Sorting wardrobe out completely. Success stories?

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I have a reasonable number of clothes… and nothing to wear! Went from student to professional role which then became smart casual through pandemic, two maternity leaves, and now a job requiring a smart wardrobe (think: suits and tailoring). Everything I own is a hodge-podge of styles, although I have at least stayed the same size throughout, more or less.

I don’t really know what I like clothing-wise. I dislike shopping in person as I get grumpy about my appearance (but it beats online as I don’t waste time with returns). I have no idea what colours suit me and wear a lot of black. I do have some money to throw at this, and I’m anti fast-fashion, but £££ on getting my colours done feels decadent?

Any advice on how to get from this situation to a situation where I have good quality, well-fitting, flattering clothing for every occasion… is very welcome. I’m completely overwhelmed.

Had you thought about trying the John Lewis (or other stores) personal Shopper/stylist? Having just had a quick peak online, JL offer the service virtually via video so they can go through your existing wardrobe too. Anyway, good luck and hope you get some great ideas on MN.

I’d get your colours done as a first step. I think House of Colour have a slightly better reputation than colour me beautiful, but either are probably fine.
Then you can sort your wardrobe out and everything will at least go colour-wise.

I'd agree with getting your colours done. Then you can easily get rid of clothes that aren't right for you. I found that it simplified the sorting out process. But before that can you do a quick sort of anything that's not right and get to a charity shop asap.

Definitely don't get anything new til you've purged your current wardrobe. Once you can see what's left it's easier to fill the gaps.

Hello, I’m somewhat similar and have had partial success in the last couple of years with this.

To start with I did a massive clear out. It sounds obvious but it really helped focus on what I actually like and wear. And just made mental and physical space for new.

then I had a realistic think about how likely I am ever to be an 8/10 again. Nope never. And threw out some more stuff (charity, not bin!)

Then I bought a couple of new basics - modern, well cut, flattering and good quality black jeans/work trousers, coat. So the bones are there.

Then I identified my favourite brands (for me Cos, Toast, AllSaints, Whistles) and I searched and clicked and liked some of their stuff on Instagram, and lo and behold by the magic of the mighty algorithm, Insta now suggests new brands and styles that I like. I hardly buy anything but I get ideas and inspiration. I also got a bit bolder with colour! (Heavenly orange skirt/patterned blue quilted jacket - although not together)

I think you will need to decide between online or in person - if you want new clothes you will actually have to buy new clothes! 🙂

I'd start with a ruthless sort out of wardrobe. What basics / classic items do you have? Try everything on - do you still like it, does it go with at least one or two other things? Charity shop or vinted anything you're not going realistically going to wear again.

Are you on Instagram? Lots of stylists on there to get some inspiration for new looks. I find Stylebyclairelopez and doesnybumlook40 quite helpful, but there are many more. They might give you some ideas to reinvent some of the items you already have with different accessories, outerwear, style of top etc.

Steel yourself and go shopping! Make yourself go into shops that you don't normally go to or try things on that you wouldn't normally - you might be pleasantly surprised. Don't think you can fix it all in one trip. Have you got a trusted friend that you can take with you, or send pictures from the changing room from? I do that a lot when I'm not sure.

I lost my clothes mojo for ages - I put on a lot of baby weight and got into the habit of picking things because they fitted or 'would do'. Over the last couple of years I've tried to change that, firstly by losing weight and secondly by only buying things I genuinely like, need or think suit me. I used to love shopping when I was younger, less so now because I don't think the quality and range is there that used to be, but from what you've said, on the high stree, Mint Velvet, Massimo Dutti, Reiss, All Saints, Zara, Baukjen and Mango all might be worth a look.

I hope that's helpful. It's all advice that I came across and found useful when I was in a rut! I'm slowly building a good mix of work and casual clothes that I actually like wearing again.

Following as in the same boat!

