Capsule wardrobe ala Emmanuel Alt meets Rock chick

[Parsley1234]

I need a style makeover ! I am 53 I love Emmanuel Alt style with a bit rock chick can anyone help create a capsule wardrobe for day to day plus evening. I’m a stone heavier than I’m aiming for so size 12 big boobs aiming for a 10 hopefully smaller boobs.
I’m thinking to start good jeans t shirts jumpers jewellery recommendations - budget open as I deal in clothes and am a devil for finding bargains - fealibg in clothes is great but I end up with loads of items that don’t suit but I don’t want to sell !

I bought a lovely faux leather shirt in the Kioples sale last week, and they’ve got a number of black silk / mesh blouses which are also v much in line with what you’re after (H&M now also have a faux leather shirt for £25 but no idea of the cut)

@amandaappleton thank you

Do you follow Little Spree on Insta? Worth a look. I have the faux leather H&M shirt and it's great on. Only worn it over a polka dot midi dress so far. Presume you know about Hush but the And/Or range in John Lewis might be worth a look too.

Research on Pinterest, looking for multiple examples of style/outfits that inspire you. You will start to see similar items crop up over and over again. Identify these and you will have the base for your wardrobe.

Make sure to establish what skin undertone you have, if you don’t already know, as you will look fantastic wearing the right colours and not so great wearing the wrong ones. For example rather than black you might choose, navy, khaki, brown, or warm grey as your base neutral.

Read this thread for an excellent approach to creating a capsule wardrobe:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3797652-thanks-to-s-b-i-m-finally-winning-in-the-pursuit-of-elegance

I am 51 and plan on blitzing my wardrobe this weekend. Watching this thread with interest.

Thank you everyone I’m going to have a good look at that thread up thread ! I’ve just got a mishmash of great lebrks but not what I love

HI OP, I love Emmanuel Alt too. I have a board of inspiration on Pinterest with lots of images of her.

First I recommend you do a wardrobe clear out and only keep things that will go with this look (but do not throw away anything you love, love, love and that looks fab - keep it in a safety box so that if you change your mind in a year you can retrieve it).

Then see what you have and what you need to buy. I think the basis of this look is great jeans; a great navy blazer or jacket; a leather jacket and great ankle boots. Then use the rest of your time to build onto this - some lovely t-shirts, a nice shirt, a great belt...

Finally, jewellery - I have found that layering really works to elevate a look at our age. So I wear three necklaces, a small chain with a loop, a small chain with a pendant and a small band of pearls - it gets so many compliments. And if I want to change the look I layer some bracelets instead, again, 3, a silver Tiffany chain, a leather one with a disc and a simple silver bangle. I saw the idea on Pinterest and just used three items I had that worked together.

EA's capsule wardrobe is all about great staples rather than trend pieces. She has that cool French style that's effortless and relies more on trousers/jeans than dresses & skirts. It's very dressed down but the pieces are excellent quality & natural fibres. Pinterest is a great source of inspiration - there are tons of images of EA on there. You might also want to look at Caroline de Maigret, Jane Birkin & Francois Hardy (a vintage vibe totally works with this kind of look).

Designers that epitomise that look include Isabel Marant, Balmain, Saint Laurent. High end brands would be Anine Bing, Sandro, The Kooples, Antik Batik. You can find the look on the high street too - Uniqlo is great for cashmere knits (buy mens for a better EA fit), I've just discovered Arket and highly recommend their knitwear, Zara is good for blazers and Marant-esque pieces (sometimes to the extent that they are actually a copy rather than a nod too...frustrating for designers but that's another thread!) and even H&M.

