capsule wardrobe for the older woman !

[doughnuts]

I'm 48, 5ft 5,broad shoulders,curvy but not fat,slim hips and bot - ie. 14 on top 12 on bottom - I work from home so don't need workwear, but would like to construct a capsule wardrobe to see me through autumn/winter. Bear in mind that I have very limited funds at present but would like to buy good quality things which will last and not go manky in the wash. I am not one for patterns and like navy,blues,greens,pinks and white - I would like to look chic but not dressed up -so relaxed but a bit smarter than I am now. Think French ladies !! Can anyone help me with some ideas - I'd be soooo grateful. By the way, I have short hair - just cut from a bob, so am feeling a bit insecure until I get used to it. Don't like too much jewellery or accessories but love bangles and always wear them. Also sometimes wear glasses which are v nice Lulu Guinness ones - so feel quie groovy in them. Don't want to sink into middle aged frumpishness - help !

have seen some nice pieces in the betty jackson diffusion range (black) in debenhams

Betty Jackson - what kind of prices are we talking bundle ?

about £35 for pair trousers

I would go to a personal shopper. John Lewis have them, so do Debenhams and numerous other places inc Selfridges (v good in the past)
It can be a fantastic way to get a lot of shopping done.
I am in the process of losing weight (have lost about 20lbs with about 10lbs to go) so am saving that particular treat up, but it is really excellent. I once started a new job with the most brilliant wardrobe. All things I would never have thought of at the time - such as shapes - high waisted and short, and colours, eg plum and grey, I would not have considered. You don't actually have to spend anything and there is no fee, but I think it is better to have three nice things that ten rubbishy Primark ones.

I'm nearly 44 btw, so know the dilemma of not wanting to become a middle aged frump, but also not wanting to be muttony.

I agree Aloha - I think that as one gets older quality clothes are more important - you don't have to be boring and unfashionable but a really good cut of a shirt cans take lbs off you

aloha - good idea - wouldn't you feel a bit obliged to buy something though ? Absolutelyt agree about having a few nice things than a load of tat - and congratulations on impressive weight loss too !

do you like boden

I reckon that you would want to buy something - these people know everything in the shop and get you into stuff that you might not have ever of considered but actually looks rather good on you too...

er yes (in fact I'm wearing a Boden cardi right now !)

Yes, you do feel a bit obliged, but tbh, most of them are really good and you want to buy! And instead of sweatily trudging around the rails, thinking 'oh I have NO IDEA what this would look like on, I have nothing to wear it with and I want to sit down and have a coffee', someone else does the trudgingand matching while you do sit down having a (free) coffee'. Tis marvellous! As you plan to shop anyway I really do recommend it. Have been three times, but not recently. Do plan to though. Because they shoppers are not paid commission they aren't pushy, but they do want to make you look nice.

I'm sure I would want to buy something. I feel panicky because I'm not earning anything at the moment as my work has dried up -am self employed illustrator- and that always makes me think that I can't really spend anything on clothes which is so depressing. So I really want to make the best use of whatever funds I can lay my hands on !

Do you think you could stretch to hair too.

Ooo and the other day I went to one of the make up counters and told the woman what I wanted to look like - not orange and caked in make up - but naturally beautiful (am not) and she did. Gradually buying her majoic lotions and potions and paints and powders as and when...

I think a personal shopper is the best use of your funds. And they don't just present you with clothes and expect you to buy them, it's really interactive. You say, 'urk, no, I hate green' or 'I feel really uncomfortable in straight skirts' and they take them away. They aren't bullies!

I totally understand the horror of freelance cashflow btw. I'm sure you will have lots of work soon. (I'm always reassuring fellow freelancers they aren't going to starve in gutters and they me!)

Analyse your lifestyle, eg do you need an outfit for
school run
dog walking
shopping & lunch with friend
theatre
etc
then get outfits for these occaisions. Make sure you have the whole outfit for each incl footwear and jewellery. Sticking to one colour palate is sensible if you want to spend less.

aloha - me too ! I am slightly more panicked than usual as there's been a very big gap between jobs this time...things usually turn up in the end though.

Idreamofdaleks - sensible advice - I'm mostly at home but would like to know that I have a few nice smart things for going out in. Noodlestroodle - I do fork out on my hair every 8 weeks, half head of foils and cut and I find buying lovely perfume is very therapeutic - occassionally order from Jo Malone .

I think simple pieces are best,perhaps
Linen wide legged trousers(woollen in winter)from M and S.
Good quality white/cream/favourite colour vests and scoop neck t shirts(I find Kew a bit pricier than some but excellent quality).
Couple of fine knit cardigans in colours that you like,perhaps lime green/teal/other bright colours that you like(again Kew good for these,as is Boden!and Monsoon)
Good pair of jeans
Flat ballet pumps(limited collection at M and S good)
As you like bangles get lots in the colours of your cardigans,again Mand S good,Wallis or East.
Perhaps pretty dress,empire line or wrap(Principles/Boden/Warehouse).
Obviously you don't need to rush out and buy all this!Just a few ideas to work with!

sounds like you need - easy outfit x2 for working at home, popping to shops, picking up kids, 1xoutfit for casual socialising (dinner at friends house /pub with dh) and a slightly smarter outfit/dress (dinner with dh in nice restaurant/event)
would that be about right?

I am sad that you don't like patterns as I think you are missing a trick here

40+ year olds might have trouble with minis/sleeveless etc but patterns are great whatever age you are!

Like your list SilentT

where do you live? a shop called Cos has opened on Regent St in central London and it's full of nice lineny separates etc

aloha - yes, you're right there ! and SilentT - thank you - that's a really helpful list - will print it out to keep. Idreamofdaleks - I know - I have a close friend who is always on at me about patterns and colour - she is incredibly stylish and despairs at my fear of pattern and colour - I used to dress much more vibrantly but I was a lot younger then and could do quirky/vintage with confidence - 50s frocks etc..I think it's my trying to want to look good but understated - she thinks I should go for weacky and look at me !! This really suits her as she's more flamboyant and as a larger woman she wants to make a bold statement rather than cowering away in taupe. I just don't feel comfy in these things though

bundle - until 2 yrs ago I lived v nr Richmond which was fab - now live in Hampshire, so would cgo into Winchester or Basingstoke ( prefer Winch)