The perfect capsule wardrobe/ make up routine

[cordeliajane]

Hello everyone,

I was hoping for a bit of advice from some of you fashionable ladies.
I haven't bought many clothes for myself since having the DC (several years) for various reasons and I seem to have fallen into a bit of a rut and not kept in touch with fashion.
Now we've completed our family and I would love to make a bit of effort with my appearance. I'm also returning to work which is another reason to make a bit more effort!
I would like to buy some basic pieces that are on trend but fairly classic and can be mixed and matched and added to in the future.
What would you recommend for basics and what are the current trends to look out for? I would also love some basic make up advice as I don't usually wear much. I am a bit ignorant about primers/ concealers. Does anyone have any good tips?
I am 5ft 7 and size 8-10.

Thank you so much :)

I am over 50 and have just got rid of all my bootcut jeans because they look so old fashioned, also current shoes do not go with them at all. Would suggest fairly narrow straight jeans if skinny really don't suit you.

adelaide- I think I will save the Eve Lom cleanser, etc for the seriously minted types. I am sure it's great but will never be squeezed into my budget at that sort of price! :)

Skinnies can look good but mostly on teenagers and v slender types. I agree with meggles that bootcut/ straight cut jeans are much more flattering for most people. I do find it a bit silly to confirm to passing fashions which actually don't suit your body type at all.

cheapsmells.com has bfb on sale at the moment.

"Older Women" - 40's ???? Very skinny jeans only look good on the slender, but straight cut is far more flattering than boot cut, which now look so suburban and dated. I have sent mine to the charity shop as I am now embarassed to be seen in them.

The lifespan of clothing gets ever shorter.

Don't even think about keeping your clothes for more than two years. Buy few but fashionable, wear everything to death, and then start again.

Trousers (which date horrendously) can be bought in Gap/Zara for peanuts and look fine. Spend more on tops and coats.

Glad you like the Falke. I have dark grey and navy rib, and some pale grey, and love them!

I have also splurged on invested in four pairs of Maria La Rosa socks this winter. Uber-glam and cosy!

Yes, I think even cashmere deserve a hard working life and early retirement these days .

bonsoir- it would be lovely to replace one's entire wardrobe every 2 years but for most people this obviously isn't possible!

Surely a classic, good quality coat/ piece of knitwear/ trousers, etc should last many years? What about all the lovely vintage pieces that are still floating around?

Would love to hear your advice on capsule wardrobe/ current trends :)

I'm with Bonsoir - better to have fewer good/current pieces and wear them loads.

I don't think any clothes are timeless really - well maybe the odd thing but not much really. Its the details that change and date something.

I tend to spend money on jeans/coat/sunglasses/bag and the rest of my stuff is done fairly cheaply.

I think skinny or straight/slim leg jeans are the way to go personally as bootcut can look very mumsy which is not flattering.

And after finally stopping bf I am embracing dresses with opaques and shoeboots.

I would head to Bobbi Brown for make-up advice - I love their pot au rouge for cheeks. Lancome or Chanel for foundation, Dior for mascara, bourjois do lovely natural eye shadows, Estee lauder double wear eyeliner and a nice tinted lip balm/gloss.

For cashmere that does last - Brora sale - still £££ but if you look after it - it lasts. I go for the classic round neck cardigans.

I'd agree very much with getting fewer better quality things - but then you must wear them! It is no good looking at them in the wardrobe and waiting for a special occasion. Everything dates, but some things more quickly than others, this year there seems to be a much slimmer outline across the board, with tighter dresses as well as trousers - slimmer cut coats too. I have slimmed my wardrobe down a lot this time, sold off the lovely things I just don't wear and used the money to buy 3 really lovely dresses, and good quality skinny jeans. I also think cashmere is great - I've got some patterned vintage pieces which sell for about £60 on ebay and are very much up to Brora standard ( all Scottish, some are Pringle) They should last me a few years.

Thx tracey- will be heading out to try on some different styles of jeans!

I have also started embracing dresses and tights recently as they feel more feminine.

I actually do have some Bobbi Brown pot au rouge and it is brilliant!

Brora is so ££ and lovely- surely you wouldn't bin that after 2 years and surely it wouldn't date in that period?! (shocked emotion).

Oh no am hoping my brora lasts longer than 2 years

And agree with higgle re pringle - keep your eye on the outnet as they have quite a bit of pringle cashmere. I got navy v neck jumper for £60 a few weeks ago and its lovely and should have been nearer £200.

Regarding the high street - Dorothy Perkins is worth a look - good quality jersey and very reasonable. Obviously a lot of dross but the odd good thing. I had a lovely maxi dress from there for the summer.

Right, will have a look at DP. Have actually never ever bought anything from there.

What is outnet tracey- a website??

Do you wear chunky, knitted cardigans with dresses? I haven't had to start wearing anything heavy yet as weather quite mild but am concerned that long, chunky knits look a bit frumpy and mumsy. What do you think?

Chunky knits make you look huge in my opinion.
I'd rather wear two layers of a fine knit.

Re chunky knit cardis - try longer waist coat types - much more flattering

And am with Bonsoir - most things date very quickly - Its easy for us middle age ladies to start to look a little to 'Classic'

Urgh ... chunky knits and boot-cut jeans. Should be outlawed.

My capsule for winter: slim fitting jeans, fitted stretchy good quality tops (all black or stripey at the moment - all diff fabrics - cashmere, cotton etc), three pencil skirts, 10 pairs of good qual. tights, my Prada sunglasses, fitted wool mix coat from Therapy, a leather handbag, leather biker boots.

Lancome foundation, NARS bronzer, Clinique powders concealers and blushes, Maybelline mascara.

90% of things in my closet get binned after about two years just because they look scruffy. Probably 40% or more gets binned after the season.

Chunky knits are ok if they add texture and bulk in the right places - Bootcut jeans just look old

if bootcut jeans are out - how can you wear trainers/pumps? Wouldn't they look odd with straight cut jeans?

Personally ? I wouldn't anyway, but lots of the fashion students I know do - some with leg-warmers - some just look like Pingu

I think trainers/pumps/converse look fine with straight/skinnies.

It depends on the colour, and how big your feet are and how skinny the jeans - they should not be as tight as leggins! If you are not doing serious walking the wedge heeled Ash style trainers look very good, or alternatively tuck them into your biker or other flat boots ( not tight heeled boots though) A pair of flat dark Camper style casual shoes look very nice with straight legs or skinnies.