I want (need?) a whole new wardrobe but I don't have the money

[Boyboyboy10]

Most of my clothes are old. I want a new/different style. But everything is just so expensive.

My gym leggings have holes in them, the holes are very small and cannot be seen (and they are on the bum) but I get paranoid that the hole could get bigger and will eventually rip one day on the gym. They are SB leggings, my first and only pair and I LOVE them. They fit better than any other gym leggings ever have, but at around £70 a pair they are very pricey.

I have 1 pair of trainers which I use for the gym. I want another pair for non-gym use/a casual look, in white and which are low profile. Have seen some for around £70

I have several (old) cardigans, but my DH says they look 'old lady' type (in his words!). I'd quite like to get a jacket to wear when out, instead of the cardigans (they can be for at home!) Was thinking maybe a denim jacket, but is that too young for me ? I'm 51. Or maybe a leather jacket ?

I only have 1 black bra and 1 white bra. I need to get at least one more of each.

Also only have 1 gym bra, which I have to wash every day (I go to the gym every day). I need at least another one so I can have 1 on the go and 1 in the wash.

But how to afford all this ? or AIBU to want all this ?

Well most people work to earn money to buy stuff. Do you work? Saying that, I get my gym stuff from Primark/supermarket. Bras I spend more on as I’m not a size you can easily find on the high street. Same with clothes, I buy from H&M/Uniqlo/Primark/Simply Be. I’d never countenance spending £££ on gym stuff.

You can filter on Vinted for brand new items. Still they are much cheaper than buying from the shops even with p&p.

H and M is great for gym wear.

Also vinted for everything that you are wanting/needing.

All my gym leggings have been bought secondhand (look like new). Got a SB pair last year for less than £20 on Vinted, and have had a couple of other decent ones from charity shops for much less.

For cardigans and jackets I also use Vinted/charity shops.

I've used Brastop for discounted bras. Once you find one that fits well you can also keep an eye on Vinted/eBay for another.

Also came to say H&M do great leggings and sports bras. Sounds like you need new leggings and sports bras so prioritise that (but no you don't need £70 leggings - that is a want). And you want new trainers and a denim jacket - personally I think that could wait given the time of year but will depend where you live and on your lifestyle. I'd be making sure I had a decent pair of boots and a warm coat first, then if you had the money a pair of trainers that you like and will get the wear out of is worth £70 IMO.

As for how to afford it... I don't really understand the question. Either you have the disposable income or you don't. If you don't, you'll need to cut back elsewhere. So you might have a lovely new jacket but can't afford the nights out you were planning to wear it on!

Ok well I’m slightly interested in how you have ended up with so few items of clothing but yet Sweaty Betty leggings? Have you had a big cull of your wardrobe or have you never really had clothes?

re the leggings you can probably sew the hole for now to stop it getting any bigger. I also agree with the H&M recommendation for sportswear. I have liked their sports bras and long line cycle shorts a lot. I also have M&S Goodmove leggings which have been good. Fleece lined I got from Decathalon.

As for the rest of the clothes I think you need to take proper stock of everything you have and the direction you want to go in. Have a look at Pinterest for images. Just throw some random phrases like casual winter outfits or whatever and see what comes up. Don’t start buying until you’ve got a plan. ( maybe check out the thread about the book Curated Closet ). Do you think some new knickers and bras would be a good start?

Then hit Vinted and EBay or charity shops if you have some good ones nearby. Don’t forget to look in the men’s section for knitwear and maybe jackets. I picked up a vintage men’s wrangler denim jacket and a variety of cashmere sweaters in the men’s section ( but note I have more than 2 bras)

Here’s someone’s idea of a winter capsule wardrobe and the ways it’s works. It’s not my recommendation but just a flavour of information you can find on Pinterest that might guide you.

Definitely have a look on vinted. You can probably find the same leggings. And lots of other items.

A denim jacket would be nice but cold? Mine doesn’t keep me very warm especially in winter. Marks and spencer have some nice gym leggings etc I don’t like primark so no idea if they do. Could you choose the most wanted item and pick one per month? Am sure SB are having a sale just now you could have a look. Look for online discounts I rarely buy anything without one, fb selling pages too there are loads of sweaty Betty ones. Vinted etc good luck op

Get looking in charity shops too. 95% of my clothes are second hand.

