Best capsule wardrobe pieces in the sale
We’re all back to work and might be looking at our work wardrobe feeling it needs a little upgrade for 2019. If you’ve been fantasising about having a perfect capsule wardrobe for some time, then January is actually a good time to shop despite the chaos of the sale. Capsule pieces tend to be the more expensive ‘investment’ items that form the foundation of your wardrobe. Without these pieces your wardrobe can veer into scruffy and incoherent and that slows us down on a day-to-day basis. Spending time hunting down these items will pay for itself over and over. Always think classic. Don’t be bamboozled JUST by a bargain. I have trawled the sales to save you time and pulled together some great items! I talk about my blog on instagram stories too so you can see the clothes in real life very quickly to save even more time! Follow me on instagram here.
So with a coherent capsule wardrobe in mind, it is always better to shop in one go a couple of times a season rather than randomly buying things in your lunch hour with little or no planning. Getting all your core capsule pieces now means you can have fun later in the season when all the new, more frivolous fun pieces come in.
Not everyone needs exactly the same items in their capsule wardrobe but if you want to look polished and pulled-together then these are six items will help.
A leather biker jacket
Great jeans (SS19 is ALL about straight legged 90’s style jeans - see on my insta stories)
Wool coat (at least three months of freezing weather left)
A blazer (I’d suggest at least one)
Cashmere or wool knit
Silk blouse
A leather biker jacket. I still love these and think they work brilliantly in lots of wardrobes. You can layer them under your wool coat when it’s winter so they are wearable almost all year round. They edge-up pretty dresses and are handy as a very clear weekend/casual jacket. It’s nice to have different things to wear at the weekend because so many of us work in a smart/casual environment now and your work outfits can bleed into your weekend wear and who wants to feel like you’re at work all the time!?
All Saints leather biker jacket - £238 down from £298 at Selfridges
2. A cashmere or smart wool jumper. Absolute staple during winter and as we are aiming for a polished/luxe look in this blog then cashmere as luxe as it gets! I recommend John Lewis, Uniglo and Massimo Dutti for excellent cashmere at good price points. Yesterday I found this light grey fluffy jumper with a subtle star on sale in Hush in John Lewis for £40 reduced from £79, I wouldn’t have paid £79 so feel satisfaction! I also love this soft pink cashmere from Whistles.
Soft pink round neck cashmere from Whistles. £119 down from £165 at Selfridges.
3. Wool coat. Winter is a great time to use colour to give your wardrobe more punch and stand out amongst all the grey. This season Jigsaw have done such amazing coats and this one is gorgeous:
Purple wool coat at Jigsaw. £179 down from £299.
4. Blazer. This is an absolute must I’d say for every wardrobe unless you are Lady Gaga. Smartens-up everything and works as a coat/jacket during our frequent mild spells when the weather doesn’t know what it’s doing. I’ve had my eye on this checked blazer from Reiss for weeks and finally it is on the sale for £140 down from £295. Only sizes 6, 12 and 14 left now though.
I spotted this Maje black well cut blazer in the sale in Selfridges yesterday. £189 down from £315. Great for French-girl chic when worn with straight-legged denim.
Maje black blazer at Selfridges
5. Silk blouse. This is an item that will make you look instantly more dressed-up. It adds gravitas to your look and the all important polish. Surprisingly (not usually my style) I really love this by LK Bennett - again it’s got that left-bank vibe about it with the necktie and would work with a skirt at work or jeans. Lots of sizes left currently in John Lewis. Otherwise try the Selfridges sale and Jigsaw do brilliant straight-forward button-up silk shirts here in many colours that are super handy.
LK Bennet tie neck cream silk blouse
6. Finally THE core piece of my wardrobe, jeans. I cannot get enough of jeans and always gravitate back to them. Nothing beats the comfort and security of jeans. As I mentioned earlier, come Spring, the shape all the fashionista’s will be wearing is a 90’s vintage inspired straight leg cut with high waist. I’m more of a skinny jeans person but the straight cut gives variety. This totally reminds me of when I used to go vintage Levi jean shopping with my Mum back in Southend - only vintage would do and now they’re back! I tried the pair below on yesterday in my instagram stories but didn’t buy them - a bit too distressed even though the cut was really flattering. The pair I recommend are not distressed at all and available at Net-a-porter. Another good option for jeans is the classic Levi - they do every cut imaginable in good quality denim. After I tried the below jeans on in Selfridges I went to Other Stories and tried a straight pair on and was shocked at the poor quality of the cut and the denim - they were like supermarket jeans! A good reason to get one pair of higher-end denim in your arsenal now when they are on sale. I also recommend Topshop jeans - almost forgot to mention that! The denim just isn’t as nice and soft as the more expensive brands.
Grlfrnd straight jeans at Net-a-Porter - £112 down from £286
Lisa Gillbe is a personal stylist and image consultant in London. Get in touch if you want to book any personal shopping services this season.
