Was this supposed to be fall fashion ideas for you, CHH? Because absolutely none of these seem like your style, or even like a take on your style. In fact, these seem like the completely generic Everlane-esque styles you’ve specifically defined as not your style. This has none of the colors, skirt lengths, textures, or silhouettes that you usually wear (except maybe the army coat). Am I missing something? Are these actually a subtle fusion of CHH and autumn styles?
I’m glad I’m not the only one. Often, I see something “styled” and think “these are just clothes.” I usually feel like I’m failing to understand something everyone else does.
Agreed, I’m missing the personality. CHH always brings a sense of fun and whimsy to her outfits, and even when she misses, she’s doing something interesting. I don’t think this is necessarily a bad capsule wardrobe for someone, but I’m not seeing her in it.
Totally hear you! But these are just the essentials (dare I say the basics!) and the root of your wardrobe. These pieces act as the base for all your outfit building. Pieces that you can grab for all year, and never feel/say, “I have nothing to wear!” This was not meant to replace every item in her wardrobe, and because she has so many fun, statement pieces, this was meant to be a solution to elevate, and stretch those pieces further. Pair the trousers with a funky top and shoe, the denim with a crop top and chic jacket. The options are endless ❤️🔥
I think the outfit pictures are throwing people (like me) off. A lot of these pieces are just fine with the red jacket, so I wonder if the outfit pictures would’ve seemed more like CHH style with a few of her current pieces mixed in as opposed to making outfits with only the neutral stuff.
It’s a lot of basic neutrals and gives Everlane vibes.
I’d love to see how this incorporate color or some practical ideas for using more whimsical pieces that CHH already owns.
I certainly am not insulting the author because this is a really sweet article and the outfit ideas are something that a regular person could actually wear!
I was like "Ah! Finally! How would CHH's aesthetic be adapted for 40?".... and then it wasn't. No color, no whimsy. This feels like an episode of a show where a character decides to be more grownup/stylish/whatever but in the last minute they are like "no, im not going to Paris to be an artist" and sitting around in their old look.
While I think you hit the nail on the head that your previous wardrobe might be bit much as you (sorry!) age... there is literally no color or LIFE in these style choices. Not one pink t shirt or sparkly cardigan? Come on now. A funky handbag or 'pop of color' pair of flats for 'Date Night' (I hate that expression, but it fits here). She got basic basic, but where are the 'you' pieces?
There is still room for color, sparkles, and statement pieces!! As I said, this isn’t meant to replace everything already hanging in the closet. These are the great essential pieces that can act as the base for every outfit. And ideally make getting ready every morning that much easier! My goal is to wear every piece in my wardrobe as many times as possible, from both a cost and sustainability perspective. Having timeless pieces like this that you can grab for all year, allows you to add the trend (& more fun!) pieces in without breaking the bank—or filling your closet with items you may only wear a few times 🤠
Valid if you’re wanting to switch things up but I’ve always felt women over 40 who still dress playfully and colorfully have the best aura. Miranda July and Chloe Savigny come to mind as women who’ve retained their youthful style without seeming like they’re still trying to pass for 25.
I do always have a tide to go pen in tow! lol But I hear you. White can easily be subbed for black, or another core color that can easily pair with loads of other styles and pieces in your wardrobe. For example I have the white button down in French Blue, and I wear it a ton!
If I tried to rock that crisp white button down shirt everyone is supposed to wear, it would wrinkled, untucked, and full of stains in about two minutes.
I'd love a follow up where you take the capsule foundations and integrate it into your current wardrobe. A few looks might make it easier for people to "see" how this would work with your style evolution.
Well you’re right! Fair enough! (also i love that i obviously skimmed and i hate when my own readers skim and i have to justify myself with comments like this lol)
There is still space for color!! And all of her fun, colorful pieces are still in her wardrobe. This is meant to be the base for easy outfit building, and then incorporating all the fun statement pieces from there! 🖤
As Janice from the Vivienne Files put it, at a meeting of European advertising people
"They were wearing other things WITH these garments – snazzy jackets, or a brilliant silk top – but they almost always had one or two of these garments in their ensemble.
Yet at no point would you have noticed that Elena from Greece was wearing essentially the same outfit as Lars from Brussels… The devil is indeed in the details!"
