Lifestyle Buying (Part 2)

Regardless of what you do there is one worthwhile basic wardrobe list to start with. It is the list I go back to time and time again. If you have these ten items in your wardrobe you have the foundations of style.

Cos shirt Euro 59

1. LBD little black dress
2. White shirt
3. Black jacket
4. Blue jeans (skinny or flared)
5. Grey t-shirt (or black or white)
6. Black skirt
7. Jumper or cardigan
8. Pair of flats
9. Pair of heels
10. Print top/shirt

I need to update items 2 and 3. My current white shirt I have had for 7 years however it is looking a bit tired and slightly wrong as it is too structured. COS and Zara have a good selection of white shirts at reasonable prices. Zara is probably the best bet for a black jacket too in the reasonable price range with the requisite good cut style stamp too.

A capsule wardrobe is so simple and it very effective when you have a wardrobe creative malfunction. Try these simple combinations.

1 + 2 + 9 for an evening out. Wear the white shirt under a sleeveless black shift dress - it is less likely to work on a more flamboyant style but don't be afraid to try.

1 + 7 + 8 is an easy work wear look when you are mainly desk bound or want a rest from heels.

2 + 3 + 4 + 9 (or 8) is a classic look for day or night depending on where you are going. A great Sunday lunch look.

4 + 9 + 10 for a girls night out

4 + 5 + 8 supermarket shop!

2 + 6 + 7 + 9 another work wear look.

I could go on and on but the point is made you can combine and use a capsule list to make outfits and then build on this to create more outfits with a wider range of garments. But use the basic capsule to ensure that what you buy can work with other items and are versatile.

Capsule wardrobe picks from Isabella Oliver

Here are my picks from the Isabella Oliver Spring collection!

Day 5 Capsule Wardrobe

Well today is the last day of the capsule wardrobe challenge and I'm showing you what I will be wearing tonight to the Vauxhall Scout Fashion party. In fact I realised that unbeknownst to Mr Marc Jacobs I'm his secret muse. I've been wearing his A/W11 collection before he's even shown at NYFW. Of course Mr Jacobs and I have been lovers of polka dots for years so perhaps it is no wonder we collided.

Isabella Oliver pencil skirt worn with Zara polka dot top, Untold polka dot tights and the Zara sale shoes.

Here are the tights in better details, it is as if I'm almost straight of the Marc Jacobs catwalk (not!)

I realised my capsule wardrobe this time was really versatile so I quickly did some other combinations of polka dot top and jeans with shoes. The dress with cardigan and the belt. Then the H&M blouse with pencil skirt et al.




It goes to show what is important in your wardrobe is a few key pieces that can be mixed and match as fall back when you utter or even think those immortal words 'I've got nothing to wear!'

What has been your favourite capsule wardrobe combination?

Day 4 Capsule Wardrobe

I'm getting used to this posing in front of the mirror thing taking a snap with the iphone, although my first attempt were a bit wonky today. I'm mainly looking down in a snooty manner but I cheer up when I put my coat on!



H&M blouse, French Connection jeans, See by Chloe jacket, M&S boots

Day 3 Capsule Wardrobe

Isabella Oliver grey dress, Topshop necklace, Zara shoes & John Lewis bright blue tights

I never tire of looking down at shoes

The necklace close up, a mix of orange beading & faux gold chain

So day three is under way and I have a little business launch at home tonight of my Arbonne anti ageing products. I will be clicking about in my heels but I did change in to my boots for the school run.

Blast from the past

It was a lovely surprise to receive a comment from The Small Fabric of My Life as she has been dutifully pursuing her retraining as a teacher. You see it is not just me who goes for something different!

Anyway Jane reminded me of my favourite event the Capsule Wardrobe Challenge. For those of you uninitiated in this annual event the challenge is to choose ten items of clothing from your wardrobe and mix and match them for five days between Monday February 14th and Friday February 18th. You can have any combination of shoes, dresses, skirts, tops and jackets as long as it adds up to ten individual items. You are also allowed five accessories which include jewellery, scarves, bag, belts etc. Underwear and hosiery do not come under the ten items and five accessories!

If you are up for it then please blog about it and if you want to appear in The Small Fabric of My Life's Capsule Wardrobe Challenge round-up the following week then please email your pics to workthatwardrobe@googlemail.com.

Go on...

Here are a couple of pics from bygone years. I give you October 2009




Old Wallis strapless dress, Gap stripy long sleeve tee (I have just killed it by wearing it nonstop for 4 years), LK Bennett belt and I also had an H&M black jacket. I wore the same shoes (old boots) all week.



