People with style - help me construct an autumn capsule wardrobe!

[Acidophilus]

I have lost many clothes in a pipe burst incident and home insurance has paid out. I can use £1000 to reconstruct my wardrobe.

Great.

Except I am terribly unstylish. I want to be stylish but I have no eye so it only works when I slavishly copy a photo I see that I like.

Help me find a few outfits that will make me look fab and effortlessly stylish all winter.

I am nearly 40. 5'11. A small size 12 or large size 10 depending on the brand. Small of breast. Best feature is my legs, worst is my stomach.

I wear suits at work so I don't need workwear.

I want comfy, stylish casual wear. Any ideas? Or any blog recs to inspire me?

I find trousers, skirts and shoes the hardest to choose.

[Squashit]

I'll help 🙂 I would suggest starting with a neutral capsule. With your figure I would suggest keeping stuff fitted on the bottom and slouchier on the top.

If you have a bit of a stomach then denim leggings from Next are excellent as they are high waisted but clingy to show off your legs. Layer one of their longline vests over the top and then it smooths everything out and lets you wear shorter tops/jumpers.

Phase Eight is really good for longline or asymmetric jumpers. Also Poetry. White Company too.

Shoes wise I think a neutral pair of converse, a pair of loafers and low heeled ankle boots will give you plenty of options. Aldo, Hudson and Mint Velvet are good for boots and shoes- as are Jigsaw.

There is a really nice layering slouchy cashmere roll neck jumper in the
sale on Pure at the moment.

If this is the sort of thing you are after will get you some links 🙂

Also straight leg jeans rolled up work well

[Squashit]

Style ideas...

[Squashit]

Cont......

[Squashit]

And......

[Squashit]

Cashmere slouchy layering knit in sale---

www.purecollection.com/clearance-sale/new-sale/cashmere_oversized_poncho_grey_camel_xl_grey_camel.htm

Big sale on Amazon for Aldo shoes.

[Squashit]

I have these boots and they are not too high, comfortable and flattering....

www.mintvelvet.co.uk/product/elsie-taupe-tassel-ankle-boot/12034

[Squashit]

I also bought this casual suede slouchy bag from John Lewis and the pictures do not do it justice.

[Passthecake30]

Wow squash, you're amazing, can you do me next

OP, I am 6ft and a 10/12 but I am not stylish in the slightest. I like Long Tall Sally for jeans (36" leg) and have lots of their long sleeve jerseys, a couple of their long tunic jumpers, Next Tall leggings and Dorothy Perkins Tall jeggings.

[Spooladot]

I love all these pics too! Squashit, any chance you could list where they're from? In particular the cream coat and jeans pic, and the black dress and boots combo?

[ilovecherries]

I actually just want Squash to take me shopping. She always has lovely ideas.

[Acidophilus]

Squash - I love your suggestions. Where are the knee high brown boots in the first photo from? I also adore the black dress and boots photo.

I will look at next demin leggings today. I sort of hate skinny jeans/jeggings as they are never comfy so i was hoping you'd say they are now passé but if they aren't I will continue to try and embrace them.

What do we think of this cashmere jumper? Is it too colourful? I know you said neutral but I wondered about a splash of colour:

[Acidophilus]

Oops. Here is the link. I could get it for 30% off: www.wyselondon.co.uk/collections/sweaters/products/luca-star-sleeve-charcoal

[WhooooAmI24601]

Love that jumper, OP, it's beautiful. F&F at Tesco do cashmere jumpers which - if you look after them - last perfectly. They're ridiculously priced at under £40, too.

Pinterest has loads of gorgeous outfit ideas for winter, it really is my go-to place when I want something smart but comfortable and cosy in winter.

[Crazy8]

I think Squashit needs to help some of us shorter folk too .
I'm 5' 2" and a size 10/12. Slight mum tum. Still trying to lose baby weight although last child is now 10!!!!

[Passthecake30]

crazyget back in line

[Tiedie]

I'm the same height, size and shape as crazy. If there are two of us, we get to jump a place in the queue, right?

[Artyfarty555]

Squash you are amazing! All of those things l like and you make it sound like a new wardrobe should be effortless! .? I need you in my life or a new capsule wardrobe. I would love the money and confidence just to start from scratch. I turn Fifty in a few weeks and would love to not worry about clothes and just feel fantastic in everything l want to wear.

[Bert2e]

I'm the same size too - well a bit bigger really but the same height so that makes three of us so we can make our own queue!

[randomer]

About 5.2". Old and porky. Any ideas?

[Crazy8]

Surely us shorties win passthecake30. Now we just need to wait for Squashit to return. What can we tempt you with Squashit ?