talk to me about wardrobe staples

[RavioliOnToast]

I am sick of having loss of random bits of shit that I don't wear in my wardrobe, I'm in the middle of dieting and for the first time ever I actually have jeans that fit me comfortably! I like jeans and Tshirts combos, trainers, boots, tights and dresses and I'd like a really nice leather bag too, all my bags are river island etc and just look crap.

Also, talk to me about earrings, I'd like a pair that go with everything.

[RavioliOnToast]

I tried an alpaca wool jumper on once and I hated it. It was so scratchy and irritating, did I just try a dud on?

[BarricadesBabe]

The ones I truly cannot live without are a pair of well-fitting jeans, a baggy black polo-neck jumper, several pairs of opaque black tights, one plain black/dark grey/navy blue dress, one pair of black suede pointy flats, one pair of black ankle boots and a good quality dark-coloured winter coat. Basically black or other dark colour underneath with colour and occasionally pattern from shoes, skirts, scarves or lipstick (latter not patterned, obvs).

That's in spring/autumn/winter. It all falls apart when it gets warm as I've always been rubbish at summer dressing and still haven't got a clue after nearly 50 years of practice!

[Ughnotagain]

BikeRunSki can I come and raid your wardrobe please? It sounds exactly what I want mine to be but never quite manage

I feel like a mess of stuff sometimes. My work clothes are all shite and nothing fits me properly. I've gone back after maternity leave a stone lighter than pre-pregnancy so all the stuff that fit me then doesn't now. I'm short and have a bit of a chest and spend my lunchtimes expressing milk so whatever I wear has to be easy to get in and out of.

Sorry OP, I don't mean to derail your thread. Just don't know whether I'm coming or going sometimes!

[cressetmama]

I had a scratchy alpaca once (that DH bought); it's still in the drawer, but good alpaca is divinely soft.

My key staple at the moment is my pair of dog walking wellies.

[Larastheme]

Mine are :

Jackets, that's the number one staple in my wardrobe, I buy one or two every season, can never have enough,

Burberry trench,had it for ages,

Good fitting denim,

Denim shirt, my favourite is APC mike, I've yet to find a better option,

Stripped cotton shirts

Checked shirts


Cashmere, buy them expensive but they last longer,and hardly lose shape,

Boots, very loyal to marant boots, best fit,




Good handbag,

Lace underwear, they bring me joy ,

Most of above items are seasonless,and can be worn all year round,

[jamtartandcustard]

my wardrobe staples are
jeans - skinny or straight-leg or whatever suits you personally
longline vests in black or navy. i love white but i'm prone to spilling my tea so they never last long. dark colours don't stain so i stick with them
boden longline long sleeve Bretons
black cardigans.
ballet pumps.

as for earrings - simple studs. diamonds (or cz. just pick up a pair from argos, don't have to be fancy), pearls etc. i'm currently wearing rose studs from Pandora and I also have a daisy pair.

and my handbag is a purple leather cross-body one from cath kidston and i love it.

[flyright]

Blazer people where do you get yours? - I love a jacket, have loads and aspire to a rolled up cuff, different lining blazer look but end up looking like I'm wearing a man's jacket - to go with my short hair and general manliness anyway - and it doesn't do me any favours!

[ginorwine]

Hush have a soft blazer in blue and also in greY at the moment - in the sale - about 20 pounds !!!

[Dinkydoos]

remus where do you get your shirts from? Also think I am too generous of nork for shirts so interested where you have found these that work.
Thanks!

[fresta]

I think everyone needs

A smart blazer
A leather jacket
Smart dark denim jeans
Black trousers
Various long sleeve jersey tops
A wool jumper or two
A long cardigan in a neutral colour
A day dress or too- soft and knee length with long sleeves
A cocktail dress in navy or black
A skirt for day (knee length or just above, whatever suits you)
A warm wool coat
A down jacket/coat
A smart shirt in cotton
A sparkly top for going out

These are mine anyway.

