What would you buy to complete your wardrobe?

[BeCoolYolande]

This isn't a stealth boast or any other kind of boast , I've been given some money to spend specifically on clothes or shoes and accessories.

I've considered going to an in-store personal shopper but we live about 40 miles from the nearest one.
I'd also considered Lookiero or similar though the reviews aren't good.

Instead, oh wise people of Mumsnet I'm asking you.
For myself I would like to buy good quality but I'm interested in any suggestions.
I'm looking for inspiration.

Where are the gaps in your own wardrobe?
What would you add to it?
Or even what were the mistakes?

Thank you

Bumping this for you as I'm looking for same

Aargh. I've reread my OP and it sounds like something a journalist might right but I'm not.

I'm looking for some inspiration from others without wanting to prejudice the items other posters might suggest by telling how old I am and what size.

I think I'm stuck in a style rut and I'm asking you would buy and put together.

Thanks @user1489792710

The things that I have that I feel really completed my wardrobe are:

a denim jacket that fits perfectly
a nice leather waist belt, plain enough to go with everything but a small amount of detail to be interesting
a big blanket scarf in colours that go with most of my wardrobe
a variety of leather (for durability, comfort and breathability) shoes and boots

The other thing I think is easily overlooked are what I think of as 'mid' pieces - so not plain basics, but not 'statement' pieces that are difficult to mix with anything that isn't a basic. I'm thinking of things like a t shirt with an interesting cut in a plain colour, a jumper with a knit pattern, think variety in texture rather than colour - the kind of items that are easy to mix because they look plain at a glance, but the interesting details mean they turn into a great outfit when you combine a few of them, and are easily mixed and matched.

The base colour in my wardrobe is navy blue and I tend to buy natural fabrics. I don't wear skirts and dresses day-to-day so I'm always on the look out for well-fitted, well-tailored trousers.

A silk shirt would complete my wardrobe nicely.

Grey or checked work trousers in a modern style.
Yellow? Pussy bow short sleeved blouse.
Mid grey and charcoal grey loose T-shirt’s and fine knit sweaters.
Mid blue girlfriend style jeans.
Gold tone earrings.
Gold tone necklace.
Coloured bracelets.
Navy skirt and pale blue blouse or the other way around.
Mushroom leather belt.
Tan leather belt.
Dusky pink skirt.
Shirt dress.

My stand out useful buy from 2018 was a navy lightweight down peacoat jacket. It didn't get out much last summer because of the heatwave, but I've worn it endlessly, in all but sub-zero weather, since. It cost a bundle but it goes in the washing machine and is reasonably showerproof. Not too smart for walking the dog, but perfectly presentable for everyday town wear too.

I'm on a no-shopping year, but there's no glaring gaps in the wardrobe. I could find room for the perfect silk blouse if I saw one vintage or pre-owned.

Things on my wishlist currently:
navy slogan t-shirt
red silk blouse
navy coatigan (hate that word, a big slouchy cardigan basically)
khaki trousers (although I went looking for this last week and ended up buying navy gingham trousers instead which have been worn 3 times since I bought them so make of that what you will).

A perfect go anywhere smart overcoat that you will wear for years if not decades.
A top quality pair of knee high boots to wear with your coat.

Oooh mine are:
A classic shaped rain mac.
Girlfriend jeans that sit in the right place waist wise
Plain navy boat neck jumper that's thin enough to layer
Brown or beige cross body bag (or small handbag with strap I can wear cross body)
Some smart flats, to be worn with dresses
Pale grey cashmere jumper
Barbour style wax jacket for the winter
Some nice white t-shirts that are not too clingy and not too baggy

Some are on the list as I cant afford them right now, some are on the list as I cant quite find the right ones. I am trying to go without rather than buying "close but not quite right" things anymore.

A personal trainer so my clothes fit nicely!

Summer raincoat, smart not dog walking
New underpants, no vpl and high rise
Khaki trousers
White t shirts
Cotton broderie top
Summer dresses I don't have to iron

Several long sleeved cotton T shirts, not too high or low in the neck, not black or white.
Leather plimsols (not trainers which I'm not keen on) as current pair may not last the summer.
Wrong time of year but velvet wide leg trousers - but proper cotton velvet, not the shiny stuff. Been looking for these 2 winters now.
A waterproof winter coat with a hood - got one but it would be nice to have one I actually like.
Couple of new bras.

