What would you spend £1000 on?

[Lolabear38]

I’m a SAHM and don’t really buy new clothes for myself very often. DH has just had a new job and a nice bonus and he has gifted me £1000 which i’d like to spend on new clothes. I’m looking for good quality, well made, fashionable and both every day staples and more dressy for the rare times I go out! (Not black tie, thinking more out for dinner and occasionally out to a nice bar etc).

I’m 41, 5’6 and usually a size 12. Shops I like are Zara, Mango, Lulus, Warehouse etc. What would you be buying if you were me? I’m stuck for ideas and looking for inspiration! Links would be much appreciated too!

I have no insight but place marking as I love mentally spending money!

Gosh, how exciting!

3 pairs of jeans - 2 mom and one bootcut/high waisted. Black, grey or dark denim (always wash cold).

3 good T-shirts - black, grey/your colour and white. Whichever shape suits you. Whistles do good ones and I think other stories are good too.

3 good sweaters - black, and 2 other colours that suit you. Don't get pure wool, get a hybrid or brushed cotton - they last longer. I find Uniqlo the best quality.

1 pair of smart trainers - I like Veja - in a neutral colour.

1 pair of flat ankle boots - black probably or oxblood to go with everything. I like marks and Spencer or carvela - Zara do good boots too.

2 or 3 blazers - Zara and mango - one black and one navy (and a grey/your colour one if money left over)

1 coat - dark grey or maroon. Warm and padded but smart

I think I've gone overboard - I've forgotten dressy....I go out so infrequently the above is my daily normal wear....

If you want to add for going out - deffo one very well cut dress - in a colour that you can wear with or without tights and a heeled boot.

And wear one of the jeans with a dressy blouse and the heeled boots and a blazer, nice neat but expensive looking jewellery (John Lewis does good stuff).

In fact - you could do John Lewis personal shopper where they have mango and a few leas expensive brands?

Whatever you do, have a lovely time shopping!

I agree with @helpyhelperton but without anything black.

I'd spend it on investment pieces:

Good coat
Good boots
A dress?
Good jeans (luckily for me Per Una fit best)
If there's anything left over, probably a couple of tops.

I wouldn’t blow it on a plethora of bits from Mango/Zara.

a couple of beautiful hand made outfits tailored to my exact fit by a dressmaker.

Do not ever buy bootcut jeans.

www.womanandhome.com/fashion/french-capsule-wardrobe/

I love this list!

I thought they were coming back in a big way?! I bought a very dark pair that looked lovely will a nice blouse and a pair of heels? I thought I looked chic 😁

If you like Zara, have a look at Massimo Dutti. It’s like Zara’s big sister, slightly more grown up with nicer materials and construction.

This is a great list! Thank you! Some excellent ideas for a capsule wardrobe. I have some of these things already so I think I’ll focus on getting a couple of really well made key pieces.

I also go out very infrequently but then always get caught out and don’t have anything to wear when I do go places, so I’d love to have something fabulous in my back pocket ready! @helpyhelperton I love the idea of a dress. Years ago I bought a classic black shift dress from Oasis - I was a student at the time and it was a bit of a stretch on my finances but I wore it and wore it and wore it until eventually the zip broke! I’ve been searching for another ‘the dress’ ever since but I’ve never found one I like as much!

Yes I’m very keen on investing in some lovely investment pieces, it does make me nervous though! I haven’t seen anything yet that’s spoken to me enough to splash out on but I’m going to keep looking!

For me I would start with a couple of cashmere jumpers. I’d then move onto a good pair of boots and a good pair of trainers. I’d also look at a coat/jacket for winter.

I would then buy a new bag and possibly a purse, a lovely perfume and I’d get some bras.

With what’s left, it would be a mix of trousers or jeans and a couple of tops.

I also suggest an appointment with a John Lewis personal shopper.

Unfortunately my hubby didn't treat me, but I treated me, because my wardrobe (and as a result me) looked horrific. It was full of random things, often that I had seen and thought they looked ok, were reduced but nothing really went with anything.

