What do I need to complete my capsule wardrobe?

[sewbee]

I already have:

White jeans
Indigo skinnies
Indigo straights
Black straights

Black tailored trousers
Navy tailored trousers

Grey cigarette linen trousers
Stone straight linen trousers
Navy wide-legged linen trousers
Black wide-legged linen trousers

Black pencil skirt
Grey tube pencil skirt
Black and red check high-waisted pencil skirt
Linen stone skirt


Soft jersey shift dresses x 3 - all prints in navy/grey/black/purple

Navy cardi
Black cardi
Pink cardi
Red cashmere crew
Black polo

White shirt
Pewter jersey top
Tees in black, red, white
Vests in black, white, pink

Navy blazer
Black blazer
Smart stone cropped jacket

Black knee boots
Black court shoes
Black patent flats
Black strappy sandals

White earth spirit sandals

I'm happy I have ethe basics - maybe too many? Just need to know what to add to make the magic happen.

My style (newly diagnosed) is classic with a SMIDGE of ingénue.

Not sure how to modernise the classic TBH, it's all a bit dull, dull, dull :(

5'6"
Brunette
size 10/12
age 50 (and feeling in in all this dowdiness)
Winter colouring as per HoC

[craftysewer]

Maybe some scarves?

[MsAspreyDiamonds]

Silver & statement jewellery
a few quality handbags
good underwear
good haircut

[sewbee]

Thanks they sound good - I need more tops too but no idea what shape things for a classic.

[MsAspreyDiamonds]

Book an appointment with a stylist at John Lewis or Debenhams (I think they are free) & they can give you an idea of shapes & styles which suit.

[sewbee]

Do they do the whole 'style' thing? I had no idea. Thanks msasprey :)

[SimLondon]

Wow - that is more than capsule wardrobe, but hey I'm jealous :-)
otherwise I agree with MsAprey

[Mrswellyboot]

Holy moly that's a lot

[Mrswellyboot]

Sorry not helpful...
I like classic clothes and have had a major declutter
I have a capsule wardrobe much, much smaller

Three pairs navy trousers
One pair of jeans
One pair of black

Some gym wear

About ten dresses (only really wear two)
one pencil skirt and couple of 'going out' tops

Two capes

Navy lace jumper
Nice batwing black batwing jumper (wear bright tops under)

Lots of Breton style t shirts
Good few shirts / print tops

Good few long macs in different colours (matching heels)

Lots of longline cardis in red etc.

[MsAspreyDiamonds]

www.johnlewis.com/our-services/fashion-advice-service


m.debenhams.com/wcsstore/DebenhamsUKSite/faq/our_services/personal_shopper.html

[Cherrypie32]

A bright coloured shoe?

[Floisme]

Personally, I would just go and find something you love - anything - and forget about everything going together. But then I'm not a fan of capsule wardrobes. Yes we all need basics but I also want clothes that I absolutely love and that make me feel great; if that means having some stuff that doesn't go with everything else then so be it.

[HelloBoys]

I'd add 1 or 2 on trend tops - tshirt with print, lace or leopard etc don't have to be expensive can be cheap but just for variation.

Or a colour you love. I got a bright red top (short sleeves) with ribbon tie back detail (Massimo Dutti) but it suits me and will zing up a few outfits.

Scarves are great but ensure they're you and you'll wear them.

Statement or diff jewellery (again can be cheaper).

[HelloBoys]

Ha floisme you got it spot on!

I think basics can work but you do need stuff (well I do) that you love.

Have seen a few train travellers lately (commute) and the ones who add zing to an outfit look great whether it be bright skirt etc.

[babySophieRose]

You could add a bit of colour in my opinion, tops, scarfs, dresses, hats, jewellery.

[Awks]

I think you have more than enough basics and like others say maybe just a shirt in gingham or a nice denim shirt. Plus some jewellery. A Michael Kors tote in a bright colour would look lovely with everything you have too

[sewbee]

Thanks a lot! That really helps. I can see I have too many basics in my safe colours but that's because I've been HoC'd and am now a bit limited as a result. You know that thing when you're worried you'll get it wrong so you just do nothing at all? That's me.

I really do need to add colour, I've recently had a major declutter and these are the things I'm left with, a lot are old and I'm hanging onto to save me making any more buying mistakes.

The idea of the capsule wardrobe wasn't to limit my clothing items per se, it was more to do with the fact that my old buying style was to buy a random 4 tops that didn't go with any bottoms I thought limiting the basics to be neutral colours would help somewhat.

Realyl appreciate your thoughts, thanks

[LordPalmerston]

A capsule

[sewbee]

Thanks lord for your kind attention, regrettably your advice is underwhelming

[whereisshe]

I'm a HoC winter as well and the colours that suit us can be a bit OTT! I stay in neutrals (grey and black, I rarely wear white as it doesn't stay white) but add one colour, usually teal because I like it. So I keep an eye out for scarves and tops in teal as well as the neutrals. Seems like you've chosen red in the same way?

I agree with the others who said accessories. Skinny black patent belt, great sunglasses, a few bags (dressy, casual, evening), jewellery etc. The interest doesn't have to come from the clothes.

[sewbee]

Thanks, where that's good advice too. I need to find some statement necklaces maybe. I'm quite fine-boned and can get overwhelmed easily with chunky stuff but fine jewellery just adds to the dull look.

I love teal! The bright pink accent is too much for me but I love cobalt blue and a blue red.

Does cobalt work with light grey?