Starting from scratch

[janeitebus]

Have decided I am completely fed up with the contents of my wardrobe. Even dd said today, "it's true, daddy, mummy really hasn't got much to wear." It's not that I don't have clothes, I do but I seem to have multiple versions of black trousers and black cardigans, a few silk skirts and dresses for "best", lots of black camisoles and not a lot else.

Please can you help me build a virtual capsual wardrobe, of things that I could buy in order to make outfits rather than lots of disparate pieces. I think I need tops (pref 3 quarter sleeved) that can be dressed up or down and trousers/skirts that are not black! Also the perfect shoes for every occasion/jackets/jumpers.

So - an easy task for all you well-dressed ladies on style methinks? Many thanks!

depends on your shape as to what will suit you more I think. Might be worth having a flick through a trinny and susannah book in WHSMITHS???

What shape are you??

Book personal shopper.
God I would if i had a few ££ to spend.

I think a pair of black skinny jeans should be on anyone's list. Look great with heals, can tuck into boots, can wear under dresses. Now, I know they are actually black and you don't really want black but I wear mine all the time. Alternatively, you could go for dark blue denim which also look really good and (since it's all about jewel colours for autumn/winter) any greens/blues/reds/oranges would look good with blue too.

I have lots of empire line tunic dresses that I wear either over skinny jeans or will wear with thick black tights and mary-jane shoes. Teamed with a smart fitted jacket, oversized leather bag and gorgeous scarf, I am liking this look for the upcoming seasons. (also can wear a tight poloneck under the dress for extra warmth)

OMG there are so many nice autumn/winter clothes around right now - where to start!!?

Thanks. Quite scared of the idea of a personal shopper tbh, so hoping you lot can T & S me instead! Am a shortie at 5, 2; size 12 - have a bust and a bit of a belly but still quite a pronounced waist (but v short waisted) and quite a small bum. Am brunette and v pale skinned - I love black, look awful in white, look okay in red, purple and green.

Am v tempted by the idea of a polo neck under a dress - polo necks on their own look awful on me (breasts and polo necks not a good look) but maybe if the dress had a V neck that might work do you think?

Can't convince myself about skinny jeans, feel like I might look like an egg on legs but I have bought some straight leg jeans and some straight leg black velvet trousers, both of which could be worn with dresses perhaps?

What sort of dresses do people wear over trousers? I have a few this sort of shape -
[http://www.principles.co.uk/pws/ProductDetails.ice?ProductID=5142] (though not so loud a pattern, just black and white, or red) that I sometimes wear over jeans - does anybody wear different kinds?

I know what you mean about polo necks and breasts - I have the same thing. But they do look nice under a V neck/squate neck/scoop neck dress.

You could definatly go for straight leg under the dress. I think as long as you don't go for bootleg (too much volume sometimes) then the look still looks up to date.

That tunic is really nice and the shape is good. You could also go for somehing like this:
www.monsoon.co.uk/invt/12975303 or this
www.monsoon.co.uk/invt/12986403 which are nice square necks and when worn without the poloneck give a very flattering neckline for us larger-breasted women

Only think I would stay clear of, is wearing boots with your trousers/jeans. A round-toed shoe will look more on-trend.

LOVE that first Monsoon one.

SO - if you were building a complete capsual wardrobe - what would it contain?

• couple of tunics or dresses for wearing over trousers
• narrow leg trousers for under said tunics or dresses
• smart fitted jacket (shape/colour?)
• narrow leg jeans
• skinny polo neck for under dresses

What else please? I've been saving up to go shopping!

I think by the sounds of your colouring, a red jacket would look great, but there are lots of nice greens around too. For ultimate wearability, a black one could be worn with the most and won't date.

This is black but I do love the shape, and because you have a defined waist, think it would make the most of it. I suppose the only draw-back is that it is more of a coat, and you may think it too long
www.oasis-stores.com/fcp/product/Oasis/4500013601/Puff-sleeve-belted-trench
(but you can wear it open - not like double-breasted ones - and so others can see your fantastic clothes underneath

This is nice but you may think it gives no shape when worn with a tunic dress www.monsoon.co.uk/invt/13205003

This is again more of a mac but I love the sleeves
www.warehouse.co.uk/fcp/product/-/COATS-CASUAL-JACKETS/COVERED-BUTTON-GATHERED-MAC/4457
This is short again and proportionatly may suit you
www.warehouse.co.uk/fcp/product/-/COATS-CASUAL-JACKETS/BLOUSON-METALLIC-TWEED-JACKET/4573

I think this is cute but it's not to everyone's taste:
www.tedbaker.com/shop.do?cID=667&pID=2795

There is also a really nice one in principles but the link to the actual jacket doesn't work. It is on the petites pages and this is the item description:
"petite minimal check jacket £79.00 "

Let me know what you think of those shapes, and we can take it from there!

You list looks good though!!

