Capsule / Basic wardrobe for Autumn/Winter

[HandMini]

So, I had DD2 in February. I also had a massive clear out of 90% of my wardrobe because it was all rubbish.

I'm now going to splash some cash on a new wardrobe, as I'm back to pre-baby weight and size and I have nothing to wear other than some shorts and tshirts.

So, would love the Stylers and Beauters of MN to tell me, what do I need in my start-from-scratch A/W wardrobe. I'd love a list of basics to create a capsule wardrobe, or advice as to what the trendy pieces / shapes will be.

I'm blonde/brown haired, pale skinned, size 10. I'm not at all trendy, so err on the side of classic boring

Go!

[Suburban]

Can I join? Had DC2 in April. Very nearly back to pre preg weight and have nothing (pregnant last year, on a serious house moving budget the year before).

So far I have bought some indigo jeans, a wool jumper from French Connection and a patterned blouse from Levi's. Hope someone comes along with some good suggestions soon. I need boots, coat everything!

[Awakeagain]

I'm back to work after havin ds last year, have muddled through summer with a few new bits (we never have this much summer normally) so am doing the same, just done a huuuuggggeee online shop at Dorothy Perkins (and got some sale bargins) used the discount code shop15 for 15% off full price items and found another for 15% off all order and both codes worked together

[MrsCampbellBlack]

Zara have some lovely coats coming in but I was mainly looking at the wool ones. And I know from my own baby days, that a wool coat was not really terribly practical. For standing in parks, walking with prams etc I like a warm coat - I bought the barbour arctic parka a couple of years ago and its seriously warm and cosy.

I like ankle boots like every other person at the moment. I'm after some black ones a bit like the Marant dickers to wear with dresses and skirts and opaques. They also work well with skinnies. And get teh sheepskin insoles from ebay to add toastiness without having to wear uggs.

In terms of tops - am presuming you're not really wanting dry clean only I'm rather liking the long sleeved under shorter sleeved layered look - so this over a top perhaps.

I'd go for a couple pairs of decent jeans/trousers. And then various tops - perhaps a cashmere jumper if funds allow and some thinner merino ones you can layer over long sleeved tops/heattech for when its really cold. M&S had got some nice looking cashmere jumpers in a lovely khaki colour for £65 and uniqlo always do good cashmere too.

And a couple of day dresses although I find these difficult to find personally.

And of course scarves. I'm also after a faux fur/shearling gilet which adds glamour and warmth.

[Suburban]

Thanks Mrs CB really like that J Crew top. I have the Barbour Article Parka too, it is toasty but didn't leave my back from November til March not sure I can face it again quite yet. Will look at Zara online for coats. I fancy sometching a bit more fun.

What did you get in Dotty P's Awakeagain?

[MrsCampbellBlack]

I am half contemplating getting another down coat this year - perhaps in navy because like you, my barbour ended up surgically attached to me and I got a bit bored of it.

[alwaysrunninginheels]

The aigle cuckmere is a fab winter down coat- and it's navy!

[Suburban]

Mmm I just want something that doesn't make me resemble the Michelin man. Do like the Cuckmere though.

I am contemplating these boots for wearing with rolled up jeans. Not sure though.

[HandMini]

Oh you good good people, just been to have a bath and now I have a starter for 10.

So, it sounds like I need to coats because I'll be back at work / going to smarter things from October. I will look for:

• a wool coat from Zara
  
• a cosy parka type coat for toddler/baby towing three days a week. The Barbour Arctic looks nice online other than the belt...does it really cut you in half.
  

Definitely getting something like the jewelled J Crew short sleeve - that is very me as I think it looks quite basic and conservative but the jewels funk it up. How many "nice" tops like that should I have and how many basic Gap kind of long sleeve Ts?

[HandMini]

Do I have to buy ankle boots if I want to look trendy?? I know I am hopelessly out of touch but ankle boots look scarily too hip for me to handle.

[HandMini]

Wow, J Crew is lovely. Is it all online or can I go there in person? Thought it was in the States only.

[AlohaMama]

Can I join in? Dc2 born April, returning to uk after living abroad and spending 5 years in shorts/strapless dresses and flip-flops.

Have similar fears re ankle boots. Used to love my knee length ones, easy and warm, but everyone tells me that's not OK any more.

Someone on another thread recommended putting me together blog here. It has great advice on building a wardrobe from scratch and I've found it really helpful.

