10 Affordable (Capsule) Wardrobe basics

mogrady14

I was wondering about affordable wardrobe basics and mixing and matching them. I was thinking of:
1. Black trouser
2. Work shirts
3. Leggings
4. Jeans- bootcut navy denim with 2% lycra for some stretch
5. Rainproof coat as this is Ireland
6. Hoody
7. Poloneck/Teeshirt/Warm top
8. Pencil Skirt/A-Line Skirt/Mini skirt
9. Going out Dress
10.Going out top

What would you add to this list?

dede12

I'd probably add a pair or two of skinny jeans/jeggings that can be tucked into boots. you don't seem to be adding footwear to this list, but if you do, i think the bare min would be everyday/wear around town boots; a pair of runners, work shoes, and going out shoes. and if you go to a lot of slightly more formal events i might add a "dressy" but not really "going out" type dress/outfit. other than that this seems to be a pretty decent capsule list imo.

i actually really need to do this soon, haven't cleaned out and organized my wardrobe in ages - gettin a bit outta control at this point!

The Cool

1. Simple blouse that goes with everything and always suits you. Mine is a black chiffon one.
2. Black court heels.
3. A boot that you can wear in the office with a dress or in the pub with jeans.
4. Black leggings.
5. A coat in an A-line shape, in a neutral colour - black/beige/grey/navy.
6. A nice jumper that you can wear dressed up or with jeans.
7. A black skirt
8. A timeless dress that you can wear no matter what trends are in (mine's a black wrapover)
9. A decent vest in black and white.
10. Slim cut dark jeans.

A lot of mine is black! But then I find that keeping staples in black means that when trends come and go I always have some basics to go with the one "trendy" piece that I've bought, since I'm always broke and can usually only afford to buy one or two fashiony pieces each season. Nothing more annoying than buying clothes that are specific to one season in particular and then having nothing to wear it with, or not being able to wear it when that season's fashion has had its day (fringing, I'm looking at you).

dudara

I travel a hell of a lot for work, in a professional setting - my suitcase usually contains some mixture of the following

1. Good flattering dark-coloured bootcut jeans (I know they're not always trendy, but there isn't a woman on the planet that they don't suit)
2. Proper wool dress coat (will smarten up any outfit immediately)
3. Classic little black dress (or whatever colour you want)
4. 50's style cardigan (allows you to layer for warmth, can suit work or casual clothes)
5. Selection of vest tops (layers)
6. Pencil skirt (permanent classic)
7. Simple top in silk (or something similar, can be worn to work, or used for going out).
8. Fitted jacket or blazer (personal preference would be for bracelet sleeves, again suitable for work or going out)
9. Long yoga pants (for casual wear. Yoga pants are sleeker than regular tracksuit bottoms and tend to have a flare, which is more flattering than leggings)
10. Selection of plain, fitted cotton t-shirts
11. A scarf that is also wide enough to act as a shawl (essential for flying, boardroom meetings etc where you need something for warmth, can also double as a head scarf when raining, or even when sunny).

In terms of shoes
1. Court shoes with medium heel. No ridiculous platforms or heel heights. I often wear wedge shoes too as they are better for long days
2. Good quality flats - must have strong sole and not be completely flat
3. Lightweight runners - suitable for casual wear as well as occasional exercise
4. Good pair of leather knee length boots (for winter, cold wear).

I deliberately don't include pants here as I don't think work pants are terribly flattering. Also, I don't wear shirts/blouses for work as many don't fit right on my bosoms leading to gaps, plus I don't have the inclination to keep them ironed and sharp. Instead I go for items that can survive travelling.

tosser5

probably nude and black stilletos as well as a good handbag, black or tan that goes with everything.

Sugar Free

I think Dudara makes a good point regarding items; essentials for a professional versus that of a student will be quite different.

From a male perspective and assuming you're of an age or position where jeans, runners and a t shirt don't cut it anymore, here would be my essentials (excluding shoes, belts, gloves etc.):

Navy suit
Charcoal suit
Grey overcoat
Navy blazer/sport coat
Grey wool/flannel trousers
Beige/light coloured trousers
Dark coloured Jeans
White shirt
Light blue shirt
Conservative patterned tie in Burgundy or similar.

That's obviously excluding summer items and the fact that most guys need more than two shirts and other factors.