Can anyone help me create a new spring and summer wardrobe?

[waterbabyabroad]

Ok, I admit, I am still wearing clothes that I bought many many years ago. But my wearable wardrobe has reduced so much I actually have very little to wear this summer. Can anyone help me build a new wardrobe from scratch? What should I get - dresses, cropped trousers, tops, t's, tunics, etc. What are the basics and extras that will get me through the next season (without embarassing my DC's too much!). Thanks for your help.

You need to find out your shape,and then what style of clothes suits you. Buy good quality basics,and then use the accessories that are "in season".
Perhaps book a personal shopper in House of Fraser or similar. You are not obliged to buy anything,but they would give you plenty of advice.
What size are you? Do you know your shape?

I'd say:
one pair of jeans (skinny or straight-leg or if you want to be on trend: flare)
one pair of chinos or military-style trousers with zips/pockets in neutral colour
shorts and/or shortish denim skirt
Breton top
tank tops, T-shirts, blouse with detailing or pattern
jersey maxi dress
classic white shirt
scarves (different colours/patterns)
leather jacket or trench-coat
Ballerina flats
silver or pewter Gladiator sandals
... and a good recently-fitted bra .

Personal shopper is a good idea too.

If you tell me more about which colours you like, what shapes are good for you I can try and find some links.

I'm not sure where you live but a friend of mine told me about a great shop in Hertfordshire where they helped her put loads of outfits together after she'd had her children. I think she said they had other shops and a website. If you're interested I can find out what its called.

Thanks for your replies. I had to disappear for a few days to deal with RL. I'm not sure what shape would describe me. I'm slimish with broad shoulders, 5'6" and normally a size 12 though occasionally can squeeze into a 10 :)

I've used a personal shopper in Debenhams and Bentalls in Kingston a few times for special occasions so maybe a good idea to do it for a wardrobe refresh. The list is very helpful Fritzi, thanks for that. Have to admit to not knowing what a Breton top is without looking it up! Colour wise, I suit blues, teal, grey, cream, dark pinks. I had my colours done a few years back and was classified as a soft summer....Any links would be really helpful as well. Thanks again!

If you want on-trend basics I would go for:
Skinny flare jeans- next or gap are good
Maxi skirt- next have loads online
boat neck top in a colour that suits you- oasis or warehouse have nice ones
striped top- gap or oasis
cream or camel leather jacket- ASOS and oasis have lovely ones
A cute 50s style cardigan in a pastal/bright colour
Then I would buy 4-5 plain t-shirts in colours that suit you, Primark ones actually wash very well and have a good range of colours

waterbaby Bretons are everywhere from H&M, Zara or other highstreet stores, Boden too iirc.

For ballet flats I love Blochs.

Great trench at Zara.

pink vest

Love this maxi but not sure what colour is like in RL.

navy maxi

Your colour palette sounds lovely, fantastic figure too!

lol at peoples capsules always saying " a trench coat"

are you all private investigators?

Love Fritzi's List.

I've just got a new blue trench coat and I look utterly fabulous in it actually

Fritzi's list sounds fab to me.

I am beginning to think I should be a private investigator. I am very canny And I have a trench coat and am quite partial to a dossier.

In any case I think fritzi's list sounds great. Just the thing to wear on a mini break to somewhere fabulous like, ooh, I dunno, Barcelona?? Just make sure you stop to admire the Gaudi through the eye holes cut out of your newspaper ... it's not just about the fashion you know!!!!

And even if you;re not going away - great list.

Fritz great list. I've just taken delivery of [[http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/101195 this trench
]] and I love it. Will be coming to New York with me next week.

I've got a blue trench coat. Dp HATES it - he says I look like a member of the French Resistance and says 'listen very carefully' whenever I wear it. I need a new coat! :)

I would say:

a decent pair of jeans;
a denim mini;
some striped and plain tops with necklines and colours to suit - I like three quarter sleeves on mine;
Spring coat but not necessarily a trench;
a casual blazer, maybe grey;
am stuck now!

I think list odd. Maxi dress? Bah. Have you all vile legs?

And no shorts/ capris

no shorts?? why - have you got vile legs? because you can fix that, you know ..

Capris pretty unflattering unless long of limb though.

Withagoat - channelling Liz Macdonald are we

I like a denim mini some days and a maxi dress on others - tis all about variety.

And I love my new trench coat - tis the same as Choo's but the children's version in blue as am munchkin like

I think my vile legs are genetic. I like to draw attention to my top half - Holly Willowbooby stylee.
Maxi dresses are ace.
Can I butt in here and ask a question - for those of you who don't like trenches - what other spring coat options are there do you reckon? I was reviewing my wardrobe today and my only spring outergarment appears to be a bright green Fatface fleece.

No. I meant "no shorts?"

My legs awesome

lifesaver thread - had same question.
day with the ILs beckons, but then I'll be doing me some shopping .