For a capsule winter/early spring wardrobe, I would go for:
Mens crew & v neck merino and/or cashmere knits in navy, grey & black
One good chunky knit (polo neck for preference)
Silk shirt (Equipment do the best but you can go elsewhere)
Feminine ruffled blouse. Victoriana/Edwardian style is the key look at the moment a 1930's/1970s style is cooler I think.
Silk camisoles to layer beneath knits and blouses (far warmer than thermals, weirdly) but also to wear alone under a blazer for evening.
Skinny/straight jeans in both black & dark denim. Not too tight - they shouldn't be spray painted on.
A pair of slouchy boyfriend jeans (the Hush ones are very good) for more casual/relaxed days.
Leather/faux leather trousers.
A knee length/above the knee dress. You want some drape so that it skims and flatters your figure - it shouldn't cling or be tight anywhere and it should have some interest - not necessarily the pattern/colour but in the cut. Again, look to Isabel Marant for inspiration. I have a few of her dresses which I wear with tights in the winter and sandals in the summer so they are a good investment.
Oversized blazer - to layer over your knitwear.
Neat fitting statement blazer for over dresses & on warmer spring days (think Balmain/Isabel Marant for inspiration but Zara do some excellent blazers with great shoulder detail etc - think elevated classic)
A great fitting pair of black trousers to elevate your rock chick look to a smarter look still in keeping with your aesthetic. A paper bag waist is very flattering and will work well with all the tops I've listed above.
A chunky belt to toughen up dresses but also to create a waist on an oversized blazer.
Footwear:
trainers/Converse
An ankle boot with a walkable/wearable heel height
A pair of killer heel boots
Mid-calf leather boots are a good option too.
A pair of classic black mid-heel stilettos.

God I love you lot ❤️❤️❤️❤️

@annasgirl have you a picture of the necklaces pls put together ? Thank you

Yes I'll take a photo.

Gosh my neck is wrinkled!!! There are nicer shots on Pinterest but this is me- right now!

Following with interest.
Any suggestions on where to look for an oversized blazer - could a men's style work? I'm trying to do second hand only this year so thinking charity shops

Yes men’s blazers can work very well - check Emma Hill on Instagram/YouTube for loads of inspiration on blazers (her signature look) and on buying pre loved.

Thanks @Ninkanink , will do!

I’m interested in this look, so I am waiting with baited breath for anymore posts!

Following with interest!

@EdinaMonsoon - I think you have just written me a shopping list! I'm a bit younger at 41 and I've been faffing around trying to work out my 'look'. Reading your list I realised I have half the items already on there and those are the ones I really love. Now I know how to fill in the gaps and can stop faffing on with things that just aren't really me.

@sanitygirl Menswear is a great idea for an oversized blazer. Turn the sleeves back once at the cuff to expose the lining & create the right length. You can also push them up: this look borrows a lot of key details from the 80’s including big shoulders, peg trousers & cinched waists.

@IamwhoIsayIam Glad you found it useful. It’s actually pretty straightforward in terms of elements but it’s the styling that really makes it a cool look. I would also buy a cashmere comb, re-dye black jeans/cotton trousers once they start to fade (Dylon have a black dye designed to freshen up fading blacks...they look brand new) & ensure boots & bags are kept pristine. It’s rock chick but it isn’t scruffy or unkempt.

Oh! And of course a large scarf: either woven & patterned or plain & knitted. Arket have some beautifully soft oversized plain wool fringed scarves.

Since reading this thread I've found the perfect dress for my birthday party Saturday night on The Kooples. Totally made my evening. Thank you for the inspiration. I feel like I've come home

Ohh off to Pinterest Emmanuel Ant - will add to my French Style board. I am 55 but short and big of boob so the look may well Not translate.
Annasgirl you look fantastic ! I have tried todo the multilayered necklace thing but they have all tangled up!

@EdinaMonsoon fabulous advice I’m deckuttering this weekend
@annasgirl fabulous look
Any inspiration for black trousers for work I’m a beauty therapist abd need some stretch

For general French inspiration (style & attitude) make sure to check out the parisienne threads here on S&B - fun, fabulous fashion, interesting discussion and some very knowledgeable posters. Here is the first one to get you started:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3075278-Ive-just-got-back-from-five-days-in-Le-Marais-and-Ive-decided-I-want-become-Parisian-sil-vous-plait

Alexa Chung has done a YouTube series on the French approach to life (how to date the French way, how to dress the French way, how to grow older the French way...there may be more):

m.youtube.com/watch?v=VNvJj8MHu9g

It’s also worth checking out Justine Leconte for lots of good advice:

m.youtube.com/channel/UChxkFSjTE7nLCHsDk8_pRhg/videos

For make up, I really like Violette:

m.youtube.com/channel/UCVMGTtoqRomDDZQFOsbHG1g/videos

@Ninkanink Thank you for sharing those youtube links.

I found this conversation between Garance Doré & Emmanuelle Alt which gives an interesting and honest insight into EA's approach to style: