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01 Sep

Your More Sustainable Fall Capsule Wardrobe Guide

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As the weather cools down, let’s take a look at how to create a sustainable fall capsule wardrobe. Think autumnal hues and transitional clothes you can mix and match.

How to create the perfect autumn or fall capsule wardrobe

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: capsule wardrobes are the way to go. Not only do they make getting dressed in the morning simpler, they foster a more sustainable relationship with clothing.

What is a capsule wardrobe? For the uninitiated or unconvinced, it’s a small collection of clothes, shoes, and accessories that are interchangeable, enabling you to build countless outfits with fewer items overall. By using neutral colours that pair well together—perhaps with one accent colour and in materials that complement each other—the mix and match process becomes second nature. For autumn, we love earthy tones with hints of teal or soft pink, and breathable linens with sturdy cottons. But don’t forget—the best capsule wardrobe for you is the one that aligns with your own taste and aesthetic.

A capsule wardrobe for fall or autumn should contain transitional and layerable clothes for when the weather that can’t make up its mind, and ideally, it’s a mix of things you already own, pre-loved pieces, and a select few responsibly made items from “Good” or “Great” brands if and when you need new garments.

If you haven’t read our guide to creating capsule wardrobes, head over there first. And bookmark our guides to spring, summer, and winter capsules for when the time comes.

The basic steps

Here are the bite-sized basics:

  • Take stock of what you have for the season and categorise everything into repair; give away/ sell; recycle; or keep
  • Make a list of what you’ll need for a fall capsule that works for you, and store anything on the ‘keep’ list that won’t work this season
  • Find any gaps and fill them with second hand, swapped, or new pieces (inspiration below)

What to include

An autumn capsule wardrobe moodboard featuring layerable basics from responsible brands.= in neutral tones.

Fall is our favourite season for fashion because layering means you can creative with clothes, and it’s easy to elevate an outfit with the simple addition of a light jacket or scarf. Of course, specific items depend on your location, style, and other needs, but this is a good place to start:

  • Short and long-sleeved tees
  • Tops and blouses
  • Sweaters or cardigans
  • Windproof jacket
  • Trench coat
  • Longer dresses
  • Comfortable jeans and pants
  • Tights and socks
  • Loungewear set
  • Long pyjamas
  • Neutral shoes (boots, loafers, sneakers)
  • Neutral belt
  • Practical bags (oversized tote, crossbody bag)
  • Knitted accessories (beanie, scarf)

Our favourite brands for a sustainable fall capsule

Need some inspiration, or want to fill a gap in your autumn capsule? Here are some of our favourite “Good” and “Great” brands creating layerable basics to see you through transeasonal dressing.

Citizen Wolf

Rated: Good
A white short sleeve crew neck t-shirt responsibly-made by Citizen Wolf.

The Short Crew – Ships internationally from Australia

Citizen Wolf uses revolutionary technology to give you high quality custom-fit t-shirts that it guarantees will be the best you’ve ever worn. After capturing your customisations, the brand handmakes each tee in Sydney using certified lower-impact fabrics like cotton, hemp, and Merino wool milled in Melbourne.

See the rating.

Shop Citizen Wolf.

Etiko

Rated: Great

Unisex Black Long Sleeve T-Shirt – Ships internationally from Australia

Etiko is an Australian designer of organic fair trade clothing and shoes. The brand constantly sets the bar for upholding and campaigning the human rights of people working in traditionally exploitative industry supply chains.

Find the clothes in AU sizes 8-20, and the shoes in UK sizes 3-13.

See the rating.

Shop Etiko.

Armedangels

Rated: Great

CEYLAAN Shirt – Ships internationally

Innovative, responsible, and on-trend. Germany’s Armedangels gets a top score overall from us. The brand covers all the basics in womenswear, menswear, and kidswear. Armedangels' quality and long-lasting pieces are made from lower-impact and certified materials, like Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton. The brand also adopted the Fair Wear Foundation Code of Conduct to protect its workers abroad.

Its products are available in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Armedangels.

Shop Armedangels @ Earthkind.

Shop Armedangels @ Cerqular.

Opera Campi

Rated: Good

Zero Sweater – Ships internationally from Italy

Founded in 2017, Italian brand Opera Campi creates premium quality garments from locally-sourced raw materials. By using a balanced approach to sustainability, the brand makes conscious choices throughout its supply chain and donates 4% of its profits to social causes.

The brand is inclusively sized from 3XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Opera Campi.

The Common Good Company

Rated: Great

Plain Dane Black Box Fit Sweater – Ships internationally from Australia

Australian brand The Common Good Company produces clothing using recycled materials, proving that there is not only a better way to produce but a better way to consume.

Find the clothes in AU sizes 6-14.

See the rating.

Shop The Common Good Company.

FRANC

Rated: Good

The Cropped Cardi – Ships internationally from Canada

FRANC is a Canadian brand that makes basics so you can enjoy a complete wardrobe built on timeless essentials. The brand ranks "Good" on all fronts: it uses lower-impact materials, traces and visits its supply chain, and uses no animal products.

Find most products in sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop FRANC.

WE-AR4

Rated: Good
WE-AR4 Sutton. raincoat

The Sutton Raincoat – Ships within the US

WE-AR4 is a US based design-to-wear essentials brand for an effortless style. Founded by fashion industry veterans, it merges intelligent design and uncompromising style. Rather than developing new materials, it rescues existing ones, choosing to “thrift” high-quality leathers and luxury textiles left over from other brands, giving them new life, and uses certified lower-impact materials.

Find the range in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop WE-AR4.

Artknit Studios

Rated: Good
Artknit sweatpants from Urbankissed

Merino wool sweatpants at Urbankissed – Ships internationally from Italy

Artknit Studios creates timeless knitwear in 100% lower-impact materials, made responsibly by Italian makers. Its partners are committed to anti-waste practices using only certified and locally-sourced fibres, true to the brand's motto of "buy less, buy better".