OK I decided to check my wardrobe and see what was the stuff I owned. I don't buy expensive brands like the ones you recommend though, I mostly shop from Zara, H&M, M&S, Uniqlo. I need money for my book addiction and travel lol.
Have:
White T-Shirt
Mid Rise Straight Leg Denim (3)
Trench Coat
Soft Pants (6)
V-neck sweater (10)
Silk Midi skirt (in forest green)
barn jacket (in yellow)
Black Dress
Leather Jacket (but its a bomber)
Everyday earrings (20 pairs)
Tall boot (in black, planning to get burgundy or brown also)
chunky earrings (two boxes of them)
day to night bag (I have a cross body quilted one)
great GREAT staple wardrobe. leaves a lot of rooms for statement pieces – a colorful top, sweater, shoes, an exciting jacket here, some electric pants there
There's a black and white houndstooth coord set from Boden this fall with matching Mary janes...to me this is the kind of thing I was expecting an updated CHH look to have. Keep the coord in a fun pattern but maybe dial down the bubblegum color palette. Or vice versa.
Was this supposed to be fall fashion ideas for you, CHH? Because absolutely none of these seem like your style, or even like a take on your style. In fact, these seem like the completely generic Everlane-esque styles you’ve specifically defined as not your style. This has none of the colors, skirt lengths, textures, or silhouettes that you usually wear (except maybe the army coat). Am I missing something? Are these actually a subtle fusion of CHH and autumn styles?
That was my thought too. CHH outfits always have such a fun and different vibe. The ones here look a bit boilerplate.
I’m glad I’m not the only one. Often, I see something “styled” and think “these are just clothes.” I usually feel like I’m failing to understand something everyone else does.
Agreed, I’m missing the personality. CHH always brings a sense of fun and whimsy to her outfits, and even when she misses, she’s doing something interesting. I don’t think this is necessarily a bad capsule wardrobe for someone, but I’m not seeing her in it.
Yeah, this all feels kind of personality-free to the point of apologetic.
Totally hear you! But these are just the essentials (dare I say the basics!) and the root of your wardrobe. These pieces act as the base for all your outfit building. Pieces that you can grab for all year, and never feel/say, “I have nothing to wear!” This was not meant to replace every item in her wardrobe, and because she has so many fun, statement pieces, this was meant to be a solution to elevate, and stretch those pieces further. Pair the trousers with a funky top and shoe, the denim with a crop top and chic jacket. The options are endless ❤️🔥
I think the outfit pictures are throwing people (like me) off. A lot of these pieces are just fine with the red jacket, so I wonder if the outfit pictures would’ve seemed more like CHH style with a few of her current pieces mixed in as opposed to making outfits with only the neutral stuff.
I agree.
It’s a lot of basic neutrals and gives Everlane vibes.
I’d love to see how this incorporate color or some practical ideas for using more whimsical pieces that CHH already owns.
I certainly am not insulting the author because this is a really sweet article and the outfit ideas are something that a regular person could actually wear!
Honestly, this reminds me of the "Forever 31" SNL skit.
That skit did resonate with me!! 😂
I was like "Ah! Finally! How would CHH's aesthetic be adapted for 40?".... and then it wasn't. No color, no whimsy. This feels like an episode of a show where a character decides to be more grownup/stylish/whatever but in the last minute they are like "no, im not going to Paris to be an artist" and sitting around in their old look.
While I think you hit the nail on the head that your previous wardrobe might be bit much as you (sorry!) age... there is literally no color or LIFE in these style choices. Not one pink t shirt or sparkly cardigan? Come on now. A funky handbag or 'pop of color' pair of flats for 'Date Night' (I hate that expression, but it fits here). She got basic basic, but where are the 'you' pieces?
There is still room for color, sparkles, and statement pieces!! As I said, this isn’t meant to replace everything already hanging in the closet. These are the great essential pieces that can act as the base for every outfit. And ideally make getting ready every morning that much easier! My goal is to wear every piece in my wardrobe as many times as possible, from both a cost and sustainability perspective. Having timeless pieces like this that you can grab for all year, allows you to add the trend (& more fun!) pieces in without breaking the bank—or filling your closet with items you may only wear a few times 🤠
Valid if you’re wanting to switch things up but I’ve always felt women over 40 who still dress playfully and colorfully have the best aura. Miranda July and Chloe Savigny come to mind as women who’ve retained their youthful style without seeming like they’re still trying to pass for 25.
