Hi, I’m Kay Barron,
fashion director here at NET-A-PORTER,
and welcome to a new episode in our Style SOS series,
where we solve this season’s fashion dilemmas.
Today’s dilemma:
how to create the perfect capsule wardrobe for fall.
And I’m gonna answer that by taking you through three looks:
one for off-duty,
one for work,
and one for play,
using easy but effective capsule foundations,
that you can add to your closet now
or even dig out the ones that you already have.
So, let’s start with off-duty.
Off-duty is the perfect place to play with the capsule wardrobe.
It’s designed to be built upon,
layered, and really played with.
Each piece plays a supporting role.
They’re not big statement pieces,
they might not be the most exciting pieces
in your wardrobe, but they are the most important.
I always build my capsule wardrobe from my jeans
– and I love this pair by Khaite.
They’re high-waisted and a nice long leg as well
for those who are lucky enough to be tall enough for them.
And then I have just added
this shirt from Stella McCartney.
A little bit of a pinstripe, but I think because most people
will talk to a kind of capsule wardrobe shirt
as being the white shirt,
which is also an important piece,
but I think you can actually play with your shirting
and just add some more details, especially when it’s off-duty.
Even if the foundations of a capsule wardrobe are the same,
it has to be personalized to you.
So if you’ve ever watched any of these videos before,
you will know that I am always in a heel, even for off-duty,
and I’ve added these amazing boots by Khaite,
which have just got a little bit of a Western detail at the front,
and just a small block heel.
I also have days where I will be
out of heels and into a sneaker,
and I do always love Adidas ‘Gazelles’.
And I think these in the pop of blue
create something a little bit unexpected
in a look that’s more understated.
Or for a flat that’s a little bit more elegant,
and I’m sure that you have seen lots
of nude shoes on the runway,
this is a new brand to NET-A-PORTER,
Le Monde Beryl, and they do the most amazing
Mary Janes in lots of different fabrics.
And an essential piece in
the capsule wardrobe is the belt,
which never gets the appreciation it deserves.
I am obsessed with the one that I’m wearing,
which is new to NET-A-PORTER.
Belts will literally hold your look together,
so please do pay them some attention.
My favorite type of dressing is when it’s cold,
but not like, coat-cold.
So you can still play with layers,
and I do love the idea of double shirting.
This shirt is from Agolde,
and it’s like just a heavier weight, oversized, really easy
and just throw over everything.
And then when the temperature drops
a little bit more,
but we’re still not quite in coat weather,
it’s time to bring out the scarves,
like this one from Loewe.
And they are such a great way to add a pop of color
to an outfit that’s maybe a little bit more simple,
and it looks great against the blue denim too.
And if you haven’t already got this coat from Toteme,
which is the coat of the winter, now is the time to get it.
It is a forever piece.
I prefer to wear the scarf down,
rather than around my neck, but you can play with it.
That’s the thing, it makes it more individual to you.
I also love a long, oversized coat on other people.
Sadly for me, they are a little bit too big
and they kind of overwhelm me,
but I love this one by Ami.
That kind of like neutral palette of it,
and the herringbone, means you can add colors with scarves
just to give it that little bit of lift in the winter.
And of course, no off-duty is complete without the bag.
And because everything else is slightly more pared back,
it means you can make more of a statement with your handbag.
And why wouldn’t you want to make a statement
with this Gucci handbag.
I love it, I love the size of it, it’s actually quite practical,
and also the color is quite neutral,
so it means it works with everything.
So now we move on to the capsule wardrobe,
but more workwear relevant.
You’ve probably heard the term ‘quiet luxury’
bandied around earlier this year,
and the way that I interpret it is elevated essentials
or really good jumpers, if you like.
And let’s never underestimate the power of a good knit.
I think for most of us in the Northern Hemisphere,
we will be living in great knits for the next six months,
so they really are worth investing in.
Personally, I live in a black polo-neck for about six months,
and I build most of my looks around that.
For example, what I’m wearing today,
was all based around this amazing
high-neck jumper from Fforme,
which is a new brand to NET-A-PORTER this season,
which actually feels amazing, and it doesn’t
have a fitted waistband, which means it’s really easy
to layer over other pieces – like the white shirt.
