'Shop my wardrobe'/wear what you have/stop buying clothes

[mistressploppy]

I don't know if I can be arsed with the whole proper capsule wardrobe thing but I've got load of clothes I still like but don't wear - feel I need a nudge to actually get a bit creative/bolder and make outfits etc.

I've had a look on instagram but it keeps coming back to buying more clothes and I really need to stop that! Anyone else doing similar or able to point me at some inspiration?

How about the Vivienne files?

She pulls together some good outfits based on a specific palette - I use it to go through my wardrobe and put a series of outfits together that I may not have thought of otherwise

Could you afford a stylist to come and help you? They will attend for a couple of hours and go through your wardrobe with you. They can then help with any gaps that they find and help put a list together. Other than that there are a number of books on the subject.... the Curated Closet springs to mind. No doubt if you look on Amazon other titles will be recommended. Finally I think Pinterest is your friend here... either search by age category, event or by clothing type. So if you want ideas on how to style red boots then search for that. I would imagine that would be more useful than Instagram ( although lots of posters are American which is reflected in some of the styling)

I'm challenging myself to buy no clothes (except underwear if needed) in 2019.

I was struggling to fit a wash in my wardrobe and realised I still had 2 full loads to put away. I too have loads of stuff I don't wear.

I'm hoping not getting distracted by shiny things in shops will convince me to appreciate what I already have, and figure anything (bar occasion dresses) that i still haven't worn by the end of this year can be got rid of!

This isn't a stylish option about looking snazzy, but I'm not great at that at the best of times

There was a thread recently were people were contemplating apps to sort your wardrobe. Time consuming to photograph all your clothes but you can check what you already have before purchasing anything new and try out combinations for outfits.

There are quite a few apps but I don’t think anyone had tried it yet.

I'm up for sharing a 'wear what you have' thread. Im keen not to buy more in 2019 but to wear what I have.

I made a good stab at this last year. I was saving for something specifically so a good incentive not to spend. I found Pinterest a good source and actually coming off Instagram helped cut down on my urge for new things. I’m completely soooo over IG it has just become a massive place for flogging stuff.
Just taking an evening now and again to put outfits together & hang them on together worked. Also making an actually physical list of gaps like a navy top would go with 3 skirts I had so could justify that.
A good buy for me was little fine mesh long sleeve tops I wore under dresses for day wear. Also wore shirts under more evening dresses.
Those little collars to put under jumpers etc are so handy.
Oh one exception on IG was Trinny Woodhall, great for ideas to restyle old stuff but you can see her account on website without having the app

Oh speaking of apps I’ve just downloaded one called GlamOutfit. I’ve no idea how good it is but apparently they have stylists who can suggest outfits based on the photographed items in your wardrobe. I think just the process of photographing your clothes one by one can help in re-discovering forgotten items.

I need to do better at this. My problem is that I have quite a clear style, then have multiple items of each thing so I am not just wearing the actual same outfits on repeat. (Eg, wide-leg cropped trousers, skinny fit polo neck, Stan Smiths - multiple colourways thereof, for various “uniforms”.) I also work in the city centre, so shopping is really easy. I am going from full time to four days a week at work as of February, so also need to cut down on spending a bit!

I want to do this. I think I will want some basic T shirts in the summer but other than that I have too many clothes and need to stop spending

My new years resolution was to buy only say, five things in 2019 but it's January 5th and I've bought four things already.

Two were second-hand on Ebay, in my defense.

I'm checking this out on Instagram now.

Maybe we can help each other with suggestions that don't include running to the shops?!

I am trying to do this more and more without being too rigid - I saw a pair of jersey pants a couple weeks ago which I just knew would add lots versatility to my wardrobe so bought them. I have very regular ie every season clean out my wardrobe and that helps me to know what is in it so I am less likely to buy things which don’t go with other things or that are similar to what I already have.
Good luck!

This is brilliant, thanks for the replies everyone. So - maybe we need a proper 'Wear what you have' thread like OhDearBeer says? I've downloaded an app called Stylebook which is helping me to realise just how much damn stuff I've got...

well anyone else looking for an app I would not recommend GlamOutfit unless you’re about 15. Although to be honest just the act of taking items out of the wardrobe and photographing them helps see everything. There was a thread last year some time which I think was about wearing the entire contents ( rather than just 20%)of the wardrobe. I think they were trying a different outfit every day. I have found it useful to put my hanging items on the rail the wrong way and then when I’ve worn something I hang it back the right way. That way it’s really easy to see what hasn’t been worn.

I have also watched the first episode of Marie Kondo on Netflix today and have started a pile of clothes to give to charity. Although this is a process I’ve been through the last 18 months it’s amazing the amount of stuff that accumulates that I don’t love. I feel claustrophobic with wardrobes that are groaning and although it seems counterintuitive to get rid of stuff when I’m reducing the amount of purchases, I have items that I love but don’t really work with my body shape and don’t make me feel good ( Cos shirt I’m talking to you). I’m going to be looking for inspiration to wear things differently before getting rid though ( just in case )

Count me in. Too many clothes and always looking for something to go with something I already have