Hi there, Wardrobe Warriors. It’s Hil here.
We’ve all seen it, haven’t we? The floordrobe. Six tops tried on, five abandoned, and somehow you’re standing in your underwear announcing that you have absolutely nothing to wear.
Now, I’m lucky. I don’t really have a floordrobe, and neither does Sue. We’re both quite fastidious about our wardrobes. I have considerably more clothes, having worked in this industry for 30 years, but we both edit pretty furiously. We know what we’ve got, which colours work together and what goes with what.
That takes practice. It’s also our business to think about it. So if your wardrobe currently feels less organised collection and more archaeological dig, I do understand. It’s why Sue offers a personal wardrobe editing service.
What I want to do here is distil some of that thinking into broad principles you can use yourself. An autumn capsule wardrobe for women over 50 can start with seven everyday pieces: jeans, fantastically comfortable trousers, a great tee or layering piece, a brilliant blouse, a fabulous jumper, a hero swathe of a cardigan and a brilliant coat or jacket. I’ve added a blazer for smarter plans, taking this particular edit to eight.
Choose colours that work across both pairs of bottoms, then use your layers, your intuition and a little common sense to adjust things through the day. A long-sleeved tee might be your preference as it gets colder; I’ve chosen a softly shimmering T-shirt for this edit. We are allowed to adapt.
A capsule wardrobe, without the wardrobe rules.
For some of us, “capsule wardrobe” is a loaded expression. Very loaded indeed. It has that rather prescriptive, 1990s fashion-magazine feel, although Donna Karan’s famous Seven Easy Pieces actually launched in 1985.
The principle was clever: a handful of interchangeable pieces that worked across different parts of your life. But the all-black wardrobe many of us associate with that idea? That has never been my ambition. I love colour. And while black can look wonderful, a lot of it near the face can feel draining on some of us. You don’t have to disappear into it because someone has declared it essential.
I’ve put together eight pieces from Wardrobe at The Cross and seven ways I’d combine them. This is a starting point for autumn and those early winter days, with warmer outerwear added as you need it. There are no compulsory purchases and no rules about what you’re allowed to wear at 50, 60 or beyond.
You may already own half of this. Excellent. Start there. And if you’d like help making it work for you, get in touch about a styling appointment.
First, get your big girl knickers on.
Before we get carried away with cardigans, let’s talk about what’s underneath.
A properly fitting bra, decent knickers and good socks or tights make a difference to how your clothes sit and how you feel in them. I’m not suggesting we all need to become smaller people. I’m talking about being comfortably supported, getting a smooth line under your clothes and feeling ready to face the world.
I often say it’s time to get my big girl knickers on. There’s a reason that phrase works. Getting yourself comfortably tucked in can give you a certain “right, I’m in charge” feeling. Ideally without anything cutting off your circulation.
We don’t sell underwear at Wardrobe at The Cross, and we’re not planning to, but ask us if you’d like pointing in the right direction. Sue and I will probably recommend different bra specialists. I have a substantial boob situation; Sue has rather less to accommodate. Different bodies, different requirements.
Start with the clothes you already reach for.
Pull out your favourite jeans, a second pair of trousers and the boots or shoes you wear most.
Try the jeans with the shoes. Then try the trousers with the shoes. Not the jeans and trousers together, please. You’ll be very hot and look like Joey in Friends.
Think about hems and heel heights. The length that works beautifully with a boot may be dragging along the pavement when you put your trainers on.
My own much-worn combination is my Toxik Rowan jeans in mid-wash with Rino & Pelle trainers. I’ve made sure the Rowans work with that sole height, because nobody needs to see Hil dragging half a leg of denim down Neston High Street.
If your trousers need a little attention, ask us about alterations. We recommend lovely female-owned businesses in both New Ferry and Neston. A good alteration can make the difference between something you keep trying on and something you actually wear.
And if you haven’t found jeans you love, come in for our jeans fitting service. Our Just Jeans collection also has detailed fit advice, including how styles work on me and on Sue.
For reference, I’m 5ft 3½in, a size 10–12, with a rounded tummy, a flat bottom, very little hip, a thicker waist and a 34E bust. Sue is 5ft, around a size 6–8, and a very petite hourglass. She has barely changed size in her life. When she was pregnant, she looked as though she’d swallowed a football.
