Investing in a capsule wardrobe: best clothing brands?

[Lagirl20]

Hi everyone,

I've had enough of wasting money on fast fashion, never having anything decent to wear, panic-buying items of clothing before events/holidays, and having a wardrobe stuffed full of low-quality, mismatched, trend-driven shite.

I've saved up some money, really thought about and analysed what suits me (they joys of lockdown!) and would now love to know what brands you think I should invest in.

will mainly be buying a small amount of jeans, trousers, t-shirts, shirts, cardigans/jumpers, shorts, etc. and some basic but good underwear (which I think I will go to M&S for). Along with brogues, boots, sandals, and a bag (I really want a timeless canvas Longchamp bag).

Brands on my radar are: Boden, the White Company, Jigsaw, Cos, Stalf, Whistles, Office, Russell and Bromley - what do you think and would you recommend any others?

Thanks!

All of those are great - I would sling Uniqlo in there too!

In the case of both brands they have some frumpy stuff, but there are the odd gems in both Hobbs and Fatface and the quality in each is great.
Y y to Jigsaw.

I would add Uniqlo to the list.

The quality is very good - they say they make lifewear for a reason, they don't want to be shop that sells 'fast fashion'.

Muji do really good summer dresses, shirts, underwear and jeans. Also Toast their linen is really good quality. I buy in the sale as it's expensive.

I would.alao.look at sezane and me and em x

BrandAlley have Longchamp bags in their sales at the moment 🎉

Try Community Clothing www.communityclothing.co.uk - great ethos of none fast quality clothing. Lots of good basics and fairly produced in the UK

I like Sandwich clothes too. I'm not keen on the shapeless floral dresses that are absolutely everywhere at the moment - if you want to buy quality that lasts it's probably best to go for less trend-led styles.

I'd agree about adding Hobbs and Uniqlo. Hobbs is great for goats and jackets and a Uniqlo for knitwear.

I've got some lovely cotton trousers ( cropped, slim chino style) from Fat Face. They do good tailored shorts too. Their leather loafers and sandals are also soft and simply designed. Clark's brogues are fine. I wear black for work and have a silver pair is really soft leather which I love.

Boden can be great but is hit and miss. Some of the fabrics are shockingly poor quality, even if the design is nice. Jigsaw knits are really nicely designed and generally very flattering.

For bags, I've found some lovely, classic designs in White Stuff.

One summer tip - invest in a nice quality Panama style hat. I think I makes a casual summer outfit look classier than any designer sunglasses.

I second adding Community Clothing for basics and also Toast for trousers although the look is very marmite. (Good sales)

For knitwear, John Smedley is the most consistently good quality I know, although I can only afford second hand or factory shop. It's made in the UK. I like Celtic and co too.

For Brogues I think you can do a lot worse than Clark's. If you like Dr Martens then look at Solovair - all made in the UK and much harder wearing; also more ££ but if you're anywhere near Northampton their factory shop prices are very good.

I find Uniqlo quality very random but when it's good, it's great plus it's also a lot more affordable than some of these options.

I like Whistles but don't rate the quality I'm afraid.

Any brand can make rubbish clothing that doesn't last - thin soft knitwear with just enough cashmere to be bobbly, thin T shirts, fading trousers.

Pure collection cashmere has lasted really well, plus anything in pure merino (the closely knitted smooth type). Jean Levi's. Uniqlo for the "compact" T shirts.

Underwear Sloggi.

Gap the skinny stretch trousers if they are your style.

The best lasting cardigan I had was from Sainsburys though so you never can tell!

Whistles is terrible quality and also not v classic. I find The White Company poor quality, too, though the clothes look nice. Boden you need to choose colours carefully and look at the fabric make-up. Jigsaw good if you go for good fabrics. I agree with others that Uniqlo have really good knitwear and everything I’ve had from Toast has lasted really well.

Third vote for Community Clothing - I’ve just bought a great shirt dress from them.

Uniqlo and M&S for basics, especially Uniqlo for knitwear and they have some great sales - I got a merino wool turtle neck for under £10 this year.

My Solovair brogues are properly made, gorgeous, comfortable, indestructible shoes which will last forever.

I also don’t rate Whistles quality. Hobbs stuff is well made but can veer into dull office wear.

H&M can be surprisingly good - I’ve got a nice linen t shirt dress from them which is well made but sometimes their sizing is very off!

If you're in M&S buying underwear, have a look at their clothes too. I bought a pair of their Magic jeans, after seeing them recommended on MN. All my other jeans are Levi's at twice the price, but those M&S jeans definitely hold their own.

Next do some t-shirts I think they're called cap sleeve - they're £7.50 each and the quality is brilliant. I've got them in loads of colours now and they just last and last.

I was surprised by the quality as I normally get my tops from Hobbs or Boden.

I have had 2 cashmere jumpers from pure Collection, one is fab and still immaculate, the other has bobbled like mad! M &S just as good for cashmere but quality varies year to year and between colours. I now have built up a small collection of cashmere jumpers - they last for years and ime always look smart + lovely to wear. Expensive to buy but cost per wear is good.

Great thread though - and good luck! I think it’s getting harder to find decent basics in good fabrics at sensible prices. Several futile shopping trips recently for me! (Well, recentlyish!)

M & S does nice linen shirts too. Don’t ignore the supermarkets, if you ignore the patterns yo can find the odd treasure - I have a favourite dusky pink linen shell top from Sainsbury’s that is often admired.

From your list I'd ditch Whistles and Boden; not classic, terrible quality and overpriced. White Company is also expensive and poor quality although they have a classic aesthetic. Gap do the same linen t-shirts, trousers, plain dresses in neutral colours, but for a third of the price and have constant discount codes. You just have to sift out the preppy logo stuff and ignore the colours. Also Uniqlo for the basics, again, filter out the trend lines and they do a lot of synthetic crap.

I'd recommend the following for producing the same staples every single in quality fabrics:
Toast - best trousers on the high street. Great sales.
Sunspel - neutral basics, completely classic, no trend line
APC
Arket

Baujken
Excellent high quality pieces for a capsule wardrobe

I was coming on to say Baukjen but someone beat me to it. There is always a discount available somewhere and currently 40% if you are an NHS or social care worker which is very generous of them.

I've also come on to say Baukjen. I have totally fallen in love with their clothes since seeing them mentioned on here. Really good quality basics and one you've made your first purchase they often send discount codes.

Clarks brogues are really good quality. I've had two pairs for years now x

Amazing, thank you for all your replies, some fantastic brands and I will v. useful to know which brands you don't rate :)

*I will steer clear of

Jaeger classic trousers and shirts. When it is open, I recommend a visit to TKMAXX and a foray into their stock. Have bought beautiful cashmere there and designer bags,