I eBay trainers! Got a pair of (real ones) adidas gazelles for £17

M and S leggings are very good.
I have been recommended Sainsburys bras. I am only a B cup though so not sure if they will work for you.
I think denim jackets work for everyone at any age.
My DS gets everything on Vinted.

MandM have great bargains in sportswear, runners and ordinary clothes too.

I'm not entirely sure of what this thread aims to do? Are you asking for recommendations for items of clothing (style, brand etc?) or asking if it's reasonable to buy new ones? It almost sounds like this was intended for AIBU section. I guess we all prioritise what we want/need and go from there. I don't think it is unreasonable to want new clothes/underwear etc.

I missed the AIBU bit. Of course, you are not unreasonable to want more bras or leggings. However, if I were on a tiny budget, I wouldn;t bother with Sweaty Betty. I think there is perfectly good quality to be found in M and S or even Decathlon, as long as you are not running in the Olympics!

TK Maxx online stick SB at around quarter of the price. Plus other great leisure and sportswear.

They refresh their stock over night so check early morning.

Curious as to your current shopping habits though - are you a minimalist, super frugal or just skint?

I've just seen a 10k bundle of ladies clothes all same size buy now £40 including postage on ebay.

I make very poor choices in shops, always regret my purchases. And the "new" prices make me twitch.

this re poor choices and purchase regrets. I have done this a lot in the past. And yes the new prices make me twitch, a lot. I can soooo relate @woopdedoodle

My wardrobe is full of old clothes (I have 1 item which is over 20 years old), clothes that have gone bobbly from over-wear, clothes that are faded due to age, clothes that I no longer like or fit. I wear the same things year-on-year.

I need to buy new clothes. I cannot remember the last time I brought anything new (or new to me, anyhow). The issue is, that I need so many new things that the cost of this will be quite a lot. I will be buying second-hand, Vinted etc where I can, but it will still add up. I work and have money, but I also need to support DC, pay bills/mortgage etc like everyone else.

Replace or add gradually, or can you ask for shopping vouchers (or specific items) for Christmas and birthday? I get SB leggings on ebay or vinted either new or lightly worn.

I also need to support DC, pay bills/mortgage etc
Stop putting yourself at the bottom of the list.

Jules demon jackets have stretch and are soft - check eBay

Gym leggings - go to sports direct - they sell plenty of brands for low prices.

Bras M&S unless you like to spend a lot of money the 3 packs are decent quality.

Start a ‘you’ fund. If f you have kids recoup some cash and sell their old toys and clothes.

I wonder if you have an unrealistic idea of other people's wardrobes? Lots of people have items that are over 20 years old. And few people can afford to replace an entire wardrobe in one shopping trip.
Identify a few key pieces you need eg coat, gym stuff, jacket, one pair of trousers/jeans, one cardigan.
The charity shops near me aren't that good tbh but I regularly buy sale and reduced clothes online. TKMaxx is good for coats and jackets - great brands, well-made but with large discounts.
For dresses, I look out for collaborations between high street brands and designers. Ebay is good too.
House of Fraser online has some great reductions in sportswear atm.
H&M has cheap but sustainable cardigans.
Scarves are a cheap way to change-up how clothes look.
Buy out-of-season too eg autumn ranges are coming in so you'll be able to pick up summer clothes cheaper and you can layer them to make them work in all seasons.

I have had great luck buying pure wool coats- Jigsaw, Whistles, M and S- for less than £25 in charity shops. I like to try things in person rather than buying online so I make fewer expensive mistakes. Unfortunately, best discounts are often online.

I don;t replace all my clothes at once. For you, I would prioritise
Bras ( good underwear v important(
Leggings
Then a jacket ( for this maybe charity shop or Vinted).

Sell and buy on vinted - you can end up not spending any ‘new’ money that way, I do it a lot and get some amazing bargains

Sell the ones you don’t wear on Vinted, it’s really quick and easy to upload.
Keep that money in your vinted balance, and then spend it on new clothes. Then you won’t have guilt about spending extra money (not that you should anyway).

(I know I sound like a vinted ad - I promise I’m not affiliated with them - just slightly obsessed with buying my DC clothes from there at the moment).

Which leads me to another tip - save money on your DC clothes with vinted, and sell their old ones. And use that money towards your new wardrobe too.