Planning and purchasing for the autumn capsule closet is underway and so far my wish-list is getting longer and longer. I obviously won’t be buying EVERYTHING but there are a few pieces that have caught my eye. In the spirit the now sadly ceased minimalist blog Un-fancy, I stock up on fashion in the month prior to the new capsule collection. I am a big advocate of some of the capsule principles though admit it can be tricky to plan as far ahead as November when it’s sunny outside. This was less of a challenge the other week when it was pouring and blowing a gale.
Already In The Bag
I’ve already snapped up a H&M striped boyfriend shirt which I think works with jeans, skinnies and skirts. Very versatile indeed. I also grabbed a pair of the Ghillie Leopard flats from Topshop too before they went out of stock. Am pleased to report they seem to be back on the site though now in lots of sizes. As a transitional piece I’ve also added a Boohoo embroidered top to my basket figuring I can wear on my upcoming beach break and then wear through September and perhaps October with a three quarter tee underneath.
Lightweight Jackets
I’m looking to get one or two thinner jackets. More than likely I’ll keep my current pleather jacket (though unfortunately it’s got a bit damaged recently and the PU has started to peel). Marks and Spencer have a cute padded sleeve one at the moment. High on my list for autumn is a denim jacket instead. Again from M&S I’m liking this cropped bleached version which I’d team over a plethora of tees to get multiple wears.
Overbody Bag
I’m so excited to be off to New York in November. When I’m shopping and sight-seeing I like to leave my hands fee so I’m looking for an across-the-body bag. I adore my large blue Cambridge Satchel and I am seriously tempted by their 11 inch oxblood bag from MyBag. Nothing screams autumn like a rich hue!
Denim
The seventies vibe we’ve been fond of this summer will continue with denim, fringing and sheepskin galore. According to the folks in the know at New Look we’re going to be combining our denim with suede and PU next season in rich tones of rust, caramel, navy and khaki.
Suede midis were on every blog this summer but I have to admit I haven’t seen anyone wear one in real-life, though fashion can be very different in the Midlands…. As a change to the suede this denim button midi would be great for late summer with tan sandals but will see you right though September and October with boots. The length is a little more demure than the short a-line shapes which have been around earlier this year.
As I’m vertically challenged I end up steering away from anything swooshy but New Look’s other denim midi would look fabulous on taller folks. Also worth checking out their autumn workwear range if like me, you work in a smart-casual office.
Work Shoes
More recently I’ve found I’m in the office an extra day a week and it’s wreaking havoc with my wardrobe! Finding an additional smart(ish) outfit per week has forced me to try out some, let’s say, unusual combinations. I really need to sort out the footwear situation for Autumn as I know there are a few outfit combos I won’t be sporting as I don’t have the right shoes.
It’s clear I need a simple black court shoe for wearing with dresses and trousers. In the past I’ve ended up going too high with the heel and found them a pain for dashing round the office. These Thesalie Courts from Sarenza look like they’d fit the bill nicely with their slightly chunky mid(ish) heel.
Khaki
Now rust may be the colour of the season but for someone of my pale and interesting colouring, khaki is more up my street. Over the last few years I’ve favoured a fitted winter coat with a nipped in waist but for NY I’m thinking of a slightly looser fit. This mid-length khaki coat from Coggles has trench coat elements but fully lined to keep you toasty.
I still can’t quite work out if I can get away with culottes and I’m being drawn to dungarees more than ever before. Don’t even start me on fringing. I need some of this in my life! I’ll be back soon to let you know what items made it to my autumn capsule, as well as my general thoughts on how my approach has changed as I move to my fourth season. What’s on your wish list for AW15? Any buys you’d love to tell us about?
Love love LOVE the shirt Lauren….might have to copy 🙂 x
I was just thinking the same Charlotte! I purchased this in the Chambray the other week and it is such a lovely fit and had been thinking I needed another. Would go well with some grey jeans I just purchased.