Agree. I love to see 40+ women wearing colors.
Most people: Build a wardrobe of basics, then expand into personal and quirky pieces
CHH: Builds a wardrobe of quirky and personal pieces, then decides she needs to buy some basics
Looking at the white pieces I think: “don’t you have small children?”
That’s what stain remover is for!
Tide says it gets the stains out, but the white never is quite as crisp
It leans too much on the UV-boosting stuff to make things look brighter
I do always have a tide to go pen in tow! lol But I hear you. White can easily be subbed for black, or another core color that can easily pair with loads of other styles and pieces in your wardrobe. For example I have the white button down in French Blue, and I wear it a ton!
Haha, yes! I personally have a three year old and and a ten month old... And what I DON'T have is a "crisp white" anything 😂
Wow almost fell asleep looking at this. They only upside is that's fantastic vintage coat.
I understand wanting to evolve your style with age but these are such boring generic pieces that could've been picked for anybody.
Although she kind of lost me at 'capsule wardrobe ' tbh. I thought we'd moved in from that by now.
This is why I almost exclusively wear dresses. Instant outfit, no need to think!
This is exactly my thinking.
Summer outfit: Dress, cardigan or Jacket, shoes
Winter outfit: Dress, Cardigan, tights, boots, coat.
If I tried to rock that crisp white button down shirt everyone is supposed to wear, it would wrinkled, untucked, and full of stains in about two minutes.
I'm really surprised not to see any color here
Well I told her I have a lot of color already and need more versatile pieces!
I'd love a follow up where you take the capsule foundations and integrate it into your current wardrobe. A few looks might make it easier for people to "see" how this would work with your style evolution.
Love this idea!
Well you’re right! Fair enough! (also i love that i obviously skimmed and i hate when my own readers skim and i have to justify myself with comments like this lol)
There is still space for color!! And all of her fun, colorful pieces are still in her wardrobe. This is meant to be the base for easy outfit building, and then incorporating all the fun statement pieces from there! 🖤
Ahhh, that’s an important data point! (I’m sorry if I missed it in the article!)
If you already have tons of color, then these are great ideas.
This reminds me of the Common Wardrobe, basic pieces that are then highly personalized.
https://www.theviviennefiles.com/a-common-wardrobe/
As Janice from the Vivienne Files put it, at a meeting of European advertising people
"They were wearing other things WITH these garments – snazzy jackets, or a brilliant silk top – but they almost always had one or two of these garments in their ensemble.
Yet at no point would you have noticed that Elena from Greece was wearing essentially the same outfit as Lars from Brussels… The devil is indeed in the details!"
Yes, exactly this POV!
OK I decided to check my wardrobe and see what was the stuff I owned. I don't buy expensive brands like the ones you recommend though, I mostly shop from Zara, H&M, M&S, Uniqlo. I need money for my book addiction and travel lol.
Have:
White T-Shirt
Mid Rise Straight Leg Denim (3)
Trench Coat
Soft Pants (6)
V-neck sweater (10)
Silk Midi skirt (in forest green)
barn jacket (in yellow)
Black Dress
Leather Jacket (but its a bomber)
Everyday earrings (20 pairs)
Tall boot (in black, planning to get burgundy or brown also)
chunky earrings (two boxes of them)
day to night bag (I have a cross body quilted one)
classic heel (I have one in suede)
Sneaker (Adidas)
Dont have (mainly for boob reasons):
Blazer -- looks boxy
button down
semi sheer knit
cardigan
rib tank
semi sheer turtleneck
dont have but want:
trouser
black belt
loafer
Great list Alex and thanks for this post CHH! :)
Love this!! So many great essentials already hanging in your wardrobe
Yesss I’m quite pleased with myself haha 😛
lolll you should be !!
great GREAT staple wardrobe. leaves a lot of rooms for statement pieces – a colorful top, sweater, shoes, an exciting jacket here, some electric pants there
I'm partial to the barn coat and flats as that was the look of the preppy old money moms of my youth.
Looking forward to these being incorporated with your usual fun colors. A great base wardrobe.
❤️🔥
I’m taking ideas to implement !
Ah really love to hear this ❣️
There's a black and white houndstooth coord set from Boden this fall with matching Mary janes...to me this is the kind of thing I was expecting an updated CHH look to have. Keep the coord in a fun pattern but maybe dial down the bubblegum color palette. Or vice versa.