Help!! How do I "shop my wardrobe"?

MadameSzyszkoBohusz · 2023-04-15T16:07:09+00:00

I have sooooooooo many clothes and am always staring into my over-stuffed wardrobe wondering WTF to wear. At 44 I still haven't worked out what "my style" even is, and the mismatch of stuff I own reflects that. Buying more stuff is not the answer, but I'm at a loss as to how to put together workable outfits out of this chaos. Does anyone have any tips? I don't think a traditional "capsule wardrobe" would work for me, I don't like to be too smart and I prefer colour to neutrals.

Wishona · 15/04/2023 17:13

Would organising your wardrobe by type and colour be a start?

biedrona · 15/04/2023 17:15

I'm in the same boat (ok, my wardrobe is not bursting). I'm doing an audit with the help of the curated closet book by Anuschka Rees.

Magnificentbeast · 15/04/2023 17:18

Sounds like me. No help but will follow...

Katrinawaves · 15/04/2023 17:18

I find thinning the wardrobe out helps enormously!

Could you go through and pack all your winter/autumn clothes away in a suitcase and stick that in the loft or under your bed.

If you still have too many clothes to see wood from the trees, then pack away any duplicates. So you only need one pair of black trousers, one pair of jeans, etc. You can keep the duplicates in your out of season suitcase and swop things around if you get bored.

Hopefully once you have done this, you will be better able to see what outfits you can make from what’s left and what accessories and shoes will go with those outfits.

AgnesGray · 15/04/2023 17:19

I watch Alyssa Beltempo's shop my wardrobe videos. I love them but I have to admit, she would look amazing in an old sack, plus her wardrobe is pretty gorgeous and fits her perfectly.

I'd probably start with a declutter to get to the point where you like everything in your wardrobe and only have things which fit and suit your lifestyle. If (like me) you can't part with beautiful clothes even if they don't fit your body or life, you can put them away in the loft. I do that and then I can either pass them on or wear them again if and when the time comes.

stealthninjamum · 15/04/2023 17:24

I wouldn’t work out what your style is but I would work out what colours and shapes suit you.

I had my colours done a few years ago and could instantly chuck half my wardrobe out and create lots of looks knowing the colours match. I think there are apps where you can analyse your colours. It’s largely done by looking at your skin tone.

I also downloaded a free app that analysed my shape and told me what suited me - things like v necks because I have large boobs.

So now I know what suits me I’m probably a bit formulaic but I am fairly well put together without too much effort.

StraightHairDonCare · 15/04/2023 17:35

Look at what you wear most of the time and then assess why. Is it because it fits you better? flattering or hiding certain areas? fits your daily life activities?
Then find what else from your wardrobe could go with your favourite items to create a new outfit.
Look at the items you hardly or even never have worn. Why? Be realistic with yourself and try to understand why you bought certain items. Was it realistic for your life and shape or was it for your 'fantasy' self? Was it an impulse buy?

Then make piles of things you'd like to keep, things to donate, things to bin, thing to store for later and put them in a section of your wardrobe that you don't open everyday or even better out of sight.

YukoandHiro · 15/04/2023 17:36

40 and in absolutely the same boat. Feel totally at sea with my style now, despite being quite sure of myself in my mid 20s.

EntreMummy · 15/04/2023 17:37

Definitely echo PP and first step is to do a “Marie Kondo” esque proper clear out of your wardrobe

this involves getting everything out by sections - so e.g. start with getting all trousers out and go through, followed by tops, followed by dresses etc

with each section - you want to get really honest with yourself and decide

Do I love it?
do I wear it?
does it fit me?

anything that doesn’t tick at least one of these, has to go.

anything that comes out, Vinted is your friend. It’s brilliant for easily selling good stuff - or Charity shop if past its best.

then - divide your wardrobe by seasons. Put away autumn / winter and have spring / summer accessible.

Go through and start putting together outfits from what you have that you would realistically wear.
but e.g. have lots of “options” so a jacket that could go with dress / trousers / skirt etc.

Cyclingmummy1 · 15/04/2023 17:45

Would definitely second the recommendation for the Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees.

Original poster

MadameSzyszkoBohusz · 15/04/2023 18:30

StraightHairDonCare · 15/04/2023 17:35

Look at what you wear most of the time and then assess why. Is it because it fits you better? flattering or hiding certain areas? fits your daily life activities?
Then find what else from your wardrobe could go with your favourite items to create a new outfit.
Look at the items you hardly or even never have worn. Why? Be realistic with yourself and try to understand why you bought certain items. Was it realistic for your life and shape or was it for your 'fantasy' self? Was it an impulse buy?

Then make piles of things you'd like to keep, things to donate, things to bin, thing to store for later and put them in a section of your wardrobe that you don't open everyday or even better out of sight.

Oh god, I so hear you about not being able to let go of beautiful clothes! I have a clothes rack in the wardrobe full of old, designer clothes that I bought pre-kids when I had the income for such things, and now I can't part with them, because they're lovely and were so expensive - even though they're out of date and don't fit.

I love the idea of a wardrobe full of clothes I love. Part of my problem is that I don't wear the clothes I love, because I'm worried about getting them stained or damaged. So I wear clothes I don't care about and don't much like. I do realise that's insane....

OP posts:

Original poster

MadameSzyszkoBohusz · 15/04/2023 18:32

I've quoted the wrong person, that was supposed to be to @AgnesGray. Although I appreciate @StraightHairDonCare's excellent advice too!!

