Top capsule wardrobe pieces Autumn - help!

[Spannersintheworks]

I'm heavily pregnant with what will be my third and definitely last baby and so excited to soon be out of maternity wear and put all this behind me.

I want to start building up a beautiful capsule wardrobe, but I have literally no sense of style!

I'm 5'3, usually a size 10, but doubt very much that I'll be popping right back to a prebaby body. I'm mid 30s, so don't want to get too frumpy but can't be in the short skirts of my youth either.

I try to shop natural fabrics but I just don't know where to start. I've picked up a few lovely hints from this board, but need some style help!

I don't like black or white as they just don't suit me, prefer navy and greens. Quite pale colouring. I think £70 is the maximum I could spend on a nice wool jumper, £50 for jeans, but I'd like to be as ethical as I can.

What do you think? Any brands and key pieces I should be looking at? I don't even know what shops are out there!

1. You’re very brave, using a word like frumpy - and implying it’s what happens when one is older than mid-30s!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4893387-ageism-armageddon-but-not-as-you-might-expect?reply=129101508

2. Your clothing aims are completely achievable but - if you really want to be stylish it would be a mistake to rigidly prescribe how much things should cost. If everything in your wardrobe costs roughly the amounts you’ve suggested (as new items) you’re going to look respectable but dull. Why not be open to the possibility of, for instance, one very cheap item mixed with a piece of knitwear costing a lot more, maybe massively reduced in the sales or found on a vintage / pre-owned site? Or you might aim to buy one extravagant accessory each Summer or Winter season, to mix with your sensible capsule wardrobe. That way you avoid looking exactly like everyone else at the same stage of life as you. (I do understand this isn’t The Mumsnet Way …)

3. Have a look at Community Clothing. Simple, well made clothes and their ethical and environmental aspirations should make you very happy.

In my opinion the essentials are:

1. 2-3 pairs of well fitting jeans in black / dark blue / mid-wash
2. 1 white blouse
3. 2-3 jumpers that go with everything
4. 2-3 dresses that combine day / work
5. 1 pair of knee high boots in brown
6. 1 pair of ankle length boots in black
7. long coat
8. short coat
9. jacket (blazer)
10. 1 quality handbag

I would spend more on the items above as they go with everything and I’ll be wearing them everyday / most days. Everything else can be cheaper / bought from Primark

I’d maybe look at Seasalt, another controversial subject but if you pick carefully they have some solid basics in the colours you’re after and mostly natural fabrics. I don’t really wear black and they have good alternatives.

Cord trousers or dresses? M and S, Cos,Brora and Nobodys Child have lots in greens and blues.

I love this. CORDUROY MIDI SHIRT DRESS - DARK GREEN - COS

I can't say I've managed to put together a capsule wardrobe, but most of my everuday clothes are a mix of Zara, Mango, Massimo Dutti and M&S (especially good for trousers etc in short length).
I would pick a couple of colours and mostly stick to those - for me that's navy, grey, some cream and pale pink, which sounds boring but suits me and makes getting dressed easy!
I usually wait for the sales, but for pricier items you could also try on in store and then search for it on Vinted.

@MetaDaughter I wasn't saying people over 30 are frumpy! I was saying I'm young and I don't want to feel frumpy.

But thank you for 2 - this is some good advice

@AnIndianWoman another good suggestion about mixing and matching with more expensive items when required. Just feels hard to spend lots on single items. How do you know that the ££ products are worth it and will stay current?

@TheOGCCL I have bought from seasalt before and have lots of their woollen jumpers, but I'm getting to a point where I want to maybe feel a bit more stylish and up to date than them. I will go and have a look at this season's stuff though as I haven't looked for a little while

@Lentilweaver thank you for these suggestions! I never know where to look. I'm reading a lot about m&s trousers on these boards!

Thought clothing

To be honest , I have started wearing oversized dresses with wide leg trousers in natural colors...I am making my own style and sew them...getting lots of compliments 😉