[Hopefully]

Ankle boots really aren't scary. If it all feels a bit much, start with something not-too-alarming like a pair of slouchy biker boots that are more low calf than ankle, and don't have the formality of some of the smarter chelsea-type ankle boots. I have to wear flats when I'm child-wrangling, and I've found it hard to find flat ankle boots that work for my style (anything remotely classic/brogue/chelsea boot style looks horrendous on me, I have absolutely no classic side!).

I would start by going through your wardrobe and ruthlessly weeding out what fits and what doesn't (if you're losing baby weight, don't necessarily chuck the non-fit stuff, but physically separate it in your wardrobe so you have a 'right' and a 'wrong' bit), then work out what you need to add to what's left to make a mix'n'match capsule wardrobe - try pinterest for ideas for capsule wardrobes. Sticking to a slightly limited colour palette (easy if you know your colours, otherwise just pick a palette you fancy) makes mixing up outfits an awful lot easier.

I am also a huge believer in thermals, as I hate wearing big bulky coats in winter, and I've found that thermals mean I can quite happily get away with something much lighter. Good for inevitable standing round park/school gate. Bog standard M&S thermal tops and leggings, or Icebreaker ones if you're feeling rich. I got through last winter with a felted wool biker as my winter coat thanks to judicious application of thermals!

[Awakeagain]

Gosh what haven't I ordered!
Jeans - straight and boot cut (2 for £25) both in fail safe indigo
2x long sleeves tops/jumpers that have a few sequins on - bit more exciting than just a hoody and ok for with jeans and boots and ds
Knee length flat tan boots
Numerous pairs of ballet flats to try on in a selection if colours
I have already got a pinky purple Tshirt material top with sheer lace detailing across the top so have ordered this in black
A navy top with a few beads on the neckline (looks a bit dressier)
2xvests think I got mocha and a red/pink one
Work trews in black and Grey - a selection to try on, some will go back but I've always done ok with dp trews
Some other sale tops too

Ordered 2 sizes in many items my Patel will be huge

[Awakeagain]

Parcel not Patel ?!?

[Awakeagain]

Am loving the parka too
Not sure I can afford that just yet

[HandMini]

OK, I need to add ankle boots to the list. I just fear they'll cut into leg line and make my legs look even more tree trunk-esque.

I'll also get some thermals. Love the thought of a down gilet (is that completely off trend?!) And could get away with a light/thin one if I had thermals on. Saw some nice ones in Uniqlo.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

If you go for ankle boots in a toning colour with the jeans you wear, they can be very flattering. I wear indigo jeans a lot and have a couple of pairs of navy ankle boots.

I also now quite often wear my jeans on top of the ankle boots rather than tucked in - and find that flattering too.

Much as I love the stone colour ankle boots, they're just too leg shortening on me.

[Awakeagain]

I love ankle boots but think they don't do anything for me, like the idea of navy with jeans, might have to look for them
Feel my nice tan boots with a heel will be no good for chasing ds about!

Think if you'll be outside playing, walking, visiting the park so good boots are a must!
(I did buy hunter wellies just after ds was born as I vowed to walk every day! It didn't happen)

[GeekInThePink]

I haven't braved the ankle boot just yet either
I've got skinnies in indigo, and a nice dark denim
An oatmeal v neck merino jumper from uniqlo

Tan knee length boots

That's it so far!

[Suburban]

I am going to try ankle boots with rolled up straight jeans to see if they are kinder to my calves. I also need some durable but not hideous flat boots for our mega pre school run if anyone sees any.

Awake that's some haul. When does it arrive? Please link anything great. I have lived in a Dorothy Perkins dress this summer.

this is the blouse I bought. Good for feeding. Am going to get some thermals thanks Hopefully to wear under this kind of thing for the winter.

[snowlie]

Down gilets from uniqlo are not very warm - depends which part of the country you live in and how much you feel the cold and how long you spend outside. I wear thermals and my North Face Arctic Down, which is both waterproof and warm, not terribly elegant but I don't think down coats are.

[HandMini]

Would people recommend Uniqlo or M&S (or somehwere else) for merino?

Also my gut instinct would be to buy plain jumpers and tees in grey, navy or black. If I'm trying to be more on trend less boring are there any key colours for A/W?

I think I read on here that black actually suits very few people, so perhaps I should steer clear.

[HandMini]

Would these hit the mark - brown ankle boots from Dune?

I think my straight leg jeans would be going on the outside of these. I don't really wear super skinny tight-ankle jeans.

[Awakeagain]

I do straight leg jeans as my legs are too fat for any skinny jeans, they do me do me fine!
I'm mn on my phone but will try and link on comp later

[Awakeagain]

Love those brown dune ankle boots!!