I was going to say ohhh about 500 items, maybe? At least that should be me sorted for a year or two...😉

It’s very difficult to make suggestions as it depends on your lifestyle, what you feel comfortable wearing, whether or not you work and if you do, what role you hold in what sector...

So I’d start by asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself. You dont have to mention age if you don’t want to. But I know that I had plenty of others do not subscribe to ageist and prescriptive fashion ‘rules’.

When I have time I’ll come back and tell you about my wardrobe and what I’d be spending any bonus funds on!

It would also be helpful to know what sort of budget you’re talking and what you mean by good quality. What would you spend on a good quality tee, for example, and what would you be looking for from it.

I have 3 double wardrobes bursting with clothes

But on my current wish list are:

Hush knitted, tweed jacket in either the watermelon or blue.

A Freya nude bra with a nice uplift but not balcony.

A really beautiful black, boat neck top in good quality jersey that doesn't cling. Have yet to find one this year

I have a silk blouse I got from Micheal kors in Tk Maxx and it hangs so beautifully, so I would buy one of those.

A great black/grey silk blouse- will go with everything, hangs beautifully and is wearing so well.

Perfect fitting jeans- is go to a big department store and try every single shape/colour/brand on and find “my shape” then buy 3 pairs

Black blazer! I know boring but will serve you well!

Navy or black cashmere crew neck jumper- worn all the time!

I want a nice leather jacket. In either a soft grey or oxblood colour. I wear a lot of soft floaty skirts and whenever I see someone out and about wearing that sort of skirt with a nice leather jacket I think “I should get a leather jacket”. Just need to find the right one.

My wish list

Lightweight dark ish denim culottes or trousers - want them fitted on the waist & hips & then very wide. But I don’t want slits on the leg, frayed hems, not too short, no paper bag waist etc Saw a lady wearing a pair in a French market 2 yrs ago that were perfect.
Black belt that ideally goes with different separates.
Black wool coat - need to save up for this.
Some tan leather soled sandals with red ties - saw on Kate Moss yrs ago & still love them.

Hmmm I’ll get started now I guess!

For summer I would like all or at least some of the following:

Espadrille wedge sandals in a cream/natural/wheat

Evening bag/clutch in a pink nude

A pretty top in linen

A pair of tan sandals with a low block heel or a pair of tan sandals with a high block heel (haven’t decided which I need more, and only want to spend on one option)

A mid to long linen dress

A pair of camel trousers

A pair of denim cut off jeans

Another straw hat

A very casual but pretty crossbody bag in tan leather

Long term I would like the following:

A wool coat in a pink nude/blush pink

A red ranch coat

Another tweed jacket (the one I have is slightly too big now)

Another barbour jacket - Black

A barbour waxed jacket (very long term as I already have one and definitely don’t actually need another)

A pair of perfect Chelsea boots

A pair of perfect walking boots.

A pair of perfect mules

A Mulberry bag in clay - small, structured/boxy

A Mulberry bag in yellow - relaxed, small tote/bucket

A Mulberry bag in autumnal colours - relaxed, big tote/bucket

A Mulberry tote in rosewater

Oh I dunno. The list. Is endless really.

But if I had to pick just the one thing right now it’d be the evening/clutch bag and the pair of earrings I want to wear when I get married.

(It would take me forever to actually get all the things on that list)

Oh yes, and a perfect leather jacket in burgundy.

And one in just the right shade of blush pink.

Oh & I want the perfect straw hat for summer

Oh yes there’s also a beautiful silk blouse I’m lusting after. Have a silk v neck sleeveless already, for summer.

And a silk mix long dress.

And another jumpsuit. A perfect relaxed but pretty one.

There are two things I’m currently looking for:
A lightweight, slouchy but slim-fitting jumper. It has to be cotton or linen so not heavy or scratchy or sweaty. Round or preferably slash necked so that it sits neatly over a tshirt, and navy, light pink, white, grey or striped in a combination of those. This garment doesn’t exist.
A silk top- shell, halterneck, cap or short sleeved. Would prefer not camisole but would accept if otherwise gorgeous. Light pink- anything from blush to rose, but not sickly kiddy pink. This does exist, I own it, but mine has a snag all the way down the front that makes it unwearable. Have been trying to replace it for about three years with no success.