Sorry just noticed you are looking for other things to add to your list: knee high boots (leather) and how do you feel about wearing the shorter dresses with thick black tights? If you've never tried it, go shopping one day wearing think black tights and appropriate shoes - some of my friends weren't sure and then, after they'd actually tried this look on, they loved it and wear the shorter items (skirts/dresses) all the time! When worn with strictly no cleavage/flesh on show, looks stylish and non-slutty. Proportionality, it would give you a long line that would make you look taller too.

if you have a bust and a belly you need to start with a properly fitted supportive bra. T&S always statrt there. Lift the norks, reveal the waist!!

Just going to link to a couple of threads with suggestions on from MrsBadger (she's brilliant at capsule wardrobe suggestions, but has just had her baby, so is probably a bit busy atm). Keep an eye out for Anniemac - she's great at this too.

Here and here. Both have good suggestions, I think, in general terms, rather than specifics, iyswim.

Jackie - that 2nd thread is brilliant, so thanks for that.

Highlander - you are soooo right! I "think" I'm sorted with the underwear - have a few decent bras and have also invested in a couple of pairs of tummy sucker pants!

Gemy - I love that little grey warehouse jacket and will deffo go and try it on. I also like the black coat. I forgot to say that double breasted things make me look like a box and seem to totally hide my waist, so not a good look.

I'm happy to wear shorter dresses and thick tights as my legs are reasonable, (especially from the knee down!) but those tunic ones just don't seem to look right on their own - might a shirt dress do?

I have knee high boots in black (heeled), burgundy (heeled) and brown (flat, so it would be great to find some outfits that would utilise those.

Yes, I understand about the double breasted jackets just looking too boxy. They do on me too, unless there is a good belt to draw them in.

That grey warehouse jacket + oasis trench is nice and I thnk I may end up trying that on those items myself!

Regarding the dresses, I think some tunics are just too toppy - you're right. The ones that are supposed to be dresses I think look really good with chunky healed shoes (platform maybe?)

I personally like shirt dresses but some of them have too many pockets etc and I feel like there can be too much going on (around the boob-area especially) That and they're not as "in" as they were (but I'm sure they will be again soon!)

You already have a good boot collection so there is always the staple a line knee length skirt or even shorter A-line for you (shame to hide your legs!) For me, short skirts and knee length boots can look good, but can easily look hookerish. The flat boots and a shorter skirt may look younger and less try-hard. Though again a shorter skirt with chunky healed shoes would look gorgeous. Sorry, back to the boots how do you feel about the cropped trousers and boots look? If the boots are nice and high then I think you could get away with it, otherwise you may think it chops you up into small sections and therefore gives you a less-tall look.

There is always the knitdress/jersey dress that would look nice with shoes and boots.

I think this dress is cute and could be worn with poloneck (may not look good with big boobs though?)
www.warehouse.co.uk/fcp/product/-/DRESSES/JAQUARD-SHIFT-DRESS/4295

I love this but realise not to everyone's taste:
www.warehouse.co.uk/fcp/product/-/DRESSES/WALLPAPER-FLOWER-DRESS/4297

Think this would look good with boots:
www.warehouse.co.uk/fcp/product/-/DRESSES/BLACK-METALLIC-APPLIQUE-DRESS/4477

This would look nice with black tights and shoes
www.warehouse.co.uk/fcp/product/-/DRESSES/SWING-TIE-DRESS/4885

And this is good with either but I don't thnk to everyone's taste:
www.warehouse.co.uk/fcp/product/-/DRESSES/TWEED-PLEAT-FRONT-PINAFORE/4698

Gemy I am fast becoming convinced that you are a genius! Thank you so much for all of the time/thought you're giving this.

God that 3rd dress is gorgeous.

I also like the pinafore one but feel I may be a bit old for it I'm afraid.

Am not at all bothered if things are "in" or not, so long as I don't look really dowdy, so not worried about shirt dresses being unfashionable and, if I can find any without pockets, they tend to suit me.

So my list now consists of -

• couple of tunics or dresses for wearing over trousers
• shirt dress perhaps
• narrow leg trousers for under said tunics or dresses
• smart fitted jacket
• narrow leg jeans
• skinny polo neck for under dresses
• knee high boots
• lots of pairs of thick tightsand from the thread that jackie posted -
• patterned scarf
• several tops with flattering necklines- nice bag

You're very welcome janeitebus!

I do this all the time for my friends (source out clothes etc) and love the Shopaholic books (God I'd love to be a personal shopper!)

Totally see where you are coming from re the shirt dress. I just added the in and out bits incase you were very fashion-led. I think you're just about the right amount of fashion-led

You have a great list there and I am very jelous that you can go out and purchase all these lovely things!! Have a great time building your new clothes collection

And that third dress is gorgeous isn't it? Wish I was not 5 months pregnant.....

xx Gemy xx