Capsule Wardrobe - the 'dressy' items

[waitandwonder]

We moved house just over a year ago and it gave me the kick I needed to well and truly sort out my wardrobe. I now have a pretty good 333 type capsule wardrobe that is working well, but it's just for day to day outfits as that is what I mostly wear.

I rarely go anywhere very fancy, but maybe once every few months I might want a smarter outfit than my normal very casual, and this is what I'd like to get right for my wardrobe. I often end up panic buying something on the day which doesn't work quite right so inevitably ends up in the charity shop after not very long. I'd rather just have a go-to outfit for this kind of thing - I don't mind being seen in the same thing!

I'd like just a few statement pieces - maybe one dress for the warmer months and then maybe a tailored trousers and shirt outfit for winter? Open to ideas though.

I'm pear shaped but fairly petite and like neutral colours and blues. Shoes wise I have tan block heeled ankle boots, tan wedge sandals or nude slingbacks which would hopefully work with whatever smarter outfits I'd end up with!

Are you talking about something to socialise in or work?

What about some velvet trousers for winter? I have these (in black) from Grizas and they’re absolutely fabulous. So comfy but feel very luxe. Easily dressed up with a silk blouse or dressed down with a jumper.

https://saharalondon.com/products/silk-velvet-peacock-trouser-grizas-aw25

Lots of velvet trousers around at present so plenty of cheaper options too.

I do the 333 wardrobe too. I don't really go yo anyway fancy, but i have a velvet Boden mini skirt i wear with a polo neck and boots, a floaty longish blouse i can wear over jeans and a Seasalt dress that have covered me for everything over the last couple of years. For summer I have two long cotton dresses that can also be dressed up if needed.

Those velvet trousers are the kind of thing I was thinking of, @HundredMilesAnHour. A sort of tailored evening trouser with pockets is another option - I have some slightly sparkly ones from All Saints that I find quite versatile.

A silk shirt, maybe? I like M&S Autograph for these. I always like the idea of light/delicate knitwear for eveningwear but then end up getting too hot, so a shirt works quite well for me.

I'm not sure what I'd go for in terms of a dress tbh. A shirt dress maybe?

@Belmondo What about a dress from Pleats Please? They have so many colours and shapes, and I find them so easy to wear (and pack if travelling) and can be dressed up or down. Machine washable, no ironing required, what’s not to like? 😛

I used to have a Vivienne Westwood black jersey dress, which was a perfect capsule piece. Sadly I’m too fat for it now, but I really wish I could find something that would serve me as well as that did.

Satin midi skirt? Seems to have morphed into a perennial rather than a fashion piece.

Good call

I don't have a capsule wardrobe so apologies if I get this wrong but the dressy things that I get the most wear out of are:
Silk shirts
A Vivienne Westwood shirt with a distinctive collar but otherwise quite plain.
Vintage beaded cardigans
Vintage jackets (1940s-70s)
Big pouffy skirt

So separates rather than a dress - they can be mixed with different things so you're not wearing the same outfit every time you go out (although I know you've said you don't mind that). You can also wear them dressed down with casual things. Admittedly I hardly ever wear dresses but, if you need everything in your wardrobe to work hard, I wouldn't see the point of one.

I think a plain black dress can work hardest of all though, if it’s the right one. I’m yet to find anything anywhere near as good as my Westwood, but I wore it in all sorts of ways- bare legs and espadrille sandals and a straw bag in the summer: converse and a denim jacket: tights. DMs and a leather jacket; tights and heeled boots; with a sequin bolero or a silk kimono over etc.

There's a substack I like that might work for your capsule wardrobe style, here's a couple of posts. Not my substack (and in truth, not my style, but I think beautiful to look at)
Non- sequin party outfits
Party outfits that aren't dresses

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie- which VW dress was it?! Even if it’s not for sale now, sounds like the sort of workhorse dress it’s with trawling eBay and vinted etc for a size up second hand.

Hi @waitandwonder ONLY buy from brands you have heard of. Check on TRUSTPILOT.

Pics online can look good and prices OK but what you see and what you receive (if you do) if substandard tat.

Speaking from experience
X

I have to admit I very rarely wear dresses now except floaty ones in very hot weather. I think going for separates is a good idea. I've been eyeing up a silk shirt from Sezane which I think could work well. And some tailored trousers. Then it could be a smart outfit in itself, but also the silk shirt could be slightly less smart with jeans, or a nice tee or jumper with the tailored trousers. I do like the sound of velvet trousers too!

