Debunking the Capsule Wardrobe Myth

We’ve all read them. I’ve possibly even styled them. They’re the ‘Capsule Wardrobe Edit’ stories in magazines and supplements that refer to the timeless pieces no wardrobe can possibly do without. Adjectives such as ‘investment’, ‘classic’, ‘iconic’, ‘essential’ and ‘must-have’ often appear somewhere in an adjacent slug. Invariably they contain a trench coat, and a Breton top – both apparently basic items; both items that are nigh on impossible for me to wear.

 

Indeed, one intensely chic website just last week had their guide for ‘How to Create the Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe’. Of the 13 items they said I can’t possibly live without, I was on number 7 before I found one that would actually suit me. (Incidentally it was about the ‘New Jean Shape’, the straight leg, which I can 100% get behind – I am working on my denim guide as we speak, so do keep checking back here for that.)

 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not an enormous consumer of clothes and I have a total aversion to ‘stuff’. The idea of a wardrobe that is completely effortless and is made up of the perfect jigsaw puzzle where every piece works hard and works with everything else, is my utopia. My issue with the idea of articles expounding your Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe, is that one woman’s Bottega Veneta combat boots, are another’s Jimmy Choo pumps. We all have different requirements from our wardrobes, and more importantly different body shapes that will dictate different styles.

 

If you’re struggling to discern which pieces are worth the investment and which ones aren’t, one of the aspects of my Styling Consultation is to give each of my clients a list of pieces that are aimed at being a capsule wardrobe tailored specifically to them – their lifestyle and their body.

 

So next time you read a headline that suggests buying everything an editorial recommends for effortless dressing, I urge you to take it with a sizeable pinch of salt.

 

Instead of giving you an arbitrary list of things that claim to suit you all, but really don’t, here is a list of some of the things that are new in this week that I’m loving and why you may love them too.

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The Striped Polo

Uterque, £80, uterque.com

Many of my clients come to me with an aversion to anything with horizontal stripes. After all, horizontal stripes stretch out, and vertical stripes stretch up. But both can also be enormously useful for balancing out shapes. This polo from Uterque, as well as coming in flattering shades of khaki and azure blue (covering the spectrum from warm to cool skin tones), is ideal for bodies that are the ‘triangle’ shape. If your hips are wider than your shoulders or bust, a great way to balance them out is to add stripes to your top half. I also have a tendency to wax lyrical on the virtues of a collar and a v-neck (i.e. a polo unbuttoned), so this top is the dream.

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Knitted Trousers

Massimo Dutti, £79.95, massimodutti.com

Not quite ready to get out of jogging bottoms, but feeling your self-respect needs a little injection? These may just be the answer. One step up from sweatpants in the comfort stakes but leaps and bounds ahead in the style stakes, these pull-on knitted trousers from Massimo Dutti, have a pleat sewn down the front of the leg which looks smart and is great for streamlining. They’re already long though, so won’t be for all of us, but they do contain 5% cashmere so great for a bit of warmth.

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The Knot Belt

Mango, £29.99, mango.com

Heavily inspired by Isabel Marant’s perennial (and often completely sold-out) Lecce belt, this style from Mango, is a wardrobe essential. I have IM’s belt in tan, and it’s wonderful for adding shape to some of the more oversized dresses or shirts that do nothing for my hourglass frame. And, as it’s completely adjustable, it works on my waist and my hips, so also looks good with jeans and skirts. If you’re new to belts and your belt wardrobe is on the sparse side, one that can sit comfortably at the waist and the hips is a small investment with potentially vast dividends. My other favourite is this one from Arket.

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The Knitted Vest

& Other Stories, £65, stories.com

It seemed to come out of nowhere in the second half of 2020. There are even memes dedicated to the love the influencer has for a sleeveless vest. The problem is, they really are not the key item they purport to be. Sleeveless vests can be great, but, like everything, they’re not universal. Knitted vests are ideal on ‘column’ shaped bodies as they add some width and fluidity to an otherwise straight figure. If you’ve got a significant (or even semi-significant) bust or broad shoulders they’re not going to work, though. This long style from & Other Stories finishes at the hips, so again, is great on straight figures, but if you have a waist or hips, then you’ll want a style that’s much shorter. Try layering it over a skinny roll neck for added warm right now.

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The Denim Shirt

Sézane, £90, sezane.com

And finally - I’m going to contradict myself. If there is one singular item that I think is a wardrobe essential and does suit everyone, it’s the denim shirt. There are parameters though: you don’t want anything excessively long, or excessively oversized. A denim shirt that is neat across the shoulders and the body is probably the most useful item in my wardrobe. I wear mine with jeans (all hail a bit of double denim), with Madmen-esque pencil skirts and high-heeled pumps (when we had occasions that required such a boost), floral midi skirts or as a light jacket over a summer dress. As we age, simple t-shirts become harder to wear, and collars are increasingly essential to flatter the face. A denim shirt can give you that lift, without too much formality. I love this style from Sézane, especially styled with the high waisted trousers and belt.

If there is anything, sartorially speaking, that you’re wanting help on, do drop me a line or comment below and I’ll do my best to break it down for you in an upcoming post.

Have a great week everyone and enjoy the snow!

Prue x

ADMIN: Everything I’ve included here, I’ve included solely because I really rate it. I may though, if you buy some of the items mentioned, earn a small commission from that purchase.