Right...I'm overhauling my wardrobe - fancy joining me (and we can help each other to find our new style)?

[MadameSapphire]

Morning folks!

So, new year and all that...I've realised that I have this huge excess of clothes that are beautiful, but I don't wear them, or were bought to try to pull together a certain kind or style, and I've realised I actually don't really like them. I really want to sell a heap of stuff, so recommendations as to where I could do that would be grand.

Does anyone fancy joining me for a thread to help overhaul/restyle their wardrobes?

A bit about me - I'm in my mid-30s, have a baby and a toddler, and too many clothes that don't work for my lifestyle. I've have this yearning to simplify my style (go more capsule-esque), but also seem to get pulled back towards vintage, dramatic, colourful, heavily patterned pieces. Sort of 'arty'.

Started thinking last night, do I want my clothes to wear me? And I'm not sure I want to look like I have a crazy shopping habit. I'd like my personality to be the focus, but without totally compromising my style, ha! I'm petite and very now and then feel like getting rid of (almost) everything and going for an Audrey Hepburn style look (DEFINITELY not what my wardrobe is like at the moment!). I guess I'm aiming for 'effortlessly groomed' and definitely stylish (but not necessarily 'fashionable'). I absolutely need some plainer pieces in my wardrobe (ideally that aren't crazily expensive).In a dream world, I'd like to mix my vintage pieces with more modern cuts for a 2021 look, and I'd love some advice as to where I might by high-quality items second hand.

I'm working so can't always respond immediately, but will always get back to the thread when I can! :-)

A (premature) Happy New Year to you all - please come and join me!

Yes, I will join you please!

I have a similar lifestyle and similar goals to you. I want to look classic, pulled together and groomed.

I have just cleared out loads of clothes and sent some away for recycling. A few bits, I've kept and put into vacuum bags. I still have a lot of clothes, but it's much better than it was.

My other issue is comfort. I know now, that if I'm not 100% comfortable in an outfit, I won't wear it, so although yes, I do want to look groomed, I won't enjoy wearing a crisp white shirt for example. I find them uncomfortable and they show every mark. With young dcs, that isn't practical.

I want a capsule/uniform, so I don't have to make too many decisions.

So, with that in mind, I want to whittle down my wardrobe even more, starting with footwear.

I've realised that I like wearing, (and suit), long boots more than anything else in winter. So I need to wear those with dresses and tights or skinny jeans, so they tuck in. I do have other jeans, but I don't care what fashion says; skinnies and long boots suit my lifestyle. I can walk most places, in most weathers and can also drive in them. The ones I have are Seasalt Towpath and they're great.

Other shoes I have and love are red Mary Janes. I think the boots, the MJs and one pair of trainers really ought to be enough shoes. I have more, but I want to see if I can get away with these alone for everyday wear.

Sorry, that was so long! Wardrobe over analysis is my favourite hobby

I am also in the process of overhauling my wardrobe. I'm moving from somewhere very cold to somewhere very warm, while also moving from a university environment to a school, so the dress code will be a little more formal.

I'm currently hoovering through the Oysho, Massimo Dutti, and Zara sales, buying up their summer clothes. My usual summer style is the scruffier side of boho, because I'm not at work during the hottest months, but where I'm moving is Hong Kong weather, so I need to quickly conceptualize how I look professional without being sweaty.

Greetings @Unspeakably and @RacheyCat! - welcome!

@Unspeakably - well done for clearing out/storing your wardrobe! I need to do this too, but am usually knackered by the time the little people are in bed! However, this thread feels like it will make me more accountable, so I'll aim to do a little each night. Do you have any ideas as to what your 'uniform' might look like? Are there particular cuts (as well as skinnies) and colours which suit you/you really like? Great idea to start with your shoes - love the Seasalt Towpath boots.

@RacheyCat - sounds like a big and exciting move. I guess you'll be looking for good fabrics for the heat (avoiding polyester?!) How's the rest of your wardrobe overhaul going?

Would anyone else like to join us? :-)

I think really, my uniform for winter will be skinnies, v neck jumpers, long sleeved tshirts and long boots. Gilet and coat on top, plus scarf, hat and gloves; it is FREEZING at the minute! So envious of your move @RacheyCat .

I love wearing skirts and dresses too, but it's just too cold at the moment. As it warms up, I'll switch jeans for midi, a line skirts or dresses.

I also love the slightly Sloaney / preppy look which seems to be coming back. But I'm not going too far into any trends, in keeping with my quest for a classic, timeless look.

