5 Pieces I Thrifted for a Fall 2023 Capsule Wardrobe

Why thrift a capsule wardrobe?

The term “capsule wardrobe” has grown in popularity as us millennials obsess over minimalism, so-called “adulting”, and generally being chic. It appeals to our desire to upgrade our lifestyles and elevate our style while simplifying the day to day. Less is more. But there are pros and cons to the idea.

The pros? We’re noticing a closet full of party dresses we no longer wear, tired old favorites from H&M and mixed patterns that never go with anything else in our wardrobe. We have busy lives in the workplace, at home with kids, or both, and don’t have the time to curate an outfit from a huge selection of clothes every day. We’re ready to clear it all out and start fresh.

The cons? Some of us (myself included) really like shopping too much to limit ourselves to a few simple pieces. We’ve also browsed online and realized that a simple closet upgrade can rack up a significant bill- 5 pieces at roughly $100-$200 each adds up to a thousand dollar shopping spree.

These reasons combined is why I am a huge proponent of thrifting pieces for a capsule wardrobe. While it may be difficult to thrift a pair of jeans that fit just right, there are certain pieces I’ve found are in no short supply out there and are high quality without the price tag.

The best part? You can replace it every year if you want. Or swap out certain pieces season after season. But you don’t have to because investing in quality fabric content always pays off— no matter how much you actually pay for it.

Here are 5 pieces that I recommend keeping an eye out for your fall 2023 capsule wardrobe.

And just a note- if you aren’t a thrifter but love shopping secondhand, websites like Poshmark, Ebay, The Real Real, and Etsy are all places to find deals on these things as well. Just make sure that you’re searching for quality fabric content.

A cashmere sweater.

It is my opinion, with a few small exceptions, that a cashmere sweater is a cashmere sweater. You can buy one from an in-house department store brand, spend hundreds on a designer one…or thrift one. I see a lot of them in thrift stores. All kinds of colors, fits, sizes. If you don’t mind mending a few small holes, there are even more to choose from.

A cashmere sweater is an easy way to build a fall capsule wardrobe. It’s a luxuriously soft fabric, cozy yet elevated. It’s also a great way to bring an unexpected new color into your closet, and to layer over a more monochrome base.

A leather bag.

Confession- I am not really a purse girl. I happily carry my Longchamp Le Pliage everywhere I go, year round, that I found at Goodwill for $7. But I’ve recently taken an interest in browsing the bag section of the thrift stores because I need something larger to carry kids snacks in, so I am developing an appreciation.

I recently found this slouchy woven leather bag in a perfect cherry red. It reminds me of the Botega Veneta bags, which are the only designer purses I covet. (Their sardine bag is a masterpiece and a work of art.)

The one I found is vintage and buttery soft. The shoulder handle is a bit long, so my project is to shorten it a bit for easier use.

If you can find something genuine leather at a thrift store, it’s a great investment. Nothing matches the look and feel of a natural material. It’s surprising to me how many brands charge a lot for synthetic leather bags. They just aren’t the same.

A classic (or not so classic) button down shirt.

My go-to for every and all seasons is a vintage Ralph Lauren oxford men’s button down. You just can’t go wrong with the boyfriend shirt meets off duty model. They are a valuable part of my mother on-duty uniform. But this season, I found this white vintage cotton blouse with ruffles and am switching things up.

Look for a natural, lasting fabric content, like cotton or silk. Though I can’t promise you’ll find a similar piece to mine right away, you can certainly find something unique that fits your style.

Classic black loafers.

If there’s any piece on this list that is a bit of a reach, it may be this one. But loafers are a classic enough style that they are not impossible to find. And here’s a trick, if you wear a size 9 or up: check the men’s section.

Thrift stores are full of beautiful quality men’s shoes. Part of the charm of a loafer is the menswear inspired flair it adds to to an outfit, whether you’re pairing them smartly with jeans for a bit of academia or bringing a bit of contrast to a feminine dress.

Personally I was on a hunt for some new Bass Weejuns which are worth the retail price. But I was beyond happy to find this pair of vintage but never worn Cole Haan loafers.

Pro tip: if you can ever find vintage Cole Haan loafers in your size BUY THEM. They are extremely well made and will last you a lifetime.

Vintage trousers.

This is an extremely practical thing to buy secondhand. As women our size fluctuates, and nothing points that out more aggressively than our pants. Do we need to spend a lot of money on them so that in a year or two we agonize because they don’t fit anymore?

Trousers are hit or miss, and important to try on. You have nothing to lose by going to a thrift store and picking up a pair or two. Pleated front, oversize and a bit baggy is on trend this season, which makes vintage pants a perfect option for a fall 2023 capsule wardrobe piece.

This is a pair of vintage Missoni wool pants. I like the slouchy slightly oversize Annie Hall-ness of them.

Interested in secondhand and thrifted fashion? Follow Maison Bergez on Instagram for hauls and inspiration. Also check out the shop section of the site, where you can browse a curated selection of high quality secondhand and vintage pieces.