[LookAtAllThesePhucksIGive]

I have a lot of crap in my wardrobe that I don't have the time or inclination to sort out but the things I wear constantly are
Black ripped knee skinnies
Denim jeggings
Multitude of striped tops
Navy blazer
Uggs (not sorry - I adore them)
Patent black ballet flats
I also have a black shift dress that goes with anything ( black leggings, nude tights, boots, shoes, blazer, shrug etc)

I have different bags but mostly use a nice patent backpack that I got from TK Maxx last year

Search silver studs on Amazon there are some dirt cheap ones. I struck lucky and got some Swarovski studs for a fiver that were previously £59.99. I wear them a lot. Also worth having a plain silver pair of hoops too.

[LookAtAllThesePhucksIGive]

Just searched Amazon and these came up. Identical to the ones I got last year. These are now £5.99 down from £57.99. www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00BZQL2J6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1455182645&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=silver%20studs&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[iMogster]

rubylovesshoes Great idea about having a grey leather jacket. I love my black one, but it looks too dark for spring weather. I don't know why I didn't think of this myself!

My staples:
Well fitting jeans
White cotton shirt
check shirt
Comfy biker boots with a bit of a heel
Marcasite jewelery- day. Diamond earrings- evening.

I'd like to say finish off with a nice quality leather bag, (TK Maxx has nice affordable ones) but I often end up carrying a rucksack with all my kids stuff in, drinks in side pockets etc!

[fresta]

I compromised on the bag front and bought a whistles black leather rucksuck, practical, comfy and still feels luxurious. It was half price in the sale.

[fresta]

I have a suede and leather jacket in navy which I wear a lot. It goes with more things than black as it looks lovely with navy trousers and jeans and is a but softer looking than black.

[WeetabixExpress]

Can anyone link to a really good pair of everyday bikerboots? Preferably on sale..

[IkeaGoddess]

I actually don't see how one set of "wardrobe staples" can fit everyone, they should be tailored to own lifestyle.

Factors to consider would be:

-climate (here its coats coats coats and thermals for under things). Also whether you personally run to cold or not? I look great in a jumper over a white shirt, but actually for winters I don't find this warm enough and need a roll neck (flattering colour and fitted and pearls/little scarf over the top).

-commute (i don't drive so lots of flat shoes and boots needed!)

-own personal style (doc martens or country lady?) I am hourglass and actually prefer dresses/skirts to jeans so really only need one pair of jeans.

-own lifestyle (Mine is work in uniform except one day when I need fairly smart casual stuff, no children, like dressing, tend to go out but more arty/cultural than clubbing, lots of city walking). I have to go through some pretty rough areas for commute, so like an element of "blend in" about my outfits then. I like hippy clothing for holidays, but not in town. I do lots of running and dance.

• work out what percentage of time you spend in various places? i worked out a couple years ago that I had far too many "going out" clothes and not enough warm comfy stuff for just lounging round the place (chilly!).
  

So I made a point of buying things "just for the house" (ethnic knits and Afghan slipper socks) and they've made my quality of life a whole lot better).

• Underwear - I think two really good bras save time on thinking about choosing one. I go for Agent P and they've lasted me YEARS and improve the shape of any outfit.
  

at the moment my wardrobe staples are lots of coats, thermals for putting under things, waterproof riding boots, fitted roll necks in flattering colours, pearls, scarves, plain black shoes for work, my sherpa knits for housewear, expensive trainers.

They get more wear than anything else. I literally wear them to breaking point.

[PurpleTreeFrog]

My wardrobe staples in Autumn/Winter/Spring are:

• Black skinny jeans
  
• Black knee high boots
  
• Long sleeve tops in a range of colours and stripes, mainly dark such as navy, burgundy, black. If I find one I like for a good price, I buy at least two in different colours
  
• Primark vest tops as an under layer, cost about £2 each and perfectly comfortable
  
• this dress from Amazon I have three... In various colours
  
• A range of thick and thin jumpers mainly in black, grey and navy.
  
• A variety of scarves and snoods in differ weights and colours. I wear a lot of black so the scarves are the only colourful part of my outfit! Other than...
  
