The Best Updated Basics For Fall 2025 Chatelaine

Crandi Man

-Oct 16, 2025, 7:05 AM

the best updated basics for fall 2025 chatelaine

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. 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... 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... 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. 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.

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. It’s that time again! My annual Fall Wardrobe Essentials post is live with fresh updates for 2025! 🍂 Every year I refresh this reader favorite with new styles and links to what’s currently available. The wardrobe categories don’t change much from year to year, but I do tweak them as trends evolve or as something new starts to feel essential.

I love seeing how these foundational pieces take on fresh life each fall—and this year’s lineup might just be my favorite yet. If your closet covers all these categories, you should have everything you need to get dressed each day. It’s always a good idea to reassess fit and make sure your wardrobe aligns with your lifestyle and current sizes. From there, it’s all about the finishing touches—just add accessories! (I rounded up my favorites in The Accessory Edit: Must-Have Finishing Touches for Fall 2025.) I’m super excited because my daughter is coming home from college today for a short visit!

It’s Fall Break at Belmont, and her birthday is tomorrow, so the timing worked out perfectly. I can’t wait to have a full house again. I’ll be heading to the airport soon to pick her up, but I’ve already got tomorrow’s post prepped. I promise to get back to that Try-On Haul next week. I have a bunch of things on my rolling rack that I need to try on and photograph. In the meantime, I’ve updated my What Shoes to Wear with All Types of Jeans post (and the infographic!), and it’ll be ready for you tomorrow, so stay tuned for that!

💌 Enjoying Everyday Style Notes? Subscribe for free to get all my latest posts delivered straight to your inbox! We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article. I was recently on a call with our Design Editor, Kristen, who declared she was entering her “fancy girl era.” Immediately, I wanted to adopt the same mantra—and it’s clear I’m not alone. After years of sweatpants reigning supreme and Y2K-inspired trends cycling through, there’s a renewed appetite for pieces that feel timeless, elevated, and intentionally chosen. Think of it less as a fleeting trend and more as a return to the long-standing appeal of quiet luxury: investing in clothes that look good now and years from now.

Luckily, the best fall basics achieve exactly that, letting you curate an autumn wardrobe you’ll love wearing from now until spring. I’ve experienced quite the glow-up over the years. And while some of that is the result of a bit more disposable income since graduating college, I’d attribute it mostly to intention. Nowadays, I’m choosing to keep my closet edited down to pieces that align with the three words that describe my personal style: elegant, feminine, and understated. By refining my style goals to what makes me feel most myself, it’s easier to say no to what doesn’t fit. My Pinterest style board has become my go-to source of inspiration for these sartorial shifts.

I’ve made it a monthly ritual to sift through and delete images that no longer spark joy, while eagerly importing fresh looks from my Instagram saves. This consistent practice has not only helped me define and evolve my personal aesthetic but has also streamlined my shopping list. The process is simple: gather your favorite inspiration images, crank up a fun playlist, and see how many looks you can recreate with your current fall wardrobe. Trust me, that’s where the best fall basics shine! Fall fashion can feel a little overwhelming, can’t it? I walked into a store the other day, and it was a sea of sweaters, jackets, and boots practically begging, “Take me home!” It’s tempting to want it all, but let’s be honest, none...

What we do need are a few smart updates that make everything we already own feel fresh and current (without blowing the budget). That’s why I like to start each season with a short shopping list. Instead of trying to overhaul everything, I zero in on just a few key pieces that give me the most impact for the money. Today, I’m sharing what I’d buy first for Fall 2025. If you ask me where to start when fall shopping, my answer is almost always shoes. Switching up your footwear is the fastest way to make your whole wardrobe feel in-season.

Booties are my go-to because they work with just about everything: jeans, dresses, and even skirts. And if you’re still hanging on to the pair you’ve had for a decade, gurl, it’s time to upgrade. (Trust me, I’ve been guilty of that too!) This year, ankle boots are still going strong, and they might be the most versatile style you’ll ever own. Knee-high boots are making a big comeback, which is wonderful news for those of us who like wearing dresses without freezing. And if you’re in the mood for something fun, slouchy boots are having a moment.

