Capsule Wardrobe for Autumn

Pat writes:

I sometimes wish that I had the funds to clear my wardrobe and start from scratch.  The autumn collections are just beginning to appear and it is entertaining to look at the new styles and imagine a fresh start.

This is a suggested capsule wardrobe for a woman who works in a professional environment.  The wardrobe basic here is a black skirt and jacket.  I have added a pair of black trousers in this season’s hot style – high waist and slightly flared legs.  The second skirt is slightly more casual but could be dressed up with the jacket or worn with a cardigan for ‘dress-down Friday’.

I’ve chosen 5 blouses or tops that are machine washable.  My preference is for short sleeves these usually fit best under a jacket and are more versatile with fluctuating temperatures.  I could not resist the lovely rose-coloured print on the Boden top (on the right), so it's in the capsule wardrobe even though it has ¾ sleeves.

The shoes include one pair of kitten heels as these are predicted to be a top trend this autumn.  To ring the changes (and for practical purposes), I’ve included a pair of flats in a subtle shade of red. 

The black trousers, both pairs of shoes and the rose handbag are all available from John Lewis.  (I think that the bag is the best bargain at only £35).

The black skirt and jacket are from Debenhams, as well as the grey print blouse.  The blouse currently on sale – if you are quick you might catch a few bargains.

The pale blue  and the white blouse are  from Dorothy Perkins.  Dorothy Perkins is an excellent source of inexpensive office-type blouses; both of these were under £25.

The grey skirt with the appliqué circles, rose-coloured cardigan, multi-coloured floral top and the rose print top are all from the Boden autumn collection.

Boden are offering 10% off all prices plus free deliver and free returns until the end of August 2010. 

Clothes Show London 2010

We visited Clothes Show London on the final day, as this is the day when many of the exhibitors sell off clothing from their display at massive reductions.  This was not our main motivation for attending though; we like going to the Clothes Show London to gather new ideas and because it is fun.

This year the Clothes Show London was held at Earls Court which meant that it was easy for us to travel there by public transport.  There were well over 100 exhibitors whose display stands filled most of the main hall.

Many of the exhibitors design and make clothes that are aimed at the young and slim.  The designers are hoping that their lines will be bought by boutiques or high street shops.  We enjoyed looked at the clothes, and looking at people admiring the clothes and trying them on. This particular display had the eye catching name Never Fully Dressed.  (Check out their website.)

One of the highlights for us it the Fashion Theatre Show.  We booked tickets for the show starting at 3pm as that was kick off time for the England v Germany match at the World Cup.  We thought there might be loads of empty seats, but the theatre was packed.  Oddly enough, we couldn’t see a single man in the audience.

Over the coming weeks we will be gathering information about some of the things we saw at Clothes Show London and putting up more details here on looklovely.net.

What to wear to Wimbledon

If you are playing tennis at Wimbledon, you will know what to wear because there is a dress code for participants.  There is no dress code for those watching the tennis at Wimbledon.

We think that you should aim for a smart-casual look while remembering how the English summer weather can change from one hour to the next.   You will be outside, so should be prepared for sun or rain.  You may wish to walk from court to court, or you may start the day by queuing in hope of tickets.  Therefore we recommend that you opt for comfort over style in when choosing your footwear, so we’ve shown a pair of Birkinstocks from John Lewis.

Our suggested outfits both include skirts as we find a skirt more comfortable than trousers for long periods of sitting down.  A skirt has an advantage over trousers when it rains, because there is nothing more miserable than having wet trousers flapping around your ankles.  Should the weather turn hot, you will be cooler in a skirt.  The floral skirt is from White Stuff; the denim one is by Maine New England and available from Debenhams.

We would go for a short-sleeved top (both our selections are from Boden), and a light-weight cardigan (turquoise cardigan from Wallis).  If you like a more formal look you may wish to consider a blazer.  We like the sporty look of this one from Boden.

As you may be putting your bag down we chose a jute shopper rather than an expensive leather bag.  The cute bag shown is from Seasalt and costs only £4!

We suggest that you pop a packable rain coat into that cute bag.  We searched for a cheerful print, as you might need something to brighten your mood if it rains.  The one shown is by Cath Kidston and available from John Lewis.  Even if you don’t want to carry around a coat, at least pack a folding umbrella – this one is also from the Cath Kidston collection at John Lewis.

Don’t forget to take some sun protection cream, money for strawberries and cream – and have fun!

What to wear for the British Summer

One day it’s hot, the next day it’s raining – sometimes the weather changes during the day?  The perennial question is “What to wear for the British Summer?”

