Building capsule wardrobe, £500 budget

[NorthEastNellie]

Hi

I'm 10 weeks postpartum with my last baby, coming up for 40, and need to get my act together style-wise. Would anyone like to help me shop? For now, I need high street versions of the expensive clothes I'd actually like to buy.

I have £500 to cover an autumn/winter casual wardrobe. I have a toddler and a sicky baby so need clothes that can stand up to machine washing.

I am thinking wide leg/cropped trousers in navy, black and light brown. Navy/dark green sweaters/v neck cardigans, with t-shirts or shirts layered underneath. I like the shirt/t-shirt poking out from under a jumper look. Also dark striped t-shirts in the examples. High necked styles suit me.

Here's a screenshot of part of my Pinterest board 🙂

Coat I'm not sure on but I'm thinking maybe a dark bomber or short pale puffer for now and getting a longer wool coat in the Jan sales? That said, I do really like the coat I've uploaded in the images, if we think it'll work with the overall style?

Shoes - I have some black biker style boots and black Nike retro trainers, but could do with other suggestions! Maybe cream/white trainers as well? Second hand DM shoes? What would you get? 🙂

I'm fairly short at 5'4 and tend to choose short/petite length trousers, size 8/10.

Trousers - I already have some wide leg cropped navy cords from seasalt, plus these on the way (see photo), so I'd be looking for a black pair and a light brown pair maybe?

If it's helpful, I could put together some outfit ideas on Pinterest? For critique/purchasing suggestions.

Thanks so much in advance!

There's some great Mango wool coats on BrandAlley now at nearly half price.
Also lots of trousers/tops etc. Would well be worth having a browse for the items you're looking for.

M&S seem to be on the ball with wide leg jeans and trousers this season. They had some nice v neck and sleeveless cardigans too.

Defo check out vinted for boots and trainers. There’s often a few new pairs in boxes etc going cheap.

Uniqlo would be a good place to look for knitwear, something like this cardigan, I also really like their cotton t-shirts as good basics. &Other Stories also have this lovely sweater in a rich forest green: https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/knitwear/sweaters/product.mock-neck-sweater-green.1008611038.html

Search for the brands you like on Vinted. You'll be able to get loads for £500.

EBay and Vinted have some excellent vintage wool coats. Really good value and a much higher wool content than most on the high street

Agreed with the wool content of coats on eBay or vinted compared to high street. Much better choice on eBay and vinted.

I wouldn’t see the need for the black trousers. Unless you’re buying expensive wool flannel / twill from a superlative designer, cheap black trousers always look - pointless. And they’re ubiquitous. I sometimes look along a Tube carriage and every single person male or female is in some sort of ugly black trouser. If you must get some, choose a well cut, full length, ‘smart’ pair that you could wear with a coordinating jacket for more formal events.

Thanks for the tips everyone 🙂

What if they were cords @ANagsHead ?

I'm not against 2nd hand in general but prefer to be able to try things on before I buy them/have the option to return. I've also had some bad luck with vintage sellers. However vintage coat is a good shout - I think coats are more likely to fit OK? Shoes too.

Thanks for the links @MotherWol that cardigan is going on the list! Maybe the jumpers too.

Hmm I think I'll put together some outfit ideas on Pinterest later too to see how things might go together, will give me something to do while breastfeeding!

Will have a look at brand alley and m&s trousers

Very helpful comments so far ☺️

I usually ask for measurements from Vinted/Ebay if they're not given, which certainly helps with fit and sizing.

I think if you are used to buying more expensive things it’s very difficult to adjust your expectations of cheaper items. My cheaper items that have worked this autumn so far are wide leg Zara jeans (5’4” and hit my ankle) , a slightly oversized Zara pea style coat (£59 although I bought it in Spain and it came out at £41). Marks and Spencer long navy puffa (£99). - just great for walks and down to school when necessary. Otherwise I find Marks quite often misses the mark slightly and so much there (and on the high street) is not wool although I think their merino jumpers worth a look . I do have a pair of plain white Marks trainers that I throw into the washing machine .
I love the green cardigan in your Pinterest collage. In fact I love a lot of the things you’ve picked.
I agree about black, it quite often gets shabby quickly . Choosing things and navy and green would give you a lot of interchangeable outfits maybe.

Brushed flannel shirt £35 Muji
https://uk.muji.eu/products/womens-double-brushed-flannel-regular-collar-shirt-19396

Mango denim skirt £50
https://shop.mango.com/gb/en/p/women/skirts/midi/contrast-seams-denim-skirt77085665?c=TO

Monki jumper £28
https://www.monki.com/engbp/clothing/knitwear/sweaters/product.knitted-boat-neck-sweater-dark-blue.1239074003.html

The thing is …

Cords are inherently relaxed, and they’re everywhere in beautiful autumnal colours.

Black is formal: Saint Laurent Le Smoking, funerals, my former career at the Bar. Alternatively every waiter and waitress at every catered party or restaurant. Wonderful in its context.

Informal black trousers simply do not work. (Admittedly my opinion only but I’ve never thought anyone thus attired looked well dressed.)

Also black is difficult to pair with colours - unless you want to limit yourself to black / white / grey tops?

I would also suggest you vary the shapes of the trousers you buy, as they’ll dictate what you wear with them. Otherwise you’ll end up with just one silhouette in different colours - which could become boring incredibly quickly.

Btw - have you looked at:

Community Clothing?

It isn’t the very cheapest option, but their wonderfully plain and well made clothes could form the core of a casual wardrobe.

