My Favorite Fashion Blogger Gave Me a Fall 2025 Fashion Makeover
A FREE guest post collaboration with Alex DiCapo Patel
Today, I’m going to do something very different from the usual programming, so bear with me.
For those of you who aren’t familiar, a major Substack gem is the best best by none other than the fashionable yet approachable and down-to-Earth Alex DiCapo Patel. When I first discovered this Substack, I assumed it already had 50,000 subscribers, but much to my shock, she seems to be relatively new on the Substack scene.
I love what Alex posts—not only her recommendations for cool stuff to buy and the stuff she loves, but her inspirational runway photos, some dating back decades. Everything she posts is just a vibe, I can’t really explain it. The other day she postulated that we might have a Diane Keaton fall and I was like, “Yes. YES!!!”
I discovered her Substack around the same time that I decided I wanted to drastically update my own look. Much like mall goths and other niche kitschy aesthetics, I realized that my dressing like a Barbie-meets-Polly-Pocket is about to get really weird once I hit 40, if it isn’t already weird (I wrote about that here.) I joked that I was cyber bullied away from this aesthetic, but I actually just kind of got sick of it (but I do plan to continue incorporating color and fitted pieces, just not…like that, and all the time.)
I got a crazy idea: what if I got Alex to give me a total fall fashion makeover (or at least recommendations for what that makeover would entail) for the coming season? I chose her not only because I really like her work, but because I’m looking to get out of my comfort zone and I like that she dresses a bit differently than I do (in a way that I still think objectively looks very cool.)
I supplied her with all my fashion roundups to show the way I’ve been dressing lately, my measurements, age, the type of things of which I’m getting a bit tired, and the stuff I find exciting. In particular, I really wanted her advice for how to style a vintage 90s Ralph Lauren Purple Label coat I bought on TheRealReal (see below.) And she really delivered!
Because I want as many people as possible to see what she put together, this article is free! Typically, my writing (including my fashion writing) is for paid subscribers, so I encourage you to become a paid subscriber for 5+ articles per week, but there’s still plenty to enjoy as a free subscriber, so either way I’m happy to have you. In a dream world, you will subscribe to both me and Alex below. Anyway, onward to Alex’s masterpiece!
Fall is officially around the corner, and I honestly couldn’t be more excited. I read (right here!) earlier this week that summer is for hot people, and autumn is for stylish ones—and I couldn’t agree more. As someone who claims the latter, this is when I really get to shine.
Since I can remember, getting dressed has been a highlight of my day. I see getting dressed (in a good outfit) as a tool and take great pride in the “fits” I curate. I shamelessly love when others love them too, and find so much joy in coming up with a new outfit combination—or wearing something from my wardrobe I haven’t touched in years. And while I aim to exude an effortless aesthetic, each look is in fact very effortful.
As my style has evolved, I’ve found myself caring less about trends and focused more on timeless, sophisticated silhouettes. That, coupled with my limited closet space in NYC, has led me to adopt the “capsule wardrobe” approach, where my closet is filled with pieces I’ll wear on rotation for years to come. With this evolution has come the simplification of getting dressed, which I have come to realize doesn’t come easy for most.
So when Cartoons Hate Her asked me to share some ideas for fall dressing, I immediately knew a capsule wardrobe was the way to go. Now, having a capsule doesn’t mean you’re limited to ten lonely pieces hanging in your closet, at least not in mine. For me, the capsule is the root, the heart of a wardrobe. The pieces you reach for year-round, wear on repeat, and mix and match to create endless outfits. They’re your true essentials, the foundation of almost every look you’ll build. And because you’ll wear them so often, they’re worth investing in, as the cost per wear ends up being surprisingly low.
Every capsule wardrobe (at least the ones I build!) should start with a few key pieces—a crisp button-down, a trench coat, a blazer, etc. But with Cartoons Hate Her in mind, I wanted to make sure these staples felt fashionable without being boxy, so they flatter her figure while staying versatile. My focus was on styles that work just as well for daytime errands as they do for date night, and that ultimately fill her closet with timeless core staples—the kind that make it easy to mix in trend-forward pieces when she wants to. I also leaned toward contemporary brands that offer a competitive price point. That said, some of these picks are still investments, so I’ve included similar options from Zara, COS, and beyond. Because in my opinion, a great wardrobe can be achieved on every budget if you know what (and where) to buy.