I would genuinely pay for a style consultant. Your time is worth a lot, and tbh I would feel that I don't want constant Instagram updates about clothes or to spend much time in shops. I'm vaguely interested in having my colours done but I think having someone tackle my wardrobe and advise from the bottom up would be brilliant.

This is a very personal thing but I found getting into decent underwear changed things for me. Having bras, knickers, stocking and even socks that fitted, were comfortable and also sexy and beautiful did a lot for me.

I'm similar, feel like I've totally lost my way. I've started Pinterest board and saved outfits I like, when doing this I've noticed a definite theme, so I'm starting to just pick my way through what I need to re-create those looks...I like a casual preppy look I suppose, loafers, Jean's, striped shirt, converse, mac, all in fairly neutral colours so I'm starting there. I'm using Vinted a lot, so for e.g. I wanted a nice mac, so saved loads and kept going back to my Pinterest boards to check they "fit" with how I want to look. I'm going to work on this, then do the same for Summer wardrobe, really helps me focus and not get way laid/confused in the shops.

following with great interest!

feel like I’ve lost my way with what suits me these days and having big clear out this very day!

This is very helpful, thank you everyone so far. I think I need to bite the bullet and invest in getting my colours done because I just don’t know where to begin, and hence reverting to black. As a paleish blonde, I suspect it doesn’t do me any favours.

Part of my issue is that the look I like doesn’t fit my lifestyle, so I need to fundamentally accept the fact that I’m a mum of two in my thirties and not skinny thing hanging out by beaches and bars in glamorous exotic locations. And that the UK is cold!

Completely agree re underwear and socks, pjs etc so maybe that’s a quick and easy win. It’s the main part of the wardrobe that I struggle with.

I sorted out my wardrobe last year and it has been liberating and such a success. I followed a method I read about called something like the 333 system(?)
Basically what I did was decide which colours suited me best and stick to them.
The system allows you to have 33 items in your wardrobe, including accessories, which are changed every three months, with the seasons. I had most of the basics but bought a few bits every season last year which will come out of storage this year.
My colours are black, ochre, olive/sage green and navy.
So for instance, my winter wardrobe (which will be amended at the end of this month) is:

1. Black wool coat
2. Olive green parka (with fleece lining which is, removed for summer)
3. Long black cardugan
4. Biker boots
5. Docs
6. Converse shoes
7. Big black shoulder bag
8. Small black bag
9. Black work trousers

10. Black jeans 11. Indigo jeans 12. Black leggings 13. Seasalt dress 14. White t shirt 15. Black t 16. Black t 17. Ochre t 18. Navy t 19. Black cardi 20. Grey cardi 21. Navy cardi 22. Long black cardi 23. Black polo 24. Ochre v neck 25. Blue tunic jumpet 26. Leopard jumper 27. Blue smock blouse 28. Long green blouse 29. Ochre Black oversized jumper 30. Black velvet scarf 31. Olive green/black scarf 32. Animal print velvet scarf 32. Tan ballet flats.

At the end of this month I will swap some of the heavier stuff out for more seasonal things. So I will probably get rid of a jumper and a scarf and replace them with another couple of t-shirts that I already have.
This system works brilliantly for me because it means I don't buy anything on impulse, ever, as I would have to get rid of something under thev333 rule. It also means that when I do need to buy something, the colour palette I have makes narrowing the choices down so much easier.
Caveat: I am not a shopper so clothes shopping is a chore to me. I can see this might not be appealing if you enjoy fashion!

Yeah, have heard of the 333 method. I definitely think I need to swap in / out for seasons as almost all my wardrobe space in taken up with summer dresses currently and my drawers are full of jumpers that don’t get any use for several months of the year…

I have a fabric box in the bottom of my wardrobe with all my out of season stuff in

You need to think about dressing for the lifestyle you have and how pieces can be used for several outfits.
In your shoes, I would get a couple of tops like this one
www.baukjen.com/products/agatha-organic-cotton-top-pure-white
It would work with a smart blazer, and with a crew neck jumper for the weekend.
A couple of these ones: www.baukjen.com/products/juliette-top-with-lenzing-ecovero-caviar-black

At home I would pair them with jeans etc, at work with tailored trousers and skirts.

