Capsule wardrobe, cheap or expensive

[Wardrobeehelp]

I really need to revamp my wardrobe as over the last few years I’ve minimised but then not replaced and am now left with random clothes I don’t really like. But am torn between spending a bit more on key items or just having a big shop in the cheaper high street shops. Has anyone got any tips for creating a capsule wardrobe? Just for reference I’m a mum of two young children, working from home 3 days a week and in the office 1 day. I’m 5’3 and around 12 stone so have a fuller curvy figure. I’d like a smarter look as I gravitate towards leggings, sweaters, jumpers at the moment.

This is a wonderful thread all about creating a capsule wardrobe, and generally shopping cleverly for what you need

www.mumsnet.com/talk/mumsnet_classics/3797652-thanks-to-s-b-i-m-finally-winning-in-the-pursuit-of-elegance

I dont think atm there is much difference between the quality in high Street stores like zara/Mango or then up a level to Whistles or &other stories. I bought a jigsaw leather handbag that was only fit for the bin inside 6 months. Whereas my other daily handbag (I can't remember the brand, from HoF approx £60) is still like new after 11 years - and I do not treat handbags with care.

Unless you are going to spend a lot of money just pick up what you like wherever you find it.

Some of my best longest lasting tshirts are pure linen ones from Asda 10 years ago and still look like new, and I wear them at least weekly.

Or try ebay and vinted, I buy the majority of my clothes 2nd hand- I know my body measurements and will ask the seller to confirm the actual measurements of the item.
I also know what suits me and what doesn't- earthy colours not pastels, v necks not polo's, shirt style dresses not prairie.

I can't help with the capsule wardrobe bit though...I'm too fickle with my dress style. I had thought last night after wrestling with the wardrobe door to shut that maybe I should do a capsule wardrobe for winter, but then I've had panicked feelings about it all night so I probably won't do that - I'll maybe just tidy it a bit and see if DH needs to get rid of anything

My small child days are far behind me but, from what I can remember, I'd say that a few well chosen key items would have been bugger all use in that phase of my life. I mainly wanted clothes that looked reasonably modern, that would wash at 30 degrees, and that I could crawl around in, spill things on and generally trash without breaking either my heart or my bank balance. So I'd go for a budget friendly, easily replaceable otion. There will be plenty of time to upgrade when your kids are a bit older.

But to be fair, I don't have and have no intention of ever having a capsule wardrobe.

I'd buy the budget version first, see how that goes with your lifestyle and lesiure activities, then if you like your basic items, you can replace them with better quality ones over time.

I’m prepared to buy cheap and expensive but never to assume that expensive is definitely better quality.

In your shoes, I’d not go for a big shop until I’d worked out what I needed to fill the gaps in my wardrobe and always work on the requirement that everything you buy has to go with at least 3 other items I already had (or was buying) eg a top that goes with jeans, smart trousers and a skirt. I’d start with jackets and coats that were fairly neutral and could be worn with lots of outfits.

I think there’s a big difference between having a load of random clothes you don’t really like and a full on capsule wardrobe and you might be overthinking this a bit. Just have a look around and see what catches your eye. I personally think M&S have upped their game and offer lots of other brands. Or John Lewis for lots of variety as well.

I agree with PP that to really achieve quality you have to spend a lot, like hundreds. Because the quality of high street clothing is going down as retailers try to keep prices low when materials cost more. There are some dreadful things out there at the moment, as winter clothes tend to be more expensive to produce anyway. Unless you are very sure of your style and it and your size isn’t changing anytime soon, that’s a bit risky.

I muddle along with gems I find amongst the dross. In particular check your fabrics as most of the items I have that have lasted are wool or cotton or lyocell, and these can be found lurking amongst the sea of polyester and acrylic, sometimes in unlikely places. How you wash your clothes has a big impact too.

I would organise what you have first and then look at your lifestyle and fill any gaps.

For example. I wfh now and I don't need smart suits for work so I kept 2 and put the rest to the charity shop. Wfh I needed more comfy trousers and better quality (aka warmer) socks and jumpers.

I literally culled out the stuff I never wore (did the put the hangers backwards thing to see what I actually wore) and looked at what I was wearing and assessed if I needed more of any of what I was wearing.

Try to capsule your current clothes first and see how you get on.
Work out what you need. How many tops , and the ratio you need ? T shirts , shirts / blouses ?
Bottoms - trousers , jeans , leggings , dresses & skirts ?
How many to suit your lifestyle ?
Then sort - Anything you don't wear anymore , charity shop , old/ damaged - recycle.
Then whittle down to what you actually need , eg. everyday, leisure / hobbies, workwear, going out etc.
if you feel you can send everything else to charity. If not ( temporarily ) bag up and store.
Live with your choice , see how you get on . If ok then gradually replace with better quality - one in , one out.
Do the same for accessories , coats , summer wear.

Thank you all, these are all really helpful suggestions.

I would buy smarter updated variants of what you wear now, so it's not too out if your comfort zone . Faux leather leggings say instead of your normal. M&S ones are great, warm & washable ( wipeable) . The m&s slightly cropped flare faux leather leggings are like trousers.
Buy a couple of Cashmere or Wool jumpers. They can be washed on a delicate wash in the machine. H&M & M&S do some great ones. See how you get in with a couple of new things before you buy any more.

A few years ago I got a style calendar from Frump Fighters. She does sort of maximal capsule wardrobes. There is a few good freebies from her as well like this nowthaticando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/The-Basics-Year-Round-Wardrobe-Plan-for-Moms-Free-Capsule-Plan-Checklist.pdf

If you sign up for email you get access to a bunch of free stuff which might be handy before buying the calendar.