How to change an entire wardrobe?

[makkmiss]

Could really do with some help, oh wise MNers

Growing up I was always a size 6-8, could wear anything without any problems but was very poor and could never afford nice stuff - pretty much everything I owned was Primark sale clothes. I’m now mid twenties and within a year have put on a significant amount of weight, especially at the waist, and am now a UK 10-14. I’ve taken a risky career change, had some relationship issues, had a recent miscarriage and generally just feel really crap about myself and my confidence has dropped a lot. I now can afford all the clothes I dreamt about when I was a teen but am stuck in a major clothes rut - all my stuff is still Primark, New Look or H&M and all very basic and boring. I’m sick of being so dull and dressing decades older than I am!

I had some money held up at work for a few months and has all just come through in a lump sum which I have decided to use to treat myself to a whole new wardrobe! Any advice on must-haves? I have no clue where to start

I am middle aged so no help to you but what about looking at some mid range younger ranges, buy some really good base garments and top up with more fashionable accents (tops, accessories etc).

I’m mid 30’s. And favour oasis, warehouse, topshop (for skinnies) and have found nice things in joules, fatface, white stuff etc.

Oasis and warehouse predominantly for work though. Nice trousers skirts and tops.

I have a few high back v neck vests for work from oasis. Nice. Basic. In various colours. I wear them all the time.

Are you predominantly looking at work clothes or casual clothes? Do you need smart clothes for work?

What do you wear all the time? If you wear jeans a lot, maybe try one of those services where they help you choose the perfect jeans and get several nice pairs. I did similar to you a few years ago and ended up looking v smart at work and same old shite at home because it didn't occur to me to buy more than one pair of jeans.

If I had the money again, I'd get brilliant versions of what I wear every day (eg lovely jeans, cashmere jumpers, silk camisoles, excellent trainers, boots etc) so that ordinary outfits look so much better.

Thank you for the replies, some v helpful suggestions! At work I tend to wear smart-ish skinny trousers with a blouse type top. Otherwise wear a lot of jeans and plain midi dresses with leggings. But everything is a bit dull in dark colours and not very exciting. My friends all wear asos, missguided, zara etc in bright colours so I definitely stand out as being the frumpy one in comparison!

Work out what sort of clothes you feel good in and take it from there. Buy mostly neutrals and add pops of colour.

Since we are heading into warmer weather focus on things which will take you right through spring and summer. If I was starting from scratch I’d probably start with some nice t shirts, some loose culotte style trousers (which are having a big moment right now) and dressier cigarette style trousers. I’d get a transitional jacket and a couple of cotton jumpers, a floaty dress, and a full skirt.

Do you have a friend whose style you admire and opinions that you value who could take a day to go shopping/ mooching with you ? Act as your stylist ? Go into every shop regardless of price range with an open mind and have a good old trying on session ?

Whereabouts in the country are you, have you got a 'Wardrobe Fairy' nearby?
Or near any department stores with a personal shopper service?

If you can afford I would look at getting some style advice and your colours done. Best thing I ever did for my wardrobe. Buy to suit you. You stop wasting so much on maybe choices and go forward with more confidence. I now find that by choosing within my pallet of colours that every cardigan for example goes with every dress but gives a different vibe. You can then afford to invest in better quality

I always disagree with the advice on these threads! If you want to look stylish, don’t buy the same things but nicer versions, that won’t change the basis of your wardrobe. Go shopping and get a standout item. Repeat. By standout I mean one thing that makes you look and feel great, and don’t be afraid of colour - if one item looks amazing in yellow but safe/would wear more in black, get the yellow. Gradually you’ll get used to making more dramatic choices and before long you’ll have a wardrobe of cool things interspersed with the basics you’ve already got.

Oh, and try on the new season shapes as soon as they come out - never assume something won’t suit you. Always try on the most out-there thing in the shop - so what if you don’t like it when you do? It’s about discovering the fun of clothes.

Get yourself a good pair of smart boots.

How exciting! Make a plan, not just go shopping. Look online first. Take a friend, make a list.

How about starting with, best jeans, denim jacket, leather jacket, cross body bag, sneakers, boots... then play around a bit with shirts, tops, tunics etc

Maybe some really gorgeous earrings?

For work clothes and general smart outfits/nice jackets my go to place was Reiss.

You can get really nice casuals from weekend by Max Mara, Tommy Hilfiger, Massimo Dutti and Boden. But it totally depends on what you are comfortable in and what suits your body type.

I was a size 8-10 before having children and I used all the brands above. I am currently a 12 and find the styles I wore before don't suit my body shape now. So most of my clothes are sitting in cupboards whilst I buy cheap clothes to see my through this in between size.

My advice would be that if you are planning on losing weight don't buy a lot of expensive clothes just yet, maybe a few basics like nice jeans, a couple of shirts/jumpers etc.

Why not go on to pinterest and start a board there putting the things you like on it. It's also great for suggesting looks that you could use for work or casual wear.

I really like jersey dresses for work. They’re smart and comfortable. My favourite is this one (quite expensive, but worth every penny in my opinion):
thefoldlondon.com/product/clifton-dress-navy-jersey/

What about doing a personal shopper service?

I'm sorry you've had such a bad time My main advice would be to take it slowly. Some of my worst style decisions were made while I was coming to terms with a changing body and / or when my head was all over the place. I spent a lot of money I never got back.

I would spend some more time working out what you don't like about your current wardrobe. It sounds like you're missing fun and colour but that doesn't mean your entire wardrobe has to be Fun. I certainly don't love everything in my wardrobe but I do have a good mix of things I love and things that do a job.

So I agree with MaryLennox. I would start off buying a few standout pieces that will add fun and colour to those basics. I would also stick to the cheap and cheerful end of the high street at this stage because you may get it wrong at first. Another thing to think about is whether you're still buying clothes for the body you used to have? (I did that for several years.)

You can build up gradually and, once you feel more confident, start heading up market, if you want to. I know it'll take time to build up a new wardrobe this way but if you're in your mid twenties then time is on your side.

Sounds amazing, I would love to be able to splurge like this but it sounds overwhelming!
I think I would think about the basic things that actually are better in excellent quality (for example boots).

Then decide what kind of Jean you prefer (go and try lots of different styles)

Once the bottoms are sorted (in various colours) then go for tops.

I dream of this day, have fun!!!!

Thank you everyone for the suggestions, I’ve picked up a lot of tips from this thread! I was initially planning on splashing out on big brands but then saw the posts above where it was suggested not to spend too much in case of losing weight. DH and I are also thinking about starting TTC later on this year so potentially may gain weight too.

I made a board on Pinterest and saved loads of ideas as well as mooched around town near the local Uni to see what people were wearing. Felt like a right stalker but got ideas on what was commonly worn! Made a list and had a little splurge on the high street - felt a little sad buying size 14 jeans when all my current jeans are size 8 buuut they fit properly and my bum looks great with the excess weight so can’t complain

Thanks ladies!

Don't know if you're done for now or not, but as you're in your mid 20s, I would do a personal shopping session in Topshop. I did one for my 30th birthday and it was brilliant - tried on heaps of things, bought a lot, and I still wear some of it 5 years later. I wore everything constantly until it fell apart (with the exception of a pair of skinny jeans that were really a size too small, and I should have got them in a size up rather than cramming myself into them).