I Hate Making Returns, so This Is My Failproof Fall 2026 Shopping List

Shop the eight pieces I'm sure I'll wear over and over this fall and beyond.

Allyson Payer's avatar
By
Published In Buying Guides
Collage of a woman wearing a purple scarf with a gray sweatshirt and jeans, a satin The Row Cecily bag, and a woman wearing ballet pumps.
(Image credit: @lucywilliams02; @annabelrosendahl; @lindatol_)
Jump to category:

No one wants to have to deal with returning something. Sure, the refund in your bank account is nice, but the disappointment and hassle? Not so much. As someone who makes the vast majority of my purchases online and hates making returns, I've become quite good at choosing items that I end up keeping, so stick with me.

With fall on the horizon, now is the perfect time to re-up your closet for the season, and I've been busy figuring out what to add to my wardrobe. My shopping list is now set, and it's filled with returnproof items I feel confident about recommending. I even already own some of them in other colors. Pro tip: Be sure to check the item details—such as measurements, fabric, and care instructions—before placing your order.

If you're ready for a fall wardrobe boost, scroll on to shop the covetable items along with me.

Latest Videos FromWho What Wear

Royal Purple Accessories

Purple is shaping up to be fall's biggest color trend, but if you're not ready to go full-on, even just adding an accessory in the hue makes a big impact.

J.Crew's New Rollneck Sweaters

In addition to new colors in last year's wildly popular Rollneck rerelease, J.Crew recently introduced a cardigan and a cropped half-zip iteration. Needless to say, I want them all.

Reformation Blaine Flats

I already own Reformation's Blaine Flats in black and have worn them a million times, and they're so comfortable and chic that I'm this close to adding another pair to my wardrobe. Currently, it's a toss-up between these three colors.

Frame Pixie Gray Jeans

These are the perfect low-rise jeans if you're on the short side—not cropped but not dragging on the ground.

Polo Ralph Lauren Triangle Scarves

You can tie it around your waist now and around your neck once it gets cold. Now, if only I could decide which to order.

Madewell The Archival Boots

I'm drawn to how timeless and simple these flat boots are. I imagine they'll give outfits a vintage air.

Comme Si Cobalt-Blue Socks

Cobalt is actually rivaling purple for the buzziest color trend of the year, and the new way I want to wear it is via socks. Comme Si makes the best ones on the market, in my opinion.

Polo Ralph Lauren Bomber Jackets

This classic Polo Ralph Lauren bomber jacket is selling out everywhere, so if you find it in your size, take my advice and order it.

Allyson Payer
Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater arts. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.