We are different shapes. That’s useful when we’re helping you work out a fit.
Choose colours you enjoy wearing.
For this capsule, I’m using navy and indigo as the base, with soft white, camel and biscuit knitwear. Burgundy and blush bring in some print.
Yes, that sounds a little stealth wealth. A little old money. Neither, I hasten to add, is my reality, but I do enjoy a lovely colour combination.
Camel can bring beautiful warmth near the face if it suits your colouring. And I tend to favour a soft white over a very harsh, bright white, particularly on days when my complexion isn’t quite delivering the luminosity I’d ordered.
The point is to notice what works on you. If camel makes you look tired, it doesn’t get a free pass because it’s in a capsule wardrobe. Choose a colour you love wearing near your face instead.
If you’d like to understand your season and which shades really suit you, Sue offers colour analysis.
Think about your actual week, too. We don’t sell masses of tailoring at Wardrobe at The Cross. If you never wear a blazer, a beautiful cardigan, casual jacket or cape may earn its place much more easily.
Before buying anything from us, or anyone else, picture it with both pairs of bottoms you’ve pulled out. Does that lovely throwover work with your jeans and your trousers? Will you reach for it? That’s a much more useful question than whether somebody has called it a must-have.
The eight pieces in my autumn capsule.
1. Indigo jeans with a gentle barrel leg.
The Dana Barrel Jeans in Indigo from Toxik have a curved leg that tapers towards the ankle, and this shape is becoming very popular with you.
We favour a gentle barrel at Wardrobe at The Cross. A bit of shape and interest, without quite so much curve that the jeans enter the room before you do.
I really enjoy wearing these. There’s plenty of stretch, and they’re a hero in my wardrobe at the moment. A useful fit detail: I wear a medium in Dana, compared with a small in Judd. That’s exactly why I’m always asking you to read the individual fit notes rather than assume one size will behave identically across every style.
I’d wear them with the tee during the day and the blouse for dinner. If you’re devoted to your straight-leg jeans, those can do the job too.
2. Fantastically comfortable navy trousers.
The Sue Trouser in Night Sky from Saint Tropez has a wide leg, an elasticated drawstring waist and that lovely fine cream piping down the sides.
It’s a small detail, but it makes the trouser feel more considered. The fluid fabric also gives you a different look from denim, which is the whole point of having a second option.
Navy is tremendously useful. A navy tee, a cream blouse, even a hot pink gilet can work with it. Here, I’d wear the Sue trousers with our printed blouse for a smarter outfit, or the camel knit when I want a little more warmth.
Try them with your usual flats, trainers or boots and check the length. Both Sue and I need these altered, so if you’re petite, bear that in mind.
3. A soft white tee with a little shimmer.
The Prismi T-Shirt in Marshmallow from b.young is a lovely relaxed cotton tee with a little crystal detail along the shoulders.
It’s a useful base under a cardigan or jumper, but that subtle shimmer earns its keep when the layers come off. Pub lunch, bottomless brunch, an evening with the girls: a bit of interest above the table is always welcome.
Sue talks about this a lot. When you’re sitting down, people see what’s happening up top. Your trousers may be magnificent, but they’re underneath the table.
Choose a tee you’re happy to wear on its own. Autumn does enjoy changing its mind, and you want to be able to take your cardigan off without feeling you’ve dismantled the outfit.
4. A brilliant blouse with some colour.
The Uminda Blouse in Winetasting Shadow Blooms from Saint Tropez brings burgundy and blush into the mix, with fine pleats and gathered cuffs.
It’s lovely with the Dana jeans and equally happy with the navy Sue trousers. I’d also wear it with our chocolate Toxik corduroys. A useful little blouse with plenty of places to go.
I would tuck it in and add a belt. Our Moda belt is a particularly good option for helping me define a waist, which is becoming a slightly more negotiable feature as I move through menopause.
Sue would be more likely to leave it untucked and let the pleats fall freely, in keeping with her looser, more bohemian style. She might do a little front tuck, depending on the outfit.
Although she’s tiny, Sue is very much an hourglass. That’s about the relationship between bust, waist and hips, not dress size. Small women can have curves too.
Wear this blouse under a cardigan or blazer, and let some of that lovely print show.
