I’m a Wardrobe Consultant in NY—Here’s What You Should Keep (and Ditch) for Fall

There’s nothing like a change in seasons to encourage us to tackle a closet cleanout. With the cool weather on its way, fall is the perfect time to refresh, update, and take stock of our current sartorial inventory.

So what are the items that deserve a place in our cold-weather wardrobes, and what should we be ditching this season? To get more insight on the subject, we tapped New York–based wardrobe consultant and personal shopper Yasmine Jean to share the items we should consider keeping and setting aside now that we’re officially settling into fall. But first, to get your wardrobe into tip-top shape, Jean recommends "storing clothes by category or by season so you can get a clear vision of what you have. When organizing your clothes, be sure to use coordinating hangers and have separate rolling racks for formal clothes and jackets. The most essential items that you wear the most should be at the forefront of your closet and easy to access.” 

Jean recommends asking yourself these five questions when considering what to ditch this season:

Now that we’ve covered what you may want to set aside this season, read on to see Jean's tips on what to consider keeping in your fall wardrobe.

Thigh-High Boots & Booties

"Whether they're leather, flat, or heeled, not only are thigh-high boots surprisingly wearable, but they are cold-weather wardrobe staples. You can slip them on over jeans or leggings or style them with a skirt that falls below the top of the boot."

Fedora Hats

"When it gets chilly, wool or fur felt fedora hats are always a stylish choice. Fur felt hats tend to be slightly more costly than wool, as they are water-resistant. A forest green hue is perfect for the fall and winter months, pairing beautifully with burgundy, yellow, brown, blue, dark gray, and other green hues."

Trench Coats

"A classic trench coat is a fall wardrobe essential. They are classic, versatile, and practical—ideal for rainy or windy weather. They also work for colder temps with the addition of some layers. Trench coats are timeless and exude an effortless elegance. I tend to buy my trench coats at ASOS."

High-Waisted Jeans

"Given denim's versatility and the fact they look good with pretty much everything in our closet, fall is the perfect time to invest in a fashion-forward pair. High-waisted jeans look chic and polished and work for every occasion. Everlane has some great denim options, and Fashion Nova also has excellent denim for curvy women."

Black Pieces

"Black is a versatile hue we all need in our wardrobes. Whether it's a sleek pair of pants, a skirt, jacket, or an LBD, the color is a fall wardrobe staple. Nasty Gal is my go-to when choosing black items that are trend forward and affordable."

Neutral Hues

"A neutral color palette is stylish, versatile, and easy to wear. You can always add statement jewelry like gold earrings to add polish to your look. Moreover, neutral hues, when worn together, exude an expensive and luxurious look." 

Black and Tan Leather Jackets

"Leather jackets are one of the few things I wear year-round. They're classic and cool and look equally good over a shirt, hoodie, or lighter jacket. In winter, they provide some extra insulation under a coat; in autumn and spring, they're just the right weight. When choosing the right color for a leather jacket, tan and black would be the best choice, as they pair well with any item in your wardrobe."

Turtlenecks

"One of my favorite things to wear throughout fall is turtlenecks because, first and foremost, they’re cozy—ideal for the cold-weather season. But they're also sexy, sophisticated, and smart, transforming any outfit with zero effort required. Whether you choose a lightweight fabric or a chunky turtleneck, they're universally flattering and are easy to layer, for example, under a sleeveless sweater-vest."

Floral Maxi Dresses

"Effortless, floral maxi dresses needn't be reserved solely for warmer weather. Opt for a maxi dress you can wear from summer into winter with the addition of layers."

Blazers

"Blazers are a must-have in any fall wardrobe. And if you're going to buy only one piece, I'd say make it a blazer! They're a magical piece that will instantly pull together any outfit, and they transition from work to weekend seamlessly. There are plenty of styles to suit every taste—from tweed, wool, cropped, and double-breasted."

Up next: The world's best shoppers share the coolest pieces to buy this fall.