If you had to start wardrobe from scratch, where would you start?

[LiquoriceWheel]

My whole wardrobe is really scruffy and worn out and I don't know where to start in updating things. Is it shoes? A nice coat? Matching socks?

Where would you start if you had to start again from scratch I need some inspiration please .

For me it would be underwear first- a bra makes all the difference in how tops look. Socks. Bottoms- jeans, trousers, skirts. Tops to go with the bottoms but can be mix and matched. Cardigans/jumpers etc. Accessories and shoes. Then coats

Shoes first, its a lot easier to match the outfit to what you need to wear on your feet for any occasion.

I would start with a staple item, like a great pair of jeans or black trousers because they are really versatile and can be dressed up or down.

Shoes and bra. I am large of nork and obsessed with shoes.

I'd start with seasonless items, things Id wear Most of the year . My staples are:

-trench coat,
-flats ,preferably loafers,

• jeans my preference are straight.
• crisp oversized cotton shirts ,

If you don't have an obvious starting point, getting a good bra is a very good step one. Then, I'd look for flattering jeans. Then, a simple jacket that you love and which loves your shape. At this point, all your old stuff needs revisiting so you can see what to keep and what's too tired to be useful. Empress is right, get the staples sorted and move on from there but don't go on a spree.

I have realised in the last few years that the best way to shop is to work out cost per wear. So I used to but t-shirts and jeans for very little money and use the big spends for my naice clothes (like a really expensive cocktail dress for a wedding) which I rarely wore. I've now tried to swap this round.

Last January I spent £££ on a really good coat even though it was in the sale it was still eye wateringly dear because I know I'll wear it every day in winter for the next few years and I love it. I've stopped buying cheap jeans that loose their shape/colour and now wear a more hardwearing brand but they last longer and wash better.

So start off by figuring out exactly which clothes you live in 90% of your life and focus on getting those ones right.

Underwear (a well fitting bra) is essential.

Figure out what colours suit you and build a wardrobe around them. I had my colours done years ago (birthday present) and its made shopping so much easier as I walk round a shop and can ignore about 75% of the clothes on the rails as they tend to be black (which doesn't suit me). So I just look for things in my colour palate and try them on.

Logically- good underwear.

Emotionally- good shoes.
I’d start there and alternate by purchases between the two for a while.

So buying good underwear will show you what your figure really is, and from there you will be able to work out which styles of clothesreally suit you. It lays a good foundation for what works for you.

Your feet are accurate emotional barometers. Sofocusing on your feet, and buying good shoes that make you feel happy and comfortable, you will tune into what styles you really like. It lays a good foundation for what you really want.

So by first alternating between these two things, you are setting up an interplay between what works for you and what you really want. That interplay will fuel the rest when you come to fill in the space between by buying other clothes. I’d be tempted to move onto a bag or bags firstafter the underwear/shoe time, because that’s one item that really combines looking a what your practical needs are and what style you like, as well as what you want to project into the world.

For me personally, if I had nothing at all, this is what I'd start with (I was thinking about this quite recently).

Black jeans, blue jeans, cream jeans (one of each)
1 pair wide black smarter looking trousers
A straight, knee-length or slightly shorter, black skirt that looks good with or without tights
maybe a lightish blue denim skirt, but that would be a lower priority
3 or 4 fitted, scoop-necked black 3/4 length sleeved t-shirts
1 blue and white stripy t-shirt
1 plain white or cream shirt
2 cotton jersey dresses, maybe one black and one a classic pattern such as polka dots, chosen to look good dressed up or down
1 longish black cardigan (preferably cotton)
1 black v-neck jumper (preferably cotton)
1 loose black cowl-neck jumper in a soft warm fabric (cashmere would be great but realistically probably wool-mix)
1 or 2 slubby cotton jumpers in light neutral colours such as taupe, dove grey or oatmeal
1 black jacket that would look like a suit with either the wide trousers or the skirt
1 leather jacket, either black or a light neutral
1 warm winter coat - maybe a classic belted wool one in either black or grey
Ultimately, when expanding this basic wardrobe, a light coloured trench for spring
short, casual/chunky tan or taupe boots
short, more elegant/streamlined black boots (but I'd probably get long ones too, in the end)
lowish heeled smart black shoes (maybe ballet pumps or pointy flats)
medium-heeled classic black courts
white low-top Converse

Underwear/socks/tights to work with all of the above
2 swimming costumes
Trainers suitable for running, sports bra, sports socks, 2 pairs leggings, hoodie, couple of loose comfortable t-shirts suitable for running and/or yoga

hat/scarf/gloves in 2 different colours, either black or cream and then a bright fun colour

A great pair of jeans. GAP or GAP outlet if you can get to one. I find a style I like and buy 3 pairs.

I started again. I chose 4 colours, I only buy clothes, shoes accessories in these four colours. Then I bought one entire outfit at a time, until I could buy an item of clothing and visualise what I’d wear it with from my existing wardrobe.

