Hi all!

I'm in awe of your style - so many of you seem to have amazing and unending wardrobes, full of up to the minute , high quality items. Unfortunately, I work for a charity, and therefore get paid in magic beans... Please help me to find an autumn look on the cheap!

In my working life I need to look fairly ordinary - nothing too outstanding in terms of style - I'm working towards a career in psychology, so I shouldn't look too rich, too perfect, or in fact, too anything - just simple and professional (no suits). In my personal life, I guess I'm not confident enough to wear anything dramatic - playsuits / 80s fashion is just not me.
I need to wear heels of some variety, as flat shoes for some reason aren't great for my knees or ankles. Again, these can't be too high for safety in a psychology environment. I'm 25 (soon to be 26), and a UK size 10 (US size 6).

I've looked back at what I wore last autumn (fall, for my US friends), and there's very little that I can re-use - I have uploaded most of it.
So my question is, what look should I go for? These are my favourite shops - www.oasis-stores.com, www.topshop.com, www.reiss.co.uk, Zara, Mango, H&M.

For autumn / winter I have already
2 coats - 1 long black, 1 knee length blue
2 skirts (in wardrobe)
1 pair of black skinny jeans, 1 black and 1 denim blue leggings (all in wardrobe)
2 boots - 1 knee length black leather (in wardrobe), 1 ankle height brown patent / suede

I know I'm asking the impossible - I feel so overwhelmed my the amount I need and the little I have. I just need some help to figure it all out!

If this is all asking too much, please feel free to ignore. However, if you can offer me some advice or help please let me know x

This year seems to be very good for jackets and knitwear, which are always good buys in the autumn, and your inventory above suggests you're a bit short on versatile top halves. But given your professional requirements, maybe you should think about building a small, sustainable wardrobe rather than going for one-season throwaway fashion.

When building a small closet, it helps to know what suits you in terms of color, persona and silhouette - and knowing what colors work for you is most important. The idea is to build a seasonal collection around relatively few pieces, so keep it simple by fixing on a base neutral around which to build your look, and mix it up with your favorite accent colors. (Personally, I'm a color junkie, so this approach doesn't always work for me, but I've found it a very useful principle to keep in mind.)

I'm a big fan of vintage when it comes to finding quality on a budget, but you need to know where the best dealers are, and be prepared to hunt through a lot of rubbish to find the buried treasure.

Finally, don't be afraid to splurge on one or two high-end pieces per season. They can add real polish to your look and will work for you for years. You're worth it.

Hi Eliza! Thanks for your ideas, they're really good, helpful suggestions! You're right, I'm defnitely short on jackets and knitwear - the stuff I have is pretty generic - the same wrap Gap cardigan in three colours etc.

I've seen an amazing leather jacket that I'd love to invest in, although I'd love to take your 'you're worth it' advice (and I really am worth that jacket!) I'm going to try to save up for it first!

Last year I really went for a navy / grey combination and it really worked with everything matching, so yeah, I think you're spot on about keeping the colour range small. With all the great looking biker clothes around I'll try to go for a black look this year, working in the odd colour and some grey. Perhaps investing in a couple of smarter tops or pieces of knitwear will be a start with building this capsule wardrobe!

Thanks Eliza, you've really helped me to think about what I can put together to get a really strong look! I'll be updating my wardrobe over the next couple of weeks! x

Navy and grey both happen to be really in this year, so you can definitely re-work your clothes from last year! Make sure to go through some of your clothing from other seasons - a chic graphic tee can look really cute peeking out from a cardigan! Best of luck!

Thanks singerseven!
I've just found some clothes that I had completely forgotten all about! A couple of jackets, and skirts - phew!It's not looking as desperate as it did!
Yeah I think there a few t shirts that I can make work, perhaps with a long line cardi as you suggest. Maybe buying a couple of new ones too, perhaps different styles for work and weekend.
I think navy is a really stylish colour, but I need to shake it all up so it's not too boring. Hard to get the professional look sometimes and still keep it young!
Thanks!

