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Original poster

Help please. Starting a capsule wardrobe from scratch...

13 replies

incogKNEEto · 30/08/2014 22:03

I have been looking at my clothes and they are in a sorry state. I live in jeans and t-shirts/jumpers, but they are all well past their best. I think I need a complete new wardrobe, but on a budget!

I have no idea where to start. I think I am an inverted triangle shape-wise (narrow hips/wide shoulders/bit of a belly). I am 5' 9" tall and a 12/14 on the bottom and usually go for a 16 on top to allow freedom of movement for shoulders/arms.

I have dark hair (reddish brown), blue eyes and pale-ish skin.

I don't like restrictive clothes, and I don't wear skirts/dresses. I like practical, comfortable clothes and prefer cotton/acrylic to wool/nylon fabrics as the 'feel' of the material is important to me!

I would like some ideas for key items to buy that I can mix and match. Sorry for all the likes/dislikes but thought I'd write it all down in case anyone can give me some clues. Please help Smile

OP posts:
lordnoobson · 30/08/2014 22:05

JEANS

SHOES

T SHIRT
SHIRT
COAT
JACKET

Original poster
incogKNEEto · 30/08/2014 22:15

Thanks for the quick reply lordnoobson I have a few more questions!

Skinny or straight leg jeans? I have quite a long body, so would higher waisted ones be better for disguising my belly a bit?

Where do you recommend for long t-shirts (long body)?

Shoes I have are fit flops, canvas multi-coloured fake converse, walking boots, wellies. I have wide, size 7 feet, and can't do ballet pumps, pointy or heels...

Would a blazer be a good idea as a jacket?

And any ideas for a classic coat please? (they seem a lot of money so I will need it to last)

OP posts:
lordnoobson · 30/08/2014 22:18

Tired kid but long body would mean it's harder to get high rise
Can I come back tomorrow full of vim and vigour and do it properly ?

Original poster
incogKNEEto · 30/08/2014 22:31

That would be great, thank you Smile I really have no clue! Hope you get a good nights rest.

OP posts:
Hebburnisaplaceonearth · 31/08/2014 11:50

There are a few good blogs about capsule wardrobes. Off the top of my head the into-mind one and putting me together. Sorry no links ATM!

Hebburnisaplaceonearth · 31/08/2014 16:30

Right, I'm back. So if you like wearing jeans, then wear jeans. Straight leg may be more balancing if you're a bigger size on top? marks and spencer have some for £15 which are ok with quite a high rise. Also I have been told newlook are quite good.
What about one pair of good ankle boots? clarks probably as they're comfy here?
Uniqlo have some merino jumpers for £20 [[http://www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/list/basic/women/knitwear/extrafinemerino here]] they're quite thin I think but good with a vest layered under.
Matalan have good long vests here but buy size smaller if you want to wear as an under layer.
No idea about a classic coat- people would probably say a trench but I think it depends on your lifestyle.
Mixing and matching is lots to do with the colours of things, so perhaps choose a few key colours. Burgundy is very in this AW, maybe with dark green and cream if you're warm colouring, or Navy and grey if cool colours suit. Just ideas- what colours do you normally wear?

cardigal · 31/08/2014 17:00

The Vivienne Files blog is excellent for starting from scratch.

I have a 3/4 length black coat and a 3/4 length grey coat. Dull but both have lasted for years. I wouldn't buy a trench personally as I live in the boonies.

cardigal · 31/08/2014 17:01

Love the tip re what goes with burgundy heb thanks!

Hebburnisaplaceonearth · 31/08/2014 17:12

I've not seen the Vivienne files blog before- looks good thanks :)

Original poster
incogKNEEto · 31/08/2014 20:56

I'm back, sorry for the late reply.

I saw the unlined waxed navy parka from Tesco linked earlier on another thread and liked the look of that. More me than a trench coat I think.

I'm not hugely bigger on top half (36D) bit I do have very broad shoulders! I will have a look at M & S and New Look for jeans, thanks for the tip.

Colours wise I like black, navy, grey but often wear bright red, green, purple, multi-coloured stuff too.

I really have no clue if I should be a cool or warm colour person! Peach, cream, orange, pale pink and lime green look awful on me though! I like jewel colours, not sure about burgundy? I did have a dark raspberry pink jumper which looked nice on me I thought. So maybe I should stick to cool colours?

OP posts:
OP posts:
NowhereNow · 31/08/2014 21:38

The jewel colours you like are winter colours and there's a pretty active winter thread with lots of links to nice clothes in winter shades:
Winter thread

Original poster
incogKNEEto · 31/08/2014 22:29

Thanks nowhere I'll have a read of that thread.

OP posts:
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