My go to are white shirts. They work both with jeans and tailored trousers. Time consuming to iron though, I don’t have small children and I find ironing therapeutic 😂

I read 333 and thought three hundred and thirty three I could do that! I have tried turning the hangers the other way once you wear something.Its helpful as I then try and wear what hasn't been worn but often find I am not feeling that item so it is obvious it can be given away. Can you recall any colours that friends say you look nice in? Like when you wear a navy suit compared to black? I think you could with a bunch of friends DIY your colours however I still found having my done really useful even though I had a fairly good idea what suited me.

Thanks, I’m browsing Baukjen now- this is probably more me (www.baukjen.com/products/lula-top-with-lenzing-ecovero-dark-cherry), a little bit sexier (for a given, societally-imposed definition of “sexy”…) and not black. Although I really love black :(

But yeah, I don’t want to jump into buying things without much thought- think I need to sit down with some paper and get a realistic list for my lifestyle.

I'd wear that to work with some wide leg trousers and pointy boots now then ankle grazers and loafers when the weather gets a bit milder OP. But yes, sort the wardrobe out first to see where your gaps are!

For work (I'm in the office 3 days a week) I like to have two dresses, two pairs of trousers (different style) and four tops which ideally go with either pair of trousers. That way I go a couple of weeks without wearing the same outfit. That's maybe more than I need, but because I'm only in the office part of the week I don't want to look like I'm wearing the same thing all the time. Also, now I'm concentrating on finding things I really like, I want them to last as long as possible, so the less I wear/wash them, the longer I'll have them.

Yes, similar, I’m in 3 days a week usually. My office is freezing though so I’ve ended up with a very woolly M&S cardigan that I wear over everything… not ideal. But if I’m already wearing a thermal, a blouse and a suit jacket, and tights under my trousers, I’m not sure what else to do!

I wouldn't bother with a colour consultation. Most people instinctively know what colours work best for them, and so long as your neutrals are okay it doesn't matter that much anyway. So if you want to avoid black, decide if navy, grey or beige/brown/tan/camel work best for you as a base and then build up from there.

Maybe start with some wide legged trousers, some slimmer trousers, a jersey dress and a jacket in your neutral. Perhaps then add a bit of leopard print or a couple of other colours in tops.

I actually think the Style days that House of Colour do might be more useful than the colours. I've not done either but I think we all have very specific body proportions/measurements which we don't necessarily notice. Knowing your Style personality helps you see why some items, ostensibly very similar, work and others don't.

I think it's hard to sort out your wardrobe once and for all as trends change even subtly and lifestyles change as well. We tend to crave newness at some point.

I spend more time at home then I did pre Covid and that's made me want more loungewear/casual stuff than I ever used to.

I would Google for a personal stylist in your area and arrange for them to come to your house in the morning and sort out your wardrobe for you and then go shopping with you in the afternoon to fill in the gaps to create the wardrobe you need for your lifestyle. I did this a few years back when starting a new job and it worked really well.

I bang on about this regularly, but I think this group of posts by MLC are really useful for the thought process, even if you don't match with the style. All about working out what works for the life you actually have, rather than the life you want/used to have/think you have LOL.

Mind you, I need to get busy on them myself ...

I'm about to only go in the office 1 day a week so am going to have a big clear out and put away my smarter stuff.

I wouldn’t get your colours done, who cares if your skin looks more glowy in apple green or lemon yellow, you’re not going to start wearing those colours because the clothes will be ugly.

instead spend the time with a stylist, preferably one that comes to your house and really holds you to account on your current wardrobe.

don’t over buy, concentrate on starting with one or two great outfits and go from there

Where are you based OP? There's a stylist company based at Westfield in London which can come to your home and sort through your wardrobe and then take you shopping. Apparently they're amazing and I've long coveted!