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One of my favorite things about fall fashion is that you don’t need an entirely new wardrobe to make your closet feel fresh again.
Sometimes, all it takes is one great shirt and a few smart layers.
3 Easy Macy’s Layering Looks to Create a Fall Capsule Wardrobe for Women Over 50
I recently stopped by Macy’s looking for a little fall style inspiration and found the perfect striped button-down from On 34th, Macy’s own contemporary brand. Instead of building several completely different outfits, I decided to use that one shirt as the foundation and simply change the layer on top.
The result? Three easy fall looks that feel different without requiring a closet full of new clothes.
And honestly, that’s my kind of capsule wardrobe.
Start With One Versatile Striped Shirt
A striped button-down is one of those pieces that works almost year-round.
You can wear it alone, tuck it into jeans, leave it open over a tank or use it as a lightweight layer. For fall, I especially love it because it gives you a neutral foundation without being boring.
The one I found at Macy’s has enough structure to look polished, but it still feels casual enough to wear with jeans and boots. Make a note that it is a relaxed fit, so I recommend going down a size. After all, oversized doesn’t have to look sloppy.
From there, I tried three different toppers.
Look 1: Cropped Denim Jacket
A denim jacket is one of the easiest fall layers because it works with almost everything.
I especially liked the cropped silhouette of this On 34th version because it gave the longer striped shirt more shape instead of covering it completely.
This would be such an easy everyday outfit for errands, lunch with friends, a football game or travel.
Pair it with:
– Dark denim
– A striped button-down
– Cropped denim jacket
– Brown ankle boots or loafers
Yes, you can absolutely wear denim with denim. Just vary the wash slightly so it looks intentional.
Look 2: Brown Cable-Knit Cardigan
This may be the most classic fall look of the three.
The rich brown cardigan instantly warmed up the striped shirt and made the entire outfit feel more seasonal.
I also love that this kind of cardigan can work almost like a jacket during those early fall days when it isn’t quite cold enough for outerwear.
For women over 50, I think this is such an easy way to make a basic jeans-and-shirt outfit feel polished without feeling overly styled.
Add a pair of dark jeans and brown boots and you have an outfit that can go almost anywhere.
Look 3: Textured Cropped Jacket
This one was the most fun.
The fuzzy, textured jacket gave the same striped shirt a completely different personality. Texture is one of the easiest ways to make an outfit feel more interesting, especially if you tend to wear a lot of neutrals.
Instead of adding more color, you can mix materials like:
- Denim
- Cable knit
- Suede
- Faux shearling
- Bouclé
- Leather
That keeps a fall capsule wardrobe interesting while still making everything easy to mix and match.
The Fall Capsule Pieces I’d Add
If I were building a small fall capsule around these looks, I would keep it simple.
- A striped button-down
- Dark wash jeans
- Cropped denim jacket
- Brown cardigan
- Textured neutral jacket
- Brown ankle boots
- Tall brown or cognac boots
Those few pieces could create far more than three outfits.
You could also add a simple white or black tee underneath the jackets, swap the jeans for black pants or wear the cardigan over a dress. (I loved the dresses with a tshirt top and pleated skirt I found from On 34th in my try-on video below):
That’s really the secret to a useful capsule wardrobe: every piece should work more than one way.
Why I Love Shopping This Way
At this stage of life, I’m less interested in buying something just because it’s trendy.
I want pieces that make getting dressed easier that answer questions like:
- Can I wear it with jeans?
- Can I layer it?
- Can I dress it up or down?
- Can I wear it more than one season?
If the answer is yes to most of those questions, it earns a place in my closet.
That’s why these On 34th pieces caught my attention. They feel current without being overly trendy and they’re easy to combine with clothes you probably already own.
Shop My Macy’s Fall Capsule
I linked the pieces from these looks, along with some of my favorite fall boots and denim, in my Fall Fashion Capsule for Women Over 50 collection.
You can shop the full collection through my Motom affiliate shop.
And there’s always a great Macy’s sale going on, but if you shop before 10/5, Star Rewards members will earn 5x points!
This post is part of the Macy’s Style Crew campaign. #macysstylecrew #macyspartner #Fall