Gap grey cashmere t-shirt, H&M white shirt, H&M sequin leggings, Topshop jade green coin necklace, Accessorise scarf, Toast bag and very old ankle boots.

The green poncho goes on its travels

Up I got bright and early Thursday morning to go to Belfast. It was a bit nippy and I selected the green poncho as my accessory to keep the chill off. After all I was flying Aer Lingus and going to Belfast.

Sat in the Aer Lingus lounge

Day 4 of capsule wardrobe outfit is ASOS jumpsuit, Zara flats, Jigsaw belt, Hussain Chalayan tank worn under jumpsuit, Topshop necklace and Chanel sunglasses.

Queen Marie told me that I'd love Belfast and it was just like Glasgow. I've not been to Glasgow properly but I feel I know it inside out due to my father's artwork from his time at the Glasgow School of Art.

Belfast building very reminiscent of architecture in Glasgow

Belfast is a lovely city and so friendly. I got the airport bus in and on the way out. The driver said when myself and Tara the makeup artist got on the bus on Friday morning, 'I's took yous into town.' (That is my best attempt at writing a Belfast accent). I'd asked him on Thursday morning to give us a shout when we got to City Hall and he did. We have never been made so welcome by so many people. We couldn't go anywhere without dispensing makeup and styling advice. We loved that people asked us what we did and then when they found out they were straight in there for advice. Tara is a font of all knowledge and so I'm going to pencil her in for a post on her top makeup tips and products.

The event went really well and all the women who came from all ages were lovely. Having abandoned my attempt to get the women of the UK to feel the Fashion Force on jumpsuits, I set about underwear as outerwear. I've completely sold the maxi dress to one and all but I still want more risk taking. However the underwear as outerwear was another Fashion Force special that met with slight horror, sweaty foreheads and made for much sucking in of stomachs.

Day 4 capsule wardrobe evening wear for event. Topshop jumpsuit, Pierre Hardy for Gap shoes, Reiss belt and I threw on a grey kimono Topshop item from my clothes rail when I realised I had tan marks on my back from swimming outdoors.

Feeling the maxi love

The lovely Topshop body suit that was spurned

My best discovery in Belfast apart from how nice it is and the friendly people was PoppoGoblin on Alfred St. We were staying at the Premier Inn (oh the glamour of it all) despite working at the Radisson and right next door was one of the best café's in the world. Gorgeous juices, smoothies and coffee plus wonderful fresh sandwiches and soups. On Thursday lunchtime I had a cream cheese and salmon bagel with an Iron Boost juice, consisting of beetroot, ginger,apple, carrot and spinach.

On Friday morning I passed on the Premier Inn breakfast and nipped into PoppoGoblin. What a feast greeted my eyes! The lovely owner (whose name I forgot to ask) only bakes fresh scones in the morning. I choose the blueberry and white chocolate one over the raspberry and honey offering. I selected "The Cure" as my morning smoothie, loadsa berries, banana, yogurt and fresh orange juice. I'm not saying I was hungover but I had quaffed a few glasses of vino.

Then I was kindly given the nicest Americano coffee by said owner who loves his café and also plays great music there as he also dj's. Yummy Belfast!

Poppogoblin on Alfred St, the chairs match my green poncho

Good grief Gok is selling crisps now!

My smoothie being prepared

Oh my, look what I spied

The perfect breakfast

The blueberry & white chocolate scone in all its glory

Summer Capsule Wardrobe Challenge

From Monday to Friday The Small Fabric of my Life has challenged us to a summer capsule wardrobe. This year the 5 days consists of five items and limitless accessories.

I'm a bit behind with my posting on this and it is due to the tragic loss suffered by fellow blogger and friend Sister Wolf who eldest son passed away on Sunday. He had recently had more surgery after a long bout of previous surgery and recovery. She has made a brief statement. I have to confess to barely getting dressed on Monday although the house got really cleaned, the petit garcon was thoroughly spoiled and Mr MDS was greeted by the perfect housewife with a gin & tonic for him and supper on the table. Even if you don't know or read Sister Wolf a small moments thought of well wishing would be a lovely gesture.

My capsule 5 consists of 2 jumpsuits, 2 tops and a dress. It is nice and warm currently even though it is raining a lot. As long as the weather doesn't change I won't have to resort to a pashmina for warmth.


l to r: black Topshop jumpsuit, teal ASOS jumpsuit (both this season), grey Gap dress (4 yrs old) Hussain Chalayan tank (TK Maxx find) Reiss top (Sept 09).

