capsule wardrobe - where do I start?

[katechristie]

I need new clothes, but with a limited budget, want to start with a capsule wardrobe. Where do I start though??? I'm struggling to find places that sell fairly timeless basic pieces - any suggestions?
I'm a curvy 12 (hourglass with bumps left over from pregnancies!) and favour black clothes. amny suggestions most welcome, thanks.

It's been a while since I visited the high street, but I used to find Zara quite good for timeless basics? I have a black tux jacket from there (about £50-£60 in 2004 or so) that is still going strong, as well as a longline silk/ cashmere cardigan (about £50, bought 2008) that looks as good as new .. when I worked away from home, I used to find them quite good for trousers & shifts, too

oh thanks you very much, I will look online now!

do you really look nice in black though? fair enough if you do but if not it is well worth getting your colours done.

does gok wan have a website? he talks a lot about capsule wardrobes. i have alwasy wanted a wardobe full of basics that work well together but have never managed it. i get distracvted by prints and colours.

Zara only any good if you are tall.

What sort of things do you want and what is your budget? Also what do you DO because what you want/need will differ according to lifestyle.

M&S Ltd Collection and Autograph do good quality long and three quarter sleeved t-shirts that wash well and keep their shape - from about 10-15 pounds each. Also occasional good cardigans in things like cotton/silk or cotton/cashmere mixes.

Hobbs can be a bit frumpy but can be good for basic black jumpers and cardigans, as can French Connection.

Gap for silk camisoles and they sometimes do silk t-shirt shaped tops as well now, for a change and a slightly smarter look.

A couple of pairs of jeans - Gap?

Some ballet flats, perhaps one pair in black and one in silver or pewter. Some converse type things for weekends, maybe pewter: avoid over-bright unless you want to look like a wannabe-teenager. Mine are pewter leather and from Clarks and I really like them.

The White Company have some lovely things - too much money for me though.

I agree that, as a 5'4" curvy size 14, I find Zara clothes are always cut too long for me.

I'm not sure what a capsule wardrobe is though....