder tops I'm keeping in my closet, but sweaters aren't one of them, as I feel that silhouette defeats the purpose of wearing a sweater. I'm embracing the return of the V-neck and will be stocking up on baby V-neck sweaters, in particular, since that's the freshest take on the classic style.

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Removing: Midi Sweaterdresses

Keeping: Silky Slip Dresses

I'd be happy to be proven wrong, but I predict sweaterdresses are going on hiatus for the time being. The runways have been filled with silky dresses as of late, and slip dresses are extremely versatile, so I'm keeping mine in my closet.

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Removing: Long, Oversize Cardigans

Keeping: Crewneck Cardigans

There was a time when I was fully obsessed with oversize cardigans, but they've since been replaced (in my closet, at least) with '90s-inspired crewneck cardigans. I've lost count of how many I own and have no interest in curtailing my collection.

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