5. A fabulous camel asymmetric knit.
The Asymmetric Knit in Camel from Y London. To know it is to love it.
That neckline is brilliant. Arrange it off the shoulder, wear it on the shoulder or let it sit as a soft cowl. Dress it up, dress it down. It’s an absolute corker, and once you’ve had one, I wouldn’t be surprised if another colour found its way into your wardrobe.
The one-size shape generally works beautifully from a size 8 through to a 16. If you’re smaller than an 8, it may feel generous, although I have size 6 customers who swear by theirs. Proportion and personal preference matter just as much as the number on the label.
Let the asymmetric hem hang, slouch it up a little or zhuzh it around your waist. You don’t have to stand to attention in it.
Do think about the neckline underneath. I can make a pussy-bow blouse work beautifully with this cowl, and a crew neck can look lovely too. A boat neck is less successful for me, while a square neckline is likely to disappear beneath it.
Follow the care label for washing and drying, and lay it flat to keep that lovely shape.
6. A hero cardigan in biscuit beige.
The Joyful Cardigan in Biscuit Beige from Y London is a beautiful neutral with a V-neck that isn’t too low, slightly pearlescent buttons and a lovely brushed knit containing alpaca and wool.
You could wear it as a single layer with nothing underneath, if that feels comfortable for you, or over the Prismi tee with either your jeans or the navy trousers.
With a blouse underneath, push the cardigan sleeves up a little and let the printed cuffs peep out. That glimpse of fabric gives the arm a longer-looking line and adds a lovely finishing detail.
This is a one-size piece that we’d recommend up to around a size 14, depending on your shape and preferred fit. I can wear it buttoned. Sue would be more likely to wear it open because she likes things loosey-goosey.
If you’d like a more generous cardigan, have a look at Black Colour and Cara & The Sky, or ask us to recommend a particular style.
7. A beautiful blazer for smarter plans.
You’ve got plans for the weekend. You’re out with the girls. You want that little bit of structure over a lovely top.
The Sally Blazer in Dark Sapphire from Pulz is a beautiful corduroy option. I really rate the quality of the fabric, and I’m very happy in a size 38.
It’s generously cut, so you may be able to size down, depending on the fit you like and what you’re wearing underneath. Sue prefers something much neater on her petite frame, so this isn’t the blazer for her.
I’d wear it over the Prismi tee or the Uminda blouse for an evening out. And if you’re simply not a blazer woman, the cardigan is waiting patiently.
8. A brilliant everyday outer layer.
The Alia Softshell Jacket in Total Eclipse Melange from Cream is a very useful building piece.
It has a lovely soft, peached finish, a hood, adjustable cuffs and an extra layered detail across the back that gives it interest and shape. Although the colour sits with our navy palette, I see a slightly teal quality in it.
It’s smart enough to feel pulled together, but practical enough for everyday wear. Showerproof rather than fully waterproof, so choose a proper waterproof layer when the forecast demands it.
When autumn turns properly cold, move to a warmer coat from our outerwear collection. Try it over the thickest knit you’ll actually wear beneath it, reach forward and check that your shoulders move freely.
Seven outfits from the same eight pieces.
Here’s how I’d put them together across a week. Use your comfortable trainers or boots, perhaps a pair from EMU or Rino & Pelle, and add the outerwear the weather requires.
Shuffle the days around as you please. A lovely blouse is perfectly entitled to leave the house on a Monday. Let her be free. Give her life. Let her fly.
Monday: coffee with a pal and errands.
Dana jeans, Prismi tee and Joyful cardigan, with trainers and your everyday bag.
Our Pieces leopard-print crossbody bag would be lovely here. It’s that useful bum-bag sort of shape worn across the body. Whatever we call it, we are certainly not calling it a fanny pack.
Tuesday: a smarter day.
Sue trousers, Uminda blouse and Sally blazer, with comfortable boots or a really lovely pair of trainers.
Keep the piping visible, let the blouse bring the colour and check that everything sits comfortably at the waistband.
Wednesday: a casual lunch.
Dana jeans and the camel asymmetric knit, with ankle boots and a pair of gold earrings.
I’d put my hair up in one of my signature messy buns, add a red lip and have a little zhuzh of the knit before leaving. Sometimes the styling is as important as the pieces.
