How do you approach your "wardrobe"?

[WipsGlitter]

I've been reading some blogs and chatting to friends who are 'into' clothes and they seem to have a very organised and planned approach to buying clothes, eg looking for a specific item - a yellow jumper, a grey coat, an oatmeal cardigan etc. I am a more random purchaser mainly along the lines of can I afford it, does it fit, do I need it, do I like it, when will I wear it.

Do you decide at the start of each season what you are looking for or do you just buy as and when.

Brilliant question!

How I wish I was organised. I tend to fixate on particular items of (generally unsuitable) clothing rather than outfits. So I often have a tiny wardrobe of beautiful things - and absolutely nothing to wear to the shops.

When I find I really can't get dressed because I have no basics whatsoever I run to the nearest place and buy a couple of vests.

I suspect I look somewhat ...

I hate having to buy through need as I just get fed up, buy something and wear it despite it not being what I want. Case in point shoes I have had some ugly shoes in the past. I am on a weight loss journey and over summer and beyond I bought things and was more daring on my look in some ways. I am planning to have a bit of a clear out soon but I get quite attached to clothes that for me hold memories. Sounds silly I know.

I have an idea at the beginning of the season around what I'd like. Sometimes I get distracted by other stuff and sometimes I hit the jackpot - peacoat / bag.

And some things sit on my list for ages - to get pale skinnies and a nice not too dressy dress.

Many things I only buy in the sales - skinnies / tshirts as the original price is crazily high.

Am tempted to say 'approach my wardrobe with caution' as it might all fall out and smother me ...
Used to be so easy when at work-over the years built up a wardrobe of suits and jackets/trousers , jackets/dresses in summer. The latter I mixed and matched. Simple fine knit sweaters/ good t shirts/ occasionally blouses. Would suss out maybe one major new work garment a season, try it on and wait for sales.I had quite a senior job in a very traditional organisation but tried to dress with a bit of style /interest i.e. not always black or dark blue/grey pinstripes. ( I had only work and really scruffy clothes, with the odd 'frock' for occasions).
It's got a lot harder since I retired as 'smart casual' is much harder (hate that term but I suppose it does pretty well describe what I wear 80% of time now ) I still have (old) fairly timeless clothes- a black tux outfit, sparkly/silk (!) tops- for formal occasions . But have been known to impulse buy-a delicious red lace cocktail dress last year! After some false starts ,have boiled it down to good (i.e. very expensive but fit properly and make me look slimmer) dark denim jeans (various cuts) in winter, and cuts -offs (not too short though I have good legs) in summer. Last summer got quite daring and added very dark 'burnt' orange and turquoise to the latter -used to stick to black, white and beige (in a good way). Now buy new tops only if they 'go' . At last count I had 32 summer tops, plus T shirts .Some of the 'previous life' sweaters etc still worn with jeans and cut offs .I have one pair of very expensive mid weight black trousers, plus jacket and knee length pencil skirt, (donated by slimmed down daughter) for going to theatre etc . . I have kept two white blouses as 'you never know' when they might be useful (?).And have some sun dresses for holidays .
I have made a vow to buy only really necessary clothes for 2015 . Unless its something I absolutely can't resist or do actually need (new summer sandals) . Or replacements .It's already proving hard to stick to. I love clothes. And have spent a lot of money on them in the last four years

I once read being really grown up is when you wouldn't actually have to go out and buy anything whatever you were invited to . I think I've reached that happy state. But it could get boring....though don't want to be like recently deceased and very elegant 89 year old neighbour who had 8 double wardrobes' full of a life time's accumulation . .

Like a magpie - anything sparkly, fluffy or with an interesting print is in.

Basically, if I love it and it fits, I buy it. This doesn't make for a
Particularly cohesive wardrobe but when I open the doors and see a riot of colour and texture I feel very happy.

frankie MK has actually given me a whole new wardrobe, despite the fact that I actually let go of 19 bin bags of clothes and shoes..oh yes.
I wear so much more of what I have, percentage wise. Plus it is an organised thing of beauty.

Exactly yongnian! I borrowed the book from a colleague at work. She had just done a big clearout too and took 7 bags to the local charity shop. They doubled their takings last Saturday thanks to her donations!

19 bin bags?! Sheesh.

I get an idea of a style or look I want to add into my wardrobe, buy a few versions of the outfit, and then do it all again the next season. Invariably I find once I'm wearing the new style that something is missing and go out looking for it. Oh, and my seasons ate from sale to sale!

maybedoctor I totally agree that wearing dresses makes life much much easier. Since I discovered how great they are a few years ago, my shopping is more focused. So on my wish list for the Spring/Summer for example is 3 Summer dresses (for weekends, not work). Because I've already built up a nice collection over the last couple of summers, adding in just a few more will be enough I think. It also means I can spend more on each one as I will buy fewer - I'm currently looking at a lovely one in Whistles that is £150. I would never have previously considered spending this much, but as I get older I think it is important to have things that you love, and feel amazing in.

For work, I stick to pencil/a-line skirts and jumpers/silk shirts with a few dresses. Again, because I have built up quite a large collection, i don't have to buy too many things very often.

By nature I am an impulsive, compulsive shopper so it is always a battle against shopping as a hobby. Something I have found to be quite useful is writing down all the clothes/shoes/bags I buy during the year. Then I can look back and see which things I actually like and wear, and which things were clearly impulse buys. The last two January's I bought a lot of sale 'bargains' which I have rarely worn, and were therefore clearly not bargains after all. So this January I have been very judicious in my shopping to try and avoid that mistake again.

Sorry, epic post

silverjohnleggedit - wasn't sure from your post - are you looking, or have you actually found some slouchy wide legged navy trousers? Please do share! Was about to buy some in black but navy would be fabulous.

Marie Kondo is great, being able to see all my clothes is a revelation!

I used to be a total magpie and massively over-bought, but since the start of last year I've been keeping a list of everything I buy, which really helps see what I've got proper value out of. Also have a list of what I want to get each season (current one is a work in progress) to stop me from buying on impulse ... Having said that I do a lot of returning.

There are a couple of brilliant apps for making outfits out of what you have, if you can be bothered to upload pics of all your clothes (I save product images for everything I buy). Stylebook and IStyleMyself seem to be the best.

Never buy full price if I can possibly help it, only buy stuff I really love, that I can make at least 5 outfits with (fewer for dresses!) and know when I'll wear it.

frankie I know! What can I tell ya? I'm a reformed clothes/shopaholic/vintage collector.....I also used to have not so much as a walk-in wardrobe, but an actual room for clothes in the old house....I've now got it down to the equivalent of two normal sized wardrobes and 12 drawers full. Which is pretty good going.
Ahhhh clothes....still obsessed.....just dont press the button on it that often anymore.
Anyway, there's my confession for the evening.