How to build a wardrobe?

[darlingdaffodils]

I want a wardrobe of items that I can mix and match. I have no skills with accessories at all! In fact putting together outfits seems to be some sort of alchemy!

I want a proper grown up wardrobe!

I am 5'2 and a size 16. I kept putting off buying anything new until I lost weight but .... well .... that hasn't happened! I like 50s and feminine styles. Not that my current wardrobe reflects that at all.

I saw this and loved it! Not sure what to wear it with though ....

www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?searchTerm=check&storeId=12552&productId=11780262&urlRequestType=Base&categoryId=&langId=-1&productIdentifier=product&catalogId=33053

What are the basics I would need? Tops, skirts, shoes, accessories .....

I would put that with either a black or bright coloured fitted top, or a round necked cardi buttoned up to cleavage . I've seen peplum tops in a few shops, which might work -I think in Primark and Wallis, but probalby lots of other places too. It probably needs heels unless you have great legs, in which case ballet flats would work. Fitted knee boots would look good with that too.
Have seen a few stretchy pencil skirts, M&S had some in a fairly thick material, patterned as well as plain I think.

I don't have great legs at all but the skirt falls a couple of inches past the knee so not much show!

I just seem to have a wardrobe full of individual items that don't go with anything else. Plus clothes that are too small for me. :(

In the colder weather, that skirt would look lovely with a classic black polo neck and heels and tights or high boots. I dress in a lot of 40s style clothes but find tea dresses and rockabilly style twirly dresses are easier to wear than finding tops to go with 'retro style' skirts

First ditch or put away the stuff that is too small. Then register on Pinterest if you aren't already on there. Then put every item onto a board so you can see it all in front of you - this may well give you some ideas for putting things together or a colour/type of style will probably emerge.

Group your favourite things together and see what they have in common in terms of colour/style etc. You can then use these as the basis for your wardrobe. Search on pinterest for ideas of what could work with them - eg put in 'tartan pencil skirt' to see styling ideas, choose what you like and go from there.....

The Vivienne Files is a good site for showing you how to build up a versatile wardrobe

I thought about taking a picture of everything that fits and that I like and then making them into outfits. Or putting them in outfits and then taking a picture.

Not sure if it would help though!

Yes you can do that with pinterest , just upload the photos from your desktop. Of course you can also ask for from s&b posters ideas/opinions for putting stuff together/buying new items too that way, just link from here to your pin board(s).