Summer capsule warderobe - what to put on list?

[jumpyjan]

I got some fantastic advice here in the autumn re putting together a winter capsule warderobe - I actually felt like I looked good and had loads of outfit options all winter long. Am now gutted its sunny and I am once again clueless and have nothing to wear - plus I am so much worse at dressing for summer.

I dont need masses of clothes, want to look stylish but needs to be practical for running around after DCs etc. Oh and have hideous toe nails so only closed sandles and I look awful in pastels which seem to be in -not easy!

[jumpyjan]

Think I am beyond help then Am actually relieved its freezing again and I can stick to my trusty winter wear!

[ujjayi]

Jumpyjan - what size/shape are you? What kinds of things do you feel great in? Any thing or colours you really dislike?

I am starting again with my summer wardrobe too. I unpacked it all yesterday and was spectacularly underwhelmed by the selection - so much of it is looking tired and worn. So, things I am keeping which I think make good basics are:

Straight-leg cropped trousers in white and khaki (think ankle skimming rather than mid-calf )
Selection of 50s vintage dresses
White broderie anglaise tunic dress
Magenta a-line cotton skirt (just above knee) - I don't like denim minis but this is a good staple, looks stylish and I can still play football with the DCs when worn with Converse.
Red maxi dress.
Converse in navy
Strappy flat leather sandals

So I think I need tops and knitwear and I would like a printed maxi too. I would also like some more casual dresses - I love 50s vintage but sometimes the weather is gorgeous enough to warrant something strappy and lightweight :)

[Spookey80]

I lived on my two pairs of ankle hit chinos, as the weather wasn't great last summer. I wore them with pretty cotton tops, kinda gypsy style, different colours. Vests for when weather warmer. Chino type shorts again worn with prettier tops and converse or scrappy sandals when hot.
From this I deduce that I need some dresses, but I only like dresses on me when it's really hot, or with leggings or tights in winter (when I live in them), so must work on finding some nice casual dresses.
Loads of cardigans and zip up hoodies. Also good for pairing with dresses and chinos is a denim jacket. Which I take everywhere. I am also a scarf fiend, as a cold bod, I always have a big cotton scarf with me, and it also doubles as a blanket for lo in pushchair.

[jumpyjan]

Your selection is interesting ujjayi - the broderie anglaise tunic sounds lovely - what do you wear it with? I know what you mean about mid calf I tried some denim ones the other day and they did not look good on me.

I am size 12 and 5'5 and generally feel good in classic feminine clothes. I think I have decided I cant get away with vest tops in summer anymore but have good legs so dont mind getting them out.

This would all be for casual as work warderobe sorted. I never go out really so its all day wear, doing stuff with the dcs and occassionally escaping on my own so something a bit nicer for then .

Thanks for your help.

[jumpyjan]

Thanks for the ideas spooky. Am definitely going to investigate some ankle length trousers. The thing is a lot of the summer is not actually that hot so its very tricky!

[Spookey80]

My main thing is to get quite plain basics but splash out on a beautiful top that you really love to go with it. I always buy a few nice things, that I always feel good in , so if hair is shit, or I'm feeling a bit frumpy I can put this on and it helps. Worth the extra expense if I love it, and wear it loads.

[GraduallyGoingInsane]

It's trickier in the summer, but my staples from last year were:

-Long length vest tops in navy, white, pink, yellow
-Cropped cardigan in navy, red, pink, yellow
-Navy and white striped blazer
-Breton striped top in navy and white with 3/4 sleeves
-Beige chinos, rolled up to flash a bit of ankle
-Denim/cream mid thigh shorts (I leave the hotpants to the DDs!)
-Floaty knee length skirt
-Just above knee length A line dress
-Flower print just above the knee shift (nicer than it sounds)
-Tan coloured mocassins
-White converse low tops
-Silver strappy flat sandals

I tend to pick a colour palette (in case you didn't guess, I go navy and white with flashes of red/pink/yellow) and run with it...that way everything matches!!

