The Art of an Edited Fall Wardrobe
While it may be hard to imagine planning your fall wardrobe when summer’s heat is still lingering, the GT team has you covered. Whether you are looking to build your professional, school, or weekend wardrobe, GT subscribes to essentials that can be embellished with your favorite pieces.
Our goal is to curate options from sustainable brands that create ethically made apparel, footwear, and accessories in addition to preloved items from thrift stores or your friend’s clothing swap.
Jean Jackets
Jean jackets are typically a plenty in most vintage and second-hand clothing stores and you often can’t go wrong with any cut or wash. For a professional wardrobe, we recommend opting for a box or tailored shape minus the rips or bedazzled.
Style: Pair the jacket with navy blue sailor pants, mustard-color crew neck shirt, and brown wedges. Accessorize with a green tote bag from Portland Leather and gold earrings or bracelets.
On the topic of jeans, it’s also worth mentioning that if you are looking for a signature pair of jeans made from upcycled materials, check out Re/Done’s Levi’s collection. According to their website, they have upcycled 260,000 pairs of discarded jeans, giving them a modern edge.
Trench/Swing Coat
As fall settles in, a classic trench coat complements any outfit destined for the office or Sunday brunch. This workhorse of a coat takes on many styles, from utilitarian to a swing that accommodates movement and playfulness. In addition to vintage, today’s modern version comes in organic cotton, Tencel, recycled nylon, and water-resilient weaves.
Style: For the weekends, pair a short, swing trench coat (natural or warm hue) with a denim (dark wash) pencil skirt, vintage T-shirt, and ballet flats. Optimize with bucket bag and chunky beaded jewelry. When opting for a swing coat, it exaggerates the silhouette, so be sure to wear tailored, fitted items underneath.
Tailored Pants
Another essential wardrobe item for this fall is a solid pair of tailored pants. The beauty of tailored pants is that you can decide to go more voluminous or flowy on top; it’s about proportions. Or, dress them up or down depending on the occasion. A higher fabric weave count often yields longevity, especially when properly taken care of. Check the label for certified wool, certified organic cotton, or recycled blend textiles.
Style: Pair a straight legged trouser (neutral color) with silk cami, organic cotton short-cut blazer, and TOMS sneakers. Accessorize with pops of color – sling bag, jewelry, and scarf.
Tops
Think of your tops as the wildcard in the outfit – it can be your signature piece or a trusted team player that brings it all together. Whatever you decide, the top should always complement a strong shoulder, bust size, or waist size; it should fit like a glove with some allowance of breathability. Given its proximity to your skin, organic cotton, bamboo, hemp are great for keeping it cool.
Style: Pair a bold-color or favorite print button-down shirt with organic cotton skirt A-line or pencil skirt (remember if loose fitted top then balance for fitted or straight-line bottom). Accessorize with small handbag (especially if big print top) and round-toe shoes.
What’s in Your Closet
Complete your fall wardrobe essentials with treasured accessories. It’s amazing how a vintage scarf or bauble necklace can elevate an outfit. Freshen each outfit with keepsake jewelry, preloved belts, or handbags, and you quickly turn one staple into many outfits.
With a carefully edited fall wardrobe, every piece earns its place; it should offer versatility, longevity, and effortless style. By choosing high-quality, eco-friendly fabrics, you can build outfits that feel refined while supporting more conscious fashion choices.
For more outfit ideas, check out our Look Book page featuring fall trends or inspiration for where life takes you!