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Capsule wardrobe plus size low budget - where to start?

36 replies

Katyppp · 29/12/2021 10:31

As the title says.
Spent 2021 organising myself at work and home, and have decided 2022 is the year I will organise my person!
I am looking to get started on a capsule wardrobe of about 25-30 items, including everything but nightwear and underwear.
I have done some reading up and have decided my colours will be black, blue and green.
Some basics:
Size 24 (I will be working on this over the year, but intend to sell/donate clothes if necessary. I don't want to waste any more time waiting until I have lost weight)
Height 5ft 4in
Age 54
Skin fair
Hair short, dark red
Eyes blue
Budget low, max £100 per month
Problem areas- everywhere but specifically massive tummy, upper arms and thighs. Double chin
Style casual/classic. I work from home.

Anyone up for a challenge?

OP posts:
dreamerlemur · 29/12/2021 13:04

Hello
I would look at pre loved clothes - try Oxfam online shop or Thrift.Plus.

My suggestion would be a black dress that you can add bright belts and bright tights or scarves too. I bought a Laura Ashley grey wool dress about 2 years ago from charity shop and it really can be worn 1000 ways ! Hope someone else can suggest more items !

dreamerlemur · 29/12/2021 13:06

Oh and btw great for living in the now !!

Mum090521 · 29/12/2021 21:23

I have bought a few things in Monsoon lately.

Katyppp · 30/12/2021 10:53

I have ordered lots from M&S, asos and schuh to have a look at. It's quite liberating just looking for certain colours.
Dies anyone have any advice on what I should buy? How many tops, trousers etc?
Tanks for the help so far - I didn't know Oxfam had an online shop and I had never heard of Thrift. I may well send my old clothes to get some credits.
And thanks for the Monsoon tip - I had no idea they sold size 24

OP posts:
ExConstance · 30/12/2021 11:02

Can you tell us if you work? and in what environment? How do you spend your leisure time?

Neverthecornflakegirl · 30/12/2021 11:05

I’m the same size and height as you although I went for navy blues, grey and black.

I found Tu at Sainsburys and M and S collection the best. Wouldn’t bother with Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Simply Be. Curvissa and Yours are ok but a bit expensive for what they are. I also keep an eye on eBay for Boden or Seasalt. I work from home 3 days a week and in the office 2 days a week.

Katyppp · 30/12/2021 11:20

@ExConstance, I do an office job but entirely from home. I do like to dress differently for work though. Don't have much leisure time as I am also renovating our family home so that sucks up most of the weekends!

@Neverthecornflakegirl, I like greys a lot but I decided on green as I wanted more of a contrast. I didn't realise there were so many shades though.
I have just read up a bit on the 333 project and might use that as a basis for my capsule.

OP posts:
Katyppp · 30/12/2021 11:37

Looking at what I already have, I might add copper/rust to the mix too. Do green, blue, copper and black even go together??

OP posts:
IamGusFring · 30/12/2021 11:52

I would suggest that you look at Matalan as they have some great value stuff . I do buy expensive stuff at times but my favourite jeans are the Kimmy or Jessie dark wash from them .I buy 2/3 pairs twice a year then when they fade I pass them onto a charity shop . This price would work well too if you are planning on losing weight . I would suggest a coat , couple pairs jeans , some tops and a couple of dresses to go with black tights. They have a sale right now too .

thickthighs73 · 30/12/2021 11:54

Vinted is worth checking out

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 30/12/2021 12:02

Bunted us very good for second hand decent clothes. I buy a lot from there!

Deux · 30/12/2021 12:02

Another vote for Vinted and also an excellent way to easily sell clothes you don’t want.

It might be worth getting your colours done though either in person or online. Just to make sure you get the right shade of green etc as it’ll save you money in the long run.

Aderyn21 · 30/12/2021 12:03

You could dye jeans rather than rebuy.
I'd start with a stretchy dress that you can wear with different accessories and that might see you through a couple of size changes and a flattering pair of jeans and either trousers or a skirt. I'd buy plain rather than patterned as I think patterned can look cheap unless you are really careful or spending lots of money.
Do you have nice boots/shoes? I'd spend more on these than on tops.

Leftbutcameback · 30/12/2021 12:06

I find WFH that the top half is most important. I wear M&S jumpers (round neck supersoft) in a number of colours. Also always do hair, makeup and have earrings in. Bottom half tends to be casual and comfortable. I do wear shoes if I want to feel more formal. So then it would be ankle grazer trousers (I have them in navy green and black) and lace up shoes

Leftbutcameback · 30/12/2021 12:07

I should say - my greens (trousers and jumpers) are olive or bottle. They suit me best

theorangesisters · 30/12/2021 12:16

When I've found colours, styles and brands that suit me or want to try something new/experiment, I buy nearly new/excellent condition from Depop, Vinted, Thrift+, Refashion, Ebay or local charity shops 😊.

Katyppp · 30/12/2021 12:44

@Deux I had my colours done years ago, and I am autumn

OP posts:
Deux · 30/12/2021 13:56

@Katyppp I got mine done years ago too - winter here. But I lost my little wallet of colour swatches. I can remember most of mine except when it comes to pastels. Smile

TakeMeToYourLiar · 30/12/2021 14:01

Ulla Popken preloved on vinted

CakenTea · 30/12/2021 16:12

Try Mango... they go up to a 4XL which I think is a 26. I get a lot of basics from Next (plain cotton t shirts, leggings.) Fatface do a 24, so do Monsoon and Karen Millen have curve range now- try ebay/second hand as well as new.

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 30/12/2021 17:13

Katyppp if you are autumn why are wearing black ?
If you are starting afresh with a capsule wardrobe then why not stick to colours that suit you?
Autumn shades of greens and blues are beautiful.

DidgeDoolittle · 30/12/2021 17:29

I'm an autumn and I wear navy, greens,coppers and cream/oatmeal.

Wantubackforgood · 30/12/2021 19:04

I love popsy dresses .I used to live in leggings and tops but they are very comfy with snag tights or leggings and boots or trainers with an assortment of cosy cardi's.

They wash and dry quickly ,can be dressed up with jewellery or worn under a puffa coat with a scarf and walking boots .
Dresses are around £35 ,tights about £7-10 and cardis from Amazon or TK Maxx at £10-£15.

It doesn't take long to build up an array of different options with a few pieces .

Katyppp · 30/12/2021 19:06

@FormerlySpeckledyHen
@DidgeDoolittle
So no black? It was so long ago now, but I thought black was neutral?

OP posts:
FormerlySpeckledyHen · 30/12/2021 19:41

Katyppp black is a cool colour in the winter spectrum.
Autumn neutral would be a warm navy.

Can you remember which company did your colour analysis? Were you given a wallet of your colours.