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!

I also want to update. But don’t have much money. I like mustard yellows, cerise, blue (not navy). Not black on top. Can’t wear pale colours due to staining. I wear ankle boots, long socks scrunched down and skinnies. I like trainers too but all mine are so faded and shabby looking. And I hate cold ankles. Jeans all seem to stop quite short these days which might be trendy but is annoying for me coz then your socks show. I have some H&M jeans but they all went weird and stretched around the front in the wash. So they’re all baggy and weird at the front. I don’t iron. And find baggy sleeves impractical. So I’m not really sure what to do.

I've just signed up to stitchfix - does anyone know anything about it? My first 'fix' is coming on my birthday

I've done Lookiero before, which is much the same as Stitch Fix I think. I have had three boxes. The first one, I kept everything. The second one, I kept two things and my most recent box I only kept one, but it was a coat, so the most expensive item.

Report back if you can re Stitch Fix though. I'd definitely like to give them a go too some time.

@Unspeakably

I've done Lookiero before, which is much the same as Stitch Fix I think. I have had three boxes. The first one, I kept everything. The second one, I kept two things and my most recent box I only kept one, but it was a coat, so the most expensive item.

Report back if you can re Stitch Fix though. I'd definitely like to give them a go too some time.

Thanks and I will do. It's a tenner for the styling, deducted from anything I buy, but I'm happy to pay money for someone else to sort me out!

I would like to join in please! I have far fewer clothes for winter than for summer. I'm also done with shopping at the cheaper end of the high street.

I'm losing weight so won't be buying anything in the next couple of months. I am going to make a smock dress with fabric l already have though.

@Misty9 I’ve also signed up to stitch fix (and lookiero 😳) to start me off and get me trying new things. I am receiving my stitch fix box on Tuesday and lookiero in a month. I’ve done both as a one off box. I slightly preferred the sign up process for lookiero as you have the option to add photos of yourself which could help them choose stuff to suit you. I really struggled with any questions about whose style I admire etc as I don’t have a clue!

Hi all!

I've just done another clear out of my wardrobe. This time, I was totally brutal ! I'm not giving them away yet. I'm storing them in vacuum bags and seeing how I go.

I've been looking for a couple of pieces which should cover a lot of what I've got rid of, if that makes sense? So, I've got rid of a few dresses and bought one which is better quality and should cover most occasions. Could wear it anywhere really.

I've also bought some new canvas trainers and put all my flats away in an upstairs cupboard. I can get away with trainers and boots most days. I am looking for some really good quality, comfortable flats, but the ones I've been eyeing are ££££. So may have to wait for those.

www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/rally-canvas-trainers-p-U40#678

Trainers^^.

www.phase-eight.com/product/penele-swing-dress-220332424.html

Dress^^

Definately identify with the ethos of replacing a few things that are not quite right with a more solid staple @Unspeakably - that is my plan for the year too. The dress looks but cold, will you be wearing now?

I’ve filled my first gap in my newly cleared wardrobe by ordering some flat knee high black boots (seasalt towpath). They should allow me to get more use out of dresses that get abandoned in cold weather as I am not keen on thick tights and shoes.

Looking forward to the stitch fix reviews @Misty9 and @Parbor - I’m out of the UK til august but it is just the sort of thing I’d be interested in once back as I find it hard to make time for shopping.

Thanks @1frenchfoodie.

I think the dress looks as if it would go nicely with tights, long boots and a long black cardi over the top, so it might get some winter and certainly some autumn and spring wear. However, I haven't seen it in person yet, as obviously the shops are all closed. If it looks a bit insubstantial or cheap, I'll send it back. It annoys me that it's polyester as well, but then reviews are all good and there is polyester and polyester iyswim. But yes, I'll reserve judgement till I see it!

And it's just the shape and style I want... tricky.

I think that dress looks fab @Unspeakably. Very me&em. I know what you mean about polyester. I am NOT an ironer which means I can’t wear 100% cotton or linen but then I resent splashing out on manmade fabrics.

I think when clearing out wardrobe or trying to start capsule wardrobe, you need to be honest about the life you are leading not the one you wish you were living, and what your style is not what gurus say it should be.

