Starting again but from where ?

[lookatmememe]

If you could rebuild your wardrobe from scratch, where would you go to and what would be in your must have list ?

Friend has to start again due to house fire and I'm enlisted to help.

She's mid 50's ( but looks younger I think ) about 5'7" and has long blonde/ silvery poker straight hair. Not fat . Not skinny. No hips long legs. Jeans size 12, Bigger in the bust so 14/16 tops . Looks good in jeans and a jacket and also can rock a boho look. She is confident in herself but strangely is totally overwhelmed at the thought of starting again. Is currently living in Lycra running gear as there was a sale on at Sweaty Betty !

She's lovely and I can see this has affected her more than she's letting on, hence my involvement to help.

Wise Mumsnetters, please help! As I want to help but am not sure where to start either !

Oh, forgot to say, has insurance money to cover this. So good quality is fine doesn't have to be cheap and cheerful, but can be IYSWIM.

I would possibly hire a personal stylist to get started. They will build a capsule wardrobe based on the right colours and shapes and personal tastes. This will be worth it in the long run and save money on things that don't work.

I would love to start again but also know what I like and what suits.

My friend is a stylist if a virtual appointment would be appropriate, message me, but theres probably some locally.

What a horrible situation. Give your friend a big hug from this Mumsnet stranger

But also: I would love to start again!

Three good pairs of jeans: smart black, smart casual grey and a casual blue

One good quality white shirt, one silky shirt, one relaxed flannel shirt

Some really good quality t shirts in various sizes and styles

A few dresses: summer style, maybe one short, one midi, one maxi if she rocks the boho vibe.

A lovely black blazer, and relaxed oversized cardigan and maybe a camel Mac as Autumn is really just around the corner.

Running trainers, a pair of Club60s, some lovely ballet pumps and some birkenstocks

And then a fuck tonne of accessories: belts, scarves, lots of necklaces and bracelets to layer up.

I would also use eBay for bargain good quality items, some 'overmakes/old stock' and some good quality used.

I think it might be worth her buying a few full outfits to start with so she always has something nice to wear while she is filling in the missing mix and match pieces.

I would go for quality brands. There's a current thread on clothes that last - have a look at that.
I'd use ebay to find brands like Isabel Marant and similar.

Thank you all so much. We have looked around the shops for a couple of hours this afternoon and booked an appt with a colour consultant. Bought one pair of 'joules version of birkies' and a hat ! I know ! But it's a start !
Off to look at the other threads ! Thanks again x ( passed on the hug too )

Wow, what a great thing to have to do following something so traumatic. I think I’d ask her to think about the items she has missed the most, which won’t necessarily be what she imagines. For example, this summer I’ve lived in a dress from Hush that I don’t love but is so so easy - looks good, not fussy style, fabric good, doesn’t need ironing etc etc. I wouldn’t say it’s one of my favourites at all but it’s exactly what I’ve needed and would miss it massively. That may be really obvious but I think what you objectively love and what you wear most of the time are not the same.