Workhorse work pieces for fall/ winter

[ohgillian]

Looking for advice/ specific recommendations. I tend to have a small, minimalist wardrobe (I could easily come in under the 40 hanging pieces rule from that other post) and work in a somewhat structured office environment -- some days I will need to wear a suit but most days can do work trousers, a nice cardigan and pumps, or a dress and cardigan, etc. 

Pregnancy, postpartum, blah blah, I have few work pieces left that fit and that aren't ready for the rag bin. I'm hoping to find in 4 or 5 pieces for fall and winter that will last a few years at least. Any suggestions? Is this too vague? I have a classic, not very trendy style. Thanks for any ideas anyone wants to offer.

ETA: I could post a few outfits I like if that would help, and/or summarize what I have already.

[glw]

I think a good place to start is to pick a color palette, and go from there. That way you can mix/match everything easily.

For instance:

[ohgillian]

Oct 1, 2014 11:06:53 GMT -5 glw said:

I think a good place to start is to pick a color palette, and go from there. That way you can mix/match everything easily.

Thank you. This probably seems really basic to you, but it's kind of a revelatory idea for me. Even though I'm realizing that all the 'capsule wardrobe' things I've seen on Pinterest are doing the same thing.

I like these colors and have some things in this scheme. Tonight I will review what i have and will report back tomorrow. (Prepare yourselves for a short list.) I know this needs a fourth color that is different and catchy, but I am terrible at that aspect. Like I'll see someone in a blue dress with a salmon necklace and salmon flats, looking awesome, and it would NEVER have occurred to me to wear anything but blue shoes.  

[callmehales]

Oct 1, 2014 13:56:30 GMT -5 ohgillian said:

Oct 1, 2014 11:06:53 GMT -5 glw said:

I think a good place to start is to pick a color palette, and go from there. That way you can mix/match everything easily.

Thank you. This probably seems really basic to you, but it's kind of a revelatory idea for me. Even though I'm realizing that all the 'capsule wardrobe' things I've seen on Pinterest are doing the same thing.

I like these colors and have some things in this scheme. Tonight I will review what i have and will report back tomorrow. (Prepare yourselves for a short list.) I know this needs a fourth color that is different and catchy, but I am terrible at that aspect. Like I'll see someone in a blue dress with a salmon necklace and salmon flats, looking awesome, and it would NEVER have occurred to me to wear anything but blue shoes.  

you could add a peacock blue or a nice bright reddish orange to this combo and get a fun pop!

[glw]

I'd add navy blue to those colors. Pretty!

[ohgillian]

Oct 1, 2014 13:58:56 GMT -5 callmehales said:

Oct 1, 2014 13:56:30 GMT -5 ohgillian said:

Thank you. This probably seems really basic to you, but it's kind of a revelatory idea for me. Even though I'm realizing that all the 'capsule wardrobe' things I've seen on Pinterest are doing the same thing.

I like these colors and have some things in this scheme. Tonight I will review what i have and will report back tomorrow. (Prepare yourselves for a short list.) I know this needs a fourth color that is different and catchy, but I am terrible at that aspect. Like I'll see someone in a blue dress with a salmon necklace and salmon flats, looking awesome, and it would NEVER have occurred to me to wear anything but blue shoes.  

you could add a peacock blue or a nice bright reddish orange to this combo and get a fun pop!

What kind of reddish orange? This is fascinating to me. 

[ohgillian]

Oct 1, 2014 14:09:24 GMT -5 glw said:

I'd add navy blue to those colors. Pretty!

I have a navy striped cardigan! it's like 20% of my work wardrobe, lol.

[callmehales]

Oct 1, 2014 14:36:41 GMT -5 ohgillian said:

Oct 1, 2014 13:58:56 GMT -5 callmehales said:

you could add a peacock blue or a nice bright reddish orange to this combo and get a fun pop!

What kind of reddish orange? This is fascinating to me. 

think like fall colors...something like this is so so pretty.

[ohgillian]

Update: I went home to assess what I had and found almost nothing. By that I mean: 3 pairs of pants, but 2 go with suits so I shouldn't be wearing them alone; 2 pairs of work pumps, both of which have major scrapes and need replaced; and 2 tanks I've been using as suit/cardigan shells that really were too casual for my job. Plus a few cardigans and 2 wrap dresses. No button downs or other long-sleeve work shirts.

