Capsule wardrobe for professional woman with kids

[Romann]

Have any of you successfully devised a capsule wardrobe? I want to have one, plus would probably have another section of closet for cocktail dresses/event wear as we are out quite a lot and I don't want to give up dressing up altogether. I just feel like I waste 1/2 hour per day in deciding what to wear and putting it on!

I work in a smart/casual environment and am happy with smart/casual at non-work times too. I hate to look a mess whatever I'm doing. I also cycle to work and would prefer not to change. Any suggestions what to look for? I don't want to look the same every day, and I don't like black much. I think I've got quite a good way with a scarf which might help :)

You had me until the cycling-to-work-and-not-wanting-to-change spec.

This makes it fairly challenging. I don't see how you can wear, for example, a tailored jacket comfortably on a bike.

Anyway... I'm a professional, with kids, and I basically rotate:

• cigarette trousers
• straight leg trousers
• 7/8 trousers
• full midi-skirt
• jersey dress
• pencil skirt

...with...

• fitted long-sleeved tops
• well-fitted slim-line cardis
• tailored shirts
• chiffon shirts
• scoop-neck Ts
• wide-shouldered, sleeveless tops in summer

And accessorise with various belts and scarves depending on the season. I pretty much always wear heels. I'm sure there's other stuff as well, but that's it in a nutshell.

None of it particularly suitable for cycling in!

Loads of professional women cycle to work in Paris. I'm on holiday right now but, from memory, short short skirts/dresses or slim fitting trousers are the starting point for the cadre sup en velib look. Agree with PP that you need a comfortable top to make the bike thing viable. I would have thought that sleeveless print tops, Marni-style with a not too fitted jacket might work to ensure comfort for biking plus some interest because capsule dressing can get boring.

I cycle to work too, and dresscode at my work tends to be smart-casual as well.
I definitely don't have a capsule wardrobe though! And I do wear a lot of black.

But staples are straight leg black trousers from Mango, white shirts from H&M and New Look, knitwear from Zara. Esprit for jackets. Occasional Desigual or Mango dress.

If I want to wear a skirt (usually black or smart denim knee-length pencil skirt), I go for black leggings underneath while cycling and take them off when I get there.

And I always wear heels to work - no problem wearing them for cycling :)

I also have a pair of waterproof overtrousers in my bike basket for emergencies and a lovely rain poncho. Looks ridiculous but keeps me dry.

My solution is jersey dresses from phase eight and similar. I do need to change my shoes though as I scuff them up on a bike.

I can cycle in all that except the pencil skirt japanese !

It's not actually that I don't want to change, more that I want to be able to go on my bike to lunch/shops or whatever during the day, without putting a tracksuit on or whatever!

I do cycle in heels, and I have an inelegant poncho! Jackets ok as I put them in the pannier. I also have some James Perse sort of unstructured ones that are great.

I need to make a list. Thanks for the tips. Bonsoir I've just really reached an age and stage where I want to look more Parisienne . I used to think it was dull, then I turned 40.

Fair enough. :)

I'm in NZ, and it's perhaps a bit more 'cross-country' terrain-wise here, even in the cities. Impossible not to build up a sweat. People cycle here to work, but no, not in their work clothes.

I'm in Oz and pretty much the only one not in Lycra, but it's only 5k for me so I don't feel the need really. I'm not a very sweaty exerciser generally!

It's more the hills here, especially in my city!

Sorry, really didn't mean to derail the thread. :)

I would've thought, MrsW, but it seems it's just you and me...