Photo: Courtesy of The Row

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New season, new wardrobe staples! While summer isn’t over yet (there’s still time for tropical prints, bikinis, and breezy dresses), it’s worth making space for timeless pieces that’ll carry you through the transition into fall. A minimalist capsule wardrobe makes it effortless.

### Vogue’s Must-Have Minimalist Essentials:

The Go-To Dress
Staud cap sleeve midi dress
$450 | NORDSTROM

Lightweight Outerwear
The Frankie Shop Tribeca oversized woven coat
$492 | NET-A-PORTER

The Perfect Ballet Flat
Le Monde Beryl Regency bow-embellished flats
$625 | NET-A-PORTER

### What’s in Our Minimalist Pre-Fall Wardrobe?

First up: the effortless dress. Slip into Khaite’s deep red maxi or Proenza Schouler’s sleek tee-shirt dress for instant polish. For evenings, Nili Lotan and Helmut Lang offer refined tops that pair perfectly with tailored trousers from The Row or Veronica de Piante, or a standout skirt from Ròhe or Dries Van Noten.

As summer fades, lightweight layers like The Frankie Shop’s duster or Toteme’s shell jacket become essentials—alongside breezy knits from Saint Laurent, La Ligne, and Jil Sander. Stick to minimalist hues: black, cherry red, slate gray, and camel.

No outfit is complete without sleek accessories—think Alaïa’s black ballet flats or Jamie Haller’s leather loafers. For bags, Mansur Gavriel’s canvas tote or Liffner’s suede shoulder bag add understated elegance. Finish with delicate jewelry from Agmes, Lié Studio, or Sophie Buhai.

Below, shop 12 minimalist staples for the perfect pre-fall wardrobe.

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### Effortless Dresses
A great dress works year-round. This season, we love easy styles from Toteme, Khaite, Matteau, and Massimo Dutti. Kallmeyer’s black midi dress transitions seamlessly from sandals now to boots later.

– Toteme – Garderob stretch-jersey midi dress
$590 | NET-A-PORTER
– Matteau – Organic cotton-poplin shirt dress
$480 | NET-A-PORTER
– Massimo Dutti – Flounce dress
$200 | MASSIMO DUTTI
– Kallmeyer – Maeve pleated midi dress
$715 | NET-A-PORTER
– Staud – Cap sleeve midi dress
$450 | NORDSTROM
– Proenza Schouler – Noelle dress
$295 | SHOPBOP

### Lightweight Layers
A chic jacket anchors any transitional look. The Frankie Shop’s textured coat and Zara’s suede jacket feel fresh, while Loewe’s cropped style and The Row’s oversized red canvas coat are instant classics.

– The Frankie Shop – Tribeca oversized woven coat
$492 | NET-A-PORTER
– The Row – Elodianna two-tone jacket
$2,650 | NET-A-PORTER
– Staud – Corrine suede jacket
$995 | NET-A-PORTER
– Loewe – Belted cotton-blend jacket
$1,850 | NET-A-PORTER
– Zara – Suede leather jacket
$229 | ZARA
– Toteme – Organic cotton-blend jacket
$690 | NET-A-PORTER

### Classic Flats
Step into fall with timeless flats—Alaïa’s velvet ballet flats, Jamie Haller’s loafers, or Emme Parsons’ fisherman sandals. Le Monde Beryl’s crochet flats add a subtle twist.

– Alaïa – Criss Cross velvet ballet flats
$1,100 | NET-A-PORTER
– Bally – Path suede loafers
[Price not listed]

(Remaining product details not provided in original text.)Loafers
– De Loafers: $920 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Le Monde Beryl: Regency bow-embellished ballet flats, $625 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Manolo Blahnik: Ballerimu square-toe mules, $775 (NORDSTROM)
– Emme Parsons: Ernest sandals, $550 (SHOPBOP)
– Jamie Haller: Penny loafers, $595 (SHOPBOP)

Minimalist Handbags
For everyday polish and practicality, keep it simple. Brands like Liffner, St. Agni, and Reformation offer stylish yet affordable options that instantly elevate any outfit—just toss one over your shoulder for effortless chic.

– Liffner: Buckled suede bucket bag, $695 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Toteme: Belted whipstitched leather tote, $1,690 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Savette: Florence suede tote, $1,890 (NET-A-PORTER)
– St. Agni: Bateau leather-trimmed suede tote, $650 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Mansur Gavriel: Everyday cabas bag, $595 (SHOPBOP)
– Reformation x Devon Lee Carlson: Hannah shoulder bag, $298 (REFORMATION)

Cool Tops
Not a dress person? Elevate your evening look with an elegant top. Proenza Schouler and Helmut Lang offer flattering high-neck styles, while Nili Lotan’s satin tank is a perfect end-of-summer staple.

