Help reviewing my capsule(-ish) wardrobe?

[VintedV]

Hello

For various reasons, I'm in the process of building a new wardrobe almost from scratch. If I upload some photos of what I already have and what I am intending to purchase, would some of you generous women help me deciding what I really need, what kind of shoes and coats I should buy, and so on?

Tight budget so I'm mainly shopping on vinted.

I'm 37, size 8, 5'4, short dark hair and blue eyes. Small boobs, actually v slim upper half in general, larger bum and thighs.

I have a new p/t role in a university, it's smart casual. I also have young kids at home, so need inexpensive clothes/clothes that can stand up to being washed multiple times after being smeared in chewed up rice cakes...

Let me know if you would like to help and I will upload pics 🙂

Thank you

Ok so I have:

1 x white maxi dress with small red pattern (but I don't think I can wear this in winter?)
2 x wide leg jeans, one brown and one black from m&s
2 x slightly cropped sweatshirts in grey and a dark cream colour (ecru?)
1 x animal print pleated midi skirt
1 x green pleated maxi skirt
1 x black maxi skirt with white flowers
1 x striped t-shirt
3 x plain t-shirts (2 of these need replacing), the one that doesn't need replacing is cream coloured
1 x cream cardigan with gold buttons I've never worn
1 x cropped blue shirt
1 x biker boots
1 x knee length navy rain coat with hood
1 x mid blue denim jacket

Ordered but haven't arrived yet:
1 x new balance trainers
1 x cropped white shirt
1 x leaf print shirt

I think I need/would like:

2 x jumpers
2 x trousers ? - one chords maybe and one in another autumn/winter fabric
1 x t-shirt style dress, I like the look of the plain Uniqlo ones but I would probably need a belt
1 x other dress
Tops to go with jeans (can be jumpers with plain tee)
1 x chunky black lace up shoes
1 x Chelsea boots (?)
1 x belt
Nicer backpack
1 x pale coat, I'm thinking a pale cord jacket or puffer? Something short
1 x nice wool coat

It's sounding like a lot!

Anything else? Are there any wardrobe staples you'd recommend?

Also, what shoes would you put with that pleated animal print midi skirt? I don't wear heels. Chunky lace ups? With a plain t-shirt or jumper?

I am thinking white nb trainers with the green skirt, with one of the cropped shirts, or one of the plain sweaters? It's more of a bottle green than the pic

Pics of some of what I have.

Thanks!

Hopefully the photos will appear at some point...

I’m not going to comment in detail, but the obvious thing is to compile two entirely separate wardrobes. One of old, tired, faded, outdated, cheap clothes that you keep strictly for home wear; and one of newer, or more expensive clothes to wear to work. If you don’t already have the habit of changing out of your good clothes when you get home, adopt it now.

Hello. Yes, you are right. I do try to remember to change but often ...kids happen before I can.

Eventually I'll get separate work clothes I think, but I really do have very little and I also want to look OK while I'm just out and about with the kids too. I'm tired of wearing the same old scruffy kit on the school run/to softplay and feeling rubbish about myself

Ooh! Love this! I’m afraid I don’t have any advice and need a wardrobe overhaul myself but watching with interest.

This lady does some cool outfits with animal print skirts.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLO8Rnotvxe/?igsh=b29pbmYxbDRsbDln

If you are really trying to create a capsule wardrobe, I would suggest picking a colour palette first and sticking to it. You already have black, cream, white, green, blue, animal print, grey, stripes and leaf print. That's a lot! The idea behind a capsule wardrobe is that the pieces should mix and match and create multiple different outfit options.

I would decide on a couple of base colours in block colours and then add other colours that complement the block colours.

The photos haven't shown up yet. If your animal print skirt was leopard then I would mix it with the colours from the skirt - brown, beige, black and possibly one other colour like red and those would be the core colours for my capsule.

Colour coordinating doesn't just mean wearing black, white, navy and cream. My own wardrobe is based on green, brown, indigo, burgundy and cream. Black is not in my wardrobe and crisp white shirts are not my vibe.

Also think about your own lifestyle and what items you actually need. Think of three occasions on which to wear any item of clothing.