Awesome! Also, don't forget that you can wear a pretty simple/ classic outfit, and shake it up/ make it younger with some fun flats! You can find really cheap, colorful ones all over! (Try Steve Madden, PayLess, Target ... )

You have some really great pieces in your closet already, I honestly believe that you need to look for just a few little pieces to elevate your current wardrobe.

First off you NEED a pair of black booties. They will breathe new life into your skinny jeans and leggings as well as add an additional dimension to some of your lovely shift dresses and patterned skirts. I would check shopping sites such as endless.com where you can set your desired price and they will tool down the options for you! They have a ton of options under $70 in the sale section.

Next I would recommend a sequin t. Topshop has some really cute and subtle ones (http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=true&catalogId=32051&storeId=13052&categoryId=174535&parent_category_rn=133431&productId=1302546&langId=-1) and I am sure that H&M will have some on hand as well. I know it sounds daunting but it is a great way to dress up your jeans after work. You can throw one of your grey jackets or your Bordeaux cardigan over it to get you through the workday.

The leather jacket you have been eye-ing would be a wonderful addition to your closet. It would add edge to the pieces you already have. You should take Elisa's advice and shop vintage. You may just stumble upon the perfect bomber in your price range.

Finally, a lot of your current jewelery is a bit dainty for this season. You should grab a gold cuff. It doesn't matter if it is an investment piece or a $10 fake, you can wear it with everything in your closet.

Those would be my recommendations. Additionally, you have a really great bag collection! Don't be afraid to use some of those candy-coloured masterpieces to perk up your navy and grey!

Good Luck!

Oooohh! black booties sound cool - you mean black ankle boots with a low heel? I was checking out a girl's on the tube this morning, and you're so right! She looked very cool!

I think the sequin t is not for me at work. For weekends it could be a cool look, and I don't really have enough separation in my clothes between the two :-) Perhaps a muted grey style? I tried on a full on gold sequinned jacket at Topshop on Oxford Street this weekend - I looked like a cheap pub act!

A cuff would be a great look - you're right, all of my jewllery is dainty, great for the summer but not tough enough for this season...

Some really good ideas Trademark, I'll have a look on asos at lunchtime, I think they'll have all the bits and pieces you suggest!

(Additionally if you have any ideas on types of top I'd be grateful - I like the sequinned top idea, and fancy a silky pink t, any others??)

Hi all,
Here's some things I thought would look cool - let me know :-) Don't worry if you don't have time to check!

Bangle
http://www.asos.com/Mango/Mango-Mancha-Bra...1&clr=Brown

Boots
http://www.asos.com/Kate-Moss/Fearne-Cotto...1&clr=Black

Tops (unfortunately can't use your link to Topshop because it's USA - can you see this?)
http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s...1&langId=-1
http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Knitted-Batw...-1&clr=Mink
http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Woven-And-Je...&clr=Purple
http://www.asos.com/Asos/Artisans-For-Asos...mp;clr=OffWhite

Leather jacket
http://www.allsaints.com/product/?all=1&am...&position=0 (They sold of my size online! Need to decide asap!!)

Love your picks! My only two comments would be (a)you may want to scout a boot with a smidge higher a heel and (b) do you really need another cardigan? I only ask because you may be able to take the money that you would spend on that (and you already have a few) and put it instead toward an additional accessory or top. I like your choice of the pink satin over the sequins, it is still the same idea of dressing down a dressy piece, but you took it to your personal comfort level. Rock on!

Boots have been bought! Hurrah!! http://www.clarks.co.uk/find/ProductType-i...uct-is-20333605

I love these - they have the perfect heel height for me, but they're a little bit cool, but not too unconventional for work, but it's also a good quality brand!

Niiiiiiice! I love them! They seem like the type of boot that you can punk up, but also glam up ... very versatile!
Enjoy them ;-)

Nice choice!