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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To spend a small fortune On new clothes

32 replies

Fastsfash · 11/03/2023 10:17

To spend a small fortune on a new ‘capsule wardrobe’??

I have random clothes that are old and don’t go together at all. I have some nice quality pieces but they are sporadic and not a whole ‘outfit’

an someone please help me with a list of what items to buy ? Or any tips please ??

thank you

OP posts:

TWmover · 11/03/2023 14:05

I know a couple of people that were thinking of this and got a stylist type person (not sure of the correct term) to work with them on what they have, their shape, colours, lifestyle etc. I always think those people (a few years on) always look really good and well put together. I think its meant they invest in what suits them, get more wear out of their things, their items go together better. In fact, saying this, once I've got my weight down I'm going to get someone to help me!

Luredbyapomegranate · 11/03/2023 14:22

If you are planning on spending a chunk of cash, I would find a stylist who’s like you like and get a couple hours of advice. And don’t spend all your budget at once.

DanceMonster · 11/03/2023 14:29

Portillo · 11/03/2023 12:41

Thanks for the responses to my side question- that makes sense.

I own the company and so I can pretty much wear what I like. It is quite a wide ranging industry with no fixed expectations (academic/creative/government)

My husband says that I could always attend a wedding with no notice - so I do tend to be on the smart side but rarely suited. (that isn't always true but I probably could with quick dive into my car-drobe)

At home I wear the same. It is my style. My clothes are part of my personality I suppose- I wouldn't have a different personality at home. It is rare for someone not to comment on my clothes at least once a week and last week in 1 day- 5 people commented/asked me where it was from (I do live next to an arts university and art gallery)

Is it better to be more neutral or not have a style?

I work for a fairly staid financial services company with a formal dress code so I have different clothes for work as I do for home. I don’t think that means I don’t have a ‘style’, or that my personality changes between work and home, just that I have a dress code for work that I have to adhere to 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Is it better to be more neutral or not have a style?

Better for what? You can wear whatever you want.

BoringLittleMe · 11/03/2023 14:34

I recently got my colours done and decided what I like/don't like about my current wardrobe. I got rid of anything that doesn't fit or was just really old. Everything else (even t-shirts and vests) I have put on my rail with the hangers backwards. Every time I wear something and it goes back on the hanger, I turn it the right way round. By the time winter comes around again, anything still backwards will be donated.

I'm gradually replacing bits. I need smart stuff for work and relaxed stuff for hanging l out with my young DC. So I signed up with Stitchfix and they send me a monthly box of stuff, based on my preferences. So each month I'm choosing 2 or 3 items to keep that I like, without the stress of going to the shop and being inundated with ideas (I have ASD so find it overwhelming). By the end of the year I should have a much better wardrobe!

Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 11/03/2023 14:51

I did this after having my second child in a bid to be less frumpy. I bought loads off vinted, i cant afford brands new but got some lovely pieces from hobbs, whistles and reiss, tops and jeans, levi jeans, scamp and dude dresses and jumpers, converse trainers and a lovely black leather jacket amd ive probably only spent 200 quid.

Stillcountingbeans · 11/03/2023 15:33

KievsOutTheOven · 11/03/2023 11:10

I did this recently. I had changed my body shape after having kids.

I divided my wardrobe into seasons. My summer only items live in a case for 6 months, as do my winter only items. These go at the right of my wardrobe when they are “in season”

Then, I tried everything on, and anything that didn’t fit well got sold on vinted.

Then, I took out all my occasion wear and put it in the suitcase too.

Then, I monitored for 6 months. Every time I wore something, I hung it back up on the left of my wardrobe with the hanger the “wrong” way.

Anything I didn’t wear for 6 months got sold.

I then looked at what I had and tried to combine items to make a capsule wardrobe. Anything that didn’t fit in with multiple items was sold, unless it was something which was largely worn alone (eg summer dresses!)

Then, I filled the gaps on vinted.

It’s still a work in progress. There are outfits I don’t love, but look okay. Everything fits and matches. I’m gradually replacing those over time.

This is excellent advice.
A few things I would suggest:

Keep the special occasion dress(es) hung up a year round, as you should only have 2 or 3 max, and they won't take up much room, but putting them in a suitcase may cause an ironing nightmare.

Put all the hanging clothes the 'wrong' way round at the start of the season, then as you use things you re-hang with the hangers the right way round. This is easier for things you wear over and over again.
Any clothes on hangers the 'wrong' way round after six months have to go.

Don't give crap old tee-shirts etc. to charity shops - ask yourself 'would I buy this if I were a customer?' They have to pay to dispose of rubbish so you are doing more harm than good unless you donate good quality stuff.

Most important - if you don't know what colours suit you and go together, pay for a colour consultation. It can be expensive but will save you money in the long run as you won't be buying 'mistakes' in future.

sjxoxo · 11/03/2023 15:41

I’ve just done exactly this.

I have a lot of vintage pieces that I just cannot wear as they are ‘too much’- I had no basics. I have a lot of things like shaggy coats/cardigans, tapestry cardigans, 80s knitwear, graphic sweatshirts.
Ive just bought probably 6 jumpers, 5 pairs of trousers (joggers/jeans/wide leg trousers), 6 basic T-shirts and 2 long sleeve tops.

My plan is to keep some of my favourite vintage OTT pieces and wear them just with plain T-shirts and jeans or joggers.
Footwear have kept:

X1 pair new balance 57/40s
X1 pair of neutral ASICS
X1 converse original Chucks hitops
X1 vans classic low skate
X2 pair of Uggs (one waterproof)

I can’t face throwing stuff away as it’s irreplaceable so I will probably just put it in storage for now and get it out again soon for summer, then maybe do a wardrobe sale or similar! X

I don’t have any need to be dressy - I work in the vintage clothing industry so laid back is fine for what I need. I wear the same at weekends with some leggings thrown in!

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