– Nili Lotan: Emile silk-charmeuse camisole, $390 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Matteau: Button-detailed woven top, $480 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Proenza Schouler: Sage asymmetric crepe jersey top, $850 (NORDSTROM)
– Helmut Lang: Scarf-detail reversible silk top, $495 (NORDSTROM)
– Khaite: Sani top, $1,280 (KHAITE)
– Zara: Lace camisole top, $80 (ZARA)

Sleek Skirts
Skirts are still in season! Swap floral midis for sleek styles from Róhe, Dries Van Noten, and Proenza Schouler. Massimo Dutti’s white midi skirt keeps a summer vibe but pairs easily with a chic jacket.

– Róhe: Pleated wool-blend midi wrap skirt, $645 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Dries Van Noten: Button-embellished gathered cotton-jersey midi skirt, $580 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Proenza Schouler White Label: Phelan knit skirt, $495 (SHOPBOP, NET-A-PORTER)
– Massimo Dutti: Midi skirt, $180 (MASSIMO DUTTI)
– Alex Mill: Lilly slip skirt, $225 (ALEX MILL)
– Matteau: Woven maxi skirt, $420 (NET-A-PORTER)

Versatile Knits
Stay cozy in lightweight yet luxurious knits as temperatures drop. Try Nili Lotan’s gray cardigan or La Ligne’s chocolate V-neck.

– Nili Lotan: March cashmere cardigan, $670 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Saint Laurent: Wool T-shirt, $1,050 (NET-A-PORTER)
– La Ligne: Ben silk sweater, $275 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Maria McManus: Cashmere deep V-neck cape sweater, $1,290 (BERGDORF GOODMAN)
– Frame: Cashmere crewneck sweater, $498 (FRAME)
– Jil Sander: Wool sweater, $1,000 (NET-A-PORTER)

Great Denim
No wardrobe is complete without perfect denim. Classic blues from Frame, Khaite, and Reformation never go out of style, while Bottega Veneta’s raw denim offers a polished look. Agolde’s ’90s jeans now come in bright white—perfect for post-Labor Day wear.

– Frame: The Loose jeans, $358 (FRAME)
– Khaite: Bonnie jeans, $640 (KHAITE)
– B Sides: Slim Lasso mid-rise barrel-leg jeans, $385 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Agolde: ’90s Pinch Waist jeans, $208 (SHOPBOP)
– Reformation: Arleth straight-leg jeans, $168 (NORDSTROM)
– Bottega Veneta: Intrecciato suede-trimmed jeans, $1,200 (NET-A-PORTER)

Crisp Shirting
A crisp shirt works buttoned up with tailored trousers or open over a tank. J.Crew’s striped style has a menswear vibe, while Alex Mill and Acne offer effortlessly neutral options.

– Alex Mill: Jo shirt, $175 (ALEX MILL)
– J.Crew: Étienne oversized shirt, $128 (J.CREW)
– Dries Van Noten: Cotton-poplin shirt, $470 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Donni: The Oxford shirt, $218 (SHOPBOP)
– Mango: Oversize linen shirt, $96 (NORDSTROM)
– Saint Laurent: Oversized cotton Oxford shirt, $1,190 (NET-A-PORTER)

Tailored Trousers
Tailored trousers aren’t just for the office. A minimalist wardrobe essential, try straight-leg styles from The Row, Veronica de Piante, and Aritzia, or wide-leg options from TWP. They look just as chic with loafers as with kitten heels.

– COS: Pleated cotton trousers, $139 (COS)
– The Row: Alfidis pleated wide-leg pants, $1,390 (NET-A-PORTER)
– The Frankie Shop: Daytona pleated wide-leg pants, $257 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Veronica de Piante: Taylor pinstriped straight-leg pantsNET-A-PORTER
Favorite Daughter
The Favorite pants – $218

SHOPBOP
TWP
New Didi pants – $595

### Timeless Tees & Tanks
Every wardrobe needs a solid selection of tees and tanks—wear them layered or on their own for warmer days.

– Toteme
Garderob jersey T-shirt – $200 (NET-A-PORTER)
– St. Agni
Baby ribbed merino wool camisole – $190 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Citizens of Humanity
Inez waffle-knit cotton tank – $99 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Agolde
Rayne rib tank – $98 (NORDSTROM)
– Lemaire
Cotton-jersey T-shirt – $280 (NET-A-PORTER)
– ME+EM
Crew neck long sleeve tee – $95 (ME+EM)

### Jewelry
Elevate minimalist outfits with delicate pieces from Sophie Buhai, Agmes, or Copenhagen’s Lié Studio. Pair them with a white tee and jeans for effortless style.

– Sophie Buhai
Reversible silver hoop earrings – $325 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Lié Studio
Dora bangle bracelet – $360 (NORDSTROM)
– Toteme
Gold-tone crystal and onyx earrings – $560 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Agmes
Set of two silver rings – $450 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Alighieri
The Lunar Rocks gold-plated necklace – $255 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Mejuri
Bold herringbone chain necklace – $198 (MEJURI)