Capsule wardrobes or people who wear a small number of high quality pieces

[TheQueensGambit]

I know it's done to death and all that, but humour me if you will.

Do you have a capsule wardrobe of classic pieces? What is in it? I'm striving for one, but think that I'm going to end up having to store lots of things as I don't want to get rid of them, but I am also desperate for the ease and lack of decision making involved with a small, high quality, classic, capsule wardrobe.

To help me, I've ordered one of those style boxes, specifically saying I want high quality items for a capsule wardrobe. Will see how it goes.

I have a cheap version of that bag, or fairly similar, and use it a lot. My wardrobe is pretty much shades of beige, navy, mustard and creams and it goes with everything so has made some of my other bags obsolete.

Are bags starting to get a bit smaller now though?

Mine’s starting to show wear now, and I was wondering what to replace it with and that looks ideal but I’m just not comfortable spending that kind of money on a bag.

Look at a website called the Vivienne files - starts you completely from scratch and is really comprehensive.

Where are people buying their cashmere jumpers? I'd want something oversized and slouchy.

The problem is that you need to make a bunch of decisions about your colouring/your body/your life before you can define what you actually need from your capsule and at that point can start trying to find other capsules/style blogs that would work for you.

My life has changed dramatically twice in the last 3 years: developing a post viral syndrome (loads of time in bed, joint pain for instance so loads of shoes are out and I need lots of easy pyjama type things) and leaving the city for the countryside (walking boots every day!).

I also get bored with clothes and go through definite phases with different items. I probably do a version of 'shopping' my wardrobe.

I do only buy good quality (mostly) natural fabrics (not necessarily expensive though) so my things last.

I also think that as I get older (50's) clothes need to have some 'heft' so better quality, thicker fabrics and also tired or worn things need to go or they make you seem even older....

I live these threads even though the chances of my ever having a capsule wardrobe are basically zero.

Really like your idea @Honeywort, have played with variations on this during lockdown but never quite managed to put into practice. Might have another go for the new year - this is the kind of time Stylebook etc come into their own, holiday wardrobe planning on SB is completely addictive.

@Nore I have a limited number of cashmere jumpers, building up slowly at the rate of about one per year. Have jumpers from Boden, Uniqlo, M&S, Whistles & Cos. The Cos (this year's sale purchase) is my favourite I think, navy blue crew neck with just the right amount of slouch. I'm also very taken with some of the styles in Arket at the moment but probably won't buy any more yet.

Uniqlo are v well-priced, but my jumper from there not the best quality out of those I have. The others are all pretty much on a par, I'd say. Lots of people recommend the men's sections in M&S etc for slouchy cashmere, but I tend to find the necklines more flattering in the women's styles.

High street cashmere (in the mid range at least) is really good now, though you'll pay more the more ethical it gets obviously.

Well, my Lookiero box arrived! Unfortunately, I'm only keeping one item. But since I am adopting a less is more approach, perhaps that is for the best!

The item I'm keeping is a lovely rain coat.

Thanks, @Zinnia -- I am large-breasted, which limits the kind of sweater necks I can wear without looking sort of upholstered....

@Nore

Where are people buying their cashmere jumpers? I'd want something oversized and slouchy.

I buy from nearly new cashmere.

Is cashmere difficult to look after? I get away with murder with my merino jumper from Uniqlo. I have no idea how it hasn't shrunk to the size of a postage stamp yet! Keep accidentally putting it in my normal wash.

I only wash my knitwear when it starts to smell!!

Cashmere goes into the machine on the coldest, gentlest wash with only a touch of delicate detergent and in a mesh bag. Not taking any chances since DH accidentally shrunk my previous favourite jumper in a regular wash. I can't be doing with washing by hand (but don't tell my mum)

Thank you! That's useful. My problem is that I have young dcs who throw food in my general direction, so I frequently have to wash things, more than I would otherwise.

