Minimal capsule wardrobe and accessories to see me through to summer

[generousoffer]

OK

I am sick of every single thing in my wardrobe - all clothes I never wear and nothing goes together. A lot of it is really old and looks tatty.

I am a size 16 but hoping to be a 12/14 by the summer.

So what I was thinking, was packing a lot of my clothes away and buying a (relatively) cheap 'capsule wardrobe' to get me through. Possibly investing in shoes/boots & accessories which will still work if I lose weight, and cheaper 'basic' clothes. Also need a new coat.

I tend to veer towards Boden/Kew but worry I look frumpy. I dabbled with White Stuff/ Fat Face but now realise I look like a dishcloth.

Work part time and rest is school run so smart/casual.

Help

I would do this:

• shop in your wardrobe - bag up everything that is verging on too big, too worn out or you just don't like
• of what you're left with, try to put together a few outfits, and work out how many outfits you can make with that, and what items would give you a lot more options (e.g. would a couple of different cardigans mean you could wear one pair of trousers for work for three days? New shoes would mean you could wear a skirt you're not currently wearing?)
• buy some shoes/ankle boots that will see you through spring and into flip flop weather if you haven't already got them
• go to H&M, New Look or similar for coat that will do for school run and work, no point spending much money as you will definitely want a smaller size by next winter. or look on ebay
• go shopping
• do not go to White Stuff or Fat Face
• Try Kew sale (if it's still on), H&M/New Look if you can be bothered to root around for good bits (strict shopping list will help here), M&S for work basics and cheap t-shirts.

That sounds good.

How many outfits do you reckon I would need? I figure if I have less clothes, it will make things easier.

If you go with a limited wardrobe you may want plenty of accessories.

I know it is dull but if you find the right basic dress - let's say in black, gray or navy you can wear different scarves and necklaces with it and you look like you made an effort and don't have on the same outfit everyday.

Also can be mixed up with different cardigans or wearing a long tee underneath. Different coloured tights, etc.

I would aim to be able to get through 5 days without needing to do laundry, and have maybe 7 days worth of outfits as a minimum. Depends how bored you'll get really, if you're happy to wear the same clothes on rotation, 5 days of outfits plus a few accessories to change the look slightly would prob be enough.

I have hardly any clothes at the minute - approx 3 pairs trousers, 1 skirt, 2 jumpers, 4 t-shirts, 3 pairs of boots, a dress, 2 cardigans, a leather jacket and that's about it! I could do with a couple more items, but on the whole it makes my life very easy. I love all my clothes, and getting dressed is v easy. I only have a couple of accessories, and more of those really would make things easier.

I find I have far fewer summer clothes than winter ones anyway. I survive our usually short summers with the following
Pair of skinny jeans - have bought turquoise pair for this year.
Pair of wide leg linen trousers
5 vests and ts
cotton dress that I can dress up or down
cotton knee length skirt
3/4 sleeve cardigan
breton top
birkenstocks, low wedge gladiator, flip flops and sky scraper wedges.