You’ve been given £3k to buy a new wardrobe

[PersonaNonGarter]

A lightening strike hit your wardrobe destroying all of it. Fortunately, all your gym kit and every item of underwear was in the washing machine. Your wet weather coat and wellies were also safe. You don’t need a handbag.

Your insurance company has paid out: £3k. Where do you start and how do you allocate your budget?

I’d need a work capsule wardrobe - a 2 or 3 Hobbs blazers one navy one another colour. Then some dresses that match one of the blazer.

For home clothes, I’m very boring, jeans hoodies and t-shirts but it would be fun to build it up.

great thread.

I'd prefer just 2 pairs of knickers in the washing machine as it would be nice to start afresh!

What about shoes? Or were they safely ensconced on the shoe rack downstairs?

I'd start with some good pairs of jeans, one pair of each type of shoe (trainers, boots etc) then 5 good quality t-shirts, a handful of blouses and some nice jumpers and a couple of hoodies.

Then I'd go for some comfy, layabout clothes.

Then probably a couple of pairs of generic work trousers and a nice trouser suit.

Then see what's left

I'd buy two pairs of jeans, five long sleeve tops, two wool jumpers and two pairs of pyjamas tonight then summer clothes as I needed them.

Can I keep the change?
I’d need three pairs of jeans, three t shirts and three hoodies.
I’m in the wrong place aren't I?

If I needed shoes then a pair of black leather ankle boots and a pair of white trainers

I was thinking the same, £3k is way too much for my needs

I have this situation and I hate it. I need a whole new wardrobe after losing weight and I cannot think what I like/what suits me/how to dress for WFH, working in the office, school run etc. Its just depressing.

Hmmm... to start again

Everyday and casual work:
3 jeans in different washes/styles
1 cargo/khaki
1 black or grey jean or corduroy
5 each short sleeve, sleeveless and long sleeve t
5 jumpers
3 cardigans

For going out:
about 4 dresses, casual to basic wear-everywear
navy or grey dress slacks
3 nice blouses
2 blazer/jackets

Don't forget vacation and summertime!
3 shorts, denim, white and khaki
2 skirts, denim and something fancier
3 or 4 sleeveless dresses

And of course shoes/accessories to go with everything. That's 35 pieces of clothing. If I save 750 pounds for shoes/accessories, that leaves 64 pounds average for each item. By skimping on t-shirts, shorts and summer dresses, I think that's reasonable.

My idea of heaven

1 pair black skinny jeans
1 pair blue skinny jeans
1 pair pale blue boyfriend jeans
1 white shirt. Loose fit
1 blue satin shirt
1 black blazer
1 blue blazer
1 green blazer
1 black cashmere polo jumper
1 pair white trainers
1 pair black chunky boots
6 scarves in different colours

In my head I'm a parisian. Reality is I can't close the wardrobe door as it's stuffed with a million random crazy coloured purchases I'll never wear but I can dream.

I did my math wrong... that's 45 pieces of clothing. I would really have to skimp on some items, or spend less on shoes/accessories!

Fun challenge.

Can I spend 1.5k on one dress? I have no idea what but I'd love just once to buy an incredible evening dress.

With the rest, I'd get a pair of jeans, couple of other pairs of trousers (maybe cords or dungarees) denim jacket, biker jacket*, a few basic tops and a couple of jumpers.

Then I'd go to joanie clothing and buy various dresses and jumpsuits.

Pair of Grensons: £200 (sale)
Pair of Birkenstocks: £60
Pair of trainers: £60
2 x cashmere jumpers: £500
Nice coat: £250
4 x Heatech tops: £100
4 x cotton blouses: £200
2 x cord trousers: £200
3 x cotton dresses: £300
1 x light down jacket: £60
1 x cashmere scarf: £100
1 x wooly hat: £20
That brings me up to 2k.
I'm also going to need:
Swimsuit
Pair of shorts
A light summery jacket
A couple of nice scarves
4 x nighties/PJs
Some tracksuit bottoms/sweatshirt for relaxing at home.

This actually happened to me many years ago in the 1980's, my winter clothes got stolen and I claimed on insurance. I think I got £1600 to spend. I had so much fun starting from scratch.
I remember I bought a red Burberry trench coat which I still have. Also some fancy flat Ferragamo pumps.

Definitely Quality over quantity.
Not sure what I'd buy today - no need for fancy London type clothes nowadays.

I'd buy a few pairs of M&S jeans - they fit me well. Some top quality country boots for best and a cheaper but still good pair for everyday. A decent size well designed leather handbag in a classic style that can be repaired if necessary and will last.
Aigle neoprene lined wellies. Various warm waterproof jackets and gilets.

A couple of pairs of smart trousers and a selection of tops/shirts/jumpers
A good coat
Leather ankle boots with a small heel.

Love these replies!

@BruceAndNosh shoes zapped and in need of replacement - where to start?

@ScottishBeth you can 1000% have a £1.5k dress (although the rules dictate that you must provide a link to said expenditure for all to enjoy )

@mdinbc well remembered on the cardigans - basically fashion’s most forgotten item. (Is three overkill tho?)

To all the blazer fans, are these worky-type purchases, or Parisian Insta casual type? I know work needs to come into this but work clothes are a bit boring. I think I’d spend on fun first and then use the change (if any) to do work clothes.

Wow @CrotchetyQuaver that’s awesome. What did you buy first?

Where are you lot getting your good jeans from? I need a new pair but don’t even know where to look.

I would be getting posh jeans from Frame or APC but if there were loads of money left over it would be St Laurent.

I'd start with bras. As a H cup I tend to buy Fantasie at £40 a go.

1 black 1 blue jeans - topshop £100
2x leggings - sweaty Betty £150
3 x vest tops- sweaty Betty £80
2 casual jumpers - sweaty Betty £120
1 light raincoat - protected species - £150
1 wool coat - reiss sale 😊 - £150
1 shirt - Sezane - £100
2 knits- Sezane -£200
2 smart casual tops - sezane - £200
3 work dresses - reiss - £500
3 smart casual dresses - mint velvet - £300
1 casual trainers - Nike outlet - £60
1 black combat boots - £100
1 smart loafers - £100
1 pair dressy heels - Jimmy choo - £400
1 fancy dress - reiss - £200
maxi cardigan -£50

think I’ve pretty much spent it, that was fun 🤩

I'd be buying Hiuts, free lifetime repairs

Bras
Knickers
Nighties
pjs
Slippers
leggings
tights
socks
3 60s style shift dresses
4 cardigans
4 sweaters
3 mini skirts
1 mini denim shirt
2 maxi dress
1 maxi skirt
4 gypsy/boho tops
2 Denim shorts
Band t shirts
4 pairs of jeans (2 flared)
3 body suits
3 jogging bottoms
2 checkered shirts
2 linen pants
Nike Air max
Saltwater sandals
White converse
Black converse
Biker boots
Cowboy boots
Hobo bag
Chunky belts
Bomber jacket
Shearling coat
Parka

Shops I'd use - joanie, bootbarn, modcloth, free people.

For jeans I'd recommend Everyone - lots on sale at the moment: www.everlane.com/collections/womens-sale-2/style/denim?additional_style=bottoms

I’ve just brought a pair of everyone vintage jeans. Thank you.