If you could build your wardrobe from scratch, where would you begin?

[Victoria157]

Hi there, I'm in my early 30s and have just had 2 children in quite close succession. My confidence is at a bit of a low and I starting to blame my old, shapeless wardrobe, which is currently made up of cheap polyester, sweaty viscose, 5-10 year old primark/ h&m holey basics, & worn out colourless maternity bras.. It's really starting to affect how I feel about myself. I used to think I was low-maintenance but now have serious envy for my husband's timess, capsule wardrobe.

I want to invest 2-3k on good quality clothing this year that will actually last the decade. I'm thinking of natural materials like 100% cotton, linen, merino wool, cashmere; and hope to start picking things up in the January sales.

I'm currently a SAHM and generally gravitate towards a classic, simple & feminine style..

If you had to start from scratch with your warbrobe, where would you begin?

I think I would begin with a good old Pinterest session.
Try and identify your ‘style’ and colours and pin pin pin.
See what repeatedly comes up and make a list.
Pinterest also have some helpful capsule wardrobe lists so that’s a good place to start.

From there I’d start shopping for good quality basics and then have some fun with what’s left over.

I’d also save some of the money for a good haircut and manicure too.

Start a spreadsheet and list where you go/what you do. Dog walking, to nursery, to family, to the gym, to work etc. next to those, write what type of clothes you'd like to wear and that suit the weather/conditions. Start from the feet and work up. Which bag for those occasions.
Do this for all 4 seasons and identify which items overlap seasons or work year round.
Once you have a spreadsheet, make a list of stores that sell natural fabrics. COS, John Lewis, Pure Collection, Brora, Uniqglo, cotton from H&M, M&S etc.
Now search Pinterest for inspiration.
Think about your colour pallette.
Make a list of items and shop for only those. Don't make impulse buys.
I now buy far more neutrals and outerwear than I used to. I realise that I used to blow my budget on a special dress and shoes, but never had the right coat or jacket.

I still have too much stuff, but I'm far more discerning on what will actually get worn a lot (how many wears per £).

Spread sheets don't do it for me but I agree with thinking about your lifestyle and spending more on the things you wear the most.

I don't have the same life as you so the only item I'm going to single out is underwear because, if you've recently had two children then I can pretty much guarantee your old stuff won't be doing its job. I've found that a bra that fits well makes anything I wear on top look better.

To be honest, in your position I wouldn't get too hung up about whether things will last. In a few years time your children will be more independent and your life will have changed again and you may well want very different clothes. I'd go for things that make you feel good right now, are fit for purpose and will machine wash well - which all require a certain level of quality, but I wouldn't worry about timeless or lasting a decade.

If I knew then what I know now, I would:

• Have my colours and style "done". The colour day really helped me realise what colours suit me best, and cut down the waste (both time and money) in shopping. The style day was also helpful, as it made sense of why some things worked really well, but others just never felt "right"
• Have a good bra fitting. The right bra will improve your shape massively and make you stand up taller.

For me, if all my clothes disappeared and I had to start again, I would start with:

• jersey ruched skirt (wear these lots throughout the year, they are both practical and comfortable)
• knitted wool skirt (this is so practical and comfortable, and warm in winter)
• pair of jeans (purely for going to the playground with my 5-yr-old! boot cut are best for me)
• cardigans in good colours, in cashmere or wool
• plain t-shirts in good colours, in cotton, bamboo or jersey, or a mix thereof

Never polyester.

Look at what you normally do in your daily life, and make a note of what you would like to be wearing for each activity.

Look for decent well-fitting bras and knickers, as that will help make what you wear over them look better.

Go for clothes that can be worn in several ways to make an outfit. e.g jumper that you could wear with a skirt or jeans, dress that could be a sundress or a pinafore. Look for styles that won't be a one season wonder.

Get shoes (or boots or trainers) that will work with jeans, trousers or dress.

Uniqlo is great for basics as is M&S. Cashmere tends not to last because of moths.

Check out charity shops for things like jumpers.

I would suggest finding a local personal,shopper or stylist...they could help you work out what is a good look on you, some can do your colours.

Or identify what you need and book an appointment with personal shopper say big department store like John Lewis and give them the info. They'll bring it all to the large comfy changing room and will help you style it too.

I went to local John Lewis personal shopper for the first time last year to get a black dress for a funeral. I couldn't face the hunt thru the racks for myself and it was a great way to try on 4 dresses that all fit and all in the right size and in budget. In the end I bought a Heals dress, which I wouldn't normally have looked at and it was in the sale too. The stylist was lovely and really knows the stock on the floor.

I plan to go at the beginning of each season and last year I booked a slot on Boxing Day and came home with a load of sale bargains all put on a rack for me!

I'd highly recommend reading the book "The Curated Closet" by Anuschka Rees. It really helped me to define my style and make fewer costly mistakes, when I was in a similar position to you post kids and feeling slightly lost. And the "boob or bust" bra measuring method to ensure a well fitting bra. Really handy in these times where it's not possible to have an in-person fitting. I went from about a 34 D to a 28/30 F or FF.

I am not sure how little your children are but if they are still at the point of possibly throwing up over you, wiping hands on you etc. I would think twice about how much you spend right now on things that you would like to last as if they get stained etc. you will be really disappointed.

However, do think about your colours (I worked this out for myself) and possibly more importantly what does your life look like? city? rural? do you have many social events? what do you do with your children? lots of walks?

Also, how do you feel about your body? It took a few years for my body to recover from small children and then my lifestyle changed again.

There are good quality high street ranges e.g. H&M premium where you don't need to spend as much but look expensive and have better quality (and often more natural) fabrics.

If I was at your point again I would be spending money on a personal trainer, pilates and things like that so I felt better physically.