From my wardrobe, help me build different outfits?

[fieldmouse83]

Since having a baby, Covid and wfh I'm now about to go back into working face to face for the first time in 3 years next week. I'd like to feel a bit more confident about my outfit choices as I've got into a comfy loungewear habit which is not suitable for being out of the house!

The work is in the arts and so it's entirely casual but nevertheless I want to feel good.

One problem I have is that in the mornings I feel a bit rushed with normal family life and then my brain can't put outfits together! I panic and pull out twenty things from my wardrobe and then I'm running late!

It would help me to have a list of planned outfits I can wear in any given day so I can just pick one quickly without engaging my brain. (Does anyone else do this?!)

Anyway, can anyone help me create a list of outfits please?

Im late 30's, used to be fairly current, and as I said it's totally casual.

These are some of the core things I have in my wardrobe:

Jeans: straight leg / wide leg / Mom
blue and black
Slim leg black

1 pair of loose tailored trousers with pockets in grey

Various leggings and 1 maxi skirt in green leopard print

Various sweaters, jumpers, hoody's, 1 shacket

1 x maxi shirt

Shoes:
Veja v-lock
Black chunky ankle boots
Black & white converse high tops
New Balance 550 white

Coats:
Long Puffa coat
Long Camel tailored coat
Cheap dove grey tailored coat
Leather biker jacket
Gilet

Also jewellery - I have lots of peircings and wear gold rings and earrings, small hoops, and stacked necklaces.

Do I need any other accessories or items if clothing? Can anyone help me write a list of say 10 outfits I can keep in rotation?

Bump

Why not look at an app called Stylebook which allows you to take photos of your items and you can then put outfits together. After the initial taking of the photos it might be fun for you to spend any time you can spare putting outfits together. Pinterest might be a good source of inspo too.

Without seeing actual items it's hard but I'd say loose trousers with Veja or converse plus a hoodie over a tee. As an example.

Thanks @Niftythrifter that sounds good

Pinterest for inspiration? Put in the item, for example green patterned skirt, stick outfit at the end and enjoy saving how items are being paired

I have a concertina style folding clothes rail that I use when I want to put a weeks worth of outfits together, for holiday etc. Would that help you? You can maybe pick two or three bottoms for the week, then add in Co ordinating tops, coat and footwear, put them all on the rail and see if they go together? Then dress from your rail everyday, change over on a Sunday?

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It's hard to visualise without seeing the items (knowing the fit and colour). I would recommend planning your outfit the night before, that way you won't be rushing in the morning. And after a few weeks, you will have a better idea of what works together and what doesn't. Also you will see any gaps in your wardrobe that you might need to fill.

Good ideas, thank you. No space for the concertina rail but I can hang things strategically I guess.

Good ideas, thank you. No space for the concertina rail but I can hang things strategically I guess.

I think you need to arrange an hour or so over a weekend where your partner has the baby / kids & you have headspace to concentrate.
Go & try on all the permutations of the clothes you have to see what works with what & what makes you feel great.
If you see x goes with y but it would look better with a shirt / belt etc make a note of what's missing to complete outfits & then shop only for those things.
Make it a routine on a Sunday evening to mentally decide what you'll wear that week & check that everything you need is out of the laundry / ironed etc & ready to go.
I also work in the arts at a senior level & I dress in a very smart casual way but there's so much scope for individual flair. I love it.
Although you can dress 'casually' it's worth having a think about what sort of casual you want- there's going to the gym casual & there's 'put together' casual.

Good ideas, thank you. No space for the concertina rail but I can hang things strategically I guess.

I really like the Wears My Money blog for visual ideas of outfits

Absolutely no affiliation here, and not all the ideas are up my street (eg she’s much more fond of a dress than me) but I like the way she creates outfits along a theme.

When you have spare time try on as many combinations as you can then take photos of the best ones and wear those. When you are bored do it again.

I am mostly WFH but for the days I go into the office, I get my outfit ready the night before. Usually I have an idea in my head (ie, I have two pairs of work trousers and know roughly what tops/shoes go with them) but sometimes the idea doesn't work out and I need a plan b. No time for that when I get up in the morning!