Suppose you’ve been invited to a garden party.  The question is not so much “what to wear” as “what to wear for the British Summer”?  We suggest that you start off with a dress in summer colours – pink and yellow always suggest sunshine even when the sky is grey.  Keep warm with a cardigan or cotton top worn as a jacket for a casual look.  Pop a scarf in your bag for protection from a chilly breeze.  Your summer wardrobe should include a one pair of shoes with closed in toes to that if necessary you can wear tights.  (In our view, sandals with tights just look wrong!)

Details of clothes shown: Dress (£59) and pink cardigan (£59) from Joules, shirt (£45) from White Stuff, printed scarf (£29) from Boden and shoes (£75) by Hobbs from John Lewis.

A day at the beach can be just as unpredictable, but nobody wants to spend the summer indoors!  We advocate buying clothes that can work across your wardrobe.  The tee shirt we’ve chosen for the beach might not be acceptable for your day job, but we’ve recycled the cardigan, scarf and top.  Most articles of clothing shown in these photos could be dressed up or down and would be useful in a number of settings, from work to play.

Details of our beach clothes: Tee from Plain Lazy, brown capris and pink trainers from Ascension, and (as above) pink cardigan from Joules, shirt from White Stuff and printed scarf from Boden.

It can feel like admitting defeat to wear tights in summer.  We think that fine fishnets are a good compromise, providing a bit of warmth and adding a touch of style.  If you are feeling fashion forward, try lace or patterned tights.  Both tightsplease and mytights have a good selection and offer free postage (may be subject to a minimum purchase, but not always).

Socks with High Heels

A recent edition of British Vogue had a feature on 1950’s-style fashion.  Lovely feminine dresses and pencil skirt, and all accessorised with socks with high heels.  I thought that I couldn’t possibly wear that – it just looked too odd for me.

Then I was at a cafe in Birmingham and noticed a young woman at the next table.  She was beautifully dressed in pale grey and everybody seemed to notice her.  As she left I made an effort to see what she was wearing on her feet; she had high-heeled shoe boots with off-white lace ankle socks.  The look seemed just right for her.  Possibly not for me, as she was clearly about half my age – but some of you might consider this combination.

The lace ankle socks might look good with other outfits.  I’ve found some online at mytights.  These are by Jonathan Aston and are called “sweet roses anklet”.  They cost £6 and come in 3 colours, including off-white.  The black ones shown in this picture would add an interesting fashion twist to a plain black dress.

Mytights also have a range of printed nylon knee socks by Celeste Steine in  pretty prints, including a blue lace pattern that would look good with denim.   

What do you think?  Would you wear socks with high heels?  Tell us on our Talk Back page.     

What to Wear for a Day at the Races

An increasing number of race courses across Britain are hosting “Ladies’ Days” this season.  The difference between a “ladies’ day “and an ordinary day at the races is that there is an expectation that people will dress for the occasion.

If you enjoy getting dressed up and like a day out with friends, why not organise a day at the races?

You don’t have to attend a designated Ladies’ Day; there are other days of racing when many people get dressed up for the occasion.

A few race courses, such as Ascot, have a dress code.  Such codes usually apply only to specific area and on designated days.  More often there is no code and on an ordinary day at the races people will be dressed in every style imaginable.

When dressing up, I suggest adding a jacket or cardigan to your ensemble or carrying a pashmina, unless you are confident of warm weather. Comfortable shoes are also recommended because you will be standing more often than not.  You may wish to walk to the paddock to see the horses paraded prior to each race.  It’s part of the fun, and easier in low-heeled shoes.

If you are thinking about wearing a hat, take a look at our feature on hats for special occasions.

A day at the races is primarily a social occasion but it adds to the fun to have a small bet on the outcome of a race or two.  My approach to the races is to take an amount of cash specifically for betting.  When that money is gone, no more bets for me!

Here is a list of dates and venues for some ladies days.  Check the website for the racecourse to assist in planning a day out.

1^st May            Ladies’ Evening,  Doncaster Racecourse

6^th May           Boodles’ Ladies’ Day,  Chester Racecourse

23^rd May        Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas/Tattersalls Gold Cup,   The Curragh Racecourse, Ireland

4^th June          Investec Ladies’ Day,    Epsom

5^th June,         Ladies’ Day, Worcester Racecourse

17^th June,       Ascot Ladies’ Day, Ascot

19^th June,       Ladies’ Day, Redcar Racecourse

25^th June,       Ladies’ Evening, Chester Racecourse

8^th July,          Ladies’ Day, Newmarket

9^th July,          Ladies’ Day, Galway Racecourse, Ireland

18^th July,        Darley Irish Oaks, The Curragh Racecourse, Ireland

29^th July,        Glorious Goodwood,  Goodwood

5^th August,      August Festival Ladies’ Day, Brighton Racecourse

   11^th August,     The Journal Ladies’ Day, Beverley Racecourse

   19^th August,      Ebor Festival Ladies’ Day, York Racecourse

    4^th September, Ladies Day, Leopardstown Racecourse, Ireland  

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