7 Outdated Fall Essentials I Discovered in My Closet and Quickly Got Rid Of

      If you think it’s a bit dramatic to declare something outdated and suggest it's time to remove it from one's closet, I understand your perspective. I believe people should wear whatever makes them feel good, and the fast-paced fashion cycle can indeed be quite frustrating. However, there are times when people appreciate being updated on what's currently in style instead of spending the time to research runway trends or celebrity fashion. That's where I come in; my role is to simplify this process for you. The focus here? Basics.

      The advantage of basics is that they typically transition at a slower rate compared to trendier pieces, with some remaining timeless, like white crewneck T-shirts, black miniskirts, and trench coats. As I do every fall, I recently assessed my basics to identify what I needed, and while doing so, I found several items that no longer felt as stylish as they once did. Nonetheless, I’m confident these basics can be refreshed in new styles. You can take this information as you like. Continue reading to see the outdated basics I decided to part with and the ones I’ve retained, along with options for your own fall wardrobe.

      Removing: Cargo Joggers

      Keeping: Wide-Leg Pull-On Pants

      I may be a bit biased since I've never been a fan of cargo pants, and cargo joggers are definitely not my style. They are best left out of my wardrobe. In contrast, I always have wide-leg pull-on pants in my closet. They can be easily dressed up or down and come in various materials—from poplin to satin to linen.

      Shop Wide-Leg Pull-On Pants

      J.Crew

      Cosmo Pants in Luster Charmeuse

      Reformation

      Olina Linen Pants

      H&M

      Wide-Cut Pull-On Pants

      Removing: Distressed Jeans

      Keeping: Dark-Wash Denim

      I wouldn't say distressed jeans are completely out, but sophisticated denim feels much more current, with dark-wash jeans leading the way. Any outfit featuring dark jeans appears significantly more polished compared to ultra-casual ripped styles.

      Shop Dark-Wash Denim

      Madewell

      The Vintage Flare Jeans

      Citizens of Humanity

      Miro Relaxed Jeans

      Removing: Shrunken Leather Moto Jackets

      Keeping: Leather Bomber Jackets

      Every year, a specific style of leather jacket stands out as everyone's favorite. Luckily (since it is an investment), this popular style tends to stick around for a few seasons. While shrunken moto jackets were once ubiquitous, oversized bomber jackets are currently in vogue, and they couldn’t be cooler.

      Shop Leather Bomber Jackets

      NOUR HAMMOUR

      Ariste Oversized Paneled Leather Jacket

      ZW Collection

      100% Leather Bomber Limited Edition

      THE FRANKIE SHOP

      Viper Oversized Leather Jacket

      Removing: Round-Toe Block-Heel Ankle Boots

      Keeping: Pointed-Toe Kitten-Heel Boots

      Wearing outdated footwear is a quick way to make an otherwise great outfit look stale. I recently discovered a few pairs of round-toe block-heel ankle boots in my closet that I hadn’t worn in years, so I promptly donated them to make space for more polished pointed-toe kitten-heel boots. These elevate the look of all my pants and jeans.

      Shop Pointed-Toe Kitten-Heel Boots

      Madewell

      The Dimes Kitten-Heel Boots

      Toteme

      Leather Ankle Boots

      Removing: Off-the-Shoulder Sweaters

      Keeping: Baby V-Neck Sweaters

      While I am keeping some off-the-shoulder tops, off-the-shoulder sweaters aren’t among them; I believe that silhouette undermines the purpose of a sweater. I’m excited about the return of the V-neck and will be adding several baby V-neck sweaters to my collection since they offer a modern twist on the classic style.

      Shop Baby V-Neck Sweaters

      Reformation

      Dulce Cashmere V-Neck Sweater

      abercrombie & fitch

      High V-Neck Sweater

      Banana Republic

      Oversized Cotton V-Neck Sweater

      Removing: Midi Sweaterdresses

      Keeping: Silky Slip Dresses

      I’d be glad to be proven wrong, but I have a hunch that sweaterdresses will soon be less in style. The runways have recently showcased lots of silky dresses, and slip dresses are highly versatile, which is why I'm keeping mine.

      Shop Silky Slip Dresses

      Wilfred

      Pavilion Satin Dress

      j.crew Collection

      Lace Slip Dress

      Gap

      Lace-Trim Maxi Slip Dress

      Removing: Long, Oversize Cardigans

      Keeping: Crewneck Cardigans

      There was a time when I was obsessed with oversized cardigans, but I’ve swapped them out (at least in my closet) for '90s-inspired crewneck cardigans. I’ve lost track of how many I have and have no plans to stop expanding my collection.

      Shop Crew