[mrsebojones]

My staples will be:
sand chinos rolled to ankle length
skinny slouch jeans rolled to ankle
red linen trousers - slated by many on here!
Denim shorts
Vests
pretty cotton blouses
lightweight Fc jersey dress
cotton cardigans
stripe breton top
Tan high wedges
low wedge sandals
flip flops

[Howmanytimes]

How about here for some ideas:

youlookfab.com/2008/07/23/mom-on-the-go-flop-proof-outfit-1/

youlookfab.com/2008/07/31/mom-on-the-go-flop-proof-outfit-2/

youlookfab.com/2008/08/13/mom-on-the-go-flop-proof-outfit-3/

[ujjayi]

oh yes, forgot hoodies (which I think look fine with cotton a-line skirts or shorts when running around after DCs) and breton tops. I bought them from H&M last year but I think they have changed the fabric supplier for them because they now bobble really quickly.

I also did a further mooch in the depths of my wardrobe and uncovered pale pink & coral skinnies and a pair of red chinos (really must not let on to DH...this is fast scuppering my new wardrobe plans!)

Jumpy - I wear my tunic with leggings and a cardigan on cooler days and have worn it by itself when on holiday in a warm country. Just remembered, however, that I have a nude full-length slip now so I will try that beneath to see if I can get more opportunities to wear it by itself.

Layering is key in this country and H&M do some great lightweight slubby long sleeve tees which I wear beneath my dresses or tops on cooler days. I have given up the hope for a long hot summer and have become far more realistic in my summer clothes shopping. I do, however, keep a small selection of "holiday" clothes which satisfy my need to have at least a few "wafting around a Greek island on a balmy evening" items in the wardrobe. I'm nothing if not an optimist :) Like Spooky I am never knowingly without a cotton scarf about my person. H&M do the best selection and they are very reasonably priced too.

So basically, I guess from the other responses we are looking at:

ankle skimming crops/rolled chinos - one neutral, one bright.
selection of vest tops & tees (long & short sleeve) & more structured tops
dresses: tunic style, tea dress, maxi etc
leggings
cardigans
hoody for more casual days
sandals

Having a colour palette is the way to go. I generally have navy/white/red with the odd bit of green in there but am going to try to go for more pastels this year: pink/yellow/blue/mint green.

[jumpyjan]

This is just so helpful. Thank you so much, I am actually feeling more excited than daunted now!

I am def going for:
ankle length trousers - possibly the h&m ones that were mentioned on here earlier
breton stripped tees and 3/4 length tops
Pretty skirt
Cardis
Relaxed jumper/hoodie
Converse or similar pumps
Sandles (that cover horrid toe nails)
Dress

I think I may go for a navy white stone/ neutral palet.

I would like a scarf and wear them loads in winter and have seen a gorgeous one in h&m but not sure how to wear them in summer - with tees?

[ujjayi]

Is there a link for the H&M trousers?

Yep, scarves with tees and I also wear with vest tops and dresses too.

[jumpyjan]

howmany those blogs are great - thank you.

[jumpyjan]

ujjayi cant link at the mo but they are the h&m 5 pocket £14.99 slimfit stretch trousers as recommended by missbeehiving. My pallet is going to be neutral navy white and lemon so think I will go for the sand beige - am I getting the hang of it?

[ujjayi]

Sounds perfect :) I would also think about elements of bright royal blue and coral with that colour mix too.

[jumpyjan]

ooh thanks ujjayi I love Coral and its a colour I can wear. My shopping list is coming together and I am going to do a big online shop tonight. Havent managed to find a skirt at all - there seem to be so few around.

Thanks again for your help.

[Spookey80]

I've picked up some great ideas on here too- we've just got to hope for some summery weather soon! :(
R.e scarves in the summer- I think as long as the scarf is lightweight and either cotton, linen or such like, they are a great throw over/cover up thing to take when out and about in this British weather.

[AngryFeet]

My wardrobe for summer is:-

Green dress (can't link as they have sold out)
Navy striped dress
dress
Red Dress
This cardie in black and pink
Navy wide legged trousers
Blue skinnies
Coral chiffony top
Black jersey blazer

Plus denim jacket, indigo bootcut jeans, a few vests/tshirts from Primark and some black wedges, gold tbar sandals and white pumps.

[AngryFeet]

Weird the red dress is the £1.99 H&M one from the sale. Not sure why the link has gone funny.