Sounds good, @Unspeakably. Do you stick to certain colours? Yup, it's freezing! Is your gilet a padded style? I've mostly ditched my dresses at the mo, too, and I've been living in trainers - put on a pair of boots with a low, but chunky heel the other day and so enjoyed wearing something else on my feet! I reckon you could nod towards the Sloaney/preppy look...

Hi. I’m in too. I’ve recently realised how good an outfit I like makes me feel and how I rarely pull an outfit together, just wearing the same old boring things. I’ve put anything seasonally inappropriate in old suitcases to better allow me to ‘shop my wardrobe’. I’m hoping to just buy some classics/upgrades but little volume this year.

I’m early 40s, 5.3 with a 4yo and (currently home) office job. Not really sure I have a style, perhaps gamine with a country twist (natural fabrics, a bit more mustard than I associate with gamine). Really have no idea though.

Thanks op. My gilet is lightly padded, but seems quite warm. It's quite new, so I haven't really tested it yet!

I don't stick to specific colours, but I should. I know what I suit; warm earthy tones and warn pastels too. I suit navy and blue as well. But I have things in my wardrobe which are the wrong colours, which I can't bring myself to get rid of!

Oh can I join at a distance? I’m heavily pregnant so can’t do anything at the moment but want to be more considered with what I wear afterwards. I’ve got another few weeks to go and am trying to plan ahead a little. I can hardly fit into anyway the moment and it’s been weirdly refreshing only having a tiny wardrobe. No choice means fast decisions. Sadly I look like crap but it is making me think a capsule wardrobe would be lovely.
I’m aiming for classic with a twist. Will lurk and pinch all your genius ideas!

@MadameSapphire pre-DC I used to love clothes with ribbons, bows etc and wearing necklaces every day; not since having DC and their sticky, grubby little hands everywhere!!

I guess like many people I'm a bit lost now as to what my style is/ should be... I need to lose some weight too, which doesn't help! Since having flu very badly a few years ago I have some sensory issues - possibly a form of arthritis - and don't find jeans very comfy any more, annoyingly. No idea what to wear instead; I have some fleece lined walking trousers which are comfy, but stylish they are not

Hello all!

I went for a long walk just now, and on the way was going through my wardrobe, (in my head, obviously...is that weird? Probably)! Anyway, I think I am going to test this as a capsule...

Skinny jeans for under boots x 3
Thick joggers for fat days and lounging around the house x 1
A line midi skirts x 3 (1 x floral, 1 x denim, 1 x graphic print)
Dresses x 6 (4 x casual, 2 x dressy)
T shirts x 4
Tunics x 2
Black cardi x 1
Jumpers x 3
Navy, super soft faux suede biker jacket x 1
Longline hoody x 1
Raincoat x 1
Other casual coat x 1
Formal coat x 1
Mary-Jane shoes x 1
Knee boots x 1
Suede ankle boots x 1
Trainers x 2
Backpack x 1
Over shoulder satchel x 1

That's 35 including coats and excluding jewellery.

I think I can get by with this for a bit and then might whittle down some more.

I am making up a wish list for next year, but will try to get rid of some more first.

I'm trying to do something like this too! 5'1, far too close to 50, booby but not exactly overweight. My style would optimistically be described as classic elegance, more accurately as boring, dragged through a hedge backwards. I tend to wear black, grey, and shades of blue. At the moment I wfh part time, with a 10yo DD so she's not too tough on my clothes (although she either borrows them or sneers at them). When I work in the office it's professional but not suited, I tend to wear a dress and boots.

I have 2 pairs of skinny jeans, black and blue, have LIVED in them recently! A black and a grey long sleeve top ditto. A black, a grey and a beige cardi, two of which have holes in. Black ankle boots which I can't quite work out with the jeans (sock shows , do I live with that? Can't have chilly ankles!) And black long boots.

I have lots of other clothes, but I don't wear them much, partly COVID lifestyle related, partly because I like these best. Food for thought. Do i want to change my style up or accept that this is who I am and do it better?

I’m in. I despair every time I go to get dressed at the moment. I’m a bit flabbier than I used to be, no longer know what suits me, and developed some weird sensory things after my last baby (can no longer wear tights and a skirt for example as it feels too much around the waist). Also my lifestyle means I wear comfortable clothes and shoes but just feel like a slob most of the time.
I’ve started by doing a colours and body shape analysis and ordering a few bits online to try. I want to go through my wardrobe and get rid of everything that isn’t right but am scared I’ll be left with nothing to wear.

