Who wants to help me spend £100?

[HippyHippopotamus]

I can't actually remember the last time I bought new clothes . I've been given £100 to spend. I need, I believe they call it, a capsule wardrobe!

Apparently I'm a winter colour. I'm 5'9", size 10/12, small boobs, relatively large hips, small waist. I like to think my style is quite individual but I probably just look a mess! I'm happy wearing skirts, jeans, dresses so no restrictions there

So, who's up for a challenge? Any help gratefully received!

Ps high st shops preferable so I can try them on
Pps I'm willing to spend a bit more if necessary

Charity shops?
I'm thinking that £100 isn't actually very much, and you can get a lot of nice stuff if you are willing to scour charity shops.

You're not going to get much of a capsule wardrobe for £100

Really? Oh
Would it help if I double the budget? Triple? [clueless]

What is a capsule wardrobe? Like on entire outfit?

I thought it was a selection of key pieces that you can mix and match with each other ( and other things) to get many outfits. I may be entirely wrong though!

2 cardigans or jackets
2 tops in coordinating colors
2 bottoms: 1 pair of pants & 1 skirt or 2 pairs of pants

Apparantly, according to wiki, the above is wha you need on a very tight budget. Even that is going to be difficult on £100. I would think you would need shoes too?

I can suggest a couple of items that are very wearable (the tunic can be worn as a dress or with jeans)

M&S Indigo jeans (approx £25)

Phase Eight tunic - link below
www.johnlewis.com/313929/Product.aspx

Hippi, just wiki'd it and yep you are right!

With a capsule wardrobe you are after a few key pieces that are going to last through the seasons. That generally means spending a bit more money than usual. I am currently replacing items in my wardrobe as and when I can afford to. I recommend you do a bit of 'window' shopping (trying things on) to work out what shapes and fabrics you want, then get on ebay. I discovered that ted baker straight wide leg trousers work for me, wrap dresses and knee length skirts so now I just pick up brand new items from ebay for a fraction of what they cost before. My best buy so far is a cashmere camel coloured trench from aquascutum - £40 brand new with tags on. Takes abit of work but it really pays off.

Sue.. Thank you! Not keen on stripes but i'll happily take the tunic/dress idea

Pavlov... Must be true if wiki says it is

I'd find a great dress too - sorry, can't recommend anything as I'm on the look out myself

Thanks for the tip mrsM. I do need help though to find what suits me which is why I'm braving the s&b section!

Well it sounds as though you are pear shaped so you will need jackets, tshirts, blouses, jumpers etc that have sholder details (padding in a jacket, a frill on a top etc) to balance your shoulders with your hips. Keep your waist defined (eg you could wear a wrap dress but one with sleeves that go down at least to your elbow) and stick to either wide, straight or bootcut trousers/jeans. With skirts go for pencil skirts - big a lines will make you look more out of proportion. Slash and v necks are great on small boobs and scarves will add a bit of bulk (and look trendy at the same time).

Your last post has made me smile! It seems I've not been wearing completely the wrong things after all!

Where should the waistband of jeans be? I feel like a frumpy mum if it's too high but hate having a gap between my top and jeans!

Anyone else up for the challenge of helping me? Please? Pretty please?!

I just spent around that mark
Primark skinny jeans £11. Each x 2
Primark base long sleeve t £3.
Primark dress £10.
Primark leggins £3. X2
Charity shop haul
Gap cArdigan £3.50
H and m dress 4.99
Wallis top 3.50
Zara blouse £3.

Still a bit to spend actually....You can do it if you buy cheaper things and some second hand things.
My tip would be to go round big town charity shops the best stuff seems to go there.

Hi -I agree with MrsMartin - once you've found out what size you are in shops you like - get yourself on ebay to find them at the price you like. You can also look at upping your budget by selling some stuff?
I'm also 5ft9ins 10-12 on top, 12-14 on bottom - a pear shape - I l

I think you need the following for a capsule wardrobe:
Black/Navy cotton stretch trousers - straight leg - wear with ballet pumps/converse. Boden via ebay?
Pair of Chino-y type trousers - Next do longer length or Gap curvy cut?
A fitted white shirt with a bit of stretch - Jigsaw, Boden, Ralph Lauren (outlet) via ebay are all good.
1-2 good T-shirts - ie thick with a bit of stretch, Jigsaw are usually good
Cardigans - one black/navy, one in a paler grey or pinky colour -
Black or Navy wrap tops/dresses (again Boden on ebay, or LK Bennett also on ebay) I love this one from boden - I have it in black (from Xmas), blue pattern and just ordered the purple one.

So far, so plain and boring - you then add interest with your (even) cheaper accessories:
Ballet pumps - Primark - cheapy £4 or actual suede leather £12
Scarves - Primark again - £4, or New look £8 (I am wondering about this one for example)
Necklaces etc
I think you've probably missed Monsoon/Accessorise sale - but that is always worth a look when they have the 70% off stuff.

Does that help?

A lovely Mnetter directed me to dressipi.com/

I've got the same amount of money as you to spend and it's already thrown up a load of ideas (there's a under £50 option - even if you'd suit a £1197 coat ) which is great.

Thank you all! Very helpful the lot of you!

I'm now feeling a lot more confident and looking forward to my child free day at the shops :)

Wow, dressipi is amazing! Exactly what i was looking for! Thank you jiminy

question re: dressipi -- it says start for free. What does it cost eventually?

Would second mrsmartin's sensible advice, and would add a recommendation for the House of Fraser outlet on eBay. There are some heavily discounted, good quality bargains on there.

I don't know! Perhaps I should check the small print!

Okey dokey, h of f on eBay it is!

Thank you!

It's totally free AFAIK - think it's because there are sites that cost, so it's stating that you can get started for free?

I've only been on for a few weeks but had no mention of money/cost and given no bank/card details.

No affiliation so can only judge on my experience but I love it!