I know, I know: Spring is when you're supposed to do your big closet reset, but for me, fall is my season for switching over my wardrobe and dropping all the dead-weight pieces I never wear. It's time to bid farewell to my too-worn, stretched-out summer basics and replace them with fresh, up-to-date versions for the autumn and winter months. I'm already late to the task, having allowed fashion month to distract me from my sartorial duties, but I have time now, so before I get distracted again, I'm locking in. Summer staples, begone. Fall ones, prepare to be welcomed with open arms.
While some of my fall and winter basics restock for 2025 will include pieces I've bought time and again—think Uniqlo U crewneck tees and J.Crew cashmere sweaters—this year, I'll also be refreshing my collection of wardrobe essentials with especially "right now" pieces like V-neck knits, extra-dark-wash jeans, and boatneck tops. They're still basics, but they feel more modern and relevant for the upcoming season, adding some interest and intrigue to my otherwise mundane seasonal top-up.
Scroll down to see what other fresh basics I'm stocking up on for the cold months ahead.
Dark-Wash Jeans
When I tell you that I own 50 pairs of jeans, I'm not kidding. I really need to work on getting rid of the pairs I haven't worn in years, of which there are many, especially now that I'm ready to replace a ton of my lighter-wash, wider-leg jeans with dark-wash alternatives that have a more fitted look. They just look chicer, especially during fall and winter.
V-Neck Cashmere Sweater
Cashmere sweaters are another category I own too many of, but unfortunately, very few in my collection feature a V-neck, my current favorite knitwear style for layering with white T-shirts. V-neck sweaters simply feel more interesting and refined than crewnecks and turtlenecks this season, which is why I'm investing in a slew of new, fresh versions from the likes of J.Crew, Nordstrom, and Almina Concept.
Slim-Fit Ankle Boots
One reason I've never loved ankle boots is because too often, the ankle is too wide and bulky, making it look odd with slimmer jeans. This season, though, I've been seeing a ton of slim-fit ankle boots that are leading me to believe I need a pair (or more). Personally, I'm eyeing Khaite's Nevada boots, which have a fun but subtle Western look to them, but Zara and Raye are both also making pairs worth buying and wearing again and again.
Boatneck Tees
Though I will, of course, stock up on all-new sets of plain white T-shirts for layering this fall and winter, there's another top style I'm also planning on buying that feels a touch more 2025 coded. Yes, I'm talking about boatneck tees, aka the shirt Sabrina Carpenter, Hailey Bieber, and more can't stop wearing. It feels far more elegant and sophisticated than a simple crewneck, which makes it more for wearing on its own—with a big coat, that is—than just layering under sweaters.
Black Trousers
I don't know about you all, but so many of my black trousers from past years feel like the totally wrong fit for what I'm looking for in 2025. Either they're too loose, too puddly, or too high-waisted. Instead, right now, I'm looking for slightly loose, lower-rise black trousers that feel relaxed but still polished, and luckily, brands like Reformation and Rue Sophie make perfect versions for fall and winter.
Collarless Blazer
Though I'll never completely wipe my closet of classic blazers, I am looking to replace a few of my existing versions with more fitted, collarless alternatives that feel more in line with my tastes and personal style in 2025. I especially love Reformation's Morning Doug version in burgundy, which was from the brand's collaboration with former Who What Wear cover star Nara Smith.
Burgundy Knee-High Boots
If you're in the market for knee-high boots for fall, let me sell you on skipping black and buying a burgundy pair instead. I have personally been smitten with the boot color ever since I saw Saint Laurent's Françoise pair, which has practically sold out everywhere. Fortunately, a newer version has arrived on the brand's site, called the Jill boots, while Reformation and Zara have also joined in on the fun.
Pencil Skirt
This winter, expect to find me in pencil skirts (paired with sheer tights and knee-high boots) all season long, even more than jeans or trousers. I find this skirt trend to be the epitome of classic sophistication and elegance, so I'm fully on board with making it my most-worn basic of the remainder of 2025.
Long Coat
This is the first almost-winter that I've seen an abundance of super-long, tailored coats to choose from. It's my favorite outerwear style since a maxi coat can completely hide whatever you're wearing underneath, thus becoming *the outfit*, but until this year, the only really good options were from Saint Laurent, and I, personally, couldn't afford one. Now, Revolve has tons of versions.
