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 ?

Vinted. You'll be able to get a whole new wardrobe for less than £100. I've just sold a whole Gymshark set for a tenner.

Go through your wardrobe and see if there's anything you don't wear that could be sold to raise money to buy other things. Ditto other clutter in your house.

Make a list of what you actually need, then buy those things as and when you can. Second hand if need be. Go to a department store and try things on, not necessarily to buy but so you know if a denim jacket etc is actually what you want.

Learn to sew so you can mend holes where sensible (I'm not sure that sewing up leggings is that smart if they're going to go in more holes anyway). Wash clothes a bit less and don't tumble dry so they last longer.

Ebay and vinted can be great if you know exactly what you're looking for and are prepared to wait for the right thing to come up at the right price. Set alerts.

Use insta for a bit of inspiration of what you want.

I have slowly updated my wardrobe over the last couple of years. Without lots of cash. Figure out what's most important and start with those. I buy one nice jacket/coat a year and have slowly built up a good selection.

The supermarkets are surprisingly good for certain things - I buy shoes from Sainsbury's fairly often. I've also bought cheap and cheerful t-shirts and tops very successfully and, in the days I worked in an office, the odd smart skirt/dress for that.

Think about what sort of clothes you want/need and go from there. I've built up a small collection of trousers/jeans - admittedly, more expensive as many are from StitchFix. I also like jumpers but find them hard to buy but have slowly built up a nice selection from more expensive cashmere to cheap and cheerful from the John Lewis Anyway range.

If it's the kind of item that will be destroyed easily - cotton t-shirts etc - I buy cheap. But I've spent a bit more on nicer tops that last longer. I've got a few from places like Mint Velvet or similar.

Well you need to make a big pile of all the things you can sell - clothes, accessories, shoes etc that you no longer want or need.

When you do buy, buy good materials that will last and ensure to wash and dry them as appropriate. Doesn’t have to be really expensive labels or brands at all - primark do cotton T-shirts the same as M&S, you just have to look out for the material.

On vinted, make offers when items have been on a while. I just bought a Cos cashmere jumper for 40£ that seller had listed for 70£. I saw it had been on a couple months so just sent the offer and she accepted.

its really hard in this climate I know, it’s secondhand and cheap (natural material) basics for me for the time being.

eBay, eBay, eBay!!

I’ve been selling sweaty Betty, reiss, Massimo Dutti, Stella for adidas in mine for example!

also check vinted

invest in good quality underwear. Start budgeting x amount of money per month and build gradually or stick some of your clothes on vinted or eBay to make some money!

check H&M, M&S, Sainsburys for basics. Everyone should have basics they can mix and match e.g. vest tops, long sleeve tops, PJs, knickers

Check Vinted for every you need first
There are often SB on there
If you don't mind preowned even better
Just wash with laundry sanitizer
I recommend TU bras( I have bought brand new tagged from Vinted too)
Charity shops for a good coat
Then perhaps ask for gift cards for Christmas/ save up gradually.

My wardrobe is the result of constant steady investment. I don't even mean expensive investment. I'm wearing a Rapanui stripy top from the Jan sales which was £15, 2 year old H&M jeans approx £28, and old Converse which look good because they're not worn 5 days a week and worn into the ground. Yesterday was a Vinted midi dress, £20, and 4 year old Grenson boots.

You need to give yourself a monthly budget and start at the bottom of the pyramid of basics (leggings, t shirts, bras) and work up tp the big ticket items at the top.

This is sound advice.

build it gradually, set a monthly budget, prioritise basics.

How much could you realistically afford month?

can you speak with your dh and work out a reasonable budget for you? Seems he’s encouraging you to buy new clothes too, so should be on board with putting a number on that.

Sweaty Betty currently have a sale on and many leggings down 50%, so given you have wore your last pair into the ground, I’d get one of those as it’s worth it for you.

(and like many others on here, several items 2 decades old in my wardrobe)

Vinted ! Select new with tags or very good condition you'll get some bargain SB leggings on there amongst everything else

Another question OP - is your DHs wardrobe like this? Or does he get himself things he needs.

work out what you can afford a month and then slowly build back up. You clearly wear clothes until they are falling apart, so if you can afford a monthly splurge for yourself, it would be worth spending it all on a few things that really will get worn - like replacing those leggings you’ve worn so long.