Capsule wardrobe on a budget

[milkysmum]

I need a complete over haul of my wardrobe- I pretty much hate everything and have lost my style. I have gone from a management position at work where I was wearing mainly dresses and boots to a clinical community role ( think social work type of area )- so walking into clients homes in my previous workwear just isn't appropriate.
I'm probably a size 12 bottom, 10 top.
Wide hips, small bust. Like things a little bit ' edgier' rather than traditional, but don't actually know where to start. I'm 42.
I literally want to make a start on a stylish capsule wardrobe that I can mix and match. As a single parent I am pretty much either at work, at home or nipping to the gym. I can wear jeans etc at work.
Any help putting together a list for a new small capsule wardrobe very much appreciated- links would be great 😊

What is your budget? I'm doing this due to weight loss and I'm shopping almost exclusively secondhand, on depop & vinted. There's so much out there now and you get a lot more bang for your buck!

I guess I need it to come in as cheap as possible really as not a lot of spare cash going around. I just don't know where to start. I look like a style disaster right now with my mish mash of a wardrobe- it all needs to go 😂

Work out what your best neutral colour is. If it’s black it makes it all much easier. If not you might need to have two neutral colours (eg navy and beige), ideally two that can be worn together.

From there pick your two most flattering colours. That sets up your palatte. You can add more colours but they all need to work with these 3/4.

Figure out what you like wearing - eg are you more comfortable in trousers/never wear skirts/ prefer dresses/ hate leggings etc. take a close and curious look at your favourite clothes and work out why you like them. A capsule only works if you wear it all.

Most people prioritise either fit/look/comfort so figure out what your priorities are.

When you shop it’s very important that you don’t buy single items. You don’t go near a cashier until you have figured out what to wear it with. Pay attention to footwear too as that can be the foundation of your outfits.

When you go shopping dress for trying on clothes, and expect to spend the first day ;or at least several hours) mostly looking and taking pictures

Expect to spend a chunk of your budget on boring basics. Underwear that works with your clothes, tops for layering etc. we tend to get dazzled by the exciting purchases and have too many gorgeous clothes unworn because we haven’t built them into actual outfits. Never shop without a list!

@deeplyrooted

Work out what your best neutral colour is. If it’s black it makes it all much easier. If not you might need to have two neutral colours (eg navy and beige), ideally two that can be worn together.

From there pick your two most flattering colours. That sets up your palatte. You can add more colours but they all need to work with these 3/4.

Figure out what you like wearing - eg are you more comfortable in trousers/never wear skirts/ prefer dresses/ hate leggings etc. take a close and curious look at your favourite clothes and work out why you like them. A capsule only works if you wear it all.

Most people prioritise either fit/look/comfort so figure out what your priorities are.

When you shop it’s very important that you don’t buy single items. You don’t go near a cashier until you have figured out what to wear it with. Pay attention to footwear too as that can be the foundation of your outfits.

When you go shopping dress for trying on clothes, and expect to spend the first day ;or at least several hours) mostly looking and taking pictures

Expect to spend a chunk of your budget on boring basics. Underwear that works with your clothes, tops for layering etc. we tend to get dazzled by the exciting purchases and have too many gorgeous clothes unworn because we haven’t built them into actual outfits. Never shop without a list!

This is excellent advice!

Do you have any tips for how to find your colours (without paying for a consultation)?

Yes have no idea what colours I ' should ' be wearing. Tend to do a lot of black/ khaki/ animal print/ maroon..
I'm so bad at putting an outfit together though. My teenage daughters rolls her eyes at me many a mornings!

In your position I would go and have a mooch around town or a shopping centre and try a lot of things on. Have a look on Instagram or a couple of fashion magazines or the daily outfit threads on here for a few ideas of styles and shops to try.

If you spend a day trying things on without buying anything then you should be able to go to Vinted and choose some second hand bargains. This is a good intro polkadot-pink.com/2020/08/05/buying-on-vinted/

You'll end up with some bargains, and some things that don't work (which you can always re sell.)

I need something like this and then I can just go and purchase required items and know what I am doing with them all 😂

Has anyone else completely started again from scratch and actually kept to a capsule wardrobe? I live the idea of just having a few well chose pieces rather than routing through draw loads of tat!

Shop your own wardrobe. Pick out the things you like and the shapes and colours that work for you.

The capsule wardrobe means you need each item to be exactly right, so it is not as easy as it looks

You'll find some things you have are ok

I have a capsule wardrobe but it’s involved a lot of trial and error. And I’ve been driven by laziness and the desire to be comfortable more than style

As far as colours go, I’ve found that when I’m wearing the right colours I get compliments on how well I’m looking. When I get concern about looking tired. But if my clothes are getting compliments they’re probably not quite right either, just not awfully wrong.

The way it’s done professionally is to hold swatches to your face and watch the effect. Try it with different shades of red - a blue red can be very different to warm terracotta. You’ll start to see trends. But to start with stick to colours you don’t have strong feelings about.

Your local library will probably have a copy of something like colour me beautiful or just look for you tube videos.

If it all feels too overwhelming just try this instead. Choose your favourite patterned top/dress and create 2 or 3 outfits around it. Then try and find something to replace the top/dress but still using most of the pieces you’ve put together.

Great advice here from @deeplyrooted . I also agree with those suggesting secondhand. I like Vinted’s feature where you favourite stuff; it all goes on your favourites page and can be a useful way to see how stuff goes together (and figure out which of the multiple navy jumpers you favourited deserves a place in your wardrobe). I’m too lazy to create a pinterest board but use this as an equivalent.