Please help me quickly build a capsule wardrobe

[TyneFilth]

I am 43, a professional in a fairly smartly dressed office 3 days of the week and WFH the other two. Size 14, 5 foot 4. Short waisted, very long bottom. Pear shape. Small tits. Can't wear heels.

I am going on a business trip in December to Baltimore to a super slick office. I have got fatter and casualler through the pandemic and none of my smart clothes fit.

I have a reasonable budget and would like to buy really durable, classic, good quality.

I usually rely on a lot of things in darkish blue, with occasional pops of yellow/orange/pink. People say this suits me. I have nice hair.

One thing I definitely need is a really good pair of leather knee high boots. I could be quite spendy on these.

PLEEEEEASE HELLLLLP MEEEEEEEE

What is your colouring?

Good question, thanks. White skin (northern european rather than Irish/scandi levels of pale!), brown hair, green eyes.

There is a site/blogger called Adore My Wardrobe, really worth following looking into. She made me realise I had far too much 'going out stuff', not enough 'every day stuff' etc. I think capsule wardrobe stuff has to really work for your life. Eg, a camel coat used to be recommended as a staple, but in my life it would get worn about once a year, if that. The blogger I mention is American, so may be more relevant to where you are going, as opposed to London/Paris/Insert place.

Personally would look at:
The Fold
Cefinn
Jigsaw

Something like
1 dress
1 pair of trousers
1skirt
2-3 tops all in one colour palette so that accessories match

Blue dresses:
thefoldlondon.com/product/blakeney-dress-indigo-blue-stretch-wool-crepe/

thefoldlondon.com/product/vieste-dress-navy-print-silk-crinkled-georgette/

Blue trousers:

thefoldlondon.com/product/ultimate-wool-slim-leg-elasticated-trousers-navy/

Shirts:

thefoldlondon.com/product/edenvale-blouse-print-crinkled-georgette/#anchor

thefoldlondon.com/product/harrow-blouse-pale-blue-silk/

www.cefinn.com/collections/blouses-shirts/products/annika-v-neck-long-sleeve-silk-blouse-beige-blue-leopard-pansy-print

All that said this is pricey!! So pick out a couple of statement pieces and then basic blue trousers etc from M&S? The Mia Trousers are very good so are Boden Richmond. M&S also good for cashmere cardigan or jumper which looks classy with a silk shirt under or a scarf.

I find Oliver Bonas good for statement accessories and Uniqlo excellent for heavy weight T shirts.

I have some Fold dresses and they have the advantage of travelling very well, don't crease and easy to care for. They always look a bit special.

thefoldlondon.com/product/blakeney-dress-indigo-blue-stretch-wool-crepe/

This is stunning!

Oh wow @GucciGucciCoo those are all very lovely. I have a Hobbs dress a little like the second link, but it's too small now.

I might have to order some things online as well as go for a personal shopping session in London. Any ideas where is best for that? I'd default to John Lewis or Selfridge's I suppose. Would I be better spending a day schlepping round Westfield? I can't say I'd relish the prospect

John Lewis stocks The Fold if that helps.

@GucciGucciCoo

Personally would look at: The Fold Cefinn Jigsaw

Something like
1 dress
1 pair of trousers
1skirt
2-3 tops all in one colour palette so that accessories match

Blue dresses:
thefoldlondon.com/product/blakeney-dress-indigo-blue-stretch-wool-crepe/

thefoldlondon.com/product/vieste-dress-navy-print-silk-crinkled-georgette/

Blue trousers:

thefoldlondon.com/product/ultimate-wool-slim-leg-elasticated-trousers-navy/

Shirts:

thefoldlondon.com/product/edenvale-blouse-print-crinkled-georgette/#anchor

thefoldlondon.com/product/harrow-blouse-pale-blue-silk/

www.cefinn.com/collections/blouses-shirts/products/annika-v-neck-long-sleeve-silk-blouse-beige-blue-leopard-pansy-print

All that said this is pricey!! So pick out a couple of statement pieces and then basic blue trousers etc from M&S? The Mia Trousers are very good so are Boden Richmond. M&S also good for cashmere cardigan or jumper which looks classy with a silk shirt under or a scarf.

I find Oliver Bonas good for statement accessories and Uniqlo excellent for heavy weight T shirts.

Excellent choices!

that blue dress is seriously nice and the trousers. Thank god they don't do my size or I would be doing serious spends!

@Deathraystare

that blue dress is seriously nice and the trousers. Thank god they don't do my size or I would be doing serious spends!

Yes, they are lovely but can't justify spending that much. This is a new brand I will vainly aspire to buying though!

Does anywhere still do suits that have a trouser and a skirt option where you could buy both? Used to do that at Debenhams years ago. Sigh.

Oh yes @JustWhatIAlwaysWanted the last one of those I had was a maternity suit 13 years ago!!

I have booked a PS appointment at John Lewis for next weekend. I've also bought a couple of dresses from JL online which I can return then if they don't work, or build around them if they do.

Wondering if it would be weird to take with me some of my existing reasonably smart things which I like, so the shopper can see my likes/tendencies?