Guardian capsule wardrobe article- what items do you agree with and ones that you don't?

[PragmaticDramatic]

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/aug/24/the-ultimate-capsule-wardrobe-the-only-20-items-youll-ever-really-need
I am assuming you need multiples of these items.

I don't think it's a bad list, it's a good starting point if someone wanted to give this a go, but there's no universal one size fits all capsule wardrobe. We all have different lifestyles, live in different climates, and have different preferences.

I'm more of a fan of having a good basic wardrobe, ie having a good range of pieces that are easy to mix and match together, be it 20 items or 120.

Not enough/any long sleeved t shirts. I do basically live in one jumper all winter because it's a fantastic Finisterre one. But I need long sleeved tops underneath so I don't need to wash it ever that much. It all depends on where you work and how you get there. I have no need ever for ballet flats or kitten heels and need a hood for commuting in the rain.

I find shirt collars unflattering with longer hair (although still keep buying them and then rarely wearing them).

Quite dull and wouldn’t work with my body shape. Chanel jacket, cigarette pants, kitten heels - all begone! I mostly live in dresses for work and socialising, easy for me and more comfortable and flattering for a menopausal shortarse.

Oh, yeah, cigarette trousers feel really dated now. I live in Uniqlo cargo pants - she's right that they do cross the work/casual look (depends where you work, of course).

My thing I could not get over was that the rain coat doesn’t have a hood. You know, for when it rains.

I have no use for the cigarette pants, the wide leg trousers, the cargo pants, the Breton T shirt, silky top, kitten heels or ballet flats.

Could use a skirt but not that one. Same for the dress.

Plus I'd want at least one coat to have a hood on it.

Can tell that list wasn't written by a busty woman. It's not bad as far as it goes, but makes no allowances for people who don't work in offices.

What is the demographic that wears Breton tops? I don't live in the UK anymore, but even when I did I don't think I saw a single one.

Edited to add: the one they've chosen in that article strobes like a bastard too.

The accompanying article is a bit more interesting than the boring list - there's a few nice quotes and some good advice about thinking what your lifestyle needs.

In terms of the list, there are some things I never wear (not got on with loafers, not a fan of a kitten heel) but I think it's a useful starting point for a versatile base wardrobe although I wouldn't stick with all the shapes mentioned. I appreciate that's not the purpose but if I had at least one nice version of everything on the list, it serves as a blank canvas for other more interesting bits whether that's fun shapes or different colours.

I’m wearing a Breton top underneath a denim shirt today with the sleeves rolled up a bit. Standard weekend toddler wrangling or Friday wfh attire for me.

I'm wearing one now if this counts as one.

Smooth Cotton Oversized T-Shirt (Stripe, Long Sleeve)
www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E472868-000/00?colorDisplayCode=69&sizeDisplayCode=003&pldDisplayCode=000&utm_medium=social&utm_source=appshare

I love how they've added "playfulness" in the shape of a really dull, black lace-trimmed cami. The sort of thing I haven't seen in the shops since about 2003.

Terrible writing too, but fashion editorial usually is.

I wouldn't call that a Breton top, unless it means any stripy t-shirt?

TBF, this is the Guardian, so probably a perfectly good wardrobe for a well-off woman in Kentish Town, catching ubers between pilates and tweakments.

That sort of thing makes me look like the whore of Babylon in any case - not the look I’m generally shooting for.

I can't wear a white shirt or a denim one or a chemise so... (boobs, shirts don't fit and strapless bras don't exist in my size!)
Crew neck also looks awful on me so would swap that for a v neck

I never wear shirts, or Breton stripes, or blazers, or loafers, or kitten heels, or wide leg trousers.

No it's not realistic. Plus it's boring

I think it's a bit boring and personality free, though I think the shoe options are quite good.

I would have more jumpers and t shirts, ditch the white and denim shirts.

Hm, if you wear the same clothes all the time, they'll start to show signs of wear pretty quickly. So what do you do then - get rid and buy more of the same? Or keep both sets........ in which case you might just as well get a larger and more interesting selection to start with.

White trainer, loafer and kitten heel?

What about my other leg?

The channel box jacket thing is more Joan Collins.

I'll admit that I'm not exactly Mrs Fashion, but that selection seems to give minimal attention to the seasons. The raincoat has no bloody hood. ONE jumper? I have a vast selection, all of which get worn.

It might work if I lived in a city and didn't have dogs. But even then, WTF do you wear if you want to go the beach?

No raincoats, cargo pants, or ballerina flats for me.

Apart from the cargo pants and kitten heels both of which I loathe this article is dream advice for me.

I am so lost clothes wise.