Well, if I was slowly coming around on the NSale by the end of my Wish List post, this little capsule wardrobe situation has me now firmly rooted in giddy territory. I am deeply smitten with all 14 items here — and the eight outfit ideas that are suggested below are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. There’s a lot of good stuff here, so let’s get into it.
Boho-Chic Vibes: A Fall Capsule Wardrobe + 8 Outfit Ideas
At its foundation, these pieces are all classically timeless, but there’s most definitely a little bit of a bohemian energy going in the blanket coat and those shearling-lined platforms that makes the whole thing hum with what I’m going to call restrained whimsy. Restrained because, as tempted as I was to pull in a great pair of flares, I feared things could get just a wee bit…what’s the word? Costumey. (Not always a bad thing, but maybe not a look you want to repeat every day over the next three months.)
Instead, I went with nearly foolproof straight-leg denim. And, yes, a pair of skinnies. I’m not done with them yet, and at the end of the day, a pair of stretch skinnies are comfy, flattering and versatile. A major caveat here, of course? This wardrobe skews decidedly warm-weather, as in…bare legs might not pass in the fall where you live. With that in mind, that sweater dress would work just as well over a pair of tried-and-true black leggings. Faux leather, even, if you’re feeling fancy.
Click on the image below to quickly shop all the pieces pictured.
(Pssst….when you’re done here, be sure to head over our #NSale cheat sheet to see what the team has been trying and buying since the sale began. If you want to whole shebang of our coverage, check out our Nordstrom Anniversary Guide.)

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In short, this capsule is everything I want to be wearing this fall. And, yeah — maybe it’s just a little bit fantastical. Considering how much time we spend on foggy walks and muddy trails, the gorgeous Staud boots might not be the most practical choice. (There’s a reason these Timberlands are topping my wish list.) But if I lived in the city, or worked in an office — or even if Lana were a little older and involved in more independent activities — the Stauds would be an easily justifiable investment.
Plus, I said this capsule is everything I want to be wearing. That little aspirational element suggested by the italics? Just makes things all the more fun.
Outfit Idea 1: Late Summer Brunch
I saw this Rails shirt in store today (not in my size, unfortunately), and I kinda love the Potter-esque whimsy of the lightning bolts, but they’re pretty subtle. True to Rails, it’s also delightfully soft. And I’m also the proud new owner of these P448s. Super comfy, and I don’t know how they work their lacing magic, but they’re easy off and on without having to tie/untie them any special way. (I wear an 8, and the 38s are perfect.) All in all an easy outfit I’d feel comfy stuffing myself while wearing, but also, you know…cute.
(Note: the dress has been going in and out of stock, so check back if it’s showing sold out. Or this one would function identically in the capsule, too.)

dress | shirt | bag | sneakers
Outfit Idea 2: Running Around Town
Quintessential dropping the kiddo at school, returning all the library books, buying all the oat milk kinda outfit. Errands, real life. The little square neck top is actually a workout piece with a built-in bra, so you could easily workout in the morning, swap your leggings for jeans and be well on your way without even having to wrestle your way out of a sweaty sports bra.

sweater | tank | sneakers | jeans | bag
Outfit Idea 3: Mom’s Night Out
Let’s be real: this blanket coat was more or less the inspiration for this entire capsule. I have a really similar one that’s going on 10 years old, and it’s such an eclectic statement-maker, but also feels really timeless. Love that the platforms are fun without being too over the top.

jacket | bag | jeans | tank | jeans | sandals
Outfit Idea 4: Bake Sale Best
Oh, you know, just casually doing stuff…all the school stuff (bake sale, PTA meeting outfit, back-to-school night, raffle runner, whathaveyou) and looking put together and current but never trying too hard all the while. The neutral theme here keeps everything feeling even more chic than the sum of its parts.

cardigan | bag | tank | sandals
Outfit Idea 5: At The Trampoline Park
Or the regular ol’ park, or the playground, or the zoo, or the movies, or anytime you want to be reliably comfortable in a t-shirt and jeans…but with a hint of effort.

tee | shirt | jeans | sneakers | bag
Outfit Idea 6: Dinner + Drinks
Va-va-voom, we’re putting the short dress with the tall boots, and I feel OK about it because the heel height is totally reasonable, and also we should all be rocking short dresses with tall boots if we damn well please. (This is where I might add leggings or tights if you were anticipating a chilly evening.) Side note: Chris would call this “a classically flattering combination.” And it’s not like I dress for him, but if we’re talking date night here, it might be nice to know he’s feeling it.
(Note: the dress has been going in and out of stock, so check back if it’s showing sold out. Or this one would function identically in the capsule, too.)

Outfit Idea 7: Pumpkin Patch
Unapologetically autumnal, and those Potter-y lightning bolts are maybe a little on the nose, but I kiiiinda love the whole thing together. The sweater unzipped and half-tucked is actually far more interesting than it looks to be here, too.

shirt | sweater | bag | jeans | sneakers
Outfit Idea 8: Falliday Party
This is the exact outfit I’d want to wear for Friendsgiving or for hosting friends for drinks after the pumpkin festival here in town. The almost all-black outfit is super chic, and the hue of the boots is warm without reading too orange-y. Would also be great for dinner out, or even for the office, too (just wear a square neck bralette under the bodysuit if it shows too much skin).

jacket | bodysuit | jeans | boots | bag
If you’re shopping the sale, be sure to check out our updated NSale cheat sheet, and you can find all of our 2021 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale coverage here. And thank you, as always, for supporting TME by using the links in our posts. We so appreciate it.
Happy shopping, friends.
xo,
Em
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I love the blanket coat (casual boho PTA mom right here) but am uncomfortable with companies using native designs without any actual native representation. Pendleton is very good about that now, using native artists to create their designs and donating a portion of the proceeds to the American Indian College Fund, and recently Minnetonka, which traded on native iconography for decades without any affiliation whatsoever, has started changing that and working with native organizations to give back.
Thanks for the update on Pendleton! I’ve had a note here to look into WTF Pendelton was doing re: their designs (I’ve been a longtime fan of the company, and was seriously hoping for the best), so thanks for the update.