Vogue's idea of a capsule wardrobe

@TheLongRider thank you. I was already thinking that maybe the animal print was a mis-step, and I should be going for block colours, but I've bought it now and it fits and suits my shape. But yes I need things I can mix and match, I think. Thanks for the link.

Ideally I think navy, cream/beige, green, maybe royal blue and dusty pink? Are good colours for me. I'm hot a huge fan of black.

I've never really thought much about what I'm wearing before, so there be some trial and error. It also feels like a steep learning curve! It's confusing trying to make a whole new wardrobe from not too much.

I'm not naturally stylish - I've always been slim and I have a good face, but I think I'm going to have to put more effort in to avoid looking - ok I'm going to use the dreaded word - frumpy as I age. Although I'm still slim, I have more of a 'mum' shape going on (thanks, breastfeeding). I just don't feel comfortable in my own skin at the moment, and I think a bit of a polish would make me feel nicer about myself.

Maybe I will try the photos again, they possibly didn't upload.

Also, I'm looking at this dress at the moment - what would people style it with? Does it work as a winter dress too? I'll see if I can get the pic up.

Hopefully the dress image works!

Thanks @Seaside3 I'll take a look now and hi @Clytemnestra21 glad it's not just me!

Ok the images of some of the things I have already must have not worked. I'll try again now.

Hopefully these ones of two of the skirts will work. The green skirt is more of a bottle green, my phone camera is not great with colours.

Would white new balance trainers work with the green, and black chunky lace ups with the animal print? ...I was thinking plain t-shirts or cropped shirts on top.

I tend to focus quite a lot on fabric - and it’s not always as straightforward as lighter weight in summer and heavier in winter.

What is the fabric of that dress, @VintedV? And what attracted you to it?

Hmm … Not keen on either of those skirts. They both seem to miss the mark in terms of colour and shape and end up declaring themselves as random Vinted buys. Rather than something bought because it’s amazingly beautiful, or will make you look cool or fierce or ineffably stylish. They’re just … there.

And neither serious enough for work, nor fashionable enough for socialising. So - home clothes? Certainly not worth buying new footwear for.

Are you familiar with:

American Vintage
Community Clothing
Cos
Damson Madder
Eat Dust Clothing
Hades
Massimo Dutti
Palava
YMC

They each have distinct, contemporary styles - not all will appeal to you but if any do they might be worth seeking out either pre-owned or in the sales.

I like the look of that embroidered blouse in your wardrobe …

@OffToSeaInABlizzard 😲 ooof. The green is a cleaner kind of green than the image suggests.

With the blue dress - actually I'm not sure about the slight sheen on it? On the fabric. I like that it's simple. Simple = versatile?

Not fashionable enough for socialising...that's an interesting one. Most of the people I socialise with are mums in the park. What do you wear for socialising? ...where do you socialise? Do you mean, say, for going to the theatre or a restaurant?

Most people I know are in some kind of version of jeans and t-shirt. Or sportswear.

I do need to buy footwear. I have very little. I guess what I'm trying to do is find a starting place? Some building blocks. But also, I need clothes I can wear ASAP.

For work - actually I think a skirt and t-shirt is fine. My boss was in green trousers with a side stripe, trainers and a t-shirt the other day. It's not formal.

Oh that's a dress? Rather than a blouse. It has a thin waist tie with it too.

@OffToSeaInABlizzard what WILL make me look cool or fierce or ineffably stylish? 😂 I'm not cool... I'm creative and reasonably bright, but shy. And broke. I wouldn't mind looking fierce for a change!

I've come across some of those brands, thank you. In theory, I'd like a minimalist look, but in practice I think it just makes me look bland, with my short hair as well. For example I got some expensive and very comfortable trousers, but with plain sweaters and trainers I looked like...like I'd styled myself based on a middle class dad. I don't wear jewellery, which doesn't help.

I possibly need a stylist/personal shopper to help me out, but I'm also too broke for that as well (just coming off mat leave and childcare this summer is killing us).

I might put the animal print back on vinted.

Maybe wait for a few more opinions before taking action? It’s likely that other posters will have different thoughts to mine.

