I've just thrown out most of my clothes - please help me not be naked.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

After reading a thread in AIBU about people looking polished, I've snapped. I'm fed up of looking like a scruff bag. I've evaluated my wardrobe. All my every day clothes are ill fitting, old and very very sad.

Almost everything is in ragbags now. I'm starting again. Down to my shoes.

My usual style is jeans, plain t shirts and hoodies with sketchers or converse. Im still dressing as though Im a student despite having left that behind 20 something g years ago. I'm 5' 5" skinny, but top heavy. I need stuff that is comfortable, practical (for things like cycling into the shops) but looks nice.

I've no idea where to start without replicating my usual style, My total nemesis is shoes. I like leggings for instance but have no idea what shoes to put with them.

I need serious intervention for anyone who is willing. I'm going to make a start shopping on Sunday.

I’ve recently bought this dress
www.warehouse.co.uk/gb/clothing/dresses/leopard-tie-t-shirt-dress/034371.html?dwvar_034371_color=82&cgid=dresses which I’m currently wearing with black tights and black trainers with white soles. The same fabric is available as a button through dress. Denim or black jacket. I wear for work with the black and heels instead of trainers.

I’ve also got some which look like this www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/leggings/black-side-zip-leggings/p/538046001?CAWELAID=120310300000473594&_cclid=Google_CjwKCAjw5dnmBRACEiwAmMYGOZdn7wuJYyK-CrMUi0lSy0EKSCMoY2x9Zu4mHoIDH_L479rdmMEwchoCaasQAvD_BwE&extcam=UK_PPC_PLA_Google_DV_m&gclid=CjwKCAjw5dnmBRACEiwAmMYGOZdn7wuJYyK-CrMUi0lSy0EKSCMoY2x9Zu4mHoIDH_L479rdmMEwchoCaasQAvD_BwE but are a very thick stretch/legging type fabric. They look like a very smart fitted trouser but are so comfy and look nice dressed up with heels or with trainers. They are thick enough to not need a long top. I got mine from H&M but they aren’t in stock now.

Thanks! It's really good to hear what can work :)

This is me also - I’ve suddenly started hating everything I own. I’m 36 and it’s all shit!
I’m a 6-8 as well.

I’ve got rid of anything patterned or chintzy and gone for plainer more streamlined stuff. I’m also a fan of belts. They show off my waist. I’ve had stuff from warehouse and oasis, a couple of bits from Karen Millen and mint velvet and quite a lot from river island even though I’m probably not their client base!
I struggle with trousers. Everything is too big on the waist. High waisted are best for me. I have a lot of new tops / shirts but not many new pairs of trousers.
I have however spent an absolute fortune 😬.

I should get a belt or two I think. Good idea. I find high waisted stuff a bit uncomfy.

I'm slightly nervous about tomorrow. No idea why, other than I could end up panicking and not buying anything. Then I'm slightly stuck. I didn't really think this through.

As long as I get t shirts and jeans then at least that's some clothes.

It's good to hear I'm not alone!

I'm knackered, but I owe you all a massive thank you! I've managed in a marathon session to get what seems to be the basics. Hurrah!

Gap were amazing! I threw myself on their mercy and they came up with some really nice black skinnies and some blue straight legs that they had shortened for me within two hours.

Uniqlo I got some wide leg capris and 4 really nice t shirts.

Timberland I got some gorgeous shoes. I got 10% off by selling my email addy.

I tried on quite a few jackets and got a really nice fitted denim jacket from Bershka for £20. I hadn't heard of them before.

Then a pair of stripey shorts from next.

I think a couple of shirts or shirt dresses to wear over as cardi things could be good, but I'm out of oomph and carrying ability.

Just got to get my train then I'm collapsing!

Thank you!!!!

Solillas!

that's such a random reply!!!

I can see that
It was my shorthand way of saying “check it solillas for your new summer shoe”

Until I googled I thought it was something like Spanish for congratulations!

In slightly less successful news my train decided not to stop at my home station so I'm in the arse end of nowhere waiting for a train back.

Well done!

You can add and update a few items along the years. I like to keep a range of styles that I wear according to how I feel and what I'm doing or where I'm going.