• A bright red coat
  

If you want a capsule type wardrobe with outfits that are easy to build and combine, stick to one colour pallete you really like when buying clothes, that way everything is interchangeable. And if you know you're not very adventurous with your style, don't bother buying a lovely bright orange dress (for example) if you know that you never wear orange so it'll just sit there gathering dust, when you could get something in 'your colour' (you guessed it, mine is black) that you know you can wear with anything and everything else in your wardrobe

I know when I go shopping with a friend they always try and encourage you to be daring and go for something you wouldn't usually choose, but IME this is a mistake as I will almost never wear these items. Might as well wear what makes you feel comfortable and happy, after all!

[maybemyrtle]

I actually don't see how one set of "wardrobe staples" can fit everyone, they should be tailored to own lifestyle.

This! So many staples listed here have no place in my wardrobe or life - blazers, ballet flats, cocktail dress(!)...

The only item I agree with that seems to be on most lists is a good winter coat, in whatever style/length/colour is most appropriate.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I've got a grey leather jacket, but wear my black one much more frequently now.

My shirts are from various places -

a checked Jigsaw one - lovely quality but shorter than ideal
a white M&S one which I love but that creases horribly
a couple of 100% cotton charity shop finds
Am on the look out for more!

[Rkep]

I'm a mum who took the leap last year to give up my full time job in marketing to start working from home between the school run as a House of Colour consultant. Everyday I help men and women see through the clutter in their wardrobe to reveal clothes that are their best colours, shape and style for them personally. Everyone is different...but you're right there is a list of staple items that should be in anyone's capsule wardrobe. So if you want any help take a look to see which consultant is nearest to you. X

[amarmai]

striped tshrt dresses-wool for winter, cotton for summer, with thicker full lengthy winter leggings & thin 3/4 length summer ones. Ankle or calf boots for winter and sneakers /ballet flats for summer. Different lengths and weights of parkas to suit cold temps-27 degrees today=mid calf length heavy parka+ hats, mitts, scarves .Then there are the dresses that i make and almost never wear!

[travailtotravel]

Purpletreefrog _ I like that dress. How is it for length on you?

[alwaysalaughtobehad]

Marking my place!

[vitaminC]

My staples are around 10 of each of the following:

• long-sleeved roll necks: in various colours (black, grey, cream, tan, purple...) and thicknesses
  
• long-sleeved tops: I look for interesting necklines or fabrics, not just plain jersey.
  
• plain, coloured vest tops: 6 in neutrals, 4 in brighter colours
  
• interesting shirts/blouses: checked, patterned, flowery, silky, denim...
  
• plain, round or v-necked sweaters: mainly in neutrals, some fine, some warmer ones
  
• blazers: mainly neutrals in interesting textured fabrics + a lovely purple satin one
  
• skirts: 4 denim ones in various colours/textures and around 6 pencil skirts (woolly ones for winter, lighter cotton ones for spring/summer) plus a couple of floaty A-line ones
  
• plain sleeveless shift dresses: I only have 5 of these - navy, black, cream, beige, grey
  
• scarves: I have around 50 in all sizes, colours, thicknesses and styles. They can transform a very basic outfit into something quite different!
  

On days when I'm not feeling very creative, I just grab a pair of jeans or a skirt, a blazer and a vest top/long-sleeved T/turtle neck, depending on the weather, and a scarf and voilà!

The shirts I either wear under a sweater in colder weather, with a jeans or a skirt, or open over a sleeveless top or dress (as a light jacket) in spring/summer.

The shift dresses can be dressed up or down and work for pretty much every occasion. I wear a turtle neck underneath + blazer/cardigan/jumper and thick tights or leggings in winter. In summer I can wear the dress with sandals and a silk scarf or necklace, depending on the occasion. I add a denim jacket and casual shoes to dress it down, a smart jacket and heels for dressier occasions.
Sometimes in winter I even wear one with a big chunky sweater over the top, instead of a skirt. These dresses really are so versatile, they are probably my key items!