I went out yesterday and got a few nicer pieces.

Anyone willing to take a look at my 2 pinterest boards (one is what I have; one is my general style/ideas) and make any suggestions? I don't want to paste the link here since my account is linked to my personal facebook, I think, but I'd love to PM the links to a few people if anyone is so inclined....?

[mrsg123]

I can't buy things to last for years other than bags and jackets.
I get so sick of things. I would just go shop for things to spice up what you have -- cardigans, blazers, scarves.

[narockshard]

Do you have a specific budget? Or a reason for only wanting a few pieces? Because you could really get a lot of outfits with certain things, like button down tops in different colors (I'm thinking of the Express Portofino shirt) and inexpensive cardigans from Target. Then you would only need a couple good pairs of trousers and/or skirts and you would then have many different options, especially if you add in accessories like scarves or statement necklaces. I really love Express for "work" clothes like you are describing. I'm a huge fan of the Portofino shirts, and I love the Editor pants. They have tons of different sizes, in regular, short, and tall.

[ohgillian]

Oct 14, 2014 13:45:59 GMT -5 narockshard said:

Do you have a specific budget? Or a reason for only wanting a few pieces? Because you could really get a lot of outfits with certain things, like button down tops in different colors (I'm thinking of the Express Portofino shirt) and inexpensive cardigans from Target. Then you would only need a couple good pairs of trousers and/or skirts and you would then have many different options, especially if you add in accessories like scarves or statement necklaces. I really love Express for "work" clothes like you are describing. I'm a huge fan of the Portofino shirts, and I love the Editor pants. They have tons of different sizes, in regular, short, and tall.

Thanks. Basically I just have no idea what I'm doing, and I'm nearly starting from scratch after multiple years of generally neglecting things (plus pregnancies and being not my regular size for a long time). And the fact that I seem to have settled 5 lbs higher than my pre-preg weight.  Anyway, I'm afraid of buying whole wardrobe and still not having anything that goes together.

I did get 2 pairs of the Editor pants yesterday, plus 2 neutral shells and a scarf. I probably have a $500 or so budget for this fall? But as mentioned, I need new shoes too, so that will take a bit of that.  

I don't know if I saw the portofino shirt  yesterday; i'll look on the website for it.

Here is what I have in my current work wardrobe:

Bottoms:

Brown pencil skirt
Editor pants in gray
Editor pants in black
Camel colored wool pants

Tops:
J Crew Factory Clare cardigan in cream and in navy; similar cardigan in heathered aqua
Cream shell and gray shell for under cardigans; 
Navy silk shell that i love


Other:
1 Black and white wrap dress
A berry colored scarf


And that's basically all I have for fall/winter. I have a few things that really are pilly, don't fit right, etc, that i wear anyway right now but I want to shed those. 

ETA: I think my style (in my mind) is a lot like this:
 

[pbandj]

I often wear cardigans to work and change it up with a nice scarf or necklace. I have this scarf and it goes with almost everything, especially the fall colors.
www.amazon.com/Womens-Chiffon-Delight-Multicolor-Fashion/dp/B009H6NPBE/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1413332091&sr=8-9&keywords=anika+dali

I also bought this dress recently from Lands End. I like the structure and I can wear it with a button down underneath, or with a cardigan. It is very comfortable and has pockets. I am petite and the 4P comes to my knees.
www.landsend.com/products/womens-sleeveless-ponte-sheath-dress-with-pockets/id_269765

Striped version: www.landsend.com/pp/StylePage-445472_AE.html?CM_MERCH=REC-_-FPPP-_-GGT-_-2-_-445472-_-ponte;423032
They currently have 25%off coupon code: COOL PIN: 1652

[315]

Knits on top are my go-to. V-neck cotton knits. I can wear them alone or over a shirt or under a cardi/blazer.

I bought my first pencil skirt that fits this fall. I've worn it twice. All others rode up like crazy.

Also, what about a popover button-up? They can be dressed up or down. I have ones in different textiles and some are more blousy/drapey than others.