I've just re read the denim jacket comments. Oops! I did honestly look for other jackets first and foremost, I just couldn't find any that say right. Next seemed to be missing my size in one I wanted to try.

www.timberland.co.uk/shop/en/tbl-uk/women-footwear-shoes/berlin-park-oxford-for-women-in-taupe-a1t6rl47 my shoes, but mine are lighter than that.

So I guess I need something to go with my denim jeans. Well, it was a good try! and I do love the jacket.

It sounds like you’ve had a successful shopping trip.

Can I just plug my favourite trainers in the world ever? I have these and I couldn’t love them more. (They’re pricey - I think I got mine when there was 20% off).

They are really nice!

Well done kitten it all sounds fab.
Damn that train though!
What are you wearing today?

It sounds like you got yourself a proper haul! Well done!

Don’t worry about the denim jacket, it’s your wardrobe, not ours! And they are useful, you can wear them with everything but denim jeans. Plus it will be fun to find another, you’ll have to do more shopping!!

I have this one for daily casual wear, khaki is a great colour as it goes with pretty much everything:

www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-elvina-jacket-khaki/p3571493

This is similar and would be very versatile too:

www.johnlewis.com/hush-military-jacket-khaki/p3613061

Most shops do some variation of this jacket for summer.

Btw if you like the Hush jacket I linked then the size 6 would probably fit you well as their sizes are generous.

Now you need one more pair of shoes (as it’s not good to wear one pair all the time), plus a bag!

.

I'm wearing my skinnies and a nice t shirt. It's a bit cold though inside so I've slung a shirt on as a cardi. One of the few things to survive my giant cull!

I love the hush jacket! And the denim jacket was really cheap, so well....

I do need another pair of shoes. Though technically, I didn't go there bare feet yesterday, so I think that might wait while my bank balance recovers.

Where do I get bags from? I need one that fits in my phone, my purse and my reusable cup.

Bags...

There are so many lovely bags around. How much would you be comfortable spending? And do you prefer crossbody? Tote? What do you usually use? My guess is crossbody would go best with your wardrobe.

And how are you feeling?

Oubliette those trainers are gorgeous.

Sounds like you got lots of good things, OhYouBadBadKitten.

There are lots of lovely bags on Etsy, also tkmaxx can have a few. I get ideas on Pinterest of what to look for. I like crossbody bags and saddle/messenger style larger bags.

This is my daily go-to at the moment. It’s from Toast and I paid £125 for it in their boxing day/early Jan sale. If I had waited just a couple of weeks longer I could have got it for £85 in their late Jan further reductions, which I’m still miffed about. But it was exactly what I had been looking for so I decided to get it straightaway as soon as it went in the sale.

I like it because it’s very good quality, thick leather so it will last for years and it looks good with scratches/blemishes which means I don’t have to worry about it getting a bit battered with daily use.

But also it was the perfect shade to go with all my clothing that I wear day-to-day - I can wear it with my navy coat, my olive coat and my khaki jacket (I don’t like looking too matchy matchy so I like a bag that fits but doesn’t look like it’s been picked specifically to match, IYKWIM).

The size is also just right for me. It’s big enough to hold my purse and phone, my OH’s wallet when we’re out together, plus my little coin purse that holds my keys and a pair of sunglasses and a couple of lip balms. But it’s small enough to be comfortable, light and effortless to carry.

Dimensions are w:20cm d:8cm h:18cm. Sorry the only ruler I could find didn’t have inches

They don’t have it in stock anymore but I just thought I’d show you what I’ve been using over the winter and spring. For summer I prefer lighter bags, also a little more ‘pretty’, so I will probably soon start looking for a tan bag, something in a saddlebag style, I think. But I probably won’t buy it until end of season sales, so I’ll make do with one of my other bags over the summer.

Actually I just realised I have a summer saddle bag that I’ve never even used! I’ll use that over the summer. It’s this one but in a crackly metallic gold, by Zatchels.

Actually they’ve got a 50% sale on atm. Might be worth a look. Good quality bags, made in England.

www.zatchels.com/

By lighter I meant in colour, btw.