Spring/Summer Capsule Wardrobe Challenge

[Gizboss]

Hi,
So funds are very limited in my house since I returned to work p/t though all worth it as get to spend more time with DD. Have worked hard to lose 3 and a half stone and just had my birthday (36!) and got a bit of cash about £150 to spend on myself, reckon I could add another £50 to it and need to spend wisely on a Spring/Summer capsule wardrobe. Am hopeless at clothes shopping and impulse buy and then never have anything to wear so I need help to finally get myself a stylish set of clothes that can get me through the Spring and maybe Summer too...I am 5'8 and now a slimmish size 12 with big boobs (32 F), I have decent legs but tummy is still a bit wobbly even after a year of pilates...working on it. I own plenty of jeans so don't need those but need just about everything else. What would be your suggestions for the ultimate capsule wardrobe and places to buy bearing in mind my limited budget. Was thinking of:

Trousers of some description
Dress
Tops (what kind?)
Flat shoes
Skirt

Any alternative suggestions? All seems a tall order for £200. Any suggestions appreciated- I believe some people enjoy doing this kind of thing!!

Well done you - am bumping for you as you deserve some good ideas. I'm in too much of a hurry for links, but will come back later. How about some M&S limitd collection skinny cargo pants and a stripey top - Breton is very big this year. I found when I lost weight that I really didn't want to wear smocky styles again. You could get a tunic style dress to wear with jeans and on its own when it is warmer ( show off those lovely legs). White stuff have some nice skirts this time. Hope some of the fashionistas come along soon to help you properly.

with £200 max I would buy the following

Next wide leg linen trousers in Navy £20
Monsoon 'gloria' denim skirt £40
Monsoon notch neck cardigan in White £38
Gap 3/4 sleeve breton top £8 - £10
3 Next vest tops in neutral colours £5 each (or try Topshop, New Look, Primark for similar)
New Look ballet pumps in gold £7.99
New Look leather plaited wedge shoes £29.99
Monsoon fusion 'lily' jersery dress £45

£205 all in

If you hate all of the above, tell me what sort of stuff you do like and I will have another look

Nice slim leg chinos you can roll up or down are very "now" like thiese

An "on the knee" denim skirt is v useful and goes with almost everything skirt&pageSize=20 like this

A few tops that could go with the trousers or the skirt, along these lines
For summer I love a maxi dress, with your height figure it would look amazing and can be dressed down or up with different accessories I like this

I'd get a pair of neutral coloured ballet pumps, as I like a bit of bling I love these in the taupe colour

And some lovely sandals like these

Wow, thanks all, some lovely ideas - I'm actually starting to feel excited about spending some cash on me!

So, Meggles, I'm liking the look of the Breton tops though might have to try on I think - does anyone know what the fit at Gap is like if you are big busted? Also like the idea of a denim skirt though don't love that particular one, though again maybe ned to try on as generally Monsoon does work on for me. Also, love virtually everything that you recommended Gillybobs though am also wondering about a shorter dress possibly instead of the maxi or maybe as well as if I can swing it!! Perhaps something floral? Is that 'in' at the moment?

Any other ideas very welcome - am actually enjoying the browsing stage for once and will probably not get to order or get out till the weekend so a bit more time for careful consideration : ).
Thanks

IMO Gap tops come up quite generous. I am a dress size 10 and a C cup bust and wear a S in Gap tops. I have evn been known to squeeze in to an XS . If you are fuller busted, the scoop neck one might be more flattering.

M&S also have a nice denim skirt in at the moment -only £22 too .

Glad you liked them, mostly maxi dresses around unless its something a bit smrater maybe like this

Best advice Id give you is to stick to a colour palette and then everything is interchangeable, when you are finished buying all the clothes buy a few accessories (scarf, bangles, fab earrings...)that match too. Oooo, jealous!