I have something to admit: I spent the better part of my 20s absolutely hoarding clothes (shopping is kinda my job, can you blame me?), and it wasn't until I hit

my 30s that I decided to start downsizing my closet. To shop and consume fashion more sustainably—and make getting dressed each day way easier—I decided to build a capsule wardrobe full of timeless, go-with-everything clothing and accessories. With fall in full swing, now is the time for my carefully curated collection of pieces—think sleek and simple coats, oversize blazers, and classic ankle boots—to truly shine.

Of course, there's more to a fall capsule collection than outerwear and boots; there are several items I consider absolute necessities for putting together a week's worth of solid autumn 'fits. A good mix of polished and cozy, these are the pieces I reach for on the daily. Trust me—they're great for layering and surpassing the trend cycle.

Ahead, I outlined eight must-have items for building a fall capsule collection of your own—consider it a checklist of sorts. Keep scrolling to check out all the essential fall clothes for women and snag some of my favorite pieces while you're at it.