There are dozens of youtube experts saying you need x pairs of jeans or black trousers blazers and tops but if that is not you there is no point following it, a capsule wardrobe can be in shades of white cream grey and black but it could be based round dark red or browns just as easily or it could be based on sports look or Boho look

Most folks wear 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time so that is where you should spend your budget whether it is big or small, often people spend disproportionately on seldom occasion wear

Oops @Unspeakably just realised I was a bit ambiguous on the dress with ‘looks but cold’ - I meant ‘looks lovely but cold’ . I’m a three layers in winter sort though; it would look lovely with a black cardi but I just know I’d have goosebumps!

@Onekidnoclue, yes, exactly that! I resent spending money on polyester, but then, some of my nicest things, which still look nice after being washed a million times are polyester! I do think it depends on the shop too and Phase Eight are usually alright. Will see.

Yes, so true @TeacupDrama. I have whittled down my wardrobe to things I actually need at the moment. So, my office wear and going out stuff has been stored away . I only need casual stuff at the moment. Silly to spend money on anything else at the moment.

@1frenchfoodie

Oops *@Unspeakably just realised I was a bit ambiguous on the dress with ‘looks but cold’ - I meant ‘looks lovely* but cold’ . I’m a three layers in winter sort though; it would look lovely with a black cardi but I just know I’d have goosebumps!

I got what you meant! No worries at all!

Yes, I feel the cold too tbh, but hopefully this will do for when it warms up a bit. Until then, I am living in jeans, long boots and jumpers!

Well I got my stitch fix box today. Bit disappointed to be honest. I do feel like the stylist listened to what I wanted in many ways and tried to send suitable things but just got it wrong. One top looked like something my gran would have worn and was horrible cheap thin material but was really expensive. Then there was a jumper that was too bright for my comfort zone, tried it on and it was ok but a bit tight on the arms and long in the body. Some £50 joggers which isn’t what I was after at all (but I think they were trying to fulfil the bit where I said I have a toddler and need comfortable and practical clothes). Some jeans I have actually just bought myself but I bought them at sale price and stitch fix had them at full price. Then a top that is really soft and a lovely colour. I probably wouldn’t have paid full price for it but as I had a code that gave me a free trial I didn’t pay the stylist cost and that was then deducted from the price of the top so it was very reasonable.

I don’t know, I think I was expecting them to do way better than I can do myself and to send me clothes that looked great on me but there was nothing that wowed me or that surprised me with how it looked. I think my expectations were unrealistic really

@Parbor oh dear did you get to choose the 5 things on preview before it was sent? I've chosen from 10 items. It's coming on my lockdown big birthday, so that'll just reinforce the rubbishness of the day if it's pants!

@funtimefrank I like jersey fabrics too! I've just bought some fleece lined leggings which may be helpful. I had no idea about these sensory issues before I was so ill, I can hardly touch wool these days for example, just find it so scratchy. But yes, structured clothes make me look a lot better

@Unspeakably I love Fitflop sandals but usually find their shoes too tight are those comfy to wear?

Thank you for all the help @MadameSapphire! I think the 'look' I'm aiming for is long tops (tunic/ dress?), leggings or fitted trousers, mid calf/ knee length boots. Must dig out my waterproof winter boots to see if they meet this criteria, currently living in wellies and walking shoes!

@Misty9 no I didn’t have that option. I had some pictures to choose whether I liked items or not to give the stylist a better idea of what I liked but it wasn’t specific to the items I was sent. Hopefully yours will be better!

[quote Parbor]@Misty9 no I didn’t have that option. I had some pictures to choose whether I liked items or not to give the stylist a better idea of what I liked but it wasn’t specific to the items I was sent. Hopefully yours will be better![/quote]
That's a shame. It's a new feature it said, so maybe wasn't up and running in time for your box. My issue is not being able to find what I like so I'm hoping it'll be worth the tenner!

Hi folks! Sorry it's taken me a while to get back to the thread...busy times with work. How's everyone doing?

@Unspeakably - I totally get your polyester dilemma - I, too, have really lovely things that are poly. I'm trying to phase out some of the stuff that doesn't "bring me joy"!

@Parbor - sorry to hear about your Stitch Fix disappointment. :-(

Will post a longer response later today! Hope everyone's doing alright x

P.S. @Unspeakably - I think the Phase 8 dress is really lovely...let us know how it is...

More disappointed with my boots, same size and brand as my others which are so comfortable but they just didn’t fit right-toes were bunched up and they slid on the heels.

However I’ve got a couple of lovely jumpers (although slightly concerned they might need to be ironed) and my new jeans fit great which instantly makes me feel better.

How is everyone else getting on?

When you've got your capsule together, take photos of all the outfit combinations and stick inside your wardrobe.