Of course, not everyone’s a bootie gurl, and that’s okay. Loafers, sneakers, and even clogs are trending too, and they’re all comfortable enough to keep up with real life. All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. A fall capsule wardrobe sets the tone for all your transitional looks—and since autumn is probably the most exciting season to dress for, having the season's on-trend essentials in hand is, well, essential. If you don’t already have these picks—including white T-shirts, a cashmere sweater (yes, there are affordable versions), and autumn boots—somewhere in your closet, it’s time to invest.

And for 2025, we’re also updating the classic formula with a few contemporary picks, including minimalist ballet flats and understated barn jackets that’ll elevate basic looks. As you scroll through this edit, take stock of the pieces you currently own and think about what’s missing, what you have too much of, and what might need replacing. The whole point of curating a a capsule wardrobe is to mitigate the cycle of clothing fatigue and overspending and instead lean into versatile, hardworking pieces that complement your lifestyle. Now go take all the inspiration you need, and spice them up with our favorite fall fashion trends along the way. Not everyone is a “jeans and a tee” person, but who can deny the appeal of a perfectly fitted T-shirt? We’ll always encourage a little color, but you need a proper white tee before anything else.

These picks are bestsellers among Glamour readers; pay special attention to Uniqlo’s soft, long-lasting design (a perennial go-to among our editors). Suede is having a bigger year than usual, but the soft, textured leather never goes out of style. Each of these pairs will enjoy near-daily wear peeking out from under wide-leg jeans and fall dresses. Block and kitten heels are especially walking-friendly, so prioritize those styles in your capsule, whether you’re off to work or punching up a going-out look. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Fall styling is often over simplified to chunky sweaters, jewel tones, and riding boots—however, a deeper dive into the art of autumn dressing unearths unconventional styling choices.

Kenzie Welch, fashion stylist and Kohl’s trend expert, shares my sentiment, bringing unprecedented textures, colors, and accessories into each client’s wardrobe—and she did the same for me just a few weeks ago. I met up with Welch at an intimate brand dinner, where she styled me head-to-toe in pieces that felt both true to who I am and what I naturally gravitate toward. While Welch can’t give everyone a one-on-one consultation—though, she certainly does a good job of spreading the love on her social media makeover series—she shared a few fall styling tips ahead of the season. Her tips are refreshingly relatable, too. It’s part of what drew her to partner with Kohl’s in the first place. “I shopped [at Kohl’s] as a young girl and teenager with my mom, and they’ve continued to be a store that I can shop at as a working woman with a family,” she told...

As a stylist and content creator for the “everyday girl,” she saw real value in teaming up with a brand that “understood the importance of offering quality clothing at an affordable cost.” Her goal... Welch understands the importance of smart layering, calling on unconventional separates to seamlessly integrate your wardrobe into the cooler temps ahead. One of her go-to combinations is mix-and-matching silk or embroidered shorts with leather boots. The conflicting textiles add a “unique point of interest and make the outfit feel more elevated,” stirring together a “romantic element with an edgy twist,” she explained. Fall has always been my favourite season for dressing well. The shift in weather feels like a fresh start.

A reason to rebuild your wardrobe around the pieces that not only keep you warm, but make you feel pulled together. And if you’re anything like me, this is when the fall capsule wardrobe really comes into its own. For 2025, my fall capsule wardrobe is all about tonal minimalism. I’m leaning heavily into the clean, classic shades of black, white, beige and grey — the kind of neutral colour palette that gives every outfit a sense of quiet luxury. This year’s hero pieces? A chocolate brown pair of suede knee boots and a slouchy grey suede tote.

I’m building everything around those two. You won’t find trend-chasing here. Instead, this is a collection of timeless staples that I reach for again and again. Easy layers. Elegant textures. Nothing fussy.

Just elevated basics that feel effortless. Below, I’m breaking down my 2025 fall capsule wardrobe — piece by piece — and sharing how to style them for the season. Start with your base layers — tops, bottoms, and outerwear in versatile neutral tones. Look at what you already wear the most and build around that. For me, that’s wide leg pants, a chunky knit sweater, and black jeans. Then add complementary shoes and accessories that pull each outfit together.

Choose pieces you genuinely love and will reach for again and again. A capsule isn’t about having less — it’s about having what works.

The Best Updated Basics For Fall 2025 Chatelaine

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