Do you plan your wardrobe?

[BatshitCrazyWoman]

By plan, I mean decide on a colour palette to concentrate on for the upcoming season, and then buy things in those colours that work with each other and with existing items in your wardrobe? If you do, do you buy everything at the beginning of the season?

The reason I ask is because a recent wardrobe declutter meant I got rid of a few unworn spring/summer things (from a couple of years ago) that needed particular tops/bottoms to go with them, that I didn't have and never managed to find/buy. I don't want to keep doing this (although I'm happy that charity has some nice clothes to sell!) as I get bored with looking for the bits I need and give up, and I never feel like I have enough coordinating clothes to make different outfits, or to pack for a long weekend.

I'm not really talking specifics here (like the 'what are you buying for autumn' type threads), just more generally asking for your planning advice!

I love autumn/winter and could buy ALL the clothes in lovely autumn colours, but I know I'll end up with wardrobe orphans unless I am more strategic! But how??

Yes!
I have used an app called Stylebook iirc to collate my wardrobe.
I record everything I buy and photograph or add images to the app so I can put together outfits.
I can then combine these outfits for packing lists.

I have a set colour palette whatever the season
Black, navy, white, charcoal.
Teal, hot pink, royal blue, red, purple.

Some colours are harder to find like watermelon or coral pink so when they are in fashion, I buy.
I also like leopard print for interest.

I dress mainly in block colours and avoid patterns.
Doing this has enabled me to create a wardrobe which works wel for me and saves money.
Here's an example of outfit planning.

Thanks @GrimDamnFanjo . I have an Android phone, so the Stylebook app isn't available, I don't think. That's quite a project, if you photographed everything you own! But I can see it's useful once you've done it

How did you decide on your colours? Do you concentrate more on some of them in any particular season, so you make a sort of 'capsule'? I'm a fellow non-print wearing leopard lover 😁 If I think 'oooh but I quite like this print whatever' that thing would end up unworn and in the charity bag, I have learned that lesson!

And then of course there's shoes and accessories - I never feel like I have all the elements for an outfit. Sigh

I don't buy lots of things each season but I do tend to buy things in my Autumn colours so they mix and match and I also buy separates that interchange with each other. I wear jeans a lot and they tend to go with lots of tops and shirts. I only wear brown, gold, white or beige shoes so that helps too.

I do think it's easy to overlook basic pieces which actually complete an outfit. Last year I spent £30 on a high neck vest for layering which I thought was a bit extravagant as you'd barely see it but it's been worth it to add that extra element, same goes for basic tshirts. I see them more as a base now from which to build an outfit than a major part of the outfit.

I used the Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees to help me to focus on what suited me and identity the gaps in my wardrobe. I'll need to revisit it soon for autumn/winter.

I have this book, although I must admit I haven't properly implemented any of it. Hence this thread!

@TheOGCCL you are so right about really basic items - I had a rootle about it my wardrobe a few weeks ago and found a soft white t-shirt (I've had my colours done, I'm soft light and warm) and that thing is so bloody useful, I made a lot more outfits using it. Was boring to buy though. And yes, it wasn't cheap, but worth it.

This is giving me a lot more food for thought, thanks all!

No. I can tell by looking at my wardrobe I like pattern and colour though! I wfh so wear jeans most of the time! I'm going out tonight and still have no idea what I'll wear!!

No, never.

I shop ad-hoc throughout the year whenever I need something or (very occasionally) something randomly takes my fancy when I’m shopping for other things.

I don’t buy a new wardrobe for the season every season, or anything like that.

My ad hoc approach meant loads of things that don't work with everything else. I'm pleased it works for you, but I need to get away from it.

I also don't buy a completely new wardrobe each season 😁 I have however now come through a few years of being unable to afford to buy anything much, so I have had to retire quite a lot of worn out, scruffy clothes I kept far too long, so I'm probably needing to buy more than I usually would.

@GrimDamnFanjo I use stylebook too. I love it.

No, I don't plan it, but I've always only ever bought (even when a teen) black, navy, cream, white, and then some royal blue, forest green and burgundy clothes. And I never, ever buy prints beyond stripes, graphic or colour-block.

It's just what I like and am drawn to, so my wardrobe is coherent. It all works well together, I did the maths and I think there was something ridiculous like 5 billion outfits I can make from my relatively small wardrobe because;

1. Everything works together.

2. I have ample shoes and coats that work.

3. Accessories!

I really don't ever wear the same outfit, but I don't have mad amounts of clothes, they just all work really well together and I spend a great deal of time thinking about outfits I'd like to make and then think about the 'missing link', be it a belt, or socks or the right vest top.

I read sometimes on here about people having 50 or more dresses and that just seems uncontrollable. I have fewer than 20 and that runs the gamut from cocktail/ball/casual/wedding suitable/Greek Island holiday etc etc. But they are all perfect for what they need to do.

That's not to say I'm moribund or there's no wardrobe-churn, there absolutely is, but I love having an 'anywhere-ready' wardrobe that can be utilised at a moment's notice.

