Business capsule wardrobe

[Socialaddict]

Can you help me create a capsule wardrobe for work for the Autumn/winter season. I'd like smart mid-range (price wise) clothes. What would you buy?

[Pisssssedofff]

Jacket, skirt, trousers and dress in the same fabric. Whistles, jigsaw.

[Joneseygirl77]

I tend to have the base of the same fabric suit as pisssedoff said but I also have some Zara colour Blazers which I interchange my trousers/skirt/dress with. Also buy silk tops/shirts that can be worn with all items. I find Reiss, Jigsaw and Banana Republic good for work bits.

[PhyllisWig]

I'm working on one at the moment. I've been reading a few blogs and like the idea of buying in 3s. So 3 skirts, 3 trousers, 3 dresses, 3 jackets with 12 tops (t shirts, shirts, knitwear, vests) then 3 sets of shoes/boots. The plan is for one jacket/trousers/dress/skirt to be a suit because I do have some occasions where I need to be the business end of business casual.
I'm looking at Boden/Hobbs/jaeger/John Lewis but in the sale or outlet shops as much as possible.
Am planning on 2 neutral colours, 2 accent colours and ivory.
As you can tell I'm enjoying this. So far I have a coat.......

[KeepOnPlodding]

Mine is very boring...

Black trousers, black skirt, black dress, a couple of black tops
Navy trousers, navy dress, navy top
Beige/mink blouse and top
Red jacket, beige/mink jacket, black jacket (makes a suit with black skirt)
2 or 3 patterned dresses (worn with one of the jackets)
Couple of scarves and some jewellery.

Rough maths is that's at least 20 different combinations.

[Pisssssedofff]

I've gone navy, red, teal and stone, I probably look like I work for an airline but oh well

[rubybleu]

I effectively have a capsule wardrobe. I wear dresses, nearly all pencil shape as it suits me the most. All are either navy or work with a navy toned jacket. I've got five jackets, either blazer or collarless, that work with the dresses. Makes dressing for a smart office very easy!

[stiffstink]

I have about 8 dresses, mainly black but with colour/patterns. I usually go without a jacket if I'm just at my desk and grab my generic black jacket if I have a meeting.

That ^^ is a very discreet placemark in the hope of livening things up.

[CalleighDoodle]

I need a new work wardrobe ao following with interest. Are we allowed to add images / links?

[Itscurtainsforyou]

I need ideas too!

I've thought about having a "work uniform" to make life easier, so have a couple of white shirts and a pale blue shirt, I have a brown blazer and a navy blazer but then I'm stuck!

I don't do skirts but may do dresses at a push. So far in my head, I need:

• brown trousers
• navy trousers
• some smart tops other than shirts above
• dress in brown

I do have two navy dresses (one shirt dress) that will probably fit the bill.

I have shoes in brown and in black - can I wear black shoes with navy? I really struggle for comfy shoes so have no hope of getting some in navy! I also have brown knee boots I'm hoping to wear with dresses.

I also have a couple of nice work bags in brown and grey/blue.

Is there anything else I need to think about?

[Socialaddict]

Great ideas, thank you for all your suggestions! Links/pictures are most welcome of course. I'll make a shopping list and shall hit the shops . Really like the idea about buying in 3s, sounds super and definitely will create lots of combinations.
I like navy, beige, black and usually buy these colours for work but now shall start adding some accent colours too. This should liven things a bit.

[RebelandaStunner]

White and pale blue shirts
Navy Wool pencil skirt
Grey/white pencil skirt
Black trousers
Dark grey dress
Summer dresses several- navy, grey, black, white.

Reading that back it sounds a bit like a school uniform!

Jaeger, Hobbs, M&S mainly.

[RebelandaStunner]

Oh and short cardigans in dark and light grey, navy, blue.

[Socialaddict]

Haha rebel it does sound like school uniform indeed. I think the trick is the clothes to be of decent quality so they do not look cheap and tacky after a couple of washes. Good colour choices though.