My Fall 2026 Capsule Wardrobe: What I’m Wearing and Sewing

Fall is one of my favorite seasons to sew, and this year I have plenty of projects planned. But before I cut into any new fabric, I pulled out the pieces I already own and want to wear again. Some are recent makes, some have been in my closet for years, and a few reminded me why I loved them in the first place.

I’ve organized everything into three wardrobe modules, with seven pieces still to sew. The result feels like fall to me, but it also makes sense for Indiana weather, where I might need a jacket one day and shorts the next. Read on or watch here: 

How I Plan My Capsule Wardrobe

Each of my modules has three tops, two bottoms, one jacket or layering piece, and one dress or other one-piece outfit. That gives me seven pieces per module and 21 pieces across this capsule.

These aren’t the only clothes I’ll wear this fall. They’re the pieces I want at the front of my closet so I can see outfit possibilities quickly. I use the same module approach in my spring capsule wardrobe and my fall 2025 capsule, and each season teaches me a little more about what I actually reach for.

If you’d like to plan alongside me, I’ve also made a fall capsule PDF with my completed plan, linked patterns, and blank pages for your own wardrobe. Click ➡️HERE to grab it! 

My Fall Color Palette

I usually start with a light neutral, a dark neutral, two flexible colors, and two statement colors. This year, my precious fabric helped me choose the palette:

• Light neutral: cream
• Dark neutral: olive green
• Flexible colors: deep blue and warm rusty caramel
• Statement colors: bright spring green and pale peach

This is fairly subdued for me! I’ve wanted more olive in my wardrobe, and I like how it works with the blue, caramel, and brighter greens I already wear. I’ve also included alternative color ideas in the planning PDF if you like this combination but want shades that suit your own palette.

I had my colors done virtually through Color Guru*. My code TOMKATCOLOR gives you 10% off their packages if that interests you. You can also choose a palette yourself. Starting with a favorite print is one easy way to find colors you know you enjoy together.

Module One: Familiar Pieces for Changing Weather

My first module is made entirely from clothes I already own. It includes lighter pieces for warm afternoons, jeans for cooler days, and a jacket I’m happy to bring back out.

Three Tops

The Closet Core Core T-shirt is a free pattern I made in cotton-spandex jersey for my summer scrappy capsule. It has a slightly boxier shape and longer sleeves than some of my other tees, and I’ve worn it enough that I pulled it straight from the laundry for this video. Its color carries easily into fall.

My Love Notions Serenade top* is a wrap blouse with a side tie, snaps, and balloon sleeves. It turned out just as I hoped, and I’m looking forward to pairing it with both the bottoms here and the new pants in module two.

The third top is my sleeveless True Bias Brynn, made in ponte. I nearly forgot it was in my closet, even though I love wearing it. A sleeveless top still earns its place in my fall wardrobe: I can pair it with jeans while the weather is warm, then add a layer when I need one.

Two Bottoms, a Jacket, and a Dress

My white linen Closet Core Adriana shorts are another carryover from summer. They’re comfortable, although I wish I’d made the waist elastic a little tighter. I’m also including a pair of ready-to-wear, medium-wash cropped jeans with wide legs and a raw hem.

For a layer, I chose my olive cotton-twill Love Notions Clef jacket*. It’s unlined and just right for a fall day that calls for a jacket without anything too heavy. The dress is my ochre Love Notions Serenade*, a casual version with pockets that’s easy to put on and go.

Module Two: The Seven Projects on My Sewing List

This module holds most of my fall sewing plans. I’m making all three tops, both pairs of jeans, and the jacket. The dress is already in my closet. I shared many of these fabrics in my fall fabric haul, and now I can picture how I’ll wear them together.

Three Tops to Sew

First is a fitted, long-sleeve Cashmerette Grafton turtleneck* in pale peach Stof cotton-spandex jersey. I made several Grafton pieces this summer, but I haven’t tried its turtleneck yet. I’m especially curious to see how that fitted, bust-friendly version works for me.

Next is a long-sleeve Seamwork Elli Henley* in olive Stof cotton-spandex jersey. I’ve sewn the Elli before and like its fitted shape and scoop neckline. The Henley detail will give me something a little different from a basic tee.

For my third top, I’m returning to the Cashmerette Vernon shirt*. I’ll use this chartreuse cotton for another cropped, high-hip popover, with short sleeves and a partial button placket. I made a similar Vernon for summer and wore it so much that I want another. Now I get to look through my button stash, too.

Two Versions of the Frank Jeans

Both bottoms will use the Closet Core Frank Jeans, but I’m planning a different leg shape for each fabric:

• Olive cotton twill: the barrel-leg version, probably with the mid-rise.
• Beige stretch denim: the wide-leg version, also with the mid-rise.

I often shorten the front and back rise on Closet Core pants, so I’ll pay attention to where the Frank mid-rise lands on me before deciding what adjustment it needs. I’m especially excited about the beige pair with the peach turtleneck and olive Henley.

My Precious Fabric Jacket and an Existing Dress

The layer for this module will be a True Bias Tobie Jacket in my precious wool double gauze. I’ve made a muslin, so I can work through those fit changes before cutting the fabric I’ve been saving. I’m planning View A, with its more streamlined look, welt pocket, and no collar.

The dress is already finished: a chartreuse knit dress combining a Cashmerette Duxbury top with a Grafton bottom. It’s an easy T-shirt dress that I wore through summer, and it works just as well with a fall layer over it.

Module Three: Texture, Layers, and Well-Loved Makes

This module brings back several pieces that have earned their place in my closet, plus the seventh project on my sewing list.

Three Tops

My embroidered Pattern Emporium Sweet Talker top* gets comments whenever I wear it. I can see it with every bottom in this capsule. I’m also bringing back my cream Cashmerette Vernon shirt*. A cream button-up is so useful when I’m mixing brighter colors and prints.

The new top will be a sweater made from the Cashmerette Brookhaven sweatshirt pattern* and a citron wool-silk knit from my stash. I’ll leave off the polo placket, draft a neckband, and aim for a relaxed, cropped shape. Before cutting, I’ll check that the knit has enough stretch and recovery for the bands; I may use a coordinating fabric for them if it needs help.

Two Bottoms, a Jacket, and a Dress

My Stay Stitch Pattern Co. Coco Bias Skirt has surprised me with how often I wear it. The viscose satin moves beautifully, and the skirt has worked across more seasons than I expected. Alongside it, I’m adding a recently purchased pair of dark-wash, wide-leg jeans.

My jacket is the navy corduroy True Bias Tobie I’ve just finished, using Higashi stretch cotton corduroy and a floral lining. This version has a collar and those wonderful patch pockets. It’s an advanced sewing project, but I had such a good time making it that I’m ready to sew the other view.

Finally, I’m bringing back my linen Love Notions Bluegrass shirtdress*. I love its princess seams, and it’ll work under either jacket. I can already picture the citron Brookhaven sweater layered over it, too.

A Capsule That Works With the Rest of My Closet

I’ll wear other clothes and shoes this fall, of course. These three modules simply give me a starting point when I get dressed and a clear reason for each new thing I sew. Looking through my closet also brought back pieces I might have overlooked, like the Brynn top and the Coco skirt.

That’s what I enjoy most about planning this way. I get the excitement of seven new projects, while the clothes I’ve already made keep doing their job. If you’re planning a seasonal wardrobe of your own, start by pulling out the pieces you love to wear. You may find the beginnings of your first module are already in your closet.

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