I don’t have a capsule wardrobe but I have started to “curate” my wardrobe. I had my colours done years ago so know navy is my black and grey is my best neutral. For the time being whilst I am working to build my preferred wardrobe I have added white and blush pink to this to create a basic pallet. I have a double hanging wardrobe and I put all the items I have in those colours on the top and then other stuff like gym and sports clothes on the bottom rail (and anything that isn’t in the colour pallet but too good to throw out). By putting all the colours together across the top rail, I can see I have a ton of navy and very little white - could use a bit more light grey as well. So now I am only adding in key pieces in the colours and styles I want. I’m not throwing anything out toad still has life in it and I like but as things wear out and I replace items I am only buying the styles and shapes that work best on me and the colour pallet I have chosen. Once I get to the point that I am happy with what I have in those colours I will add in an another accent colour. It honestly made such a difference to my shopping and now I can pull anything from the top rail and it all works together in easy outfits.

Sadly I am quite a horder. Moving soon but to a similar sized room so have had to cull some things. However, am thinking next year to be more capsulist (prob not a word!) and go for more navy and grey, less black. I actually love colour and believe I am a bright spring.

@Sexnotgender

I don’t have a capsule wardrobe as such but very much stick to quality pieces in a defined style. Boden super skinny jeans Cashmere jumpers Leather jacket/Barbour wax Jacket depending on season I rotate accessories, mulberry scarves and bags to dress up or down.

Only thing I struggle a little with are T-shirt’s. I’m a bit bored of the seasalt type stripes. Any recommendations for high quality single colour T-shirt’s? Probably a mix of neutrals.

Kettlewell Colours do excellent t-shirts in a huge variety of colours and lots of different necklines.

Thanks @IlonaRN

I recently ordered some tops from Kettlewell and were very pleasantly surprised how good quality it all was. Will stalk the sales, hopefully getting few more items!

It’s not really a capsule wardrobe but I recommend finding out what shapes suit your figure and which colours flatter you as a starting point
I have the same jaeger cashmere/wool coat in 7 different colours! I buy plain merino or cashmere jumpers in a variety of colours (tkmaxx, uniqlo, m n S, tkmaxx, second hand)
Match with plain tube skirts, cigarette pants or skinny jeans/jeggings in black, charcoal and navy

Thanks for the kettlewell link. I’ve looked at them before but long since forgotten they even existed!

Generally, I live in dog walking clothes in various uncoordinated mud colours. More Mary from Gogglebox than haute couture.

Work is different and I do have a more carefully thought out work, almost capsule, wardrobe.
A few good jackets - mainly bespoke in Chanel fabrics. They liven up otherwise dull dresses.

Then dresses all similar plain styles in required dark colours - Navy, Black, burgundy, bottle and grey.
A few dresses for wearing without jackets, for less formal meetings - same five colour bases.
Shoes and handbags to match dresses - a pair of medium heels and a pair of flats for each plus tan leather and nudes. A larger and smaller bag for each plus a tan leather set. Briefcases to match most.

A few good, visible but not too sparkly pieces of jewellery and very good scarves to add colour. Real not costume. Silk not synthetic.

A thousand pairs of tights in colours that match dresses and a few in more vibrant colours for fun/to be memorable.

I get up and thrown a pre-matched outfit. Nobody ever asks me if I’ve only got a few clothes.

Cashmere from ebay, I’m large breasted so tend to buy navy v necks.
Hush long sleeve, long basic cotton tops bought in their sale last and last ( they do come up long so if you aren’t tall you could get away with shorter version )
As to bags I recently bought a Fossil large black leather crossbody on ebay which looks very classic.

@TheQueensGambit

uk.coach.com/73549.html?dwvar_color=GDO5K&istCompanyId=47192935-fdad-43fd-9835-fda03ac7f333&istFeedId=2829af50-3350-4a2a-9581-843dbd622d43&istItemId=irmpxrptp&istBid=t&gclid=CjwKCAiAoOz-BRBdEiwAyuvA67F8tQZeWV_mjGYVKUVXl2enIBJX8XiWWNHIu749UvZAhbgPJOMfJhoC94YQAvD_BwE

What do people think of this? Is it classic and timeless, or will it date? This is an item I would need to save for.

It's impractical for an everyday bag - it doesn't close properly, just a magnetic closing thing. I'd find one with a zip and/or a flap over the top - this one is just begging to be pickpocketed from.