What do I need for an ideal capsule wardrobe?

[littleredsquirrel]

I have just been through all my cupboards and had a massive clear out of all the stuff that's been hanging around for way too long. My throw out pile is much much bigger than my keep pile. I have barely anything left.

I need to start again and its a bit overwhelming. What do I need? I'm 40 in a couple of weeks, slim, 5'4", long dark hair, olive skin, green eyes, tend to wear a fair amount of makeup, tendency to wear dressier clothes rather than very causal.

Budget is I guess up to about £700ish.

Help!

Book an apt with a personal stylist to help your budget stretch further & introduce you to styles & colours you haven't previously considered.

www.johnlewis.com/our-services/fashion-advice-service

are you going to ebay your old clothes to supplement your clothes budget? If you include outerwear like your wintercoat then your original budget wont go far but it depends on where you shop.

I can leave winter coat out since I won't need one for a while (and actually I have a couple from previous years).

I'm not sure anyone will want my old clothes. I was quite ruthless but since I haven't been ruthless since about 1999 there was quite a lot there that is dated and has just been shoved to the back of the cupboard for years.

I have stuff left over that I'm keeping but not much. So far I've worked out I definitely need a couple of pairs of jeans, a new dark blazer or something similar, a more casual throw on zip up hoodie type top (my beloved superdry one has died on me), tops to go with jeans, going out shoes, day shoes.

I suspect I really need to properly lay out what I've got left over and take a more structured approach otherwise I'm going to end up with more stuff but still not feel like I've ever got anything to wear.

Is there some sort of method to doing this properly?

I can up the budget if necessary but for someone who rarely shops it feels very extravagant.

Okay-this is just my idea of a capsule (I have recently done this and it makes life easier). Firstly pick four colours that work well together for neutrals and a brighter one for some accessories. For me my wardrobe revolves around black,white,grey,tan and red.

This is what I worked out I needed

Shoes-
Tan leather thong sandals
Black biker boots
Taupe suede multi buckle boots
Nude ballet pumps

Bag
Slouchy taupe/neutral hobo bag.

Trousers
Wide leg black

Tops
Boatneck 3/4 sleeve
Slouchier linen t-shirts

Dresses
Black tube maxi for layering
Empire line maxi

Skirts
Long linen maxi in white
Maxi in black jersey

Cardigans
White,red and black lighter ones for layering

Vest/cami
In all colours

Jumpers
Longer thigh length v- neck slouchy ones
Shorter ones for going over dress.(cashmere)

Cropped denim jacket

Silver cuffs and bangles.

I don't wear jeans but insert cut that works:)

I think if you build a wardrobe around plain basics they last you longer and you get sick of them far less.

I already had red ballet pumps, Bretons, red wedges,black leather slouchy bag.

In terms of budget -it is doable. Most of my stuff I picked up when Boden (wide neck tops) had an offer/sent a voucher or I went through Next Clearance and picked it up half price (boots £35 each).

You have to go on there early in the morning as that is when all their stock is updated and is the best chance of picking up some bargains.

The bag is in their main section and is very lovely and about £45. It is big and has a leather bottom -can you tell I'm pleased with it?

I love Autograph cashmere as it lasts and washes well. I have picked mine up new on eBay for a quarter of the normal price. On Next Clearance they have a neutral and navy one ( look under signature) for £35. Not my colours but a bargain for those who suit them.

Next cardigans are good for summer( £18?)It's the basic crew that comes in an array of colours and the vests are good too.

I simplified my make-up too. Now I suit a true red lip and the best one I have found is No7 stay perfect -love red. It sticks around and doesn't feather. I like Revlon Colorstay foundation for oily skin, MAC Brule eyeshadow, Avon glimmersticks eyeliner and No7 mascara. For red toes no7 devil red is lovely.

Hope some of this helps!

If you are on Pinterest do a search under capsule wardrobe. There are lots of templates on there such as '13 pieces, 30 outfits' etc. Might give you a clearer idea of what you need, and some of them show pictures of how it all fits together. Obviously adjust the colours to suit.
I'll be doing the same when I go back to work in September.

I also did this recently -and then put a 4 week ban on buying anything new except a white shirt! It forced me to make outfits from what I had left which by definition suited me and were in good condition -I was surprised at how few times I genuinely need new stuff to make up an outfit. Mind you I did lots of 'shopping' on line but just didn't checkout.
So far I've worked out I don't need clothes -I need new underwear, some glam flat sandals, a pair of stud earrings and a new tote bag probably structured in some way that could do for work if needed (work trip abroad when I only want one bag - work and evening) -oh and I need a haircut and colour.... But I actually don't need any clothes.

here it is :)

Have you had your colours done? It is really worth it for getting a capsule wardrobe together where everything goes with everything else.

Thanks everyone. I just popped into next and outfit on the way home for a quick look around picked a couple of things up but then put them down again. Lots of stuff felt very cheap and think maybe I'm better upping the budget and getting fewer but higher quality pieces given that I don't shop very frequently. I've also just found a £120 marks and spencer credit note in my purse so that will help.

I am going to spend tomorrow afternoon going through what I've got left in the wardrobe to see where the gaps are.

I definitely need:

Going out shoes.
Couple of cashmere jumpers.
New poncho since I wear mine a lot and as a result its had it.
A couple of pairs of new jeans

(Hmm I've just realised that could quite easily swallow the budget!)

I haven't had my colours done, maybe I should look at that. Olive skin, dark brown hair green eyes. In general I think red and emerald green look best on me (but I might be wrong!)

Just work out if you are warm or cool. Do you suit camel or grey,pure white or cream? Then build your wardrobe around neutrals in that family. Work out your contrast levels and repeat in clothing.

I buy Next stuff online as all the best stuff seems to miss the shops. Like all shops you have to really seek out the few gems amongst much meh. If you do want to build an entire wardrobe around natural materials and keep in budget- eBay is probably your best bet otherwise £700 won't go far.

Putting me together blog is good for ideas here

Just spent ages trying to work out my colours. Its not straightforward is it?! If I do a quiz online I come out warm. If I hold colours up to my face I quite frankly have no idea. I think I'm either a deep autumn or a deep winter.

I think it is easier to work out colours that really don't work first so for me mustard,olive,beige,brown,orange,camel and peach all look hideous so I therefore know I am cool toned.

Those online quizzes are just confusing.