These are what I have bought to create a new wardrobe. I have focused mainly on blacks and camels initially, just to get a good base and will over the next few months build in some colour. I have never spent a lot on clothes so spending more money on each thing is a little uncomfortable, but I have ignored that and just went fro it. I am really impressed, the items feel really lovely, they seem to fit rather than just fit on me, and I actually feel quite special wearing them - the feel very different to wear.

https://www.johnlewis.com/ro-zo-modal-pocket-detail-shirt-dress-black/p110988305?size=14&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImfCf4-_tgQMVQcTtCh2Kfg4CEAQYAiABEgIzNPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/leopard-print-waist-belt-70569700007.html

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/lesia-leopard-pleated-maxi-skirt-80134420016.html

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/kate-plisse-midi-skirt-80130066916.html

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/ocha-straight-leg-jeans-10153158216.html

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/senita-fine-knit-jumper-40382720603.html

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/senita-v-neck-knit-jumper-40349310602.html

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/ocha-straight-leg-jeans-10152419316.html

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/ruffle-tie-neck-jumper/sty-k0847

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/wide-leg-corduroy-trousers-red-oak/sty-r0423-mbr

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/kew-corduroy-trousers/sty-r0431

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/kew-corduroy-trousers-camel/sty-r0431-cam

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/wide-leg-corduroy-trousers-black/sty-r0423-blk

3 long sleeved t shirts (white, red and Burgundy) made to fit from here https://www.citizenwolf.com/

I got these new on eBay but in brown , and for less than than half the price
https://duoboots.com/products/harper-grey-suede?

John Lewis personal stylist time. You don't have to buy anything but you'll have a £1K if you do.
Personal Styling Service (johnlewis.com)

My fav spend (not in the £1000 region) was on a bra fitting (shes fab, called the bra boss of kent!) I spent almost £200 on new Bras and at the ripe old age of 43 I'm finally wearing the correct size bra... clothes look and feel so much better with a decent bra underneath! Enjoy your shopping spree

High end bag in a classic shape like a saddle bag
A couple of pairs of decent jeans
A good coat
A hood pair of boots that are classic and rehealable!

Get on Pinterest for capsule wardrobes, such a good place to start and go from there. A lot of the posts have links to where the items are from.

Select a colour pallet. I like blacks/greys but am recently swaying more to neutrals now my children are a bit older and chocolate handprints and snot being wiped on me isn’t such an issue.

I also suit jewel colours so for your “dressier piece” what about a silk shirt - bright pink, Ruby red, emerald green etc.Shirt/wrap dresses are also really flattering, can be dressed down with sandals and a cross bag or dressed up with heels/wedges/boots and a an evening bag.

Depending on your day to day style - a decent pair of trainers (I love new balance) chelsea boots and a good bag (I get the best bargains in tkmaxx) Got a great black Valentino hanbgag for £60 that I get complimented on most times I use it.

The John Lewis personal shopper experience sounds amazing though.

Enjoy xx

Have you ever thought of using a stylist?

I was in a similar situation, had about that much money to spend and decided I wanted some proper advice on what suits me and also just to outsource the effort to someone else!

I found a local stylist, she came round and did a wardrobe detox for two hours so she could get a feel of what I like / what I need / my body.

Then we went shopping a few weeks later for 2 hours she had gone round all the shops and picked out stuff for me so we just glided into each shop and a prepared dressing room with it all laid out.

I've never felt so good in clothes and like a princess for the day! She got me a whole new capsule wardrobe.

Cost £200 in total for the service, well worth it.

Monsoon have some nice things in at the moment. But if I had £1000 to spend I would get this and these and spend the rest on all of the items I have favourited on Vinted :)

Nice bag, nice shoes, blazer that matches dressy trousers and jeans, also a skirt that coordinates. Black/white/2brightly coloured tops. Black trousers. One jumper one cardigan. A couple of dresses.

I follow someone on Instagram and they were saying colours that always look good on women are brown/beige; emerald with black, cobalt blue either with black or another bright colour and white with red/black/blue.

Decide which colours you love and which style have the wow factor for you then try to stick to a couple of themes so that most of your clothes coordinate/don’t clash. That way you will have endless combinations. I love thicker, higher quality fabrics because they make you look nicer. A friend of mine who always looks perfect always wear this type of clothes.

Finally accessorise with scarf/chain/bracelet etc.

I would start with:
black Longchamp tote
new black leather jacket
a bra fitting and some new bras and knickers
a winter coat
ankle boots - maybe the soft DMs
two or three pairs of jeans
some thin jumpers

Trying not to buy this Reiss jumper right now asI don’t need it, I just want it.