Thursday: an easy day.
Sue trousers, Prismi tee and the Joyful cardigan thrown over the top, with trainers.
This is a lovely combination for admin at the computer, a day of visits or being in and out of the car. Comfortable enough to sit down and get on with things; considered enough to leave the house in.
Friday: dinner out.
Dana jeans, Uminda blouse and Sally blazer, with favourite earrings, boots and one of our Loop bags.
Choose a bag colour that picks up something in the blouse or works with the navy. There’s no need to introduce a whole new set of colours just because it’s Friday.
Saturday: the lady who lunches.
Dana jeans, Prismi tee and the Alia jacket, with practical footwear for the walk to lunch. The EMU Nomad boot would work well here.
Off comes the jacket in the restaurant, and there’s your little bit of shimmer above the table. Take an extra knit if you feel the cold, or add one of our lovely Black Colour or Pieces scarves.
Sunday: a relaxed lunch.
Sue trousers and the camel asymmetric knit. Or swap to the navy asymmetric if you fancy a tonal look.
Perhaps the children or grandchildren are coming round. If you’re staying in, shoes are entirely your business. If you’re heading out, add smart boots and a roomier Rino & Pelle or Y London bag.
A little attention to the finishing details.
For blazer outfits, check that the blouse sleeves sit comfortably inside the jacket. Fishing for a lost cuff can feel like your mum threading your mittens through your coat.
Give the cuff a gentle pull into place and, where the sleeve lengths allow, let it extend a little beyond the jacket. That glimpse of print adds polish and helps create a longer-looking line.
The camel jumper and Sue trousers are both relaxed shapes, so try them together and see what you think. You may love that loose line, particularly if you’re taller.
If it feels like too much volume, swap to the tee and cardigan, try straighter trousers from your own wardrobe or go back to the Dana jeans. Nothing has gone wrong. You’ve just worked out what you prefer.
Make your capsule wardrobe work for you.
Sit down in the trousers. Reach forward in the jacket. Stand up and get the wine from the cupboard. Reach for the biscuit barrel.
These are things you’re actually going to do, so let’s make sure your clothes allow them.
We don’t want a waistband digging in through lunch or leaving red welts across your tummy when you stand up. We don’t want a beautiful jacket that spends its life in the wardrobe because you can’t comfortably drive in it.
Always read the product descriptions and fit notes on our website. We put a great deal of care into them. Or get in touch, give me a ring or send me a WhatsApp. I’ve tried on every single piece in the shop, so I can talk you through how things actually feel on a body.
Leave room to reach, stretch and get on with your life. Surely the suffragettes didn’t do all that work for us to be defeated by a waistband.
FAQs for your capsule wardrobe.
How many pieces do I need for autumn?
There’s no fixed number. These eight pieces give you seven outfit combinations, but you’ll still want the underwear, spare base layers, shoes and weather extras that suit your own life.
At Wardrobe at The Cross, we believe hugely in wearing our clothes again and again. Buy the right pieces, enjoy them and look after them.
That doesn’t necessarily mean washing everything after every wear. Check the care instructions and the condition of the garment. Woollens and denim often benefit from a little less enthusiasm at the washing machine, with airing or spot-cleaning where appropriate.
And who needs to count your knits? What’s a few extra knits between friends? As I said, once you’ve got one of those asymmetrics…
Can a capsule wardrobe include colour and print?
Yes, please. I want you to have pieces that feel like you, including a statement or two.
The burgundy and blush print on our Uminda blouse is an easy starting point because it works with both pairs of bottoms. Start with a print you love and see which colours you can pick out elsewhere.
A brighter knit can belong here just as happily. Your wardrobe doesn’t have to become beige simply because you’ve organised it.
What if I prefer dresses to trousers?
Then build around dresses. Swap one pair of trousers for a dress you love with boots, and try the cardigan and jacket over it. Check the sleeves, the proportions and where the hems finish.
There is no reason to buy a second pair of trousers just to follow my list.
If you’d like a hand finding your starting point, come and see us at Wardrobe at The Cross in Neston, ask us about styling or have a look through our knitwear collection.
Bring your questions, your favourite jeans and your very individual self. We can work with that.
Hil x
