Capsule wardrobe for professional woman with kids

[Romann]

Have any of you successfully devised a capsule wardrobe? I want to have one, plus would probably have another section of closet for cocktail dresses/event wear as we are out quite a lot and I don't want to give up dressing up altogether. I just feel like I waste 1/2 hour per day in deciding what to wear and putting it on!

I work in a smart/casual environment and am happy with smart/casual at non-work times too. I hate to look a mess whatever I'm doing. I also cycle to work and would prefer not to change. Any suggestions what to look for? I don't want to look the same every day, and I don't like black much. I think I've got quite a good way with a scarf which might help :)

[JapaneseMargaret]

You had me until the cycling-to-work-and-not-wanting-to-change spec.

This makes it fairly challenging. I don't see how you can wear, for example, a tailored jacket comfortably on a bike.

Anyway... I'm a professional, with kids, and I basically rotate:

• cigarette trousers
  
• straight leg trousers
  
• 7/8 trousers
  
• full midi-skirt
  
• jersey dress
  
• pencil skirt
  

...with...

• fitted long-sleeved tops
  
• well-fitted slim-line cardis
  
• tailored shirts
  
• chiffon shirts
  
• scoop-neck Ts
  
• wide-shouldered, sleeveless tops in summer
  

And accessorise with various belts and scarves depending on the season. I pretty much always wear heels. I'm sure there's other stuff as well, but that's it in a nutshell.

None of it particularly suitable for cycling in!

[Bonsoir]

Loads of professional women cycle to work in Paris. I'm on holiday right now but, from memory, short short skirts/dresses or slim fitting trousers are the starting point for the cadre sup en velib look. Agree with PP that you need a comfortable top to make the bike thing viable. I would have thought that sleeveless print tops, Marni-style with a not too fitted jacket might work to ensure comfort for biking plus some interest because capsule dressing can get boring.

[gastrognome]

I cycle to work too, and dresscode at my work tends to be smart-casual as well.
I definitely don't have a capsule wardrobe though! And I do wear a lot of black.

But staples are straight leg black trousers from Mango, white shirts from H&M and New Look, knitwear from Zara. Esprit for jackets. Occasional Desigual or Mango dress.

If I want to wear a skirt (usually black or smart denim knee-length pencil skirt), I go for black leggings underneath while cycling and take them off when I get there.

And I always wear heels to work - no problem wearing them for cycling :)

I also have a pair of waterproof overtrousers in my bike basket for emergencies and a lovely rain poncho. Looks ridiculous but keeps me dry.

[Snog]

My solution is jersey dresses from phase eight and similar. I do need to change my shoes though as I scuff them up on a bike.

[Romann]

I can cycle in all that except the pencil skirt japanese !

It's not actually that I don't want to change, more that I want to be able to go on my bike to lunch/shops or whatever during the day, without putting a tracksuit on or whatever!

I do cycle in heels, and I have an inelegant poncho! Jackets ok as I put them in the pannier. I also have some James Perse sort of unstructured ones that are great.

I need to make a list. Thanks for the tips. Bonsoir I've just really reached an age and stage where I want to look more Parisienne . I used to think it was dull, then I turned 40.

[JapaneseMargaret]

Fair enough. :)

I'm in NZ, and it's perhaps a bit more 'cross-country' terrain-wise here, even in the cities. Impossible not to build up a sweat. People cycle here to work, but no, not in their work clothes.

[Romann]

I'm in Oz and pretty much the only one not in Lycra, but it's only 5k for me so I don't feel the need really. I'm not a very sweaty exerciser generally!

[JapaneseMargaret]

It's more the hills here, especially in my city!

Sorry, really didn't mean to derail the thread. :)

[JapaneseMargaret]

I would've thought, MrsW, but it seems it's just you and me...