Lauren, I always try but fail to do capsule wardrobes. I must just have a mass clear out and start again I think. I’ve been considering dungarees too but no idea if I can pull them off! xxx
I’m wondering if I’d have been better off going for dungarees for the summer capsule. I feel wearing a coat would add all sorts of complications on loo visits! x
The lovely lady who sits in the same pod as me in the office has the shame shirt. We have to confer on when we’ll wear it!
I’m going back to work in 6 weeks after 9 glorious months of maternity leave and building my workwear capsule wardrobe is somewhat softening the blow. That shirt would slot in nicely!
I’m thinking a streamlined capsule wardrobe should help me to actually get out the door on time. Not sure if it’ll work in practice…
I think you should purchase immediately Lynsey!
A capsule approach definitely helps get out of the house in the morning. Providing someone’s done the ironing 🙂 x
Having a capsule wardrobe TOTALLY helps with getting you out of the door in the morning. I have literally got ready in a third of my normal time because I just don’t have to think about what I’m going to wear.
Do it! 🙂
For the first time ever, I embraced a capsule wardrobe for my spring/summer work clothes this year and I love the approach! It’s so easy to get ready every morning when all my things go together in any combination!! (not quite brave enough to adopt this approach outside of work wear yet though!) I’m loving the work wear New Look have to offer for Autumn and can see myself getting a few bits from there.
What I’m really hankering after for Autumn/Winter is the perfect, flattering LBD…..something that will cater for cocktail parties, the theatre etc, through to family lunches and day time occassions. Does such a dress exist?! (Confession time: I have never had a LBD and I’m nearly 29! I think i’m worried that black looks draining on me….)
Great idea for a post Sarah. I love an LBD.
I bet black looks fabulous on you! x
Would love to see a LBD post!!! 🙂
Lauren, last time I bought something from one of your fashion posts it became a very special outfit – it was what I wore when the boy proposed! So clearly your suggestions make very good things happen. Which means I now need to buy all of these! x
Oh Sian, that’s amazing to hear! What were you wearing?! x
The blue and white misguided dress from your summer dresses post – I love it 🙂 x
Good frock Sian! Huge congratulations x
I have to say I’m loving planning my Autumn wardrobe as none of my clothes from last year fit – A great excuse to go shopping 🙂 I’ve already started my Autumn Pinterest board and I’m obsessed with everything rust and oxblood coloured, oooo and yellow too 🙂 River Island features heavily on my board with their patterned pencil skirts and gorgeous grey ankle boots. Can’t wait to start buying!
I love yellow/mustard on other folks Gracie. Never been able to carry it off myself.
River Island have lots of lovely things in at the moment.
Oh I love that coat, such a great colour – I’m normally all about Zara for coats but got ahead of myself this year and bought a Massimo Dutti number in the sale last month which I’ve already had to wear as a result of the terrible Glaswegian weather.
I heartily recommend taking the dungaree leap – I loved them as a geeky 14 year old so was delighted when they came back – they’ve become standard weekend uniform (although I’d like to think my styling’s improved in the last 15 years!).
Oooh Rebecca how do you style your dungarees?
Nude heels or sandals and a stripey top (they’re blue denim with rips and roll-ups) is my preferred combo but I’ve also been embracing the 80s with some off-the-shoulder tops – I feel like my dungarees make me braver with my fashion choices?!
Liking the sound of this look Rebecca. Very cool.
Also loving the off-the-shoulder trend too x
Buy the satchel Lauren! I used to work for Cambridge Satchel so I’m biased, but I love the Oxblood. I have it in the 15″ and it is my most used bag. I also have the 11″ in two different colours and use them all the time when I’m not working, so they have been well worth the investment. Oxblood goes with pretty much any colour as well. 🙂 xx
Very tempted Alex. You’re so right on oxblood being a colour that goes with everything x
Love the shirt… and the shoes. In fact I think I may already have the chambray version of the shirt too AND have been eyeing up the checked version…
Is it really time to shop for autumn though already?? I feel like I only just switched to summer a minute ago and haven’t even got through my 37 items yet!
Good on you Amanda. I feel like I’ve worn all my stuff to death and still three weeks to go!
Love the checked version of the shirt. You need it in your life 😉 x