Every season brings exciting new trends, and our Design Director, Megan, loves designing them. But there is a difference between the pieces that turn heads on the runway and the ones that quietly earn their place in your closet week after week. The staples, the versatile, hardworking items that go with everything, are the foundation that makes everything else, including this season’s trends, work even harder.
Our Design Director builds collections, so she knows what makes a standout trend piece and what makes a lasting staple. The items she reaches for most in her own closet are the dependable ones: pieces that layer easily, fit like they were made for her body, and make getting dressed feel effortless. They are the canvas she styles her favorite trends on top of.
The best wardrobes balance both. Trends bring the fun; staples do the heavy lifting, quietly working with everything you already own.
Below are the fall staples Megan is actually wearing this season, the outfit formulas they anchor, and why these pieces earn their closet space on repeat.
The Cable Knit Sweater
A cable knit sweater is the baseline fall staple for a reason. It adds texture without pattern, warmth without bulk, and works equally well tucked into high-waisted jeans or layered over a slip dress.
The key is weight. A cable knit should feel substantial, not flimsy. Megan knows you want a sweater that holds its shape, drapes well, and does not pill after two wears. That durability is what separates a staple from a disposable piece.
Our Design Director reaches for cable knits in neutral tones, cream, oatmeal, grey, because they layer into every outfit without competing for attention. A cable knit becomes the textural anchor, and everything else falls into place around it.
In her rotation: Delilah Off-Shoulder Cable Knit Sweater, Janey Cable Knit Cardigan, Varsity Button-Front Cardigan.
The Perfect High-Waisted Jean
High-waisted jeans are not a trend. They are the silhouette that works for most bodies, most outfits, and most occasions. The high rise defines your waist, balances proportions when you layer, and makes tucking a sweater or tee look intentional instead of bulky.
Megan owns high-rise jeans in three different silhouettes: a bootcut for a little swing and a leg-lengthening line, a slim straight for a clean everyday look, and a wide leg for the days she wants ease and drama. The rise stays high across all three, so the proportions always work; the silhouette is what shifts the whole outfit.
These are the jeans that go with everything. A cable knit, an off-shoulder sweater, a fitted tee, a blazer. You are not working around the jean; the jean is working for you.
In her rotation: West Bootcut Jean, Lucy Slim Straight Jean, Saltwater Wide Leg Jean.
The Lightweight Layering Cardigan
A lightweight cardigan, open-front and drapey, is the most versatile piece in a fall wardrobe. It layers over tanks in early fall, turtlenecks in late fall, and dresses year-round. It adds warmth without weight, and because it is open-front, it never looks stuffy or overdone.
Our Design Director keeps both styles in rotation, because an open-front cardigan and a button-front cardigan solve two different problems. The open-front drapes over anything for an easy, thrown-on layer. The button-front does double duty: leave it open like a classic cardigan, or button it all the way up and wear it solo as a top, which is one of the strongest styling moves this season.
Megan keeps three options going so she never has to think about it: a drapey open-front for effortless layering, a button-front she can wear open or fully closed as a top, and a cable knit that adds texture to the mix. The fabric matters, too, a cotton blend or soft knit drapes better than a stiff acrylic, and it breathes so you do not overheat the second you step inside.
In her rotation: Shore Pocket Cardigan (open-front), Brie Colorblocked Cardigan (button-front), Janey Cable Knit Cardigan.
The One-Shoulder or Off-Shoulder Top
A one-shoulder or off-shoulder top is the piece that makes simple outfits feel considered. It adds shape and visual interest without pattern, color, or fuss. You pair it with jeans you already own, and suddenly the outfit feels like you tried.
Our Design Director wears this silhouette more than anything else in early fall because it works in warm weather (no heavy layers needed) and transitions seamlessly into cooler months when layered over a fitted long-sleeve.
The key is fit. The neckline should sit cleanly without constant adjusting, and the body should be fitted enough to tuck or wear loose depending on your mood.
In her rotation: Brooksville One-Shoulder Sweatshirt, Ava Off-the-Shoulder Tee, Sandy Boat Neck Sweater.
The Plaid Shacket or Lightweight Jacket
A plaid shacket or lightweight utility jacket is the piece that carries you through the entire transitional season. It is substantial enough to feel like outerwear but light enough that you do not overheat by noon. It layers over tanks, tees, and thin sweaters, and it ties around your waist when the sun comes out.
Our Design Director reaches for a shacket in a neutral plaid, cream and grey or tan and olive, because it reads as texture rather than loud pattern. It works with black jeans, olive trousers, denim shorts, and leggings. It is the layer Megan does not have to think about, and neither should you.
In her rotation: Geena Microfleece Shacket, Sunset Plaid Knit Top, Riverbank Coatigan.
Fall Staples Checklist
The pieces that earn their space, season after season:
- Cable knit sweater in a neutral tone (cream, oatmeal, grey)
- High-waisted straight-leg jeans in at least two washes (dark indigo, mid-wash, or black)
- Lightweight open-front cardigan in a neutral (cream, oatmeal, tan)
- Off-shoulder or one-shoulder top that fits well and stays in place
- Plaid shacket or utility jacket in a neutral plaid
- Ankle boots in black or tan leather
- White sneakers that go with everything
- Structured leather tote or crossbody bag in a neutral
Fall Wardrobe Staples FAQ
What are the must-have fall wardrobe staples?
A cable knit sweater, high-waisted jeans, a lightweight cardigan, an off-shoulder or one-shoulder top, and a versatile layering jacket like a shacket. These pieces work together in endless combinations.
How many fall staples do I really need?
You can build a full fall wardrobe from 8 to 10 core pieces. Quality and versatility matter more than quantity.
What colors should I buy for fall?
Start with neutrals: cream, oatmeal, grey, black, tan, and olive. These colors layer seamlessly and work with everything you already own. Then choose one or two color pops to bring it to life, whether that is a classic fall shade like rust, mustard, or burgundy, or a richer jewel tone like emerald or sapphire. A single pop against a neutral base is all it takes to make an outfit feel intentional.
How do I know if a piece is a staple or a trend?
A staple works with multiple outfits, lasts more than one season, and does not rely on a specific trend to make sense. If you can only wear it one way, it is probably not a staple.
Build on the Foundation
The pieces that earn repeat wear are your foundation: the quiet, versatile staples that work with everything you already own, fit like they were made for your body, and make getting dressed feel effortless. Build your wardrobe around these, and your favorite trend pieces always have something dependable to shine against.