I’ve gone from frumpy to frequently being told that I’m glamorous and the entire process has made me very happy

This is actually a fantasy of mine 😙

I'd start with jeans, bizarrely. Then coats. Then shoes. Then handbags, which would take years.

Then tops, skirts, dresses, then undies last.

Blimey London, you're amazing! Because it's only 4 colours you'll always look put together

I read it somewhere and completely embraced it. Now all my make-up, coats, bags etc match.

But I have allowed myself black for nights out which wasn’t in my original colour choice. So I have a few black outfits, shoes, one sequinned black handbag and an extremely expensive black coat which only comes out when I’m out-out

I loved it all so much though I took it too far, lost 2 stone (which I probably didn’t need to lose) and had a boob job

I had to do this after a during a 6 stone (7- 8 dress sizes) weight loss. Even my shoes were too big. Socks were literally the only items of clothing that still fit me. Every two stone off I bought three new bras and six pairs of knickers. Dark wash straight jeans. Black harem pants. 5 Tee shirts (black, grey, navy, white x2, pink, 3 vests in grey, navy and white, a loose overshirt in plain shirting fabric, a big scarf and a tan belt (both also one time purchase) and a long cardigan in charcoal (bought twice). Black trainers (which I only had to buy once) Cheap boyfriend coat from new look that I bought in a 14 and it saw me through sizes 18-10. Now I’m settled at my new weight I have got more but that basic wardrobe was amazingly versatile if a bit samey. I could have managed with less but it would have meant washing more.

Oh shoes, absolutely. Get the footwear right and the rest falls into place. A good pair of shoes can really carry an outfit.

I'd start with:

Casual - 3 pairs of jeans / a couple of decent jumpers / ankle boots / casual shoes (Puma trainers are my current favourite) / casual dress / casual skirt (jersey tube) / leather biker / warm coat

Work - 2 pairs trousers / 2 jackets / a load of plain tops / 3 dresses / more ankle boots!

Plus some scarves and jewellery.

What are your colours of choice @Londontower? Looking at my wardrobe I'd say 90% of my clothes are one of 4 colours but not because of a conscious decision I'm just too boring to venture into new territory and I don't look either glamorous or well put together . I like the sound of doing it properly though.

I'd start with:
a really good pair of black smart trousers that could be worn for work or evening wear
fantastic dark jeans
silk, cotton and linen shirts and tees in plain colours
cashmere sweaters and cardigans in plain colours that work with the tops
a couple of good dresses that are perfect for your body shape
a leather jacket - blzer or biker
woolen coat
trenchcoat
long boots
ankle boots
court shoes - all with heel heights/shapes that work for you

I don't wear skirts so don't have much inspiration on them, but if I did, I'd probably go for one woolen and one velvet or cord pencil skirt.

In summer I'd add some silky or crepe de chine tea dresses and floaty skirts and sandals

Well if I had the budget.

Underwear in neutral black and white.
Dark tint jeans and a pair black jeans
White black navy and grey scoop neck lycra mix t shirts and long sleeved versions
Couple of cropped cashmere cardigans
Couple of wrap dresses
Cigarette trousers in navy and black
Couple of evening tops
Bretons
Biker jacket
Trench coat
Warm winter coat
Pencil skirt
Couple of shirts 1 patterned I white
Little black dress
Then onto this basic wardrobe I would add some patterned summer dresses, coatigan for spring autumn. denim dress or skirt,
Shoes would include loafers tan longline boots black ankle boots and a pair of indulgent heel.
That would be my basic wardrobe and I would add colour and more individual items to it.
In fact that is my basic wardrobe but with tons of other stuff in the mix.

@Londontower I'm also desperate to know your colours! How do you do this with shades? Like I'd love a black, red and grey wardrobe but not all reds are equal and black is horrendous for matching!

Have a look at the Vivienne files website, there's loads of ideas on there for building a wardrobe and even a step by step guide to do it from scratch. She's got lots of suggestions for colourways too. It's really interesting, worth a look.

My colours are grey, blue (lots of navy), pink and purple. Lots of my lipsticks match my accessories, so that pulls things together.

I’ve alzo got a tan belt, shoes and bag so sometimes add these too as a whole.

And black stuff for nights out.

My staples would cotton bralettes in black, cotton knickers in black and long socks in black and black and white stripes.
Band t-shirts, long sleeved t-shirts in jewel tones (dark red, green, blue and purple work for me) as well as black.
Long black tired skirt, long black plain cotton skirt, long black chiffon skirt, knee length black skirts, one of plain cotton, one of heavy satin, one of chiffon.
Black combat boots, black pointy toed ankle boots, black converse style shoes, black ballet pumps.
One denim jacket, one black velvet jacket, and one long black woollen coat.
Fuck I wear a lot of black! But if I ever lost all my clothes (heaven help me if I did) those would be the things I'd try and replace first. (I do wear more colour than that!)