Can I cautiously join in? I've never felt particularly put together or known what my style is, but I live in hope! I'm nearly 40, two dc primary aged, 5'10" and roughly size 10. I lost loads of weight (stress and diet related) but haven't quite got my head around being the same size I was when teenaged. Comfort is key for me and I hate being cold, but find layering tricky. And footwear is my nemesis with wide feet. Every season I think, right I need to sort my wardrobe. Then I just 'get by' until the next season comes along!

Ooh can I join? I have far too much shoved in my wardrobe and only where about 10% of it.
I'm a stay at home mum so my style is ultra casual but I would like to look a bit more put together... I have loads of nice accessories that I don't wear and tend to re wear the same things over and over.
My plan is to try and find a couple of hours this weekend to do a clear out and figure out where there are gaps.

Lovely to see the group growing. Have tonsillitis induced insomnia so had a good catchup.

That is a good question llamaofdrama (nice name), ‘do I want to change my style up or accept this is who I am and do it better’. I think for me it is 20% former i.e. actually dress with style in mind even if the style ‘label’ is not the same daily and 80% the latter - if I gravitate to the same stuff daily (jeans and jumper) am I wearing ones I like that fit and flatter and would different trousers/tops be equally appealing with a bit more style? On the skinnies/ankle boot and sock dilema comfort is key for me so I’m a shower.

Welcome troppibambini , I found a wardrobe clearout (into unused suitcases because, Covid) really really helpful. For instance I have worn all of one shirt in 2020 yet had 12 squished in my wardrobe. My big question to myself is, do I become Someone Who Irons in 2021. Can’t see it happening..

Was the colours thing useful Parbor? I got a Masterclass subscription for Christmas and enjoyed a style video series where the concept of colours was poopooed (to many tonal shades to write off entire colours, too rigid). That said the presenter was very anti wide trousers on the short (I am 5.2 / 5.3) and I am planning to ignore that.

On layering Misty9 I feel the cold and am no good with that artful, effortless Insta layering stuff. I tend to have a hidden Uniqulo heattech layer on at all times. Sure others here have more stylish alternatives

ClaratheimpossibleGirl those sensory issues sound rough; as does writing jeans off. I feel I wear my jeans too much and while summer alternatives are fine (black linen mix jumpsuit, soft wide Next 7/8 trousers, dresses) I am always stumped in winter.

Your capsule list makes 33/35 items look doable unspeakably, mainly as I think I’d include zero dresses til spring. Not sure I am a ‘capsule’ person but I’m planning it this month as a bit of a reset and way to consider my choices/likes/dislikes.

I quite like the description of your vintage, dramatic pieces MadameSapphire , hope you find a balance or a way to include patterns/shapes that feels more consistently you.

I will join you!

I cleared out my wardrobe removing items I no longer wear and feel much better for it. From now on I refuse to buy from the likes of H&M, Dorothy Perkins, New Look. The fabric looks cheap, does not wash well and to be honest I shopped there in my teens so have no business still shopping there over 2 decades later.

I will now buy sale items or fewer key pieces from more middle of the range shops. Items I really like, will remain a wardrobe staple and will wash well.

@Parbor , @ClaraTheImpossibleGirl I hear you on the sensory issues. I've posted about mine several times previously but I really struggle with stuff other than jersey on my legs especially.

It can make looking pulled together really tough especially if you are a bit short and a bit fat. I regularly chose comfort over style and just look messy and frumpy.

I have decided I am a spoon now (basically a pear with a tummy). I'm short waisted though with not small boobs. Not sure how to dress a casual mid 40s spoon without jeans or tights......

My body suits fitted clothes, my lifestyle and sensory issues suit soft unstructured clothes, my colouring suits bright and contrasting clothes and my wallet suits nothing too expensive but if I could settle on a style I could buy better less often. So, easy then.

Oh lots of posts! Seems this is a popular idea! Thanks for starting the thread op .

I also need to stop buying clothes in Dorothy P, H&M etc.

On my wish list for next year is a better quality basics, like a black or navy cardi and high quality tshirts in shapes and colours I know I will wear. I don't buy super cheapy stuff too often, but I also can't bring myself to spend huge amounts on basics... but maybe I should be investing more in these, as they are the things I wear most! Spending a lot on a going out dress or something for a wedding actually makes less sense, but for some reason that's what I often do!

I am trying not to look at all the lovely coats/jumpers and general winter clothing that are in the sales at the moment, as like the above poster I will be moving to a tropical country in the next couple of months (covid allowing....) so I will be sorting out all my summer clothing and hopefully buying more when I get there. Clothing in some countries dont last as well due to heat humidity etc.

I would dearly love to do a full and through overhaul, sadly that cannot happen for a while, but I do admire all you who can!

@1frenchfoodie I found it useful, coming from a place where I was really down on myself and had lost any sense of what suited me. It reinforced some of what I already know (eg that pastels wash me out) and helped me to see why only one of two my jumpers in almost identical colours looks good on me. I think it will help me in shopping for new things as it will give me a starting point of what to look for.

Sounds like many of us are very similar in wanting comfort (and warmth) but not wanting to look a complete mess in the process! I can second the tops (I also have some from M&S and Sainsbury’s that are equally good) as a layer in the winter. My ‘uniform‘ is basically jeans, one of those and a jumper. I’m wanting to smarten the jeans, jumper and footwear up a level (but I walk a lot so still need comfort) for the winter then work out what suits me best for warmer months as this is where I struggle most.

Ah, our thread is expanding! Hello and welcome to all the newbies! 👋🏼

@1frenchfoodie, sounds like you’ve made a good start by packing currently unsuitable things away - this is something that I don’t really do and definitely should! Sorry to hear about your insomnia/tonsillitis! 💐

@Onekidnoclue, of course you can join us! Share with us lovely baby news when you’re able. 😊 I was the same when I was pregnant - I put on a lot of weight and revolved a very small maternity wardrobe for the duration!

@ClaraTheImpossibleGirl, I know what you mean re. necklaces, bows, etc - although my youngest pulls at any bit of my clothes that can be grabbed by a small hand! Sorry to hear about you sensory issues - tell us about your wardrobe/dream wardrobe and perhaps we can suggest some trouser styles for you? 😊

@Unspeakably, that capsule wardrobe sounds great - let us know when you’re all ready to go and make a start with it!

@LlamaofDrama, you’ve pinpointed a great question in your post! Are you swaying towards one of your solutions more than the other? Re. socks and boots - are you happy to have your socks on show? I know of someone who looks great wearing feature socks with cropped trousers... not crazy, out there socks, but with enough detail that, if they caught your eye, they’d look cool, considered, complementary.

@Parbour, sorry to learn about your sensory issues, too. Do let us know what colour palette and shapes you’re going to go for? Re. getting rid of your entire wardrobe, how about you pack some of it away and see how you do without those things?

@Misty9, welcome! Do let us know what you’re looking for/drawn to in pinpointing your style and we can try and help! 😊

@troppibambini, this is me, too - so much stuff that I don’t wear. Let us know how your clear out goes...good luck! 💪🏼

@Faith50, this sounds good - I’d like to do the same but am always drawn to H&M and the things I have from there seem to wash quite well. I definitely need some really good quality basics though.

@funtimefrank, sorry about your sensory issues. You’ve set up a great challenge for us re. your wardrobe! 😊 Tell is more...any particular items/colours you’re looking for?

@Hopeforhappiertimesahead, sounds like an exciting move! Let us know how your planning and packing is going!

I’m in the (very slow) process of packing away items that I don’t wear - I’m trying to get rid of most of my polyester stuff, however, have a few lovely vintage and vintage-style poly blouses... 😬

Wowee...that was a long post! 😂

@MadameSapphire thank you for the welcome as for what I'm drawn to/suits me - I just don't know! And that's the main issue I think. I was reading the sale buys thread and ended up browsing some of the websites, but I just feel so easily overwhelmed by choice and end up buying nothing. I've got good legs and a small waist (probably bigger since Christmas however!) so I should make more of those. Today I'm wearing a teal thigh length thick dress from white stuff, with a long sleeved green top underneath (the dress is 3/4 sleeves) and black tights. I like this look and it feels comfy, but I struggle with dresses normally as my bottom half is bigger than my top. I love colour, jewel ones mostly, and I try to avoid white and black next to my face as its too stark for my pale colouring. Pastels generally make me look washed out.

I kind of know what I like but struggle to find it, iykwim! Saying that, I have just bought a dark pink jumper dress from uniqlo...

@Faith50 I thought the same about mid range clothing but often find the quality is no better than the cheaper stuff frustratingly. White stuff in particular has gone downhill with the quality of its materials I think.

Oh, and I have long legs which makes buying trousers a bloody pain