Find items offered in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Artknit Studios.

Shop Artknit Studios @ Urbankissed.

Boyish

Rated: Good
Boyish Toby jeans

The Toby – Ships internationally from the US

Boyish offers denim with quality fits and authentic washes, all inspired by vintage styles and its native California.

Find sizes 2XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Boyish @ Wearwell.

Shop Boyish @ Reve en Vert.

Shop Boyish.

Whimsy + Row

Rated: Good
White wide leg extended sizing womenswear trousers made by Whimsy + Row.

Flora Pant in Natural Extended – Ships internationally from the US

Whimsy + Row is a US-based lifestyle brand born out of a love for quality goods and responsible practices. Since 2014, its mission has been to provide ease and elegance for the modern woman. Whimsy + Row utilises deadstock fabric, and by limiting each garment to short runs, the brand also reduces packaging waste and takes care of precious water resources.

Find most products in XS-XL, with an extended sizing range up to 3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Whimsy + Row.

Shop Whimsy + Row @ Earthkind.

Harvest & Mill

Rated: Great

Organic Heirloom Brown Jogger Pants –  Ships internationally from the US

Harvest & Mill pieces are grown, milled, and sewn exclusively in the US, supporting American organic cotton farmers and local sewing communities. The brand makes basics for everyone, always ensuring they are not dyed or bleached, greatly reducing the use of water, energy, and dye materials. Even better, by cultivating different varieties of cotton, the brand is able to bolster biodiversity, which is essential for ensuring healthy ecosystems and keeping our planet resilient in the face of climate change.

Shop the range in sizes S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Harvest & Mill.

Bhumi

Rated: Good
Bhumi linen sleepwear

Linen long pyjama set – Ships internationally from Australia

Australian brand Bhumi believes in sustainable luxury, paving the way for a new era in the textile industry by choosing 100% Fairtrade, organic, and vegan materials for its basics and bedding.

Find the clothes in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Bhumi.

Christy Dawn

Rated: Great
Black leather lace up Dawn Boots by Christy Dawn.

The Dawn Boot –  Ships internationally from the US

Christy Dawn is a minimalist showroom for vintage-inspired women's clothing and footwear, locally made with surplus fabric. The US brand rates "Great", making it a fabulous option for your wardrobe.

Find the clothes in standard sizes XS-XL, or shop the Extended and Petite collections.

See the rating.

Shop Christy Dawn.

Good Guys

Rated: Good
Duke vegan boots

Duke vegan cowboy boots – Ships internationally from France

Good Guys creates cruelty-free shoes for women and men, founded and designed by Marion Hanania in Paris. Through Good Guys, Hanania aims to create the perfect cruelty-free, made in Europe closet, where no animal product is involved, and the production guarantees fair trade working conditions.

Find most shoes in EU sizes 36-46.

See the rating.

Shop Good Guys.

Shop Good Guys @ Immaculate Vegan.

NOAH

Rated: Good

Vegan Tassel Loafer Lissandro – Ships internationally from Germany

NOAH creates cruelty-free and 100% vegan shoes and accessories. This German brand's high-quality and long-lasting shoes are hand-crafted in Italy, using a small proportion of lower-impact materials.

Find them in EU sizes 35-42.

See the rating.

Shop NOAH.

Shop NOAH @ Immaculate Vegan.

VEERAH

Rated: Good
side view and back view of camel pumps by VEERAH

Frida Vegan Heels in Camel – Ships internationally from Italy

Offers

VEERAH – Site-wide

Step into your power! Enjoy 10% off on our vegan Mulan Pumps. Channel the bold, empowered woman you truly are. 10% off with code VEERAHGOOD10 (First order only. Full-price items only.) (Ends: 13 OCT)

Checkout code: VEERAHGOOD10
Shop now

VEERAH is an NYC-based designer vegan shoe company founded and led by women to "do good and look incredible". Its innovative apple peel leather shoe collection is crafted with cushioned insoles made from algae blooms. Each pair is transformative with interchangeable shoe accessories to create more looks with less. It is made for warriors "killin' it with kindness".

Find most shoes in US sizes 5-11.

See the rating.

Shop VEERAH.

Flamingos’ Life

Rated: Good
Pearl coloured retro '90s sneakers by Flamingos' Life.

Retro 90s Pearl Gesso – Ships to the US and Europe from Spain

Flamingos' Life creates sneakers that are free from animal-derived materials for everyone. The brand uses lower-impact and PETA approved vegan materials, including upcycled materials.

Find the range in sizes 36-46.

See the rating.

Shop Flamingos' Life.

BEEN London

Rated: Good
Been bucket bag

Laurel bucket bag – Ships internationally

BEEN London is a London-based brand turning waste into timeless accessories you’d want to use every day. All its products are made from materials that have been something else in a previous life, including recycled leather offcuts and plastic bottles.

See the rating.

Shop BEEN London.

Shop BEEN London @ Cerqular.

Lucy & Yak

Rated: Good
Lucy & Yak hat

Travis borg bucket hat – Ships internationally

Independent, handmade, and responsible, we love Lucy & Yak’s playful take on classic garments. With unisex designs for everyone, this UK brand will brighten up your day.

Find pieces inclusively sized in UK 4-32.

See the rating.

Shop Lucy & Yak.

Looking for more spring inspo? Check out our favourite versatile sustainable fall staples under $80

Editor's note

Feature image via Whimsy + Row, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet and animals. We love to recommend some of the best more sustainable brands, rated “Good” or “Great”. We also encourage shopping pre-owned as another great way to reduce the impact of our fashion choices. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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