Below I’ve rounded up the best best (this is kind of my thing!) Cartoons Hate Her capsule wardrobe, featuring twenty-five pieces—including a few key accessories, that you can wear on repeat. I’ve built sixteen outfits using these pieces, but the options are endless. I’ve also created a few outfits featuring a vintage coat that Cartoons Hate Her recently got, to show how these pieces can easily integrate with items you already have and love in your wardrobe.
This transitional stretch between summer and fall is the perfect moment to take stock of your wardrobe and layer in a few key pieces for the season ahead. A great outfit knows no bounds, and I hope this makes getting dressed in the morning just a little bit easier, and of course, more fun :-)
Xx, my best best! X
the best best: cartoons hate her capsule wardrobe
Semi Sheer Knit (this piece is just so great, the perfect balance of modest and sexy!)
White T-Shirt (pricer option from Flore Flore, buy my fav tee of the moment!)
Semi Sheer Turtleneck (sleeveless option from Sophie Rue)
Trench Coat (another option from Gap)
Soft Pants (another soft pant everyone should own from DONNI)
V-Neck Sweater (another option from Zara)
Silk Midi Skirt (a slightly longer version via Reformation)
Black Dress (a more modest option via Argent)
Everyday Earrings (I wear these almost every day!)
Classic Black Belt (another option from J.Crew)
Tall Boot (another option from Dolce Vita. I have these too & love them!)
Chunky Earrings (another option via J.Crew)
Classic Heel (another option via Sam Edelman)
Ballet Flat (another option from Mango)
Loafer (another option from Steve Madden)
the best best: daytime fits
the best best: evening fits
Styling Notes:
Look Three: Option to add a Sheer Turtleneck under the Black Dress if you’re in colder temps!
the best best: day to night fits (depending on your plans!)
Styling Notes:
Look One: Style your Black Dress over your Trousers for an unexpected, effortless vibe!
the best best: fits ft. your vintage coat
Styling Notes:
Look One: Style this with a Ballet Flat for daytime, and then a Classic Heel for nighttime!
Look Four: Style your Black Dress over your Silk Midi Skirt to give some extra length for an elevated look!
CHH’s Verdict
Obviously, I love all of this, or I wouldn’t be sharing it with you all! But I can highlight the things I love the most (the best of the best best, if you will) that I am most likely to take as advice:
The cardigan. I’m not a big gray person (when in doubt for a versatile “neutral,” I default to black, white, navy or brown) but I’m somewhat open to a gray cardigan, especially tucked into some straight leg jeans like the Abercrombie Curve Love 90s straight leg jeans that I wear all the time. Realistically, I’ll never buy any other jeans from any other company (aside from the Madewell Emmetts that I mentioned last week) but the ones Alex recommended are close enough.
The barn jacket. I’m not usually into boxy silhouettes, but I actually really love this Barbour elbow patch jacket I already own, which feels a bit similar to the barn jacket. I may like form-fitting clothes, but fall is the season for cozy, and that jacket is kinda perfect.
The trench. I actually already have a khaki trench but it’s a little shorter and I’m wondering if I’d benefit from a longer, bigger piece. The shade she has is also a bit warmer than mine.
The semi-sheer knits. I love knits (this was something I told Alex ahead of time- I need soft, stretchy materials and knits are great for that!) It never occurred to me to wear anything semi-sheer, but I’m open to the idea, especially with layers. The short-sleeve knit top has a really cool shape too, and who doesn’t love a classic black turtleneck?
The flats. As many of you know, I’m obsessed with Vivaia flats, and now that I’ve known that comfort it’ll be hard to wear leather flats again, but they do look really cute. I can’t believe I went for about ten years without wearing flats at all. What the hell was I wearing during that time? It’s all a haze to me. I’m glad they’re back.
I hope you all enjoyed this guest post! Let me know your favorite parts of her recommendations, or anything you would add!
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Was this supposed to be fall fashion ideas for you, CHH? Because absolutely none of these seem like your style, or even like a take on your style. In fact, these seem like the completely generic Everlane-esque styles you’ve specifically defined as not your style. This has none of the colors, skirt lengths, textures, or silhouettes that you usually wear (except maybe the army coat). Am I missing something? Are these actually a subtle fusion of CHH and autumn styles?
Honestly, this reminds me of the "Forever 31" SNL skit.