Summer to Fall Transitional Capsule Wardrobe

This transitional capsule wardrobe post was originally written in 2023. Revisiting it a couple years later, some items are no longer in stock and popular colors then may not be as popular now. (Not that this should stop you from wearing them—you know how I feel!). I don't want to entirely recreate this post as it was valuable at the time, so instead, I'm updating it. I will add a handful of new items at the end of this post that you can still add to transitional capsule wardrobe with ease.

I was invited by Talbots to peruse their new arrivals and share some items I feel would work well this summer, and also look great as we head into fall. I was impressed by the collection and I immediately began thinking of creating a summer to fall transitional capsule wardrobe. Inspired by Talbots' color Blue Majesty in their new arrivals, I created a capsule wardrobe of pieces totally wearable now, but equally as versatile and stylish as the temps drop into fall and even into winter.

This post is sponsored by Talbots, but all thoughts are my own.

Looking at the new arrivals from Talbots, I instantly thought of my mom, who loves clear bright colors like magenta, turquoise, and royal blue. Blue Majesty is the color blue she is always wishing retailers would offer and I know once she sees this summer to fall capsule wardrobe she'll be placing an order with Talbots!

I love this shade of blue too. It's cheery but not a spotlight stealer. It adds a timeless pop of color to neutrals like black, white, navy, and gray and provides elegant contrast to olive, taupe, cream, and camel. I also love pairing a blue like Talbots' Blue Majesty with other brights like Barbie pink, mustard yellow, leaf green, and chartreuse.

For this summer to fall transitional capsule wardrobe, I used Blue Majesty as the base, and styled it with white, denim, and a Glen plaid to let the color be the hero of each outfit. While Talbots is my go-to for staples like knit tops, jeans, and shorts, there's a good chance you may already have similar pieces in your closet. I hope this capsule inspires you to shop your closet for summer to fall transitional dressing, and see how those items may be able to live new lives with the addition of some new pieces or colors added to your wardrobe!

Summer to Fall Transitional Capsule Wardrobe

This capsule wardrobe offers looks that will take you to work, to weekend, and even your end of summer vacation getaway. Classic pieces with a chic touch, you will feel stylish whether you're leading a client presentation or enjoying a sunny afternoon with friends on the front porch. These pieces will transition to cooler weather with ease and are elegant classics that will remain chic come next year.

Every piece in this summer to fall capsule wardrobe from Talbots is available in their extensive size range of Misses, Petite, Plus, and Plus Petite. The only exception are the jeans, which are not available in Plus Petite (but these are!). Talbots offers sizes 2-24W; tap this link to see the Talbots size charts.

Shop the Capsule Wardrobe

striped top | white tank | blue sweater tank | blue button-front shirt | plaid blazer | ankle jeans | white shorts | plaid pants | blue cropped pants

Sample Outfits from the Capsule Wardrobe

If you visit over on Instagram, you will see I made a Reel video showcasing outfits I created based on pieces from this capsule wardrobe. I don't own every single piece in this capsule, but I have enough to show you some styling ideas. I have placed these looks throughout this blog post.

I also created 16 looks from the nine pieces in this summer to fall transitional capsule wardrobe. I made collages to show how many looks can be made beyond what I have above. Again, to see these images larger, click any image and use the arrows on either side to scroll through. When complete, click anywhere outside the collage to return to this screen.

To complete these looks in the collages, I used shoes, jewelry, and other accessories from Talbots. Use the carousel below to shop the additional items in these collages:

Shop the Capsule Wardrobe Accessories

Updated Transitional Capsule Wardrobe Pieces

As stated earlier, many of these pieces unfortunately (but expectedly) are no longer available. Nonetheless, I'm still a huge fan of Talbots (… just check my Talbot archives), and know their pieces are both affordable and high-quality. That said, here are a handful of pieces that you can add to your transitional capsule wardrobe in 2025.

Boyfriend Denim Shirt

This isn't the first time I've raved about the Talbot's denim—I also talked about it in my post, “Refined Denim Mini Capsule Wardrobe.” The truth is that denim, especially denim shirts, will always transcend trends. They're closet staples which naturally turns them into perfect pieces for a transitional capsule wardrobe.

I'm no stranger to a classic denim-on-denim look—you can see something similar here in my Instagram post. But if you're not sold on the idea, pair this top with other monochromatic classics—like white or black. You can leave the sleeves down for a relaxed look, or roll them up for a little structure. It's a shirt that you can keep in your closet for years to come.

Faux Suede Moto Jacket

One of the reasons I love fall so much is because I can begin layering my outfits with all of the outerwear I looked longingly at during the summer time sitting in the back of my closet. Moto jackets, denim jackets, leather jackets, thicker-knit blazers—I love them all.

And if you're looking for an updated layer to add to your transitional capsule wardrobe, this suede moto jacket is a great choice. It features a front zip closure with zip pockets for convenience, and the product details note that it should hit just above the hip. I'm looking forward to suede layers not just because they're warm, but because they do a great job of adding a little sophistication to an otherwise relaxed look.

Straight Ankle Jeans

I've said it before, but I highly recommend Talbots denim if you're in the market for a new pair, no matter if you're petite, plus size petite, or have soft curves. And if you're primarily shopping for traditional styles, cuts, and colors, you really can find plenty of pairs to fit into your transitional capsule wardrobe.

In this case, though, I thought these straight leg ankle jeans were ideal as they tend to never really slip out of whatever is trending at the moment—no matter what year it is. This particular pair features adjustable side tabs for a seamless fit, on-seam side pockets, and back pockets. They're also offered in misses, petite, plus, and plus petite, in sizes 0-22.

Pull-On Shorts

Fall offers plenty of those awkward cool in the morning, hot in the afternoon temperatures, making it hard to figure out which pieces to add (or not add) to your transitional capsule wardrobe. And when it comes to shorts, I know some folks aren't as comfortable wearing them, and that's okay. Ultimately, you're a grown-ass woman who deserves to wear what you feel comfortable in.

However, if you're not comfortable wearing shorts because of potential opinions from others, don't let that deter you from enjoying the style (or your body). I've talked about the best shorts for grown women before, so head over there once you're done here. Nonetheless, these 6″ shorts would be a great addition to a transitional capsule wardrobe. Not too long, not too short, not translucent or uncomfortably slim-fitting. They're perfect to wear as you wait for the weather to make up its mind.

Lightweight Woven Stretch Tank

If you've been part of the Wardrobe Oxygen community for a while, you know how I feel about the Chico's Microfiber Tank. It's a staple in my closet, transitional capsule wardrobe or not. That said, not all tank tops are made the same, so you deserve to picky with which ones you spend your money on.

I can't attest to the quality of this woven stretch tank, so I can't tell you how well it does or does not hold up to your tried-and-true options. But as far as comfort and style go, I think it's a strong contender. I like the subtle geometric pattern and the soft rib knit trim. It also claims to be wrinkle-resistant and made with SunWell UPF 50+ protection. Tank tops never truly “go out of style,” so I think it's safe to add this to your transitional capsule wardrobe.

How do you feel about these pieces? Have you tried any of the updated products I listed and have an opinion on them? I'd love to hear all about it.

I hope this summer to fall transitional capsule wardrobe inspires you to shop your closet, but also to check out the gorgeous new arrivals from Talbots. And stay tuned as you will be seeing me wearing these pieces for the remainder of the summer and into the remainder of the year!