If you were starting your wardrobe from scratch how many of everything would you see as essential?

[Figaro88]

I literally have no clothes, lost 3 stone since Christmas and have absolutely nothing to wear. I have been the same weight for the last 4 weeks now so feel confident enough to start buying things. The question is how much is enough? I am a sahm so don't need work wear but would like a few nicer things for going out, not that that happens very often. I wash every day to keep on top of it but only iron once a week so would need enough so I don't have to iron inbetween.

I have way too many clothes so probably very hypocritical but I find I wear the same clothes all the time.

As a staple, find a style of t-shirt that suits your new figure (vest tops are best for me) and buy a few different ones in a variety of colours.

Then a few nice going out tops, some 'going out for drinks/lunch' tops, and some casual 'errands' tops.

Don't need as many trousers - a pair of black jeans, a pair of blue jeans, some tailored trousers and some comfy trousers.

A blazer is a good idea to dress up a casual outfit (ie parents evening)

Then depending on your style- a few different length skirts and dresses.

Well done on your weight loss

I’d go for a couple of pairs of jeans/jeggings, a couple of pairs of ‘dressy’ joggers - the ones from Next are nice. I wear cheapo joggers from Aldi or Lidl if I’m at home and cleaning.

Depends on your size and shape. Dorothy Perkin Eden jeggings are my best fit, but everyone is different.

I’d get a couple of nude bras, two multipacks of knickers and a few tops. I like Sainsburys clothes. You can then build on the basics.

Good luck!

Well done, that is brillliant.

I think at first I'd get myself a couple of pairs of jeans and five casual tops which can be dressed up if required.

Then get some nicely fitting underwear, ten pairs of pants and three bras would be my absolute minimum. Get your bra size measured as well.

Well done on your weightloss!

As a slightly different perspective I’d think about building your wardrobe around a set colour palette, makes it much easier to put outfits together and get a ‘put together’ look. I basically only wear neutrals (navy, black, white, grey, some nude), mustard yellow, and have a colour of bright coats in purple and green. I also tend to wear a lot of wrap styles and more skirts and dresses than jeans now, just works for me. Think about what colours you always go back to and start there. Also, don’t buy everything at once. Pick a few things that you feel flatter you to learn what works with your new shape and build around them, rather than buying 10 t shirts off the bat. Better not to rush and be sure.

And yes definitely go get fitted in Bravissimo, your breasts will have changed a lot

I have new underwear did that in John Lewis probably should of said that. I am 5ft 3 and weigh 9st 3lbs so just normal size. Thanks for the congrats but it was honestly nothing I did, had my coil removed as it was atbtheb5 year limit and changed contraception and now realise how rubbish I have felt for the last 5 years!

At the 5 year limit that should say.

I have a capsule wardrobe so own 2 pairs of jeans, 2 trousers, 5 t shirts and a small handful of jumpers/blouses. As well as underwear.

I agree that bras are super important after weight loss, so get measured properly.

I buy a lot of things that mix and match. For example recently I bought a dark blue linen suit for work. The jacket also goes with another dark blue patterned skirt I have. Don't buy something without thinking about what else it goes with that you already have.

Also if you are buying a few things at once you could get a personal shopper to help you at John Lewis, it's free AFAIK. You could get a couple of bits from there and then use the advice to get some cheaper stuff from Primark and H&M.

I absolutely adore having a capsule wardrobe.

I have a minimum of 3 jumper/cardi, 4 bottoms, 5 tops. A total of 12 items which I wear interchangeably. I get maximum wear out of all my clothes and replace as and when needed.

This is helpful of how to go about building one

Another fan of John Lewis personal shoppers here, was no pressure to buy more than I needed and she found me dresses I hadn’t spotted (was looking for a wedding reception dress). No pressure to buy accessories.