OP posts:

Flockameanie · 15/04/2023 20:37

Another one recommend The Curated Closet book. I’m working through it now, after having a humongous wardrobe clear-out, ditching everything I haven’t worn recently or that is a bit sad or doesn’t make me feel good. I got rid of about 50% of my clothes and it was so cathartic. Sold most on Vinted and am trying not to spend it all right away but instead take some time figuring out ‘my style’

Modang · 15/04/2023 20:44

I struggle with this. My issue seems to be that I purchase individual items that I like without thinking about what I will wear them with. This has lead to me having many individual bits but not many actual outfits that work together.

My plan going forward is to 1) Only purchase an item if I know what I can wear it with in my wardrobe, and 2) If I have nothing to wear it with, only purchase it if I also can afford to buy something to make an outfit out of it!

TheOGCCL · 15/04/2023 20:49

I think you can still do a capsule wardrobe with colour and not too smart. Sounds a bit like me and I basically wear a uniform of trousers/jeans, top and some kind of cover up (shirt/cardigan/jumper/blazer) every day. I vary this up according to the weather and have different footwear. I can always find a new permutation even if I just change my belt. I am Autumn so only have colours in that palette. As shapes change I incorporate those so am tucking in more at the moment.

I would end up in a right mess if I had to juggle skirts and dresses and dungarees and other 'looks'.

Deathraystare · 16/04/2023 18:37

I find the problem is, in UK, you can't guarantee that you won't need your big heavy coat in the summer!!! Otherwise I would bag non seasonal stuff away!

Original poster

MadameSzyszkoBohusz · 16/04/2023 21:16

Right, so I've been thinking about this today, and I've realised that while I may not have narrowed down a style, I do definitely know the fabrics and colours I like.

I like cashmere, velvet and soft corduroy in winter. Linen and cotton in summer. Silk any time. I wear denim because it's easy but find it too hard/rough.

Colour-wise, I suit all shades of blue and most shades of green. Softer pinks and corals. White and cream in summer when I have a tan. I don't think I suit black very much, but wear it a lot, especially in winter, as it's easy.

I wear dresses a lot in summer and hardly at all in winter (I hate tights). I rarely wear skirts. I have great legs, but prefer long skirts/dresses, and wide-legged trousers.

I should be able to pull a cohesive look together using this as a starting point, right?

OP posts:

lindyloo57 · 17/09/2023 19:57

@MadameSzyszkoBohusz I'm like that, I have a beautiful midi animal print dress from mint velvet which I love, but only wear it when out for special meals like birthdays, a sequin short jacket again only special times, a few more lovely things that hardly get worn.

stardust777 · 17/09/2023 20:36

I came across this capsule wardrobe post ages ago which might be worth a look:

https://emilylightly.com/2018/04/basic-year-round-capsule-wardrobe/

If I were you, I'd declutter - culling things that don't suit you (charity shop or Vinted/ebay) or are in bad shape. If you have clothes that you like but don't fit quite right, it might be worth getting these altered.

Next, decide which things you'd like to keep by category. Finally, work out which pieces are missing and look to your preferred brands to fill in any gaps.

A few years ago I used the free John Lewis personal styling service. I didn't come away with much but it useful to learn which silhouettes suited me body shape.

Good luck OP!

MargotBamborough · 17/09/2023 20:51

I actually would have a go at doing a capsule wardrobe. I know most of the ones you see online tend to be all boring neutrals but that doesn't mean you can't apply the same principle to a wardrobe which is actually more you.

I would do a modified version of Project 333, where you wear only 33 items of clothing for three months.

The way I would do it is to go through all your clothes and try them on, selecting the ones which fit you and are appropriate for October, November and December. See how many things you have. If it's more than 50 or so then try to cut it down to a smaller number of things which can be mixed and matched. So maybe discard items which don't go with anything else in favour of say a top which could be worn with jeans, tailored trousers or a skirt and look different each time. Once you've selected your clothes, put everything away in vacuum bags and don't open them until January. And see how you get on.

Britpopbaby · 17/09/2023 21:13

what I like to do is choose an item that I want to wear and then look for ideas on Pinterest that I like and think I can recreate in my own way.

noodlezoodle · 17/09/2023 22:02

MadameSzyszkoBohusz · 16/04/2023 21:16

Right, so I've been thinking about this today, and I've realised that while I may not have narrowed down a style, I do definitely know the fabrics and colours I like.

I like cashmere, velvet and soft corduroy in winter. Linen and cotton in summer. Silk any time. I wear denim because it's easy but find it too hard/rough.

Colour-wise, I suit all shades of blue and most shades of green. Softer pinks and corals. White and cream in summer when I have a tan. I don't think I suit black very much, but wear it a lot, especially in winter, as it's easy.

I wear dresses a lot in summer and hardly at all in winter (I hate tights). I rarely wear skirts. I have great legs, but prefer long skirts/dresses, and wide-legged trousers.

I should be able to pull a cohesive look together using this as a starting point, right?

Definitely! If you don't already, start a pinterest board and every time you see a photo you like, pin it. Not only will this help you narrow down what you like, but pinterest will show you similar pins.

I've done this to create a few clothes 'formulas' so that if I'm not sure what to wear I have some go-tos - for example jeans, a plain shirt and a fancy jacket or shoes, or a midi skirt and a slouchy jumper.