Unique fashion accessories and your capsule wardrobe

A friend of mine just asked me to save her a georgeous burgundy pink beaded necklace, just in, that is perfect for an outfit she has.  She also tried on this turquoise beaded bracelet which looked great on her but then she said "but I don't have clothes to match this bracelet."  So I said to her, "why not start with the accessories and build an outfit from there".  Interior decorators find a focal point, be it fabric, a serving tray etc and create a theme around it for a room so what's to stop us from building an outfit from accessories up when it comes to fashion.

Strangely enough I'm never been deterred from buying unique jewellery and fashion accessories because I don't have an outfit in my wardrobe to match.  As long as it good quality, unusual, stylish and makes a statement I buy it and add to my wardrobe of fashion accessories.  When I bought this belt for instance I had no idea how I was going to wear this belt and with what.

  But I loved the pearl and burgundy colours, the plaited detail and the fact that it is a leather belt at a great price.  This belt sat in my wardrobe for months before I wore it.   The tribal necklace I have had for over 20 years.  At the time I bought it I didn't even know these fashion terms.  I simply liked the necklace because it seemed unusual and now 2 decades later it is still fashionable and I'm wearing tribal and ethnic jewellery.  Now that is what I call a classical jewellery piece.  The metallic handmade leather sandals just completes this look in style.

When I where these outfits without accessories nobody comments but I add the belt and suddenly the " aren't we glamourous comments" or "what's the occasion? questions start coming my way.  Don't take my word for it just try it and see how fashion accessories can really add glamour to simple outfits.

I'm not one for building a wardrobe in a day.  But overtime you can collect some fabulous statement fashion accessories that always get the desired response to make your day.  And I am getting the hang of this capsule capsule wardrobe concept as using the same belt and trousers with a different top simply creates a new outfit.  Versatile and interchangeable, the keywords for a capsule wardrobe.

Note to self must invest in a mannequin as I simply can't photograph myself wearing these clothes.  If anyone knows a good deal on a mannequin new or second hand please let me know.

One basic tee and jeans - four looks

How can you get three looks from one basic tee and jeans? The answer lies in your jackets and accessories such as shoes, belts, jewellery. When Gok Wan talks about the 24 piece capsule wardrobe, it sounds incredible to operate with such a limited wardrobe and still find different looks. The first thing that comes to mind is "Gosh I'd have to wear the same clothes everyday". The idea is that the pieces in your capsule wardrobe should be interchangeable with each other. Sounds like some sort of fashion currency but it does actually work especially when you have quality pieces that flatter your body shape. Less is definely more when it comes to your capsule wardrobe.

Lets take your basic tee and jeans.  This is a basic mustard coloured long sleeve tee shirt and a pair of denims which can be worn on its own or teamed with three different jackets to create different looks.  For the more dressy look go for the long brown corduroy coat.  I just love the inner lining of this coat which really accents well with the yellow tee.  High heeled shoes is perfect for this look. The yellow jacket is an absolute show stopper.  This short or cropped jacket in yellow with it's extravagant sleeves can really add "flair" to your outfit.  The most casual of all the looks is the denim jacket which depending on the occasion can be worn with flat summer shoes or sandals and turned up jeans hem.  Again the trim of this denim jacket sets off nicely against the yellow tee.  

So 5 pieces, 4 looks and you still have 19 pieces to mix and match from your capsule wardrobe.  Does not sound so impossible after all.  Imagine creating even more looks with this basic tee and denim by accessorizing with belts, unusual jewellery, head scarfs and shoes?

A personal shopper and your capsule wardrobe

We could all do with a wardrobe update or overhaul from time to time and that’s just what I had recently when I won a free 2hr session with a personal stylist. I hardly ever win anything so I was extremely thrilled.

Coast Tiger Short Dress

The question is what did I want my personal stylist to do for me? We could go shopping for that must needed wedding outfit I need for my friend’s spring wedding or she could go through my wardrobe and give me outfit ideas and suggestions on a capsule wardrobe. I liked the idea of help with a capsule wardrobe so I opted for this as the first step in identifying your capsule wardrobe is identifying what clothes you already have that works for you.

Kaliko Two In One Jumper Dress

I had to make sure I cleaned my bedroom, applied my freshest and most stylist linen to the bed. Plus I really was not looking forward to undressing in front of a stranger while she defined my shape and helped me try on outfits but really you get over that very quickly. Beth did not grab and grope me like Trinni and Susannah nor was it an exercise in how to look good naked so I relaxed quite quickly.


Hobbs Clerkenwell Mac

I was quite embarrassed to open my wardrobe though as it was quite a mess and crammed with clothes since I had not bothered to pack away my spring/summer clothing. Anyway Beth went through my wardrobe with me and came up with a pile for charity, a pile for storage and finally my winter capsule wardrobe. After she thinned out my wardrobe, I thought to myself, “do you really expect me to wear these few pieces for the rest of the winter. It was not exactly 24 pieces as suggested by Gok Wan but I had about 30 pieces in my winter capsule wardrobe and this included about four pairs of jeans, skirts, ladies knitwear etc.

Jersey Cardigan

Beth identified gaps in my wardrobe which included long sleeved knitwear tops, a crisp white shirt as my current white shirt was not looking so crisp, a strapless bra and a suggestion for a high waisted bootleg jeans in dark denim as well as more camisoles.

East Linen Blend Long Line Cardigan

I am still operating on these few pieces and mixing and matching, interchanging to get new looks and it is working. Which just proves that you really do not need too much clothes just a well coordinated wardrobe of quality pieces and an idea of how to interchange them.

Plus we found two tops that I bought and had never worn lurking in the bottom of the wardrobe in a shopping bag as well as a partly sequined black dress that is just ideal for christmas party wear.

Your capsule wardrobe and the winter sales

We all anxiously await the annual sales - winter sales, summer sales, autumn sales. Some line up for hours early in the morning to be the first inside their store of choice. But with many sales starting online on christmas day it is so much easier to let your fingers do the walking and not have to jossle for parking space, join long lines for the changing rooms or line up to cash your items. The great thing about online shopping is that you can do it from the comfort of your living room.

This plaited trim top would certainly suit the body shape of Susannah but not Trini. Just a reminder to buy what is flattering for your body shape and avoid the pitfalls of online bargains.

Avoid the pitfalls of shopping in sales and online bargains

Whether shopping online or browsing the store sales it is important to stick to certain rules to avoid the pitfalls of shopping in sales. To ensure that you only buy clothing and fashion accessories that truly flatter you and most importantly that you need, identify gaps in your capsule wardrobe and know what you are looking to buy. I am sure you made a shopping list for christmas so do the same for your sale shopping to be sure that you will not be adding more of the same to your wardrobe.

Make a list of your wardrobe needs.

For me I know that I need v neck and cowl neck knitwear, camisoles and a strapless bra. At the same time I know how much I can afford to spend. It is important to set yourself a budget and not overspend.

If you are fortunate enough to have no gaps in your wardrobe then see if the prices are reduced on your wish list items. I am forever adding items to my wish list but do remember to revisit your wish list periodically. Wish lists do indeed save you the time of having to search for the item again on the internet. So use your wish list facilities which is available on most websites.