Sorry OP, this is long... :)
I've been compiling a capsule wardrobe for a year or so - it's a work in progress as I still haven't found some of the things I want. I've found it's easier to do it by season, so am doing that; I also have probably more coats/jackets than I should as they've always been an intrinsic part of my style (long leather coats, velvet blazers etc). I’m paring down the number of shoes/boots but think it’s almost at a minimum now!
My 'colours' were black, purple, red and burgundy, but I've recently added navy as this was the colour of the only nice bra I could find, and I already had a navy dress I liked.
(Hmm, it seems like an awful lot now I’ve written down! But apart from shoes, coats etc, the winter items do all fit in one chest of drawers. I think I’ll pare it down more though. I housesit/travel a lot and fantasise about fitting all my clothes into one suitcase. Will def try the Project 33 thing.)
My summer wardrobe is currently 8 items exc shoes/jacket/swimming/night gear; should be about 12 items but am still looking for some:
• 1 navy midi dress (from TX Maxx) - this is sleeveless, quite low cut and quite dressy - I wear it with a plunge bra if I want to dress up and a bralette if not
• 1 black velvet sleeveless midi dress (vintage/charity shop) – think I’m going to start wearing this with tights and a jumper in winter
• 1 black mini dress (vintage/charity shop)
• 1 pair denim shorts (M&S - currently too small as have put on a bit of weight since buying, but I remain hopeful)
• 2 pairs cotton white shorts
• 1 v neck teal T shirt
• Black ribbed ££ vest
• burgundy vintage short leather jacket
• 1 pair red Fly London wedge sandals
• 1 pair Chelsea boots (Whistles)
• 2 men’s shirts – one charcoal grey, one blue checked (to wear as nightshirts in evening or over swimming shorts on beach) – think these are M&S but got them in charity shops
Wishlist for summer:
3-4 other tees which I can't find anywhere! I like strong colours and can’t find what I want (plain good quality tees in red, purple and burgundy)
If I could find the T shirts I like, the above plus a couple of bags, PJs etc would probably do me for most of my wardrobe as I intend to spend winter somewhere sunny now we can travel again.
My winter wardrobe (obv also spring/autumn depending on weather)
• 1 Phase Eight knit ¾ culottes (I love these and wear them loads; got them in sale)
• 1 pinstripe knee culottes – I wear these with black football socks for warmth and sometimes purple/green ‘pop’ socks over – actually looks quite nice :)
• 1 grey wool Hobbs culottes (charity shop. May replace both pairs of knee culottes as they’re a bit tight. Or buy one pair and then one pair of grey wool trousers)
• 1 long vintage wool tartan skirt
• 1 midi black/red polka dot skirt – might get rid of
• 2 black jumpers – one loose, one fitted
• Crew or v neck jumpers – 1 red, 1 burgundy, 2 purple, 2 grey (will probably replace a couple of these with cashmere ones)
• V neck wool jumpers – 1 red, one grey
• 1 black/tartan Joe Brown’s dress
• 1 long black velvet dress
• 1 grey pinstriped waistcoat
• 1 long grey wool coat
• 1 long black leather vintage coat (should prob sell this on, but the sleeve has been handpainted by my artist friend…)
• Chelsea boots
• Knee high heeled boots
• Hush Puppy calf wedge boots – might get rid of these
• 2 x black ‘heels’ – 1 platform, 1 shoe boot
• 1 leather backpack
Wishlist for winter:
• Leather culottes or leather trousers – would LOVE to find these as they’d make up most of my winter outfits!
Dressy/work stuff
• 1 purple dress from Diva
• 1 vintage wine cord skirt suit
• 1 black velvet trouser suit (I can’t bring myself to get rid of either suit as they obv add two jackets and two bottoms to my wardrobe as well as working as suits)
Night/lounge stuff:
• Sleep T (scruffy; want to replace
• 2 pairs M&S men’s PJs – one black/white check, one blue check
• 1 fluffy white towelling robe
• 1 fluffy purple dressing gown (will prob replace with a silk/satin one in burgundy or navy)
• 1 oversized tartan shirt
Underwear:
• 1 plunge bra
• 1 black bralette
• About 10 pairs ‘nice’ knickers plus a few pairs of scruffier/period ones - all black/hip style apart from 2 blue and 1 thong
• About 10 pairs ‘nice’ ankle socks (men’s, from House of Fraser I think)
• 2 pairs trainer socks
• Tights – black opaque, black 40D, coloured: grey, burgundy, purple
Jewellery:
I don’t wear much jewellery as I’m allergic to most metals (plus I have a lip piercing, which seems to take up ppl’s attention…). I have a black onyx vintage pendant, quite large, and 2 pairs of stainless steel earrings – one drop, one smaller.
Bags and accessories:
• Leather backpack as above; currently have orange leather bucket-style handbag from Italy but will prob replace with a simple black cross-body messenger bag
• Red leather ‘medical’ style bag, big enough to hold laptop
• 2 cloche hats – one grey, one burgundy
• 1 pair black leather gloves
• 1 pair grey cashmere sleeves (as it gives me the rage when women’s winter jumpers have ¾ sleeves!)
Accessories wishlist:
• Cashmere beanie hat (prob reversible in blue/grey or burgundy/grey)
Other stuff:
Gym rucksack, shorts, trainers etc.
OK, I need to do some work on my wardrobe…