I'm not a big fan of skirts, I think the satin skirts look lovely on others especially with t-shirts or jumpers but don't love it on my shape

Maybe I just don't get dresses. I can't be bothered with all the washing or dry cleaning pretty much every time I wear it (or is that just me?). But I think what puts me off the most is that I hardly ever find one that fits well all over. With separates I double my chances of getting a good fit and I halve my washing.

I have the same sort of thing going on. I have two go to outfits - one is Keller wide leg trousers from Saint & Sofia plus one of a handful of tops that come from my capsule wardrobe or a cotton printed button up shirt that isn’t in my capsule wardrobe depending on the occasion. The other is a couple of nice dresses that are smarter than my casual wardrobe but also work within capsule - it’s the footwear and accessories that make the difference. My dresses of choice are the viscose version of the white stuff Lucy dress.

Yeah velvet trousers but in navy or some dort of dark blue. Juat makea it a bit more interesting than always black. And dark blue goes with quite a few different colours for tops...silvers. greys, mauve, violets...

I find wide legged trousers all wrong for going out, on me anyway. I just end up looking like a short, dumpy person going to work.

@LemonLass

Not sure why you’ve quoted my post for this?

Completely agree with this. I have a black asymmetrical Pleats Please dress and have got so much wear out of it. It has been everywhere and in all seasons. It was my first ever PP piece and still one of my favourites.

I think we sometimes overlook just how much value a good quality black item of clothing can add to a wardrobe. I’m terrible for always choosing colour over black but every now and again I have to remind myself of the difference one good black workhorse can make.

A good black blazer in your preferred fabric that fits you beautifully. Wear with jeans + tee + jewellery, over dresses, with smart trousers etc.

I have a Bardot necked midi length black dress that works for so many occasions, 4 seasons (wear with nude tights or bare legs in summer, black tights in winter) add pearls and a black cardigan or jacket for a funeral, fancy necklace earrings for that corporate do when I’m a plus 1 and need to impress a bit, worn with converse it’s perfect for a summer bbq party… and best bit is it was £25 off amazon 4 years ago

I buy two 'fancy' shirts a year. One summer weight, one winter weight. You can wear them with jeans, tailored trousers, as overshirts, under jumpers, over dresses, as an additional layer if you're cold. A silk shirt sounds lovely. I'd choose something that fits in with what you already own, so maybe a pattern, with the tan and the nude in.

ASCENO Painted Check Grandad Collar Pure Silk Shirt, Multi

this is fun, no collar, more 'fashiony', would also work with denim.

Reiss Petite Ameira Pure Silk Satin Shirt, Taupe Brown

traditional, bit 'office' though

Reiss Gianna Pure Silk Shirt, Tan Brown

love the gold buttons on this. makes it more evening, and classy.

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO Nude Silk & Gold Metallic Striped Pussy Bow Button up Epaulette Blouse | Made in Italy |100% Silk | Y2K Designer Top - Etsy UK

expensive for an old shirt, but vintage, gold, pussy bow.

Roberto Cavalli leopard-print Silk Shirt | Neutrals | FARFETCH AU

or maybe something like this (I love a bit of leopard)

I do think the “smart pair of black trousers” are one of the hardest to style items. They are sadly too much like work wardrobe items that busy middle aged women wear as a work uniform with a selection of jazzy tops and some black ankle boots. I had an amazing pair of wide legged black trousers that fit really well, are super comfortable, make my arse look like I’ve spent far more time exercising than I have - yet I rarely wear them because it’s so hard to make them not look like the before mentioned middle aged work uniform. (I’ve found they only really look good with one grey cashmere jumper I’ve got, they make all bright tops look cheap.)

I also have beige, burgundy and bright red wide legged trousers which are all much easier to style.

I have to agree about the black trousers. I don't actually wear anything black as it's too harsh with my colouring, so always go for navy if looking for a dark staple colour, but even navy trousers can feel a bit office-y. (Not that I have an office job!)

I'm thinking a pair of camel or light coloured trousers could be a good addition to my wardrobe, these are a pair I'm eyeing up from Sezane, along with the silk shirt. Not sure if the buttons on these trousers will accentuate my hips too much though as I am pear shaped, I don't tend to draw attention to them!

Thank you for the links Lime! Leopard could be a good shout to add in actually...