Your New Wardrobe From Scratch

[FromAtoB]

You had a massive flood in your wardrobe and everything was destroyed: bags, shoes, undies. The insurance has just paid out and you have £3,500 to buy new clothes. You have to start all over again (except pjs and dressing gown - you were wearing those and some more were in the wash).

How do you do it and where do you start?

No one? Hmmm.

Underwear. 2 pants for every bra. Properly fitting somewhere like floozie, Ann summers or Boux avenue.

Next 3 pairs of jeans, 2 blue 1 black. Maybe 1 levi the others next.

Primark for socks, tights and vest tops

Need to think about my next shop

3 bras - Fantasie, so around £35 each and I would resent every penny because I think bras shouldn't be so expensive!

Knickers - 12 pairs of the M&S 3 for 2 shorts, so about £50ish.

2 pairs of skinnies - black plus mid blue or grey.

6 cotton t-shirts

2 cotton jumpers

3 jersey or cotton dresses

A midi tube skirt

A light summer jacket

A blazer

A pair of trainers and a pair of sandals/flat shoes

That would do me for a week or two, until I could decide what I really wanted.

Statement jacket from somewhere amazing - Isabel Marrant/ Rag and Bone

Sexy ankle boots from Prada or Ash

Skinny jeans from 7 from All Mankind

Undies from AP

Tees by J Brand

Dresses by Alexander Wang and christopher Kane ( the Outnet obvs to stick wih the budget!)

An evening heel by Nicholas Kirkwood.

Done!

I'd probably invest in a good, timeless winter coat, one or two leather bags (large and small), and some quality footwear spending around £1k on these. It depends on your lifestyle, work etc as to how you spend it really, but I agree to spending a bit more on good underwear and swimwear. I'd probably split the rest between good quality basics - jeans, knitwear, shirts and blouses Etc and more frivolous purchases making sure you have mix of winter / summer garments. Have a google of capsule wardrobe for some more ideas but again depends very much on your personal style and preferences - what do you like to wear? I'd see it as an exciting opportunity to overhaul my wardrobe, maybe look into a personal shopper if that's your thing?

Decent quality undies and socks/tights.

A blitz at Uniqlo for decent basics.

A few nice dresses/ sandals/ swimwear/ cardis/ jeans in the sales.

Plan a good winter coat/ cashmere/winter trousers and skirts shop for the moment the autumn stock comes into the shops!