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.

ladies woollen knitwear

It is hard to think about spring and spring clothing when all we want to do these days is keep warm. Cold spells is not the word for what we have been experiencing in the run up to christmas and now. The kids love it; days off from school, sledging, building snowmen what could be more fun. Adults on the other hand are not enjoying driving on icy roads and walking on frozen sidewalks.

I find myself having to wear four layers and more of clothing and having to add more woollen knitwear and thermal underwear to my wardrobe to fight of the cold. But I don't mind as I found some good quality ladies knitwear like this Lambswool Relaxed Ladies Gilet at Woolovers; good value for money and most importantly it will keep me warm and be hanging in my wardrobe for years to come. Click here to browse more ladies knitwear

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.