Building Up a Capsule Wardrobe

Hiii,
When I first started this blog I wanted it to be a space for all of my different interests and topics that I am interested in and one particular topic I wanted to regularly talk about was fashion and styling. Obviously flash forward to today and I am still yet to do a styling/ fashion post so I though why not start now.
Over time my style has changed consistently around every 2 years with me being obsessed with anything 90s and only wearing black and white when I was 16/17, then moving to super loud prints and colours with red, silver and animal print items being what I spent all of my wages on from when I was around 18-19. I feel like my style has been going through a bit of a transition period since spring last year and this is still ongoing today. Nowadays I am more drawn to muted tones like creams and pastels, comfort and textures. However, obviously it's pretty expensive to want to change all of your clothes regularly (something I have discovered the hard way) and its obviously not great environmentally either. I'm not really at the stage where I want to post photos of myself  so in this post I am going to pick out some key pieces that I have constantly came back to or repurchased despite what style I want to achieve.

1. Denim Jacket
Denim jackets are just an absolute staple that you can wear during any season and for any occasion but I have made a few mistakes when picking the fit and denim shade of mine. Darker denims and classic blue are the best shades to go for I have found, try and stay away from particularly light ones as they are only going to get lighter and it's not a good look believe me. My current denim jacket is my favourite and its almost a cropped fit that comes to the top of my hips and its pretty oversized but doesn't drown my arms in the way most of my previous denim babies have. I'd say the best place to get any denim jacket is from vintage shops and sites like ASOS Marketplace, Depop and Rokit in which you can them for about £30-ish (this does take patience but is worth it in the end). I've linked below one which has a similar fit to what I like.
Denim Jacket
Also, although it sounds a bit scary in the summer months I like to wear an off-white denim jacket that I have had for a few years now. These just add a bit of variety as I could probably throw on a blue denim every night throughout spring and summer and they also brighten up the look a bit.  I can't find the exact one I have but this is pretty much the same.
White Denim Jacket

2. Denim Everything
Continuing the discussion of denim, you can't go wrong with having a couple of pairs of jeans in different fits. I have about 5 pairs of jeans that are all different styles and for a few years now my two favourites have remained the same- straight leg jeans and flares. They are great for dressing up and down and you can wear both with pretty much anything from little tops when you are going out to chunky knit jumpers and from heels to doc martens.
Straight Leg Jeans
Straight Leg
Flared Jeans
I've also got a lot of use out of denim skirts but I have a vintage Levi's one which I tend to use for more everyday but I have found pencil fit denims to be a god send for versatility and I've worn mine regularly for years now as you can look semi put together after just throwing on a jumper and tights in the winter or an oversized t shirt or shirt in summer. Denim in general (jeans, skirts and shorts) all also look good with an oversized blazer if you want to dress it up a bit. I've linked bewlow some of my favourite styles.
Levi's Mini Skirt
Pencil Mini Skirt
Midi Split Denim Skirt

3. White Shirt
Thirdly I couldn't live without an oversized white shirt, they go perfectly with denim, leather trousers, skirts with heels for night time and trainers for day time, as a sort of jacket over a summer dress or over bikinis and swimsuits at the beach with a big straw bag. I got mine from Oxfam for £3.99 about 6 years ago after I read Alexa Chung said everyone should own one but you can get them pretty much everywhere and of all different  silhouettes, fits and materials ( mine is sort of linen/ cotton but it's super comfy and goes with everything )

4. Block Colour Midi Skirt
I LOVE MIDI. I used to think it was a bit old-lady-ish but I'd say over the past year it's arguably became my favourite length of skirt (still can't beat a mini sometimes though). I love these because you can dress them up and down and again wear them all year round. You can find them absolutely everywhere now and although you might think they look a bit school teacher-y (like me at first) they are actually really flattering  for most body types and can make you look a bit less crazy when you want to wear a skirt without tights when it's 1 degree and you are walking around seel street.

5. Statement Ballet Flats
These are great to have in your collection just for days when you want to wear a pretty simple, everyday outfit but you want to add a little bit life to it. They can completely transform an outfit and they are of course super comfortable and easy to throw on. If you find the right pair you can even get away with them on a night out too which is always a bonus.

6. Leather Trousers
 I used to be so scared of leather pants until around a year and a half ago and since then I've not looked back. They are probably my favourite thing at the minute and I absolutely love the more relaxed fit ones that have been cropping up everywhere. Whether you get skinny fit or relaxed though this is a suuuper great piece to have in your wardrobe again as a base for an everyday outfit as well as dressy. I've recently been wearing mine a lot with chunky trainers and an oversized cord shirt or puffer jacket, but I have worn them with strappy black heels and 'going out' tops too.
Relaxed Fit Leather Trousers

7. Black or Brown Heeled/ Chunky Boots
Black or/ and brown boots are a must for me. I remember watching and reading fashion blogs and videos growing up and everyone always had black boots. I think I've been repurchasing chunky or heeled boots since I was about 14. Doc Martens are of course a great option for flats and the Jadon boot changed my footwear life (they are pretty much never off my feet) but I know some people aren't a fan so I've linked below some other styles I like. Flat chunky boots are just great to wear everyday or for casual nights out, they make you feel a bit more put together and make outfits really easy to style. But I do find it's important to have a heeled option too, especially for winter when you want to wear heels but it's too cold to not have your feet fully covered. If you find the perfect pair they are also great for adding a bit of oomf to basic everyday outfit- (square toe boots are super super chic and my fave)
Chunky Boot
Square Toe Heeled Boot
DM Jadon Boot

8. Tote Bag
I feel like if you have a tote bag you don't really need another bag. My trusty black tote has seen trips to the Tesco, uni books and notes, beach towels and sun cream as well as too many nights out to count. They are THE best bags and although they don't look much, sometimes that's exactly what you need to complete a simple outfit or when you don't quite know what a day will bring. If you don't own a tote bag (how) please go and get one.

9. A Top You Can Throw On With Jeans and Go Out Out In
Jeans and a nice top for last minute drinks plans... don't need to say anymore.

10. Slip Dress
Great for layering in the winter and great for throwing on in the summer, slip dresses are just the absolute best. I'd say black is the best colour to own in this as you can pair it with different coloured tops and jumpers underneath to make it into a different outfit everytime. I have a midi length one and a short one and I'd say I've had the most wear out of the short one as I wear it in winter with tights, heeled boots/ Doc Martens and a jumper and in the summer with sandals or converse with a light cardigan over. Black slip dresses are great as a LBD for the night too with a denim jacket and some strappy heels.

Sooo yeah that's it for this post, was just a bit of fun really and a way to dip my toe into lighter styling posts because that is something I would like to carry on with in the future ! Also wanted to show how to build a wardrobe that won't ever leave you with nothing to wear, as it took me a while to realise I needed the basics before branching out to any trend pieces.

Thanks for reading and let me know if there's any posts you'd like to see :)
 Rach x