I routinely turn to Jennifer Sattler for top-notch sartorial guidance. After all, she spent years working at Nordstrom and is currently a stylist and blogger with her site, Closet Choreography. She, like me, swears by a strong capsule wardrobe to make getting dressed easy. While I have a collection of staple pieces I mix and match to create my looks, I tapped her to help refresh my selects to get a sense of the items she thinks are wardrobe essentials.
There were actually eight pieces she mentioned that I already wear or want to reintroduce to my closet to build out my capsule wardrobe even more. I like these specific silhouettes because they're easy and versatile and could work for everyone. For example, I'm all about trying a long cardigan again. There's more on the items that made the cut coming your way below.
Keep scrolling to check out Sattler's go-tos, complete with styling references and testimonials from her. There are also inspired shopping picks.
Long Cardigan
"Imagine your favorite long cardigan and coat got together and made a baby. That style and fabrication I call a 'coatigan' make it one of the most versatile layers in my modern-classic capsule wardrobe."
Black Jeans
"Black pants have always been the backbone to most of our wardrobes. Right now, denim is the new black for day or night."
Oversize White Tee
"After 20+ years as a personal stylist, jeans and a white tee shirt are still my favorite outfit. Refresh your classic white tee with a cool new crew-neck style in an exaggerated silhouette, like oversize or cropped."
Hoodie
"Take a traditionally sporty staple from athletic to athleisure, especially in a luxe knit hoodie."
Chic Crossbody Bag
"Complete any outfit combination from my modern-classic capsule wardrobe with a crossbody bag that has a cool strap. Guitar straps add a fashionable edge to this everyday staple."
White Accessories
"White accessories are on-trend right now. Try trading in your basic black accessories for white-hot ones and watch how many compliments you'll get, even on the most basic outfits, like a black top and black pants."
Dark Denim
"Every generation will agree that a pair of dark jeans never go out of style. The last pair I bought was a super-skinny high rise. This year, I'm leaning into the newer low-rise slim-leg styles."
Versatile Sneakers
"Take some style suggestions from the celebrities who wear them to coffee and on the red carpet. Add a fresh pair of kicks to your capsule wardrobe and become the epitome of street style."
Next, check out more top-notch fall pieces.
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Dakota Johnson Wore a Completely Backless Mini In This Better-Than-Black Color to the "Splitsville" After PartyPlus, see her metallic, leather gown from the premiere.
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Wow, Moda Operandi and Citizens of Humanity Just Released a Capsule Collection Inspired By Pennsylvania's Dreamiest FarmIn collaboration with Bloom Farm.
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This Simple Fashion Person-Approved Layering Technique Changed The Way I Wear My BasicsEffortlessly cool.
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Goodbye, Bubble Shorts—Everyone Everywhere Is Wearing This "Dated" Pant Trend InsteadHere's how It girls in New York, London, Copenhagen, and more are styling them in 2025.
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I Accidentally Started a Capsule Wardrobe When I Added These COS, Madewell, and J.Crew Items Into My ClosetAnd I got rid of all the pieces that couldn't compete.
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Cooler Than Jeans and a T-Shirt—Everyone With Good Taste Will Wear These 15 Denim Outfits This FallNext time fall styling inspiration runs dry, just reference these looks.
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Goodbye, Ballet Flats: It Girls in London, NYC, and Paris Are Prioritizing This Fall Flat Shoe Trend InsteadAnd they're styling it like *this.*
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Every Fall Outfit I Want to Wear This Year (So Far)These looks are the definition of effortless.
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Everyone Is Suddenly Wearing This Expensive-Looking Item With White PantsSo chic.
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No One Wears a White T-Shirt Quite Like a Fashion Person—6 Incredibly Cool Looks to Re-Create NowNothing but chic, effortless vibes.