That embroidered dress is so nice. For summer, worn as it is with fisherman sandals; but even nicer just as the weather turns, with cowboy or knee high brown boots and something furry / sheepskin / mohair …

Have you ever seen 'what to wear' on Instagram? That may help.
Agree you need to decide on a palette and patterns. It may seem boring, but I find it actually makes your wardrobe much bigger as pretty much everything works together.
For me, im a black, white, navy and tan person. Some gold, some red thrown in occasionally. Stripes and animal prints. Not a lot else makes it. Sounds dull, but you could do it with any colour combo as long as they work together.

https://www.instagram.com/whattowearfor_?igsh=NzRnbTMwbWY2czF1

Here. This may help.

OP, my method is to get a free Whering app, create several look books with your categories - mine are office, WFH and weekend, and I have 3 of each - Summer, Winter and Demiseason. Plus Holiday and Going Out.

Create outfits from what you have and add them to each board. You will start to see which one has plenty of optios and which one has gaps. Then decide what design those gaps need to be to work with what you have.

I think it would be worth buying a few quality neutral items now and then waiting to see what you need.
You have pattern and texture in your pieces which is great. Building a capsule wardrobe means having interchangeable items.
I love the cream and red dress. A ercu chore jacket would go with that and the skirts.
A caramel coloured plain top from Cos for example would go under the jacket to finish outfits with the skirts or jeans.
Then a neutral based pair of trainers now and tan boots for footwear. A tan or cream Uniqlo bag or Roka rucksack would work with all of those.

I love this and it's exactly what I'm trying to do too @VintedV.

I am trying to stay away from buying too much with patterns and going for block colours. I do have one animal print t shirt and two breton striped tops that don't fit this rule but I think are easier patterns to style with other things.

I am working on what colours I actually wear and that suit me and buying items in that colour palette so that more things go together. For me that is black, navy, red, emerald green, royal blue and hot pink.

For basic t shirts I really like the White Stuff notch neck ones. They've currently got 2 for £40 but I've bought some from Vinted too. Also Cotton Traders.... I just ordered a royal blue Cotton Traders t shirt from Vinted for about £2 and it's great.

I would consider Uniqlo for trousers. I have a pair of wide leg cords from there that I get so many compliments on and wear all the time in Autumn and Winter. My very favourite jumper is also from Uniqlo years ago. I am now eyeing up a pair of linen blend barrel leg trousers too. Do you have a store near you where you can try things on for sizing?

In general I find if you know the sorts of brands you like and your size in those shops then you can be much more intentional using Vinted to search for exactly what you need and items that will fit.

@Overnightfloats I'm off to investigate that app, sounds great, thanks

I think the white dress could look cool on some arty types (like you!). It’s very casual. The skirts are quite 90s and could be teamed with a grungy t shirt (a la UO!). Overall not my style but if it’s yours then go with it. I would probably think you looked quite cool if I met you!

I have some dresses I wear year round. In winter I would wear warmer tights and warmer cardigans withe them and if it’s really cold I might wear a thermal vest. I have also dresses that I only wear in warmer months or in cooler months (which can be about fabric, but can also be about pattern etc).

in terms of what, I think you need to wear what you like. It can be great to get advice, but everyone has different tastes.

Ohhh @Overnightfloats this sounds like what I need!! Thank you.

Could I wear some kind of knitted vest top with the dress do you think? Then jacket and boots.

I like the COS t-shirts. Will check out the white stuff ones too @GameOfJones I don't think there's a Uniqlo here, which is a shame. I agree it would be good to go and try things on then go back to vinted as it's hard to predict which sizes to buy (I'm a 6 on top in some brands).

I'm a bit nervous of buying tops on vinted as they're less likely to fit well compared to skirts and dresses. Also, I feel like my interpretation of "very good condition" is often different to sellers' interpretations of "very good condition". It's not really good value when you spend a non-refundable £7 on a jumper that turns out to have a small hole in it. And I worry that they might have had stinky armpits 😂

Thanks @Gymbunny2025 🙂 actually one of the things I struggle with when choosing clothes is the idea that clothes say something about you (sporty/creative/sexy/arty...) and I don't know what I want to say about myself. Especially in the context of mass produced clothing, an attempt at projecting some kind of individual personality seems laughable. But maybe I need to embrace the idea of fashion being about trends, it's kind of the whole point. Just...I sometimes get a bit weirded out standing in h&m for example knowing there are thousands and thousands of copies of the jumper I'm looking at.

The Instagram links are handy too!