The Ultimate Fall Capsule Wardrobe for Hybrid Work
Hybrid work is becoming more and more popular. If you just started this work model or your company is thinking of making the switch, you'll know that hybrid work allows employees to work from home for part of the week while coming into the office some days as well.
While hybrid work can provide just the level of flexibility you need to be productive and happy at work, it does create some challenges in terms of your closet. Do you want more comfy work-from-home outfits and slippers, or more blazers and office-friendly shoes? While this question might evoke images of knit pants and dressy slacks jostling for space in your closet, you can actually solve this puzzle simply by creating a capsule wardrobe. And since fall is all about new beginnings, there's no better time to try this out.
The first step to building a capsule wardrobe of fall attire is to pare down your closet to the seasonal essentials, keeping in mind the number of each clothing item you have in your rotation to keep your closet organized and minimal. The key is choosing quality clothing that you'll be inclined to wear again and again and picking versatile pieces that you can easily mix and match. Having a fall capsule wardrobe will help you feel more organized and, since each item will be intentional and thought out, will save you time each morning as you get ready for your day.
Practical Pants
When picking work-friendly pants and bottoms for your fall capsule collection, aim to pick neutral shades that you can easily pair with a variety of tops. With a hybrid work model, you'll want to ensure your work pants are comfortable enough for working from home while also being professional-looking enough to rock at the office.
Corduroy leggings are a great example. These leggings are as comfy as your favorite sweats, but the material feels dressy enough to wear to work. Plus, corduroy is an ideal fabric for fall, so you'll get a ton of use out of these all autumn long (and beyond, if you can't stand the idea of parting with them for a season!). Opt for a knit high-rise pair of corduroy leggings in a versatile color like black or navy blue.
Try pairing these with whatever women's tunic tops or tunic sweaters make it into your fall capsule rotation, as the tunic length creates a stylish silhouette with leggings.
Another great option here is high-waisted pants in a soft, slightly stretchy cotton material. Go for a black wide-leg elastic waist pull-on ankle-length pair. The high waist and wide leg make these pants super-flattering, and the stretchy material makes them ideal for in-person or at-home days. Pair these with a crewneck women's sweater, which you can layer over a button-up or under a blazer to create a variety of professional-yet-comfy fall looks with just a few items.
Complete either of these looks with ballet flats or booties for the office or slipper socks if you're working from home!
Simple Sweaters
Fall is the official start of sweater weather, and a hybrid work capsule wardrobe for fall should definitely include a few solid color sweaters. You can also throw a print sweater or two in the mix, but remember that solid colors are more versatile, which will allow you to really fine-tune your capsule rotation.
A cashmere cardigan for women can go a long way in a fall capsule collection. Use this sweater as a silky soft layer to make any work-from-home look feel dressier on days you have video meetings or to complete a professional look for going into the office. For a cardigan, you'll definitely want to opt for a solid color, as these are really designed for layering. A cashmere cardigan will go great with a knit skirt and a white blouse.
Another essential for any fall capsule wardrobe is a women's tunic sweater. You can rock tunic sweaters as-is for or pair them under a blazer layer or over a collared shirt if you want to dress them up. Pair your tunic sweater with leggings or knit pants for a look that feels dressy and stylish without sacrificing comfort or closet space.
Dresses
A capsule wardrobe wouldn't be complete without a dress or two. Dresses work great as part of capsule wardrobes since they take very little effort to style, and you don't need to worry about any potential clashing with your top and bottom. Dresses are also as comfy as they are stylish, making them ideal for hybrid work.
Pick a women's dress or two that you easily pair with layers, like your cardigan or a blazer, or that you can wear as-is. A quarter-length sleeve twist-front fit-and-flare dress in an easy shade like black or teal is a great option here since it's a universally flattering shape and an easy item to dress up or down (while still looking professional!), depending on what's on your agenda for the day. You can wear this stylish dress with ballet flats, kitten heels, or, of course, slippers!
With the items outlined above, you can create a capsule wardrobe for fall that'll allow you to focus on your work rather than on what you want to wear each day, regardless of where you're working.