How to create a capsule wardrobe/build a classic wardrobe - mid 30s

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I’m in my mid-30s and between COVID quarantine and then getting pregnant and having a baby, I haven’t bought anything other than leggings, tshirts, and maternity/nursing tops in years. My “regular” clothes are all very “dated millennial” (skinny jeans and flowy tops). I’d like to update my wardrobe but I honestly have no idea where to begin. I really like the idea of building a capsule wardrobe of sorts - classic pieces with potentially a few trendy ones thrown in - but I really don’t know what to include. I’ve tried googling it but the results really overwhelming and are a lot of ads or “include the key pieces you like,” when I’m looking more for “look for X and Y style tops, this brand is great, etc.” I saw a really helpful post on here recently that was geared more towards trendy clothes, and I’m hoping I can get some help on more classic clothes but still fit with today’s style (like I know crop tops are in, but I think they may be a little too trendy for the more capsule-style collection of clothes I’m hoping to build, if that makes sense). I would love any advice, brands to check out, Instagram accounts to follow - really anything - the more specific, the better! Thanks in advance for any guidance you can give!

[Anonymous]

I personally love watching Instagram reels of the women who promote amazon fashion. I don’t always buy from Amazon but it gives me good ideas on what pieces I should be looking for. I love @the_other_mk even though I wouldn’t say I’m mid sized, she has a really classic group of pieces but she managed to really elevate them. I also love Alexa Rittman, some of her stuff leans a little too trendy for me but she does a lot of cool capsule videos. I would say start with 2 pairs of jeans you really like and then pick some tops (button downs are really in, sweaters with a tuck in the front, sweater vests, crop tops over a midi skirt or dress, midi boots, collared sweater, square neckline). Sometimes I go onto websites for clothes that I can’t afford to get inspiration and then look for those styles at stores I can afford.

[Anonymous]

I love Vivienne Files for basic guidance on building capsules. Her audience is a bit older but the foundational ideas are solid.

https://www.theviviennefiles.com/start-here/

[Anonymous]

The term "capsule wardrobe" is a marketing term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The term "capsule wardrobe" is a marketing term.

Thanks, PP! OP here - any advice on better terms I can use to capture what I am looking for in my Google searches? I definitely got a ton of ads in response to “capsule wardrobe” searches.

[Anonymous]

What's your life like OP? Do you go into an office? Go out to eat a lot? What kinds of clothes do you need?

[Anonymous]

How would you define your existing style? Classic, trendy?

What is your body shape?

Any look that you’ve seen that you like?

[Anonymous]

Here is how I approached it. Mine is still very much a work in progress….

I go to client meetings 1-2x a month so need dresses that are flattering. I have three dresses that are my go-to.

When I’m at home I need to look professional on zoom but also be able to throw on sneakers to walk the dog, so I have a few tops that work with joggers and jeans.

After having a baby I also got fitted for new bras. That made a huge difference in how clothes fit!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's your life like OP? Do you go into an office? Go out to eat a lot? What kinds of clothes do you need?

Thank you! OP here - I’m a lawyer and mostly work from home but I’m in the office about once a week. My office is definitely more conservative in dress. I’ve got a 7 month old son (who is absolutely wonderful ), and we go out to eat a good bit (a lot of early dinners) and do a lot of daytime activities with our son as a family or with friends. I wear leggings and tshirts for those activities, but I’m feeling really ready to look cuter and more put together. I sometimes go out at night with my husband or a friend, but honestly that’s pretty rare these days. So I guess I need more day than night outfits. I’m feeling really good about my body post pregnancy and birth (I know I am lucky to feel this way), so finding clothes to adjust to a changing body image doesn’t need to factor into the equation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would you define your existing style? Classic, trendy?

What is your body shape?

Any look that you’ve seen that you like?

Thank you! I would definitely describe my style as more classic. I am not trendy or cool haha. This may sound crazy, and I’m not outdoorsy but I love the sort of effortless vibe of the women in sweaters in the LL Bean catalog. In terms of body type, I’m pretty petite - I’m 5’2” and weigh about 110 pounds, but I have medium boobs and hips - things that look good on tall super slender women typically don’t work on me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love Vivienne Files for basic guidance on building capsules. Her audience is a bit older but the foundational ideas are solid.

https://www.theviviennefiles.com/start-here/

Thank you for this link! Will have to put this in my files.

OP- you and I have similar measurements. Also challenging to find clothes in petite sizes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you define your existing style? Classic, trendy?

What is your body shape?

Any look that you’ve seen that you like?

Thank you! I would definitely describe my style as more classic. I am not trendy or cool haha. This may sound crazy, and I’m not outdoorsy but I love the sort of effortless vibe of the women in sweaters in the LL Bean catalog. In terms of body type, I’m pretty petite - I’m 5’2” and weigh about 110 pounds, but I have medium boobs and hips - things that look good on tall super slender women typically don’t work on me.

OP, I am a mid-40’s woman who also kind of digs the LL Bean sweater women. I’m considering simply orders a bunch of LL Bean things and calling my wardrobe good. I know it is hopelessly non-trendy but I can’t help myself.