I was bought the curated closet book as a present, I assume because the person who bought it for me knows I like clothes. I read two chapters and thought 'I know all this!'. It's probably a good book if you're unsure about what direction you want to take and how to build a wardrobe.

I bloody love my wardrobe. I don't need help!

I follow a few pages on Instagram who share links to entire outfits. I buy them now instead of buying individual pieces. Some items I may already have. I’ll refresh my ‘classic items’ when needed these are
White t shirts
Denim jacket
Leather jacket
Trench coat
Long jeans
Cropped jeans
Racer back vests
White shirt
Smart black cross body bag
Smart trainers eg Veja
Black boots
Black Birkenstocks
Brown/Tan sandals

I want to be you @Galiana !

I definitely want less stuff, more streamlined, that appeals to me. I'm pretty minimal.

See these lists don't work for me. I don't wear shirts (hate collars), trench coats (all those buttons 😱), Birkenstocks fall off my feet, don't like denim jackets and never wear trainers unless I'm working out. I think they are probably meant for people with a very different 'style' to me ...

The idea is to have a capsule wardrobe of the pieces YOU wear repeatedly.

Me too @BatshitCrazyWoman!

I like it calm and easy.

But also fucking brilliant!

Tips?

I don't look on Insta or any socials for clothes or ideas. I'm too old for it to have been a thing.

I do think Pinterest is an excellent resource if you need to get an idea of who you actually are and where you're going. I think it allows one to drill down on what they actually like and are drawn to. It's a great tool.

But it's only a tool!

I would say, have a conversation with yourself about who you are, what (if anything) you want your clothes to say.

Are you more interested in having a wardrobe that works for your life, are you interested in fashion, how much do you really want your wardrobe to say?

That is a conversation that's necessary if you really are interested in getting to grips with your wardrobe

Why?

And it's absolutely bloody fine if the answer to that is,

'I want a decent selection of flattering clothes that I feel happy in'.

Brilliant.

My wardrobe is the answer to the question, 'I want to look extraordinary, better, I want to feel fabulous, I want to play with looks, I don't mind standing out'

That was my question.

I don't buy orphans.

I only buy stuff that goes with what I've already got.

If there's an orphan I really really want then I order it online and have three weeks or so to make it work or it goes back.

I don't do it often though. I can't have a wardrobe full of things that don't all mix well with each other.

And I'm not the sort of person who has shoes and bags in all the colours of the rainbow.

If I buy a print top it must include colours I have plain bottoms in.

If I buy a print bottom it must include colours that I have plain tops in.

Work shirts must go with at least navy or black, preferably both.

I had my colours done so now I know what suits me (I'm a deep autumn) and try to buy mainly those colours. A lot of them seem to go together really well, too.

@BatshitCrazyWoman, this is why lists don't work!

You need to ask the questions.

About you!

I'm super-cynical about 'getting your colours done'.

It might be useful. I guess it's just aesthetic training. One needs to get one's eye in. All muscles become better with training.

I dunno. I've never seen a woman who 'does colours' or indeed any Insta bollox who looks great.

Much better to train yourself. Look around, and keep looking. Use various resources. Just look at what pleases you. What pleases your eye.

You won't go far wrong.

I think you should try to work through the book. @Galiana's questions are pretty much the questions in the book. I love colour and pattern but have reined it in a bit to give myself more flexibility.

No I don’t but I do mainly
wear dresses as I’m rubbish at coordinating clothes and hate making decisions in the morning!
And things I buy are all either navy, black, grey or green (like forest green or sagey) so it’s a sort of self imposed uniform - makes dressing really simple if you’re just choosing one thing and all your shoes/coats etc just go with it without much thought.
Not interested in having my colours done, I like what I like and even if someone said something would look more complimentary on me I’d ask who for - I can’t see myself, it’s only other people who can see me 😂😂

My ad hoc approach meant loads of things that don't work with everything else. I'm pleased it works for you, but I need to get away from it.

So I never buy something unless I have something to wear with it. Too many times I've bought a skirt that I needed a certain top for & then never worn the skirt. Find the matching piece or don't buy.
Most of the things in my wardrobe have to be practical as in comfortable for me to wear, feel they suit me etc otherwise I won't wear them.
I agree that basics are really important & they often are the boring bits to buy. It something feels pointless to spend lots of money on a black jumper as opposed to a beautiful silk dress but the jumper will be worn far more often.

I don't really change my colour palette that much & I don't buy a colour that's in fashion if it doesn't suit me. I tend to shop for a few things at the beginning of the season but top up as & when I need/see something I like

Coats & jackets are often overlooked. I have about 5 different black smart jackets because you need different fits, lengths depending upon what's underneath. You can also be bolder with coats

See these lists don't work for me. I don't wear shirts (hate collars), trench coats (all those buttons 😱), Birkenstocks fall off my feet, don't like denim jackets and never wear trainers unless I'm working out. I think they are probably meant for people with a very different 'style' to me ...

What is your style? It's not bad to not buy unto the above.