I always like to see a little bit
of a tail hanging out at the bottom.
And I’m sure mothers all over the country
are horrified by that thought,
but I like it just sticking out and then just
with this little mini skirt by, again,
another new brand called Veronica De Piante.
And then on top with this
classic gray blazer by Nili Lotan.
But I understand that a black polo-neck is my thing,
so again you need to personalize it for yourself.
So if you want to add color, please feel free.
You might not think that yellow is a neutral,
but in this pale shade,
it really does work with a lot of different colors.
I love this jumper by Sasuphi
in a mohair, which feels a little bit
more kind of fun and youthful too.
Because of the shape of it, again, it’s really easy to layer over,
whether it’s a long T-shirt or a longer shirt.
I would encourage as well just to wear a white shirt
and just pop the collar over the top –
it just adds a really fresh hit at the neckline
And for something a little bit more playful, and slightly ’80s,
I have added these brilliant statement earrings by
Jasmin Sparrow.
These are actually clip-on, so you don’t
have to have your ears pierced to wear them,
and they’re actually really light as well,
so they don’t wear down your earlobes
and they’re certainly not painful.
I can’t say this enough:
when talking about a capsule wardrobe,
they might not be the statement pieces,
but they are the pieces
that will support everything else in your wardrobe,
so they really are worth investing in – like boots.
When you find the perfect pair of black boots,
whether they’re heeled or flat,
ankle or knee-high, get them.
Because you will never regret it
and you will wear them forever.
Like these ones from Aquazzura –
they are the perfect boot,
with the block heel and the round toe.
Quite generous in the leg as well
so you can tuck jeans into them too,
but they’re really comfortable.
And of course, when you’ve got a great work look,
you need a great work bag.
And I absolutely love this new style from Loewe,
which is called the ‘Squeeze’.
And honestly, it’s so tactile, feels amazing,
you will want to squeeze it.
But it’s also big enough for your laptop
and all other goodies.
And the best thing about dressing
in layers for your capsule wardrobe
is that you can also pare them back.
Just take off the jacket, take off the jumper,
keep the earrings on,
maybe undo a few buttons on your shirt
and then change the bag up for something
a little bit smaller, and a little bit sleeker,
and it becomes a completely different outfit,
and it feels more evening appropriate.
And finally, is the black dress.
One thing to make clear about the capsule wardrobe,
is it’s not just for every day.
The whole idea of a capsule wardrobe
is that it should work for every occasion,
and that also means taking you out-out.
And to get dressed up in the capsule wardrobe,
all you need is a black dress.
It could be a little black dress, a long one,
cutaway, barely there,
modest, more statement and even completely
over the top – whatever makes you happy.
And the one I’m wearing right now, by Loewe,
I am very happy in.
I’ve been looking for an excuse
to try this dress on, so this is perfect,
and I do want to spend my winter parties in this.
Incredibly sexy, a very low back,
but quite modest from the front,
and just with a little scarf detail as well,
in that typical Loewe way,
where it looks classic but there’s a bit of a twist.
It is very long on me,
so I have got on some very, very high heels,
some black patent ones by Versace.
And again, just with a little gold detail at the front,
their Medusa head
that matches the little gold earrings that I’m wearing too.
I also love this one by Versace,
which is a bit of a shorter length,
but really easy to wear as well,
and super impactful.
Or for something more modest,
I love this dress, again this is by Veronica De Piante.
An incredibly flattering style
and also with a midi length, it just suits everybody.
Of course, you can wear black dresses
with flat shoes as well,
but as I was saying earlier, once you find the black boots
that suit you and you love them,
you need any excuse to wear them.
Which is why I do love
a pair of black boots with an evening dress,
because it feels a bit more unexpected
and I think it’s a bit cooler, too.
And I love these by Paris Texas.
In your capsule wardrobe, you have your day bag,
you have your work bag,
and I suggest you just get one evening bag.
Personally, I love a little clutch
and I do love this one, which is exclusive
to NET-A-PORTER, by Gabriela Hearst.
I love the vintage feel and it’s big enough for
your iPhone, your keys and a bank card,
and that’s all you need.
Well, I hope that has answered your Style SOS,
and how you nail the perfect
capsule wardrobe for this season.
Thank you for watching
and I look forward to seeing you next time.