Wool and cashmere coats are great on Vinted though many of the best bargains may go in early autumn. My tip is pick a coat you already have or jacket that fits, take the shoulder and under arm measurements and then ask for these, length also if you are short (I am!) Match your measurements within a couple of inches and you won't go crazily wrong especially as bigger coats are in. If you go wrong with sizing, which I did this year with the most gorgeous tweed coat, immediately resell, I did and someone else got a bargain. I have three wool coats from Vinted, fully lined, both under a tenner which I wear endlessly in winter. There are still lots of current trend wool tweed/check coats on there in good condition, I know as I'm trying not to buy another one.

I also don't get why people spend so much time faffing on outfits in winter when coats and shoes determine the look, unless you spend all day in an office. I wear nice jeans, flared, straight or baggy (not skinny, whatever Mumsnet says is still in fashion or coming around again), black roll neck top, great jewellery and then several different coats and jackets. It's so much easier if you start with some great coats- I have leather and suede as well, as you can spend ages working out a cool look that then doesn't fit well under your coat or you always look the same with the one coat on and your winter boots anyway.

I have a lot of boots (tan, black, suede, leather, long, short) and a few different coats (tweed, navy, black, puffy, leather) and there's so much more you can do in winter if you have variety in these.

Baby just dozed off and 3yo playing in the bath, so I have a minute to update.

Thanks for the advice for buying on vinted and measuring etc.

The trousers I mentioned I'd ordered were weirdly shiny and stiff, so they're going back.

@Countmeout and @ANagsHead you might have persuaded me regarding black - especially as I need a few items I can mix and match. So, black and green would be a no @ANagsHead ? Also, thank you for the thorough and entertaining explanation.

@BetterInColour starting with coats and shoes in winter makes sense, and it would be good advice, except I currently own 1 waterproof jacket, 1 pair of black boots, 1 pair of trainers, 2 pairs of cords, some t-shirts and 3 jumpers. That's it.

There are a lot of things I'd like to do going into my 40s in order to feel better about myself. Clothes, health, work, hobbies... I want to make thoughtful choices for myself. So I think I do need to faff over outfits 🙂 and get the hang of selecting clothes that feel nice to wear, that suit me, and reflect a chosen aesthetic. I'd like to gradually swap out cheaper clothes for natural materials but at the moment I really do need to get set up with a basic wardrobe that makes me feel more confident and put together.

Thanks for the links @NerdWhoEatsMedlar son is starting to want my attention but I will have a look later.

Will have a look at community clothing and Zara later too.

I know, it feels a bit overwhelming when there's so much to buy. I suppose I was saying that if I were buying for autumn, I'd start with another coat and pair of new without or with tags, in a brand you know your size in on Vinted.

My other tip, given what you've said about natural materials, is to go on there, go to the item category you want (e.g. midi skirts) and search using the materials tab, so say black tops and then select cotton, linen, silk, suede, leather, denim, wool and cashmere, that is what I've done and have pretty much removed nylon tops and bottoms from my wardrobe, there's still some in my thermal vests. Looks much more chic and nicer to wear if you are heading into peri as well.

If you have a John Lewis nearby, I’d recommend their personal shopper service. I did the same post partum and it was so useful.

Tell them exactly what you want to achieve and they’ll show you loads of clothes with no minimum spend at all. November is a good month with what feels like Black November (not just Black Friday!) sales.

Sale shopping ideas

Bumped into these striped t-shirts and thought of you
https://www.debenhams.com/product/weird-fish-rommie-organic-cotton-square-neck-stripe-t-shirt_p-188db1a2-21fd-425f-b863-b4ec04c48637?colour=Olive

Trousers
https://www.johnlewis.com/great-plains-city-denim-trousers-blue-black/p110681442?size=8&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_9u5BhCUARIsABbMSPvf3QlSZMj612LA3IohuHd0GFBnzkgNbvir4kQBDveL2Gn3nyvdxOMaAjFPEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Jumper
https://www.johnlewis.com/kaffe-alioma-wool-blend-jumper/p111757343

Jumpers are a pain to wash with sicky babies and messy toddlers, a sweat shirt or two might be useful.

Before you spend a lot of money on a new wardrobe, do you expect your size and shape might change much post partum?

My son is 2 how and my body has changed quite a bit during that time (I have jeans that have gone from fitting to not fitting and vice versa, and my boobs have fluctuated multiple cup sizes, for example). It's only really now that my body feels settled that I'm starting to invest in 'forever' clothes.

Love your Pinterest board. Good luck and enjoy!

@NerdWhoEatsMedlar thank you for the links! Yes I'm definitely thinking sweatshirts might be better. She's a really sicky baby - I've already changed my clothes and her clothes this morning (and I still have a small patch of milk sick on my left shoulder)

@KeenCat I'm almost back to my pre-pregnancy weight 🙂 I could do with some better nursing bras though as my boobs have definitely gone south... I did put on some weight postpartum with my son, but really want to focus this time on eating well and avoid inhaling chocolate cake as a survival strategy.

Thanks @LunaTheCat

I've got a bit dispirited about the whole thing and I'm not really sure why. I think I just need to take the plunge, order some stuff and see what works. Thought it might be worth making a wish list, but waiting until black Friday to purchase?

Have you considered booking an appointment with a personal stylist? Not sure if you have a John Lewis nearby by our nearest one offers this with no obligation to buy, but it might give you some pointers!

I have started created Pinterest boards of celebs whose style I admire and then try to find high street alternatives or even bargains on Vinted. It's a bit of a slow process though!

Another vote for Uniqlo for the basics. The quality is decent for the price, they have a range of different shapes and styles but all in similar colours so you can mix and match. Then get some interesting bits from somewhere like Other Stories.

I like your style @NorthEastNellie ! And i agree with you @ANagsHead about black trousers.

Are there any particular Uniqlo basics you would recommend?

I have a Uniqlo sweatshirt (from the men's section, actually) that I wear on repeat on days with my son and washes incredibly, but I haven't tried anything else.