Yesterday I wore the dress on its own with flip flops and my WendyB Little Woolf necklace

Today I'm wearing the grey dress with Reiss top over it and have added a scarf and some wedges. The petit garcon made a last minute dash into the picture sporting an Iron Man mask and a Woody the cowboy hat. Oh and that is my suitcase and bag packed on standby for Belfast.

Day 5 of Capsule Wardrobe

Yes done it! Although today's look is the least successful for a few reasons. I have to confess to being a bit hung over. I don't drink in the week and I steer clear of wine mainly for the reason I seem unable to sip merely one glass of the stuff. This makes for a bit of a bleary eyes stylist.

See by Chloe top
LK Bennett patent belt
Kate Moss Topshop silver maxi skirt
Toast Mary Jane's
H&M gold lurex ankle socks

I had forgotten how rubbish the quality is on the Kate Moss skirt. I knew there was a reason for never buying these things. However I'm going to wear it as much as possible until I've exhausted the maxi skirt look. But... I need to crack the right proportions and items to make this really work. I'm okay with the items I used from the capsule wardrobe challenge but it isn't really what I had hoped for. It doesn't help that I have misplaced my camera and the images are poor quality, but truthfully I'm not getting a high five moment. It makes me appreciate well made items even more, as the cheap chips items I'm working don't really deliver the Marc Jacobs inspired look I hoped for.

Get the runway look!
H&M organic oversize jumper over rest of outfit as before minus the belt

And finally...Spring has triumphed. The sun is shining and my hyacinths are about to burst into blooms. I had no idea what colour they were and they are actually so this season, completely on trend in a sorbet pink blush!!

My little bit of France in my kitchen, cans for plants and wine bottles for candles

Day 4 Capsule Wardrobe

A day of sunshine lured us all into thinking Spring was in the air - it is, but Winter is having a power struggle and attempting to assert its frosty fiendish-ness. Poor Spring is temporarily floundering but I'm determined to give her a boost with my almost Summer vintage maxi dress.

This 70s heirloom from my mother is my look for day 4 of the capsule wardrobe challenge. I've put on the cowboy boots and will be swapping my gold coat for a warm winter item (its allowed in the rules this time) plus scarf and hat. I did well yesterday evening in my gold coat with belt and scarf but I don't fancy being caught by the biting wind again. Today the lipstick gets a rest and smoky eyes will be applied.

Vintage Maxi Dress
H&M Polo top
Accessorize hoop earrings
Cowboy boots

Day 3 Capsule Wardrobe

It has to be said I'm suffering from post MA blues and career prospect woes. The fact I seem to be sans camera and only have the blurry blackberry images is probably the best metaphor for my current state. You will have to bear with me as this blog might become a therapeutic tool because I have no money to bore someone else with my dilemma and spare you the droning. I don't know what is worse when it comes to blogging - self pity or self smugness!

I took these hastily before I go swimming (I will thrash this stupor out of me one way or another). I will of course add Chanel Particuliere 505 nail varnish and apply La Roche Posey 196 lipstick, which is a deep fuchsia/red.

H&M Organic jumper
Topshop dress
Toast Mary Janes (1930s style)

Nude fishnet tights
Mary Jane shoes

Just to show how small the fishnet is!

Day 2 of Capsule Wardrobe

I'm still working those shorts! Well petit garcon and I have a few tasks to do so need to be dressed for jobs in hand.

Organic Jumper H&M
Patent Belt LK Bennett
Shorts, cut off of Lucky Jeans
Cowboy boots
Hoop earrings Accessorize
Ring Dorothy Perkins
RED lipstick Chanel Rouge Allure no.14 Passion

Day 1 Capsule Wardrobe

This is part 2 of my outfit selection today, from the capsule wardrobe challenge. I put on my gold coat with my scarf and added the belt to go shopping for the week's groceries.

Spring Capsule Wardrobe Challenge

Late September, early October was the time of the last capsule wardrobe challenge (which I won!), eager to hold onto my crown once again I've decided to participate in The Small Fabric of my Life's Spring capsule wardrobe challenge.

It is still pretty parky but at least the sun is shining (today anyway). I'm blending a useful winter item with pieces that are more spring like. I'm also emulating the A/W 10 trend particularly Marc Jacobs long skirt. Not quite as opulent - it will do!

My Spring Capsule Wardrobe is:
1. Gold Dress Coat (2003)
2. Denim shorts (cut down from pair of Lucky jeans bought in NYC 2004)
3. See by Chloe top (TK Maxx 2007)
4. Black polo (H&M 2008)
5. Silver Maxi skirt (Kate Moss first collection 2007)
6. Vintage Maxi dress (my mum)
7. Topshop dress (courtesy of Sharon Rose Vintage)
8. H&M oversized organic jumper (Nov 2009)
9. Cowboy boots (2005)
10. Mary Jane's (Toast 2006)

Accessories

1. Red costume ring (Dorothy Perkins 2009)
2. Diamanté hoop earring (Accessorize)
3. Leopard print scarf (H&M 2008)
4. Navy Patent belt (LK Bennett 2009)
5. Vintage 1940s handbag (ebay 2007)

Apologies as the photo quality is very poor. My camera has gone walkies and my blackberry isn't the best - but soon I upgrade to an iphone! I'll be wearing my outfit today to Sainsbury to do the weeks shopping with the petit garcon and he'll be wearing Woody the Cowboy pyjamas if I don't get a move on and dress him!

Gold dress coat (altered Wallis 2003), H&M organic oversized jumper, Kate Moss silver maxi skirt (first collection)

Topshop dress (2006) Vintage 70s maxi dress

Patent belt, scarf, hoop earring, red ring and vintage 40s bag

Cowboy Boots

Mary Jane shoes

See by Chloe top, black polo, denim shorts

Day 1 outfit

Fab Fabric of Fun

Of late the postman had been very late with the deliveries, sometimes not until 5pm! However we seem to have a new whipper snapper of a postie, I saw him jump over a hedge saving a dull walk and he's wearing big trendy closed backed headphones. Anyway he was, unbeknownst to him the deliverer of a lovely parcel from The Small Fabric of My Life. When I entered into the Capsule Wardrobe challenge, I had no idea there was a prize it was such a great challenge I just wanted to do it. To win was brilliant and so it was very exciting to be sent a prize.


I received a gorgeous silk scarf which I tied round my bag as it added zing. It will be the perfect spring/summer scarf. I took a photo of it on the bag whilst on the train into Waterloo.


I had to pop into the London College of Fashion and as I had no childcare the petit garcon was with me. He is the perfect young boy around town and insisted upon wearing a shirt and his best coat! He has a little life ruck sack on his back with a safety strap firmly attached to my hand.

petit garcon in LCF canteen

We met up later with Mr MDS for supper and I made him take a photo of the second item in my parcel a great necklace! Thank you Jane for such a gorgeous and unexpected present.

Day 5 of Capsule Wardrobe

Before I accost a member of the public again to take a photo of me in today's outfit which I will reveal later, I would like to share what have I learnt enduring the week on a capsule wardrobe. I thought a lot about how much we truly need (yes I know need isn't the rationale de jour) and snippets of advice imparted by fashion bloggers over the years. I discovered what I really like to wear when I'm not being swayed by glorious images that talk to me and compiling never ending wish lists.

• It requires a lot of thought and effort to survive on a little
• It is surprising how liberating less can be
• I realised I truly do love black
  
• Red nails brighten the day when only wearing black
• I can't live without stripes
• My £18 scarf from Accessorise has been the best buy of the season
• My bum does look big in sequin leggings and not in a hot way
• It has made me reappraise my buying strategy and I think a few key quality non mass market pieces truly is the way forward
• I don't need lots of choice to be stylish and have fun with clothes
• I can't bear too many things or over stuffed wardrobes/drawers
  
• I can cycle in any shoes
• I need more than 2 pairs of shoes
• I could have bought a lot of things from Cos if I'd had the money
  
• I'm more Anna Wintour than Carine Roitfeld, I love a cardi
  
• I'm looking forward to wearing my Gap chinos

UPDATED

I managed to grab Mr MDS before he escaped this morning and got him to snap my outfit.
It is a bit like a receptionist at an S&M club, all I need are some piz nez spectacles to go with my flats. I will put on my shrug for my cycle and be grateful for wearing flats to work today as I've got a private client so it will involve tramping around Selfridges and the streets of Mayfair.


Final outfit Bustier dress, H&M white shirt, Topshop jade green coin necklace and Tods loafers

I'm not sure if it really works, but the best thing about being a stylist is even if what you wear is questionable, there is always the element of is it fashion forward/edgy